The Maiden and the Dark Guard

The position of Head of the Board of Retainers originated as one of the "three offices and four posts" under the daimyo's shogunate during the Warring States period. The Head of the Board of Retainers was a high official responsible for guarding the daimyo's direct domain and the shogun's residence. The Uchiha Clan had long been employed by shoguns as Guardian Ninja, so the leader of the Uchiha Clan's internal Dark Guard organization retained this title.

Thus it could be seen that the Uchiha Clan's involvement in police work had a long history, with considerable historical foundations and technical accumulation. The Second Generation Senju Tobirama's establishment of the Konoha Military Police Force and his decision to place it under the Uchiha Clan's control could also be considered putting talent to proper use.

The Radical Faction Meeting held at Elder Setsuna's residence lasted for three hours. Elder Setsuna, the heads of each family lineage, and the Elders all spoke passionately and eagerly, each delivering important remarks on the Flame Style concept and the far-reaching significance of its future applications for the Uchiha Clan.

After that barrage of artfully phrased, perfectly correct nonsense, Uchiha Tokimitsu's head throbbed. He felt that the Elders' skills were not inferior to those of general manager-level talents. They could approach the same content from different angles, twist and turn through countless detours, and return to the same argument. That level of rhetoric absolutely deserved the rank of an Elites Jonin.

"Whew..."

At last, Elder Setsuna announced the end of the Radical Faction Meeting, and Uchiha Tokimitsu let out a long breath. Immediately, his head stopped aching, his mind no longer felt swollen, and he felt far more energetic.

But he could not leave just yet. The post of Head of the Board of Retainers was an actual appointment, so he at least needed to follow Elder Setsuna and meet his subordinates to familiarize himself with them.

Uchiha Nakagen and Emiko understood that this was a necessary part of taking up the post as well. "Little Tokimitsu, we'll head back first. We'll prepare a late-night snack for you this evening. If you come back too late, remember to eat it yourself."

"You two," Elder Setsuna said with a smile, understanding the meaning behind the Nakagen couple's words. "It won't take long. I'll definitely send Tokimitsu-kun home early tonight."

Seeing that Elder Setsuna had put it so plainly, the Nakagen couple merely chuckled before taking their leave.

"Let's go, Tokimitsu-kun." After everyone had departed, Elder Setsuna called for Uchiha Tokimitsu to accompany him to the Dark Guard base.

Uchiha Nagakage and Uchiha Makoto followed behind them as well.

Uchiha Tokimitsu glanced at them. Though he did not ask, he knew that the two of them must have some connection to the clan's Dark Guard.

"Nagakage-kun is the captain of the clan's Dark Guard. He will also be your subordinate from now on." Walking ahead, Elder Setsuna guessed Uchiha Tokimitsu's thoughts without turning back. "Makoto is a Medical Ninja trained by the clan. She is also quite skilled in Fire Style Ninjutsu and Puppet Technique..."

Uchiha Makoto's cheeks flushed slightly. With a touch of bashfulness, she said timidly, "Young Lord Tokimitsu, please guide me..."

Uchiha Tokimitsu was a little unaccustomed to the maiden's burning gaze and merely returned the courtesy in slight panic.

He did not know what he was supposed to say in a situation like this.

Although Elder Setsuna walked ahead without looking back, his exceptional senses allowed him to detect the movements behind him. Uchiha Tokimitsu's slightly flustered actions and suddenly quickened heartbeat differed from his usual calmness that did not resemble a child's, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of Elder Setsuna's mouth.

"Young Lord Tokimitsu~ may I ask how you developed Yin Fire?" Uchiha Makoto's large eyes stared straight at Uchiha Tokimitsu's little face. Although her ears had begun to redden, she still did not look away.

"I..." Uchiha Tokimitsu's heart beat even faster.

Uchiha Makoto was probably around fourteen or fifteen. Though she was much older than him, a nine-year-old brat, was she not being far too direct?

