The intelligence report had already passed through Kakashi's hands, so he didn't need to guess why Roshi had summoned him.
Thus, when the order came for the ANBU to notify Hyūga Hiashi and prepare two teams for deployment to the stadium area, Kakashi wasn't surprised in the slightest.
What did catch his attention, however, was what happened next.
The moment Roshi finished giving those two instructions, he stood up from his seat as if he were about to leave the office.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, hey… has it really come to the point where both of us have to abandon our posts at the same time?"
"I've already stamped every document that needed stamping." Roshi tapped the seal pouch at his waist lightly. "Now I'm going out to take a look at the Village's newest achievement."
Kakashi nodded absentmindedly.
He had absolutely no interest in whatever "new achievement" Roshi was referring to and turned to leave.
Unfortunately for him, Roshi's hand moved faster.
It landed squarely on Kakashi's shoulder.
Firmly.
"Kakashi-senpai."
Kakashi let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping.
"You know, it was fine when you used to call me that," he said lazily. "But now every time you say senpai, I get this strange chill down my spine, Roshi."
Roshi ignored the complaint entirely.
"Have you ever flown before?"
Kakashi didn't even hesitate.
"No. And I'm not particularly interested."
"The Village has recently achieved some phased results in replicating the Sky Ninja's flying equipment."
Roshi's hand on Kakashi's shoulder remained unmoved.
"For an experienced ninja, truly soaring through the sky using mechanical equipment is a completely new experience."
"I'm past the age where I feel excessive curiosity about things like that," Kakashi replied flatly, making one last attempt at resistance.
Roshi's tone instantly shifted—businesslike and official.
"Precisely because you are the Copy Ninja who has copied thousands of ninjutsu and possesses extensive experience operating in extreme battlefield environments…"
"The Village needs your professional evaluation."
He looked directly at Kakashi.
"Your judgment in real combat situations is crucial in determining the practicality, limitations, and tactical value of this equipment."
Kakashi gave him a long look.
"Roshi," he said slowly, "coming from the man who personally wiped out the Sky Ninja Corps with ninjutsu… that argument is not very convincing."
He finally stopped trying to shake Roshi's hand off his shoulder.
"…Just an evaluation?"
Roshi nodded.
Kakashi fell silent.
During their first joint mission, he had already experienced this man's occasional mischievous streak.
Now that same person could casually play with the Hokage's official seal.
And Kakashi?
He was merely an ANBU captain.
What exactly could he do about it?
He really shouldn't have asked that extra question earlier.
With quiet resignation, Kakashi followed Roshi out of the Hokage Building.
Together they headed toward the high cliff overlooking the Hokage Rock.
The technical department had already been waiting there for some time.
When the two arrived, several technicians in white research coats were gathered around a strange piece of equipment, performing final adjustments.
At first glance, it resembled a glider.
Though strictly speaking, that wasn't entirely accurate.
It was a prototype developed by replicating and modifying the flying devices recovered from the Sky Ninja.
The technical department had named it "Feiniao" — the Flying Bird.
The device's main body featured a symmetrical wing structure on both sides, each wing stretching roughly 1.2 meters long. At the front were grips and control levers designed to secure the user's arms while allowing fine adjustments to direction during flight.
However, its design differed from the original Sky Ninja model.
Instead of a full metal frame, the wings were layered with a special membrane, stretched across the frame.
The membrane possessed both durability and chakra conductivity, allowing it to interact with the user's chakra.
A researcher who appeared to be the project leader noticed Roshi and hurried over.
"Lord Roshi."
After bowing respectfully, he began his report.
"This is Feiniao Prototype Unit 1. Its fundamental flight principle is similar to the Sky Ninja's equipment."
He gestured toward the device.
"However, it does not possess an independent propulsion system capable of sustained ascent."
"In other words, takeoff requires external acceleration."
He pointed toward the cliff edge nearby.
"Either through a launch device that provides initial velocity… or, as we've chosen for this test, gliding from a sufficiently high vantage point."
The researcher then pointed to the wing structure.
"Once the wings are deployed, the ninja must continuously supply chakra to the device."
"The chakra flows through the wing membrane and interacts with the surrounding air currents to stabilize the flight posture and provide a limited degree of propulsion."
He paused before continuing.
"Theoretically, if the user dramatically increases chakra output, they can briefly generate greater lift or burst speed."
"But doing so will rapidly drain chakra reserves, significantly reducing both the maximum flight duration and distance."
Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets, appearing relaxed.
Yet his single visible eye was carefully examining every detail of the Feiniao.
After a moment, he spoke.
"It sounds like there are quite a few limitations."
His tone was blunt.
