'How much profit had they actually made? Enough to prompt Kumogakure—despite having only recently signed a peace agreement with Konoha—to consciously honor its so-called "ally" obligations and even take the initiative to deepen the relationship by an entire tier.'
Roshi couldn't help feeling intrigued, though he kept his curiosity to himself. In response to Samui's proposal for a fixed joint Chūnin Exams framework, he offered only a measured reply: the details of any cooperation would have to be discussed further after he returned to Konoha, formally reported to the Hokage, and received official approval.
Still, Kumogakure's eagerness gave him a new angle to consider.
What truly drew Kumogakure's interest wasn't the Chūnin Exams themselves, but the immense profits generated by the Ninja Combat Competition.
The real core lay in its commercial potential and far-reaching influence—not its administrative role as a selection mechanism.
He had some hazy ideas forming, but they still needed to be sorted, refined, and turned into something concrete.
Not receiving a definitive answer from Konoha did not disappoint Samui. To her, the most important outcome was that Kumogakure's wish to participate in Konoha's September Chūnin Exams had effectively received tacit approval from the Konoha delegation's leader.
That alone was enough.
It meant that the next time Kumogakure proactively extended an invitation for a joint Chūnin Exams, Konoha—out of diplomatic reciprocity—would likely be hard-pressed to refuse.
With that milestone achieved, Samui granted the Konoha envoy greater freedom of movement, specifically permission to operate within Kumogakure's non-core areas under escort.
Roshi accepted without hesitation, immediately expressing his desire to explore the village.
Since the invitation came from her, Samui naturally became his guide.
Over the past few days, Roshi had already grown familiar with Kumogakure's distinctive architectural style.
He was also long accustomed to seeing ninja who were noticeably more robust than their Konoha counterparts walking the streets.
It wasn't until they entered the commercial district that he truly felt Kumogakure's unique atmosphere. Beyond shops selling standard ninja tools, there were even several stores dedicated exclusively to protein powders and fitness supplements—and business was booming.
"Samui-san, does the Raikage need more protein powder?" One shop owner called out to her familiarly.
"No," Samui replied coolly. "It's our ally from konoha who's interested."
The word ally immediately softened the shopkeeper's expression. He turned to Roshi, giving him an appraising look. "Young man, you look a bit… scrawny."
"A real man needs a strong body and solid muscles!" he declared, swiftly pulling several brightly colored cans from the shelf. "My shop is personally certified by the Raikage! If the results aren't good, the Raikage himself will come smash the place!"
"Care to sign up for a membership card?"
"The gym next door partners with us—members get discounts."
—
The standard escort unit assigned to a Daimyō typically numbered between nine and thirteen shinobi: one Jōnin leader, supported by one or two Special Jōnin, with the rest made up of Chūnin.
This time, however, the Uchiha escort team Konoha dispatched to the Fire Capital far exceeded those norms.
Three full squads. Three Uchiha Jōnin. Nine Chūnin. And Uchiha Shisui himself as commander.
It was a force sufficient to ignite a localized conflict between any of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
These Uchiha—"recommended" to the Fire Capital during the sensitive period of Police reform—were widely regarded as the group most resistant to the new policies.
And they lived up to that reputation.
"Even members of the Aburame clan are being allowed into the force now," one Uchiha muttered darkly.
"This kind of expansion is nothing but dilution of our clan's authority—a prelude to stripping us of control."
"What so-called new opportunities? It's just another way to isolate us…"
Grievances piled atop resentment in the confined space. They could feel their status and honor being eroded by an invisible hand, yet they had no means to resist it.
Only after their emotions had brewed to a critical point did Enjin finally speak.
"We have to return. This opportunity won't come again."
"Shisui isn't here—there's no need to act overtly. A subtle nudge will suffice. If the Daimyō himself requests a change in guards, the Village will have no grounds to refuse."
"As long as we can make it back to the Village…"
Enjin's gaze swept over the gathered Uchiha. The fire in their eyes had not yet gone out; they had not been fully broken. As long as they could return, resistance was still possible.
Yet, unseen by them, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Shisui stood concealed in the shadows, accompanied by two specially selected Anbu squads, silently observing the secret meeting.
An unauthorized deviation from the assigned mission route. Secret infiltration of the Fire Capital. Covert communication with other shinobi entrusted with critical escort duties.
Any single act might have been excusable. Together, they formed an unassailable chain of crimes.
No matter how many merits Enjin had accumulated for the village in the past, these actions were now undeniable.
They finally had sufficient justification—clean, legitimate, and beyond dispute—to deal with these radicals as a group.
There was no need to resort to executions. Simple imprisonment would be enough to eliminate many future risks.
But not yet.
The real prey had yet to reveal itself. Acting now would only startle the snake in the grass.
"Shisui, their behavior will not implicate the rest of the Uchiha," Hiruzen said calmly, his voice steady and reassuring.
"I give you my word. As long as they do not violently resist arrest, the final resolution will primarily be confinement."
"For now, we wait. Only when the true enemy appears will all of this have meaning."
Shisui's emotions were tangled and difficult to put into words. Still, he understood the weight of the situation and answered quietly, "I understand, Sandaime-sama."
The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, had personally briefed him. Even the Third Hokage—long retired from frontline affairs—had come out of seclusion for this operation.
That alone proved how seriously the Village regarded the possibility of Uchiha operating from the shadows, undermining relations between the clan and Konoha itself.
And so, he endured.
"Kamon," Hiruzen said, turning to the Hyūga branch member within the Anbu unit, "any abnormal chakra signatures nearby?"
"Within the target structure, no chakra sources other than the confirmed Uchiha have been detected," Hyūga Kamon replied evenly, Byakugan veins faintly bulging at his temples.
"As for the surrounding area… the Fire Capital is too densely populated. Chakra interference is severe. I can only monitor for unfamiliar or hostile signatures that actively approach Uchiha Enjin."
"Maintain observation," Hiruzen ordered. "Stay alert. Pay particular attention when Enjin separates from the group."
—
"Uchiha Enjin is completely exposed now."
Black Zetsu's voice echoed softly.
With his unique sensory abilities and near-perfect concealment, few could escape his awareness in an unsealed environment.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto and Killer Bee had been detected by him moments after leaving their barrier—despite the chaos of battle.
Such a sensory range was rare, even among legends.
Over the past two years, Obito had grown cautious. His plans had been foiled repeatedly, their outcomes falling far short of expectations.
Last year's abrupt shift—when the Hidden Mist slipped entirely from his grasp—had only deepened his wariness.
Unlike Kirigakure, if Konoha launched a sudden strike here, he truly could be overwhelmed.
Shisui's reputation for possessing the most formidable genjutsu in the world was no exaggeration. Kamui could resolve most situations—but this was one of the few scenarios where even Obito had to tread carefully.
And the Fire Capital was precisely where Shisui was stationed long-term.
Revealing himself now would be reckless. Let Zetsu investigate first—then decide.
"The Third Hokage himself is present, Obito," White Zetsu chimed in. "So… what's the next move?"
To be exposed this quickly… Uchiha Enjin was nothing more than a wasted piece.
How much did Konoha truly understand about the deeper motives behind Enjin's betrayal? Obito couldn't be certain. But with the Third Hokage personally taking the field—and Shisui present as well—this lineup was clearly overkill for dealing with a mere rogue shinobi.
If someone were to forcefully overturn the situation, perhaps only Pain could manage it.
After all, genjutsu was meaningless against the Six Paths of Pain.
But the locations of the nine Tailed Beasts were still not fully confirmed. Revealing Pain's hand prematurely—just for the sake of Uchiha Enjin and a handful of expendable pawns—was obviously not worth the price.
That left only one question.
How could he squeeze the final value out of these pieces before discarding them?
Perhaps he could pick out a few promising individuals and bring them into Akatsuki. After all, the organization still had plenty of empty seats…
—
"Captain Roshi, what's that?" Gekkō Hayate asked, eyeing the oversized bag as his squad leader returned to the base.
Roshi reached inside, pulled out a can of protein powder, and casually tossed it to him.
"A local specialty, Hayate," he said. "Time to start building some muscle."
"Cough—cough, cough!" Hayate clutched the can and immediately broke into heavier coughing. "My condition isn't caused by a lack of muscle."
"This thing won't help me, Captain Roshi."
"Then give it to Yūgao."
At that, Hayate froze—then quietly hugged the can tighter.
"I… I'll keep it myself. Thank you, Captain."
Certified by the Fourth Raikage, after all. At the very least, checking the ingredient list couldn't hurt. Roshi didn't lack strength, but who knew—maybe it had some other effect.
Just as Roshi turned to head back to his room, he paused, reached into the bag again, and tossed another can over.
Hayate's expression darkened instantly.
"This one's for Iruka," Roshi added calmly.
'…I could just give him the one I'm holding.'
Hayate swallowed the thought whole, suddenly worried that his captain might have yet another profound idea in mind.
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