Were ninja clan ninja all this direct?

Waiting online for an answer. This was urgent.

"I only stumbled upon it while practicing combination Ninjutsu. Originally, I merely intended to add Yin Style nature transformation to Fire Style Chakra in order to strengthen the power of the Ninjutsu..." Uchiha Tokimitsu answered, half truthfully and half falsely.

Naturally, he could not say that he had drawn inspiration from all kinds of web novels from his previous life.

"Young Lord Tokimitsu is truly brilliant~" Uchiha Makoto's flushed little face was framed by watery eyes that sparkled brightly. Her pupils even seemed to be continuously contracting.

That was a sign of the Sharingan awakening.

What kind of people are these...

Uchiha Tokimitsu muttered to himself inwardly.

Although he was somewhat unaccustomed to the maiden's ardor, he still felt a small secret thrill inside.

"Young Lord Tokimitsu's Chakra manipulation must be excellent, right~?" The maiden continued chatting. "I also completed the synthesis of Yin Fire Chakra according to the young lord's Ninjutsu notes, but I found it quite difficult. It seems to demand a great deal of Chakra manipulation ability."

"It's all right..." Uchiha Tokimitsu replied vaguely. But after thinking that such an answer was too perfunctory, he continued, "The key to synthesizing Yin Fire Chakra lies in extracting Fire Style and Yin Style Chakra simultaneously, then fusing them in a two-to-one ratio... However, Sister Makoto's Yin Style cultivation is quite good. Have you already awakened the Sharingan?"

"Yes." The instant Uchiha Tokimitsu finished speaking, Makoto's pupils abruptly contracted, and a pair of Two-Tomoe Sharingan eagerly appeared.

Seeing this, Uchiha Tokimitsu habitually raised his eyebrows.

A Two-Tomoe Sharingan at fourteen or fifteen was considered genius-level even within the Uchiha Clan.

However, most Uchiha clan members awakened their Sharingan under intense emotional stimulation. He did not know what this maiden, Uchiha Makoto, had experienced.

The smile on Elder Setsuna's face grew broader and broader as he watched the interaction between Tokimitsu and the others.

The Dark Guard's base was located near the Naka River Uchiha Shrine. Though it lay outside the village, the group passed through the southern gate of the clan grounds, guarded by Uchiha ninja, without obstruction and arrived at the entrance to the Dark Guard base.

Before them stood an utterly ordinary stone house. From its appearance, it seemed to be nothing more than an auxiliary building of the Uchiha Shrine.

Elder Setsuna stopped at the entrance. As he formed hand seals with both hands, an entrance to an underground passage silently appeared in the ground. Stairs paved with bluish stone slabs descended into the bottomless darkness.

However, relying on his Chakra senses, Uchiha Tokimitsu felt that the underground stairs seemed to contain another secret.

Elder Setsuna stepped inside first, and Uchiha Tokimitsu's group followed him down.

After descending roughly thirty stone steps, Elder Setsuna stopped, formed hand seals once more, and pressed his hand against the stone wall to the right. A Secret Door opened.

"This is the place." Elder Setsuna smiled and beckoned them inside.

Beyond the Secret Door was another staircase. After continuing downward, they arrived in an underground hall of roughly two hundred square meters.

Nearly thirty Uchiha ninja were already lined up and waiting.

With a single glance, Uchiha Tokimitsu saw that they were all dressed alike. They wore the Uchiha Clan's distinctive undershirts beneath light Abdominal Guard, carried Nodachi across their backs, had bulging Ninja tool bags at their waists, Arm guard around their arms, and Leg guard on their legs.

Their attire had a distinctly ancient style.

Rather than the currently mainstream Ninja armor, they looked more like the daimyo's personal guard ninja from the Warring States period.

