Konoha.
Hokage Building, conference room.
"Aburame Shibi."
Chiba's gaze shifted toward the Aburame Clan's formation.
"At your service."
The Aburame Clan Head in dark glasses silently stepped forward.
"The Intelligence Department and Interrogation Department's intelligence reports, as well as contact with covert agents inside and outside the village."
"From now on, all of it is yours."
"I don't care about the process. I only care about the results."
Chiba lightly tapped the tabletop twice with his fingers.
Aburame Shibi still wore the same expressionless face.
But the fingers hidden beneath his trench coat trembled faintly.
"The Aburame Clan will never disappoint the Fