Even the Dogs at Home Must Get Their Share of the Village Rations

Three days later.

Toji arrived at the Hokage Office carrying a detailed and comprehensive Anbu Formation Plan.

Speaking of the Hokage—

Hashirama Senju was in high spirits after his recent good fortune. These past few days, he practically walked on air, and his visits to the Hokage Building had increased accordingly.

"This is—"

When Hashirama saw the title of the proposal document, he frowned slightly, instinctively sensing something odd.

Shadow Security Division?

He asked, "Toji, I don't think this name is appropriate. What does 'shadow' mean? The Shinobi World's overall situation has already stabilized, and we've entered an era of peace. Every department in Konoha should be open and aboveboard."

Toji had not expected Hashirama's attention to land there—

He had deliberately changed the name from Tactical Assassination Unit to Security Division.

"The name isn't important. The nature and purpose of the unit are what matter."

"If you think the name is unsuitable, it can be changed to the Constitutional Ninja Division, Ninja Assassination Division, CIPHERPOL—anything works. It's just that Anbu better suits the temperament of shinobi."

After thinking it over carefully, Hashirama found that it did make sense, so he patiently continued reading the proposal.

[Anbu members will be selected from among the village's elite shinobi. Their primary duties will be protecting the Hokage and senior elders,

defending Konoha's homeland against foreign invasion, while also handling enemy reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, detention and supervision of special high-profile criminals, and other duties—]

He had accurately judged Hashirama Senju's distaste for proactive killing and needless conflict. Tailoring the proposal accordingly, he deliberately downplayed the Anbu's murderous nature and emphasized passive defense and stability maintenance throughout.

Under Toji's selective description, the Anbu did not seem like a violent institution at all. Instead, it resembled some kind of "religious knightly order."

That's right! The