"The Dark Guard is the clan's secret force. During the Warring States period, they existed as guards for the commanders of the Clan Ninja Army." Elder Setsuna spoke with a hint of emotion. "But since the clan joined Konoha, our people have largely been trapped in the Konoha Military Police Force. We have rarely had the opportunity to independently lead troops outside the village, so the post of Head of the Board of Retainers has likewise had little chance to distinguish itself."

Uchiha Tokimitsu felt a little disappointed. He had thought the Uchiha Dark Guard was a special Assassination Unit similar to the Anbu, but it turned out to be a guard force.

"But, Tokimitsu-kun... you are different..." Elder Setsuna turned to Uchiha Tokimitsu, his expression solemn. "Although Sarutobi's monkey made you Deputy Commander of the Ninja Army with the true intention of using a borrowed knife to kill and weakening the clan, you did very well."

Uchiha Tokimitsu bowed in salute, intending to offer a few modest words.

"You needn't be modest. Kamon-kun has told me everything." Elder Setsuna waved his hand, interrupting Uchiha Tokimitsu before he could speak. "Though you are young, you handle matters with true prudence, far surpassing the others in the clan."

"So, even without your contribution of Yin Fire, I had intended to Entrust to you the Dark Guard." Elder Setsuna looked seriously at Uchiha Tokimitsu. "But once you truly accept the position of Head of the Board of Retainers, you can no longer compete for the position of clan head. Are you willing to accept that?"

Although he found it somewhat sudden, Uchiha Tokimitsu silently nodded.

No matter what, he could not refuse this elder of the clan who had taught and guided him.

"Do not blame me, Tokimitsu-kun..." Elder Setsuna sighed softly. "The position of clan head has actually always been inherited by the Main Family. Only after Lord Madara left was it nominally changed to a contest among the clan's jonin... But the clan can no longer bear the grave consequences of another brutal Civil War like the War of Naraka and Yomi. I can only let you suffer this grievance."

Uchiha Tokimitsu nodded resolutely in acknowledgment. "Great Elder, I am very willing, and deeply honored to be granted the position of Head of the Board of Retainers."

Elder Setsuna rubbed Uchiha Tokimitsu's hair. "Good child..."

Then his expression tightened, and he shouted solemnly, "Respectfully following orders of the Uchiha Clan Head, I grant Uchiha Clan jonin Tokimitsu authority over the Shogunate Board of Retainers! Squad Members, immediately pay your respects!"

"Swish!"

With the crisp, uniform clatter of armor, the Uchiha ninja below all dropped to one knee and lowered their heads in salute.

At his side, Uchiha Nagakage and Uchiha Makoto also bowed in homage.

"Greetings, Head of the Board of Retainers!"

Their loud, impassioned cries echoed through the enclosed underground stone chamber.

Even though he had once commanded the Ninja Army on campaign, Uchiha Tokimitsu still found his emotions surging beyond control.

Elder Setsuna took a folding fan from his arms and solemnly handed it to Uchiha Tokimitsu with both hands.

Uchiha Tokimitsu took a deep breath, bent down, and accepted the folding fan with both hands.

The folding fan was made entirely of iron. Its fan ribs gleamed with a dim blue light and seemed to have been infiltrated with special Chakra metal. When opened, one side bore the character "Yin," while the other bore "Yang." It was an exceedingly rare Yin-Yang War Fan design in the modern Ninja World.

"The war fan originated in the Warring States period. It was a symbol of authority for military commanders serving under the daimyo..." Elder Setsuna stroked Uchiha Tokimitsu's hair. "Tokimitsu-kun, I have always known you to be intelligent since childhood, your wisdom no less than an adult's..."

"The Uchiha Clan's sole military office is entrusted to you from this day onward... May you lead and command the Dark Guard and restore the Uchiha Clan's majesty!"

"Respectfully following orders!" Uchiha Tokimitsu answered with a solemn expression, bowing deeply.

Thanks to LZLZLZL for the reward and Monthly Ticket; thanks to Livi Yimiwu for the Monthly Ticket as well~ Special thanks.