The interrogation seemed to have yielded excellent results.
Glancing at the trembling Raikage, Bai Ye rubbed his chin thoughtfully before turning to leave.
Uchiha Satoshi was proving to be a valuable asset.
Of course, he still needed a bit of fine-tuning.
Perhaps it was also worth monitoring whether he exhibited any early signs of the Uchiha's unique brand of psychosis—an unfortunate affliction that had emerged in several of their clan members throughout history.
But that wasn't Bai Ye's main purpose for coming to headquarters today.
He had only stopped by to clock out for the day.
Later that evening, he had plans to go shopping with Uzuki Yugao.
Such was the simple and unpretentious life of the strong.
Let the higher-ups play their political games—Bai Ye had no interest in their machinations.
That said…
As Captain of the Uchiha Police Force, he couldn't exactly remain idle either.
After all, sometimes he had to visit his sister-in-law.
After the Third Shinobi War, when he had returned carrying Fugaku on his back, the Uchiha Clan Head had grown increasingly weary. His responsibilities were taking a toll on him, leaving him more and more powerless to change the clan's fate.
As a dutiful captain, Bai Ye saw it as his responsibility to ensure that his sister-in-law was properly cared for.
"I've been really busy these days."
Bai Ye sighed, shaking his head.
---
Konoha – Hokage's Office
At that moment, inside the dimly lit office, a figure kneeled on one knee, calmly delivering a report.
Across from him, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his chair, deep in thought as he processed the information.
"You're saying he casually handed the interrogation of Raikage over to Uchiha Satoshi?"
As Hokage, it was his duty to know everything happening within the village.
He needed absolute control.
And today's events had been far too significant to ignore.
But the Uchiha Police Force was a fortress of secrecy. The only way to obtain any reliable intelligence from within was through Uchiha Itachi.
Even though using Itachi was risky, Hiruzen had decided it was necessary.
"Yes," Itachi responded, his tone even and composed. "My position hasn't granted me access to any deeper information yet. Though I was recently promoted to vice-captain of my squad, I am still in the learning phase. Most key matters do not pass through my hands."
He spoke about his daily life in the Uchiha Police Force with the detached neutrality of a seasoned spy.
"Every morning, Might Guy-sensei takes us for an intense training regimen, focusing on taijutsu fundamentals."
"After that, I am constantly harassed by a certain individual known as 'Mr. Tree'—a man who not only refers to Uchiha Bai Ye as his 'brother-in-law' but also claims to be his 'illegitimate son' with Lady Tsunade. He routinely drags me to the bathhouse for… mutual cleansing."
Itachi's expression darkened slightly. "Resistance is futile. I can only comply."
As he recalled today's events, his fingers clenched slightly.
He had barely escaped the bathhouse before he was subjected to yet another enthusiastic 'comparison' session with Mr. Tree.
The man had grinned mockingly while proclaiming, "Heh, you're still a rookie compared to Bai Ye! What a shame!"
While Itachi understood that not everyone could possess Bai Ye's monstrous physique, it was an insulting experience nonetheless.
"Following that, we conduct our daily patrols."
"Officially, they are patrols. In reality, it's merely a day when certain businesses pay their 'protection fees,' and the teams assigned to patrol duty collect them."
"Surprisingly, the merchants welcome this system."
Even Itachi found it bizarre.
Despite paying standard village taxes—which technically entitled them to Konoha's protection—none of them seemed to resent the additional fees paid to the Uchiha Police Force.
"After the lunch break, squad leaders gather for a 'meeting.'"
Itachi's gaze sharpened slightly. "But in truth, these meetings are just a front for card games and self-congratulatory boasting."
"Today, for instance, they raised their cups in a toast to Uchiha Satoshi."
"Uchiha Cong was extremely pleased, and his subordinates showered him with praise."
His report continued methodically.
"In the afternoon, there's a second round of training. This time, it isn't led by Guy-sensei, but instead consists of the obedience drills implemented by Bai Ye himself."
"These include a variety of… 'activities,' such as coordination exercises, tactical formations, and strategic role-playing."
"Then, if there are no assignments in the evening, we clock out as usual."
Itachi fell silent, his brows knitting together slightly.
"Hokage-sama, with all due respect, I fail to see how lurking within the Police Force is yielding any meaningful intelligence."
"Furthermore, I have yet to find any evidence that the Uchiha Police Force poses a threat to the village."
Yes.
That had been the entire justification for his mission.
Hiruzen had insisted that the Uchiha Police Force was a growing danger to Konoha—that their actions needed to be monitored from within.
And yet, despite all his time there, Itachi had not witnessed a single instance of the police force acting against Konoha's interests.
In fact, the Police Force had repeatedly protected the village, maintaining order in ways that even the Hokage's direct forces struggled to.
"Heh… You simply haven't been granted access to the core operations yet."
Hiruzen smiled, lighting his pipe.
Thick smoke filled the air, drifting straight into Itachi's face.
Was this… intentional?
A subtle act of retribution for Itachi's earlier display of independent thought?
Itachi wordlessly endured the second-hand smoke, remaining as impassive as ever.
Within the Police Force, smoking was common, but there was a designated smoking area. Even Bai Ye had the courtesy not to blow smoke directly in someone's face.
"Very well. Continue your surveillance. If necessary, I will contact you directly."
With a dismissive wave, Hiruzen ended the conversation.
There was no point in analyzing minor details—he had already obtained the most crucial piece of information.
Hiruzen's eyes gleamed as he scribbled down four words onto a blank sheet of paper:
Uchiha Satoshi!
A minor figure he had once overlooked.
But no longer.
Today, his oversight had been corrected.
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe, his mind sharp and alert.
He couldn't be mistaken.
At the village gate, he had seen it.
The strange pattern in Uchiha Satoshi's pupils!
That was Mangekyō Sharingan.
A power even Uchiha Fugaku—the head of the clan—had concealed from the world.
Fugaku had awakened it during the Third Shinobi War but had deliberately kept it hidden.
And now, another Uchiha had unlocked its secrets.
Uchiha Satoshi.
A name to remember.
Moreover, Satoshi was the one who had been entrusted with Raikage's interrogation.
There were many angles to exploit here.
"Hmm… We need to test the waters first."
Hiruzen's eyes flashed with calculation.
With a firm decision made, he called out:
"Come in."
A masked ANBU operative entered, kneeling before the Hokage.
Awaiting his orders.
"I have a mission for you…"
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