Patrol Team Outside the Village!

Three days later, the turmoil came to an end after the Uchiha dealt with the traitors who had infiltrated the village.

In addition to reclaiming their clan compound, the Uchiha received public praise from Sarutobi Hiruzen and even a decent reward.

"Has it slowed down?"

Inside a large courtyard in the Uchiha Compound, Roy looked at his panel and spoke helplessly.

After his Sharingan had advanced, Roy had trained every day.

After all, the Uchiha hadn't had anything particularly important to do over the past few days.

But after all that training, his Sharingan progress had only increased by 1%. It was pretty frustrating.

"Should I try a different approach?"

After thinking for a moment, Roy came to that conclusion.

"Roy, the clan head wants to see you."

Just then, Uchiha Nagasawa appeared in Roy's courtyard.

As a Special Elder of the Uchiha, Roy had moved into a new house, and even Uchiha Nagasawa had started addressing him differently.

The Uchiha had always admired the strong.

Roy had earned Uchiha Fugaku's approval, so Uchiha Nagasawa naturally approved of him too.

"Sure, Brother Nagasawa. Let's go."

Roy got up and left with Uchiha Nagasawa.

Inside Fugaku's study.

"Clan head."

As soon as he entered Uchiha Fugaku's study, Roy saw the grave look on Fugaku's face.

Looks like something's happened again.

"Roy, take a look at this."

As he spoke, Uchiha Fugaku handed Roy a scroll.

"What's this?"

After unrolling it, Roy's expression grew solemn.

That old geezer, Hiruzen, really...

He actually wanted the Uchiha to send some of their forces to patrol outside the village.

Using the recent incident as an excuse, Sarutobi Hiruzen claimed the area outside the village was unsafe and wanted to split up the Uchiha's forces.

And if Uchiha members were sent out, the danger would increase significantly.

After all, they would have to watch out for invading ninja from outside and threats from within the village.

Most importantly, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't refuse a mission like this...

"What do you think? Any thoughts?"

When Roy didn't say anything, Uchiha Fugaku asked again.

"I wouldn't call it an opinion. I'd like to volunteer for the mission."

"Then the Military Police Force can continue handling patrols inside the village."

"Preferably, all four captains should take part in the patrols."

After thinking it over carefully, Roy spoke slowly.

"What?"

Nagasawa looked at Roy in surprise.

Some of the members were already complaining about being sent on patrol.

If Natsume and the others had to go too, then...

"Clan head, here's what I'm thinking."

"We..."

Roy quietly explained his plan to Uchiha Fugaku, then analyzed the next steps and the problems they might encounter.

Uchiha Nagasawa had been somewhat indignant, but after hearing Roy out, he was stunned.

How did this guy's brain work?

"Roy, you want to..."

"That's right."

Before Uchiha Fugaku could finish asking, Roy confirmed it.

"I understand."

"We'll do as you suggested."

"But no matter what happens, make sure you protect yourself."

After thinking for a moment, Uchiha Fugaku made his decision.

If he refused now, all their previous efforts would have been wasted.

"Understood."

"Then I'll go make preparations. I'll leave the personnel registration to you, clan head."

After speaking, Roy left.

Patrolling outside the village sounded noble when you called it protecting the village.

Put bluntly, it was a suicide mission.

The death rate for patrols outside the village was the highest every year.

Soon, Roy arrived at a tool shop in the village.

"An officer from the Military Police Force?"

"What kind of tools do you need? I just got a new shipment in. Everything's brand-new."

The shopkeeper greeted him enthusiastically.

His shop had been attacked last time too. If the Military Police Force hadn't stepped in quickly, he might not have made it out alive.

"I need Explosive Tags. As many as you have."

Roy smiled as he spoke.

"I only have 1,200 Explosive Tags this time. I'll get them for you right away."

The shopkeeper quickly brought out the Explosive Tags.

"They're 1,000 ryo each. For 1,200, that comes to 1.2 million ryo."

"I'll give them to you at cost—just 800,000 ryo."

As he spoke, the shopkeeper began packing them up for Roy.

After leaving the tool shop, Roy realized he was running short on money.

Uchiha Fugaku had rewarded him handsomely for his recent performance.

But after buying the Explosive Tags, he had only a little over 100,000 ryo left.

That was enough for food, but he'd be in trouble if he wanted to buy any other supplies.

Ninja really did have enormous expenses!

Thinking of Konan's 600 billion Explosive Tags, Roy felt it was a bit excessive.

Soon, a group of Uchiha ninja gathered in front of the Konoha gates.

There were twelve of them.

They were Roy, Ueda, Xiu, Naishiro, Yoichi, Ryuzuki, Aoshi, Rakuzan, Kengo, Jo-ni, Kamoto, and Ryukan.

"Captain Roy, how should we split up?"

Xiu looked at Roy expectantly.

After all, they'd spent the most time patrolling with Roy, so naturally they wanted to be on his team.

"Jo-ni, Aoshi, and I will be one team."

"Ueda, Yoichi, and Ryuzuki will be another."

"Rakuzan, Naishiro, and Kamoto will be the third."

"Ryukan, Xiu, and Kengo will be the fourth."

Roy assigned the teams on the spot.

"Huh?"

"Then what about us..."

"Head out in the four cardinal directions and find suitable locations to set up."

"Use clones at fixed positions, while your real selves choose the best places to lie in wait."

"By the way, as a patrol team outside the village, we have a special privilege."

"We can attack anything we suspect!"

As Roy spoke, his expression turned ruthless.

Xiu and the others were taken aback by the look on Roy's face.

To them, Roy was a cheerful, easygoing sort of guy.

His murderous aura made them feel a little uneasy.

Soon, all twelve of them left the village and entered the dense forest beyond.

A mile from the village, Roy leaped into a tree.

"This is the spot, Brother Aoshi, Brother Jo-ni."

"Have you set up the clones at the fixed positions?"

Roy spoke slowly as he looked at the two behind him.

"We have."

"Captain, what are we..."

Aoshi looked at Roy, puzzled.

He knew what the mission was.

But he couldn't make sense of what Roy was doing now.

"Wait. Our prey will take the bait soon."

After speaking, Roy slipped into the canopy.

The two exchanged a glance, then disappeared among the treetops as well.