'I'm not even considered worthy.'
As he watched the Konoha ninja depart, the realization settled heavily in Darui's chest.
"…Darui-nii?" Atsui hesitated, clearly sensing the subtle shift in mood.
"Let's go," Darui said, turning his eyes away.
Let this Chūnin Exams end as soon as possible.
He had faced many people stronger than himself—but this was different. Standing before someone only a few years older, someone who already occupied an entirely different tier, and who didn't even bother to regard him as a potential rival…
Darui discovered that he had not yet achieved true composure.
Inside the Hokage's office, Fugaku sat upright in the guest chair, his posture rigid as he faced the Fifth Hokage across the desk.
Tsunade slid a document toward him. "The Village has decided to establish an additional unit—separate from the current structure of the Military Police Force."
"Personnel will be drawn from the Aburame Clan."
Fugaku lowered his gaze to the document.
This method of expansion through inclusion felt uncomfortably familiar. It was nearly identical to the proposal he himself had once suggested to Roshi—a moderate, flexible solution he had believed to be the most viable.
Back then, it had been dismissed without ceremony.
Now the village was moving forward with a similar plan on its own initiative.
Had the higher-ups learned of the Hyūga members being marginalized within the Police Force? Was this meant as compensation—or was it another form of pressure?
"Hokage-sama," Fugaku said after a brief pause, "could this decision be postponed? At present, there is strong resistance within the clan. Even if the Village provides the funding, such an expansion will still provoke considerable backlash."
Tsunade interlaced her fingers on the desk. "The Aburame Clan specializes in reconnaissance and tracking. Their abilities will effectively compensate for the Police Force's current weaknesses."
"Both the Hyūga and the Uchiha rely heavily on dōjutsu-based observation."
She continued calmly, "This September, the Village will once again host a joint Chūnin Exams. Given the lessons of last year, security around the examination grounds and surrounding areas must be strengthened. The Aburame Clan's inclusion is necessary."
"With their participation, the Uchiha will also be free to focus more effectively on other responsibilities."
Fugaku said nothing, but he understood the unspoken implication.
The three members of Itachi's squad had already been promoted. New candidates would inevitably be selected to fill the vacancies.
Within the Military Police Force, many were quietly eager. Promotion in less than a year of village service was an opportunity few could ignore.
As for the three clan members who had fallen on the eastern front—that had been a battlefield.
Ninja died on missions. That was reality.
If the Uchiha elite were to shy away from core departments like the Anbu out of fear of death, they would earn nothing but contempt from their own strength-worshipping clansmen.
More importantly, with Itachi personally overseeing the selection—and with three successful precedents already established—the Anbu had become a destination worth aspiring to.
"…I understand," Fugaku finally said. He lowered his head and reached for the document. "The Uchiha Clan will cooperate with the Village's arrangements."
When news of the Aburame squad's establishment spread, it caused little stir within the Uchiha.
After all, the unit was funded by the Village and did not directly encroach upon existing Uchiha quotas.
But Enjin did not see it as a benign development.
This was already the second clan inserted into the police force.
And the question that lingered in his mind was a dangerous one.
Who will be next?
In reality, the inclusion of new members into the police force now required approval from the village's upper echelon.
Which meant that every time Itachi drew personnel from the Police Force into the Anbu, the proportion of Uchiha within their own institution shrank a little further.
They were being deceived.
Blinded by the short-lived satisfaction of promotions and Anbu appointments, the Clan failed to see the truth: the very foundation of Uchiha authority was being quietly eroded, piece by piece.
'I can't remain in the Village any longer.'
'If I don't act now, then by the time the Uchiha completely lose control of the Police Force… it will already be too late.'
With that resolve hardening in his heart, Enjin sought out Itachi.
"Itachi," he said carefully, "about what we discussed last time—regarding the Hokage's agreement for me to lead a team on an external mission. When will it finally begin?"
"There are still internal discussions within the clan," Itachi replied softly. "The personnel list hasn't been finalized."
Enjin clenched his teeth.
Idiots…
He drew in a slow breath and lowered his voice. "Then let me choose the candidates myself. I know who the real elites are—those who truly care about the Clan's future and can be trusted."
Itachi shook his head. "That won't convince the rest of the clan."
"And the police force must retain sufficient manpower to function. We can't pull away all the core members."
Enjin fell silent.
Was it really going to drag on like this? Since when had the Uchiha become so hesitant—so fragmented?
More importantly, this was one of the few windows of opportunity he had. That person was currently outside the village. Once he returned from overseeing the Chūnin Exams, slipping away unnoticed would become far more difficult.
"Itachi—" Enjin nearly blurted out everything.
But he stopped himself.
Itachi's stance might have already shifted. Perhaps he was no longer standing solely on the Clan's side.
That man had said as much.
After several attempts to feed intelligence about movements near the Hokage Building—and seeing how they were handled—Enjin's heart had already begun to lean toward that conclusion.
"Let me go alone," Enjin said in a near-whisper, urgency bleeding into his voice. "No squad. I can act far more discreetly on my own."
Itachi refused immediately. "That violates Anbu protocol."
"This is my responsibility!" Enjin insisted. "Itachi—my responsibility to the Clan!"
Those eyes—already tinged with crimson—stared back at him.
Itachi remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he spoke. "You'll need to submit a detailed plan of action. A projected operational area. And a clear method of emergency contact."
Joy flared instantly in Enjin's eyes, the crimson fading as quickly as it had appeared.
"I understand!" he nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Itachi!"
Hidden Cloud Village.
On a secluded cliff overlooking the mist-veiled terrain, Darui trained alone.
A massive presence appeared behind him.
Darui paused and turned. "Boss."
"The cheers from the spectators," the Raikage said evenly, "weren't encouragement to you. They felt like humiliation instead, didn't they?"
Darui said nothing.
"I understand," the Raikage continued. He stepped forward, standing beside Darui as they looked down at the village below. "That's why what you're doing—and what he is doing—are fundamentally the same."
"Both of you are striving for the Village's benefit."
Darui lowered his head. "It's my failing, Boss. I felt jealous—toward someone close to my age who's already earned recognition and status."
"My heart wavered because I was underestimated. I lost the calm a ninja should possess."
The Raikage shook his head and placed a heavy hand on Darui's shoulder.
"No, Darui. That isn't a flaw."
"It's precisely this sense of competition that drives a person to grow stronger."
He tightened his grip slightly. "To recognize your own shortcomings—and still choose to suppress personal pride for the sake of a greater goal… to follow the Village's arrangements instead of acting recklessly…"
The Raikage smiled faintly.
"You've already become stronger than before."
--------------------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For +70 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777