"Probably not very practical in real combat."
Then Kakashi glanced at the researcher again.
"What about safety measures?"
The project leader's smile suddenly turned awkward.
"Well… at the moment, this prototype is mainly intended to verify the feasibility of basic flight," the researcher explained somewhat awkwardly. "Safety redundancy systems and emergency landing mechanisms are still scheduled for later development stages."
"In other words," he added carefully, "the user will need to judge and locate a suitable landing point on their own—before their chakra runs out."
Kakashi slowly turned his gaze toward Roshi.
Roshi, however, spoke as if he hadn't noticed.
"Can we begin the trial evaluation?" he asked the lead researcher directly.
"Yes, everything has been calibrated," the researcher replied quickly. "The device is ready for testing at any time."
Kakashi remained standing where he was.
He suddenly realized that every technician present—along with Roshi—had turned their eyes toward him.
"…Didn't we agree this was just an 'evaluation'?"
Despite his protest, Kakashi sighed and resigned himself to the situation.
Under the guidance of the technicians, he slipped his arms through the harness straps and grasped the control handles in front of him.
"Personal experience and firsthand data collection are essential components of an evaluation process, Kakashi-senpai," Roshi said calmly.
"Originally, I planned to conduct the first test flight myself."
He paused.
"However, considering that my chakra reserves might exceed conventional standards, the results would lack universal applicability."
"So," Roshi concluded, "I'm entrusting this important task to you."
Meanwhile, the technicians beside him repeatedly emphasized the operational procedures and safety precautions.
Kakashi stood at the edge of the cliff.
The wind whipped through his silver hair.
Below him, the vast forest had shrunk into what looked like miniature models, and farther in the distance lay the outline of the stadium district, stacked together like children's building blocks.
'…So why did I have to ask that extra question today?'
Before he could dwell on it further—
Kakashi stepped forward.
His body leaned into the wind.
Then he jumped.
Outside Konoha Village, the once simple stadium district had grown into a bustling commercial zone.
Around the competition grounds, shops lined the streets while crowds surged like waves through the area.
At the main entrance stood the police force branch headquarters.
The newly constructed building gleamed under the sunlight, its scale even grander than the original police force headquarters inside Konoha itself.
One detail, however, stood out immediately.
The emblem above the building had changed.
The Uchiha clan fan was gone.
In its place hung the unmistakable symbol of Konohagakure.
Recently, Hiashi had spent most of his time stationed here.
From the large windows of the top-floor office, the crowds below and the distant outline of the stadium could be seen clearly.
A member of the branch family quietly entered the room.
"Clanhead," he reported softly, "the ANBU have entered the stadium district and are currently arranging their positions."
Hiashi did not look away from the window.
The inevitable response from the police force headquarters had been obvious from the beginning. Even without the ANBU's warning, the Hyūga had already prepared themselves.
But now that the village had not only informed them in advance but also dispatched two ANBU squads to assist—
Handling the situation would be far simpler.
After all, Fugaku had already accepted the village's arrangement.
Any small maneuver would be instantly exposed under the watch of the Byakugan.
That was precisely why Hiashi had no objection to the boundaries Roshi had drawn.
However, what truly troubled him lay elsewhere.
At home.
His eldest daughter… was too weak.
Strength alone was not the issue.
Members of the main house rarely needed to fight on the front lines; even moderate combat ability would suffice.
But a soft personality…
That was completely unacceptable.
His second daughter, Hanabi, had just turned two.
According to the Hyūga clan's traditions, only one daughter could inherit the main house.
The other would inevitably receive the Caged Bird Seal.
But Hinata…
Hinata had not shown the qualities necessary to inherit the clan.
And placing the Caged Bird Seal on Hanabi would be nothing short of self-sabotage.
Especially now.
The Hyūga's rivalry with the Uchiha clan had only just begun.
For now, the village would support the Hyūga as the new police force branch took root.
But what about several years from now?
Or ten… twenty years in the future?
When Hiashi himself grew old?
By then, the branch would have become a permanent institution.
The village might still allow the Uchiha to retain the Captain position.
But would the Hyūga truly be able to hold their position indefinitely?
Could Hinata…
…carry such a burden?
If he wished to change the successor, however, the decision had to be made within this year and approved by the clan elders.
Hanabi—who was not yet even three years old—would need to defeat Hinata, who was five years older, and prove a clear, undeniable superiority before the Caged Bird Seal was placed.
Hiashi did not know whether such a thing was even possible.
But one thing was certain.
Hanabi's training…
Had to begin now.
------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For +100 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777
-----------------------
To keep the chapters coming - Support with POWER STONES.
For Every 100 power stones - 1 BONUS chapter.