The Times Have Changed, Jiraiya!

A few of them were at a loss for words, feeling as miserable as if they'd eaten shit.

"Lord Danzo, it's not that we haven't tried."

"It's just that this kid's routine is far too regular!"

"He clocks in at the Police Force at eight sharp, starts work at nine, clocks out at five, then heads straight to the Uchiha Clan Compound."

"His life is a perfect three-point routine."

"It's terrifyingly predictable!"

"Even if we wanted to approach him alone, we couldn't find an opportunity!"

For the first time, they realized that having an overly regular routine wasn't a good thing.

Besides, Uchiha Shingen's life looked exactly like a three-point routine: a lazy, unambitious existence, just coasting along on his paycheck until retirement.

Would someone like that really take such a huge risk to carry out a mission to make contact with the Third Hokage's faction?!

Someone tried to speak up:

"Lord Danzo, could we have..."

"Gotten something wrong?!"

"Maybe there really is nothing between him and Lord Jiraiya except a simple discussion about writing?!"

"After all, you should know better than us."

"Lord Jiraiya has been away from Konoha for so many years, and each of his novels has been more popular than the last. Back then, he even turned down the Third Hokage and your attempts to persuade him to stay."

"Maybe we're just overthinking it?!"

"Fools!"

Danzo rebuked them. Beneath his lowered eyelids, his gaze held only the cold gleam of someone who saw through everything.

"You really think Jiraiya left Konoha to find inspiration for his books?!"

"Wrong!"

"Completely wrong!"

"Even though I never heard him say it myself, I learned Jiraiya's true purpose from the bits and pieces Hiruzen let slip."

"What he's always been searching for isn't some so-called inspiration, but the so-called Child of Prophecy who can put an end to the Shinobi World's endless wars."

"Heh..."

Danzo gave a derisive laugh, unable to hide the contempt in his voice.

"If there really were a Child of Prophecy, how did the world end up in this sorry state?!"

"Perhaps Jiraiya has finally seen the truth and returned to Konoha to place his hopes in an alliance between the Uchiha and Konoha?"

"Decades ago, with the First, the Second Hokage, and Uchiha Madara alive and working together, it might actually have been possible."

"Unfortunately, the times have changed!"

"But whatever the case, Jiraiya's purpose can't possibly be just writing books."

"He can only be acting on Hiruzen's orders!"

"Investigate!"

"If you can't find anything..."

"If I can't have it, then Hiruzen won't get it either!"

"If necessary, make Uchiha Shingen disappear!"

"Yes!"

Several days later.

Eight in the morning.

At the entrance to the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Shingen finished clocking in, stretched, and led his subordinates toward South District 4.

He looked around and saw that Shisui hadn't shown up. Turning to Tezaku, Uchiha Shingen asked:

"Where's that kid Shisui?!"

"I heard he's taking the Chunin Ninja Exams."

"The Chunin Ninja Exams?!"

Uchiha Shingen was a little surprised.

Normally, a ninja who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy had to spend at least several months carrying out missions and earn their Jonin team leader's approval before getting a chance to take the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Shisui had graduated less than a month ago. He was truly an exception.

Still, after a moment's thought, it made sense.

As the most talented Uchiha ninja in nearly twenty years, Shisui surpassed his peers in both temperament and strength.

He'd even earned the Third Hokage's favor, so it wasn't surprising that the Third Hokage had opened a fast track for him.

Tezaku sounded a little wistful.

"That's what you call a genius!"

"He's not even in the same league as people like us."

Tezaku was a veteran of the Police Force. He was over twenty, but still a Genin.

That was the path most Konoha Ninja took.

Of every ten, perhaps three or four managed to become Chunin, but Jonin were truly one in a hundred.

As for anyone becoming a Chunin at Shisui's age, only a handful had done so in Konoha's history.

The last person to advance that quickly had been Uchiha Shingen's peer.

Hatake Kakashi was supposedly already preparing for his Jonin assessment.

"Well..."

After a few seconds of gloom, Tezaku's usual smile returned. He poked fun at himself.

"People like us are doing pretty well too. It's Captain Shingen who's a bit of a shame."

"He became a Chunin at thirteen. If he works hard, he might even become a Jonin someday."

"Give me a break."

Uchiha Shingen rolled his eyes.

He already had Jonin-level strength, but had no intention of revealing it.

His life was good as it was.

No worries about food or clothing, a stable job, and a pretty good royalty check to look forward to.

His life was visibly getting better and better.

The future looked bright!

The group chatted as they walked. When they reached the streets of South District 4, they split up and got to work.

To Uchiha Shingen's surprise, Jiraiya didn't show up that day.

He waited half an hour, and when Jiraiya still gave no sign of coming, he simply sat down in a teahouse and settled in for a leisurely afternoon of slacking off.

"Captain Shingen!"

By the time Shisui returned, it was already five in the afternoon.

A clear smile lit his face, so the Chunin Ninja Exams had evidently gone more smoothly than he'd expected.

He waved the Forehead Protector in his hand and looked at Uchiha Shingen with a hint of provocation.

"I'm a Chunin now too."

"Come to think of it, I've never fought you before, Captain..."

Uchiha Shingen had gathered his things and was ready to clock out right on time. Hearing Shisui, he immediately understood what he meant.

"You want to try?"

"Of course."

Shisui nodded, his expression serious.

"After all, I've been in the Police Force all this time, and I've never seen you fight."

"Absolutely not."

Uchiha Shingen refused without a second thought.

"I'm not the type who's good at fighting!"

"Besides, I haven't fought in ages since joining the Police Force. I'm way out of practice."

"I wouldn't be a match for you~"

Uchiha Shingen had no interest in a thankless fight brought on by a momentary impulse.

Without paying any attention to Shisui's expression, he waved and turned to leave.

In the evening light,

Uchiha Shingen's shadow stretched long behind him, making him seem even more like a lazy slacker.

Shisui stood there, stunned.

He'd imagined all sorts of answers, but hadn't expected Uchiha Shingen to refuse so decisively.

It wasn't very Uchiha, but it was very Uchiha Shingen!

Shisui smiled helplessly, but had no intention of giving up.

His eyes shifted as an idea came to him.

He ducked into a mask shop by the roadside. When he came back out, he was wearing a fox mask and had changed into a loose cloak that hid his figure.

"I'll make you fight, Captain Shingen!"

Beneath the mask,

Shisui's lips curled slightly. With a flash, he disappeared from the street and sped after Uchiha Shingen.