The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains and spilled into the room.
Tsunade had left before dawn, limping as she went.
Chiya had just finished washing up when hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Clan Head, Lord Fugaku is requesting an audience!"
A member of the Uchiha clan spoke respectfully from outside the main entrance.
"Let him in."
Chiya straightened his collar and turned to walk toward the living room.
Fugaku pushed the door open and entered. A trace of fatigue showed on his face, clearly the meeting last night had taken considerable energy out of him.
He stood straight and came forward.
"The results of last night's meeting are in."
Chiya gestured for him to sit, then leaned back in his own chair and tapped the armrest lightly with his fingers.
"Go ahead. What trick did the Third come up with?"
Fugaku took a deep breath and began his detailed report.
"At the meeting, the Hokage also called Hatake Sakumo in. After discussion among those present, the Anbu was split into two separate divisions."
"Oh?"
Chiya's brow rose, a flicker of interest crossing his eyes.
"The first is an Anbu division led by Hatake Sakumo, composed of members from the major clans and civilian ninja. Personnel are appointed primarily by Sakumo himself, with recommendations from the major clans. Recruitment and staffing are not subject to the Hokage's oversight. Its main responsibilities are external combat, reconnaissance, and support."
Fugaku paused, then continued.
"The second division is the Hokage's Guard, personally selected by the Hokage. It serves as the Hokage's exclusive Anbu unit."
Chiya let out a short laugh.
"The Third is actually letting the major clans and civilians form their own Anbu division?"
"Interesting. Keep going."
Fugaku nodded.
"As for Root, its responsibilities have been clearly defined as internal and external espionage and intelligence operations, making it a special intelligence agency. However, leadership of Root is being held directly by the Third for the time being."
"And the relationship between the three divisions?"
Fugaku considered for a moment.
"Sakumo's Anbu and Root mutually oversee each other. The Hokage's Guard answers only to the Third."
"At the meeting, Sakumo argued strongly and demanded strict supervision over Root. The Third ultimately agreed to this arrangement."
Chiya narrowed his eyes and quietly calculated the Third's intentions.
On the surface, this appeared to be a concession to Sakumo while also reining in Root.
But in reality, by splitting the Anbu, the Third had effectively diluted Sakumo's authority. Although Sakumo's division had control over its own personnel arrangements, it was still subject to Root's checks through the mutual oversight structure.
And Root was now firmly back in the Third's hands.
The Third's actual power seemed, if anything, more concentrated than before.
"What about Danzo?"
Chiya asked suddenly.
The corner of Fugaku's mouth lifted slightly.
"Danzo has been stripped of his position as Hokage Advisor and as head of Root. He is currently under house arrest, with Sakumo's Anbu responsible for watching over him each day."
Upon hearing this, Chiya could not help but laugh.
"Danzo, Danzo. So this day has finally come for you!"
Fugaku allowed himself a rare smile as well.
"Clan Head, this situation has dealt an effective blow to the Hokage's faction led by the Third."
"Within the village, although everyone knows Danzo was the problem, more than a few people have begun to turn their attention toward the Third. The major clans in particular are clearly becoming somewhat wary of him."
Chiya nodded, his gaze thoughtful and deep.
"This is only the first step. The Third may appear to have lost some standing, but this move to balance power was well played. Sakumo's Anbu has had its authority dispersed, but at least its core strength is preserved. The Hokage's Guard going forward will likely be filled entirely with the Third's own people. Root is being held directly by the Third, so there will be no major moves from that side in the short term. As for Danzo, he is a discarded piece for now."
Fugaku fell into thought.
"Then what should we do next?"
Chiya stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the Hokage Rock in the distance.
"We watch and wait. The Third wants to play at balancing power, so we will play along. The Uchiha's position in the Military Police stays the same. Sakumo has the Anbu covered. Root cannot stir up trouble for now. We simply need to handle our own affairs and wait for the right moment."
"The right moment?"
Fugaku reflected on that.
"Clan Head, what exactly does that moment refer to?"
"The turbulence inside is only the beginning. When enough pressure comes from outside, the moment will appear. Be patient and wait."
"Outside pressure?"
Fugaku's heart jolted. He gave a solemn nod.
"I understand."
Chiya turned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Good work. Go home and rest."
After Fugaku left, Chiya was in an exceptionally good mood.
He changed into casual clothes and strolled leisurely toward Military Police headquarters.
All along the way, the villagers greeted him with more deference than usual.
Upon arriving at the headquarters, Chiya immediately switched into full relaxation mode.
He handed every document over to Mikoto to deal with and settled himself by the window to soak up the sun.
Mikoto looked at him helplessly.
"Chiya-nii, you are slacking off again!"
Chiya grinned and ruffled her hair.
"Those with ability get the harder work. Mikoto is the best!"
Mikoto's face turned red. She lowered her head, and the resentment that had just started building in her heart quietly melted away.
Time passed and noon arrived. Chiya was just about to take Mikoto out for something good to eat when a Military Police member came running over in a hurry.
"Clan Head, Jonin Yakushi Nono is inviting you to meet at the barbecue restaurant. She says it is important."
Chiya was mildly surprised.
"Nono? Did she say what it was about?"
"This subordinate does not know. She only said it was an urgent matter."
Chiya nodded.
"Understood. Tell her I will be there shortly. Also, let Mikoto know I have something important to take care of at noon today."
"Yes!"
With that, Chiya left the headquarters.
A short while later, Chiya pushed open the door of the barbecue restaurant and spotted Yakushi Nono right away, sitting in a corner.
She had dressed in simple, understated casual clothes today. Her golden hair was loosely tied back, but her brow carried a faint shadow of worry.
Chiya walked over and sat across from her, asking with a smile.
"What made you suddenly invite me for barbecue? Did you miss me?"
Yakushi Nono managed a thin smile.
"Chiya, you came."
Chiya picked up on her mood immediately. He dropped the playful expression and asked gently.
"What happened?"
Yakushi Nono lowered her head, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her teacup.
Seeing this, Chiya moved to sit beside her and took her hand gently.
"Nono, whatever it is, you can tell me."
Feeling the warmth of his palm, Yakushi Nono's eyes began to redden at the edges.
She drew a slow breath and spoke quietly.
"Today, the Anbu brought back several children from outside the village and delivered them to the hospital. They are all orphans from the surrounding villages. Under the rules, Root and the Anbu will select those who are capable of training and send them in for that training. Those who are too young or cannot train yet will be sent to the orphanage to wait for future selection."
Chiya understood her worry immediately.
Yakushi Nono had grown up in an orphanage herself. She knew all too well the suffering of children with nowhere to belong.
Seeing new orphans arrive now, she seemed to see her own past self reflected in them.
"Some of those children are only three or four years old. And they had injuries on them..."
Her voice caught.
"I do not know how to help them. I am afraid that someday they will be forced down the same road I was."
Chiya gently drew her into his arms and spoke softly.
"Nono, you have already done so much. Those children are fortunate to have someone like you looking out for them."
Yakushi Nono leaned against his shoulder. Tears slid down her face without a sound.
"But my strength alone is too small. I cannot protect everyone."
Chiya was quiet for a moment, then said suddenly.
"Nono, have you ever thought about changing all of this?"
She lifted her head and looked at him through tear-blurred eyes.
"Changing it?"
Chiya's gaze was steady and gentle.
"Yes. Changing it. Not just helping these few children, but fundamentally improving the conditions in the orphanage so that every child can have a better future."