Chiba had already sensed that the visitors outside were members of his clan.
He was about to open the door when the knocking suddenly stopped.
His brow furrowed slightly.
He could sense additional chakra signatures outside.
"Captain Chi—"
"Silence!"
A deep voice cut the speaker off.
Chiba recognized it immediately.
Uchiha Yakumi.
"Do you intend to defy Elder Yashiro's orders?!"
"B-but…"
The door suddenly swung open from the inside.
Chiba stepped out.
"What happened?"
There was no need for explanation.
From the way they were restraining one another, he could already feel a powerful sense of foreboding.
"Captain!"
"Captain Chiba!"
"I—"
Yakumi stepped forward again, blocking them.
"Chiba. You've been suspended."
"Matters concerning the Police Force cannot be disclosed to you for now."
"I'm only following orders. I ask for your understanding."
If that were truly the case, Chiba would not have cared.
But seeing the agitation in his subordinates' faces, he knew the situation was far more serious.
"Where are Aoki and Yamaka?"
His voice sharpened instantly.
If his men had come to see him, those two—his most devoted followers—would never be absent.
"They… they…"
Yakumi barked angrily,
"All of you, be quiet!"
"Will you truly defy orders?!"
Chiba's voice turned cold.
"Yakumi. Tell me the truth."
"I already told you—it doesn't concern you."
Chiba stepped closer.
"You know me."
"Even if you don't tell me, I will find out."
Yakumi hesitated.
He did not wish to disobey Elder Yashiro.
But he also knew the man standing before him.
If Chiba chose to act, nothing could stop him.
Perhaps telling him was better than letting him discover the truth himself—and unleash chaos.
"Chiba… I can disobey the order and tell you."
"But first—"
"You must promise you won't act recklessly."
Chiba answered without hesitation.
"I promise nothing."
"You—!"
He continued, his voice rising.
"Aoki and Yamaka are missing."
"The order came from Elder Yashiro, not the Clan Head."
"Do you take me for a fool?"
"What happened to the clan?!"
Yakumi finally sighed.
And told him everything.
When Chiba heard that Yamaka had lost an arm and Aoki was gravely wounded, his fists slowly clenched.
When he heard that Clan Head Fugaku had been taken by the ANBU—
The pressure around him exploded.
Without another word, he turned and began walking away.
Yakumi and the others immediately blocked his path.
"What are you doing?!"
Chiba's eyes were like ice.
"The so-called ANBU removed their masks and staged a farce with a Kirigakure spy to frame them."
"Aoki and Yamaka lie wounded."
"Even the Clan Head has been taken."
"And you still intend to stop me?"
Yakumi's face flushed with frustration.
"You know it's a trap, yet you still want to walk into it?!"
Chiba's gaze remained unyielding.
"If they want a fight, I'll give them one."
"If they seek death…"
"I will deliver it."
With that, his figure shot forward.
He moved like lightning—faster than thought—slipping between two Police Force shinobi and breaking through the encirclement.
"Chiba! Don't act rashly!"
Yakumi wiped sweat from his brow.
"I'll pursue him!"
"The rest of you report to Elder Yashiro!"
"Yes!"
"Captain Chiba! We're coming with you!"
Members of Chiba's squad rushed after him.
Yakumi cursed under his breath.
"Why are his subordinates just as reckless as he is?!"
"After them!"
"Yes!"
But Chiba did not head toward the ANBU headquarters.
Instead—
He sped toward Konoha Hospital.
"Aoki… Yamaka…"
"You fools…"
His speed increased again, wind tearing past him.
…
Inside Konoha Hospital.
Uchiha Yamaka, his severed arm heavily bandaged, blood still seeping through, forced himself out of bed and staggered toward Aoki's bedside.
Aoki had not awakened.
"Aoki…"
"Don't you dare die…"
"I still want to follow Captain Chiba with you… to keep fighting…"
Tears streamed down his face.
"I'm sorry, Captain…"
"I was foolish…"
"You were."
A familiar voice sounded from behind him.
"It was an obvious trap."
Yamaka froze.
Then warmth flooded through him.
"C-Captain…"
Chiba stepped forward, his eyes tightening when he saw the missing arm.
"Your arm…"
"It's nothing… just an arm."
"But Aoki…"
"What did the doctors say?"
Yamaka shook his head.
"He was stabbed from behind. His lungs and heart were injured."
"The doctors did everything they could."
"But whether he wakes up…"
Chiba nodded once.
"I'm sorry, Captain. It's my fault—"
"Idiot."
Chiba's voice was sharp.
"It was the enemy's crime."
"Why blame yourself?"
"Is that what I taught you?"
Yamaka lowered his head.
Chiba placed a hand on his remaining shoulder.
"Recover."
"Take care of Aoki."
"He won't die."
"…Yes, Captain."
Chiba looked once more at Aoki's pale face.
Then he turned and walked out.
"Captain! Where are you going?!"
But the door had already closed.
Yamaka's heart pounded with dread.
He knew his captain.
The village would not remain calm for long.
…
In a secluded corner of Konoha stood the ANBU detention facility.
The Police Force and ANBU often crossed paths, though their holding areas were separate.
Chiba strode forward without slowing.
Two ANBU guards stood alert before the entrance.
Chiba stopped in front of them.
And spoke only one sentence.
"Whoever stands in my way will fall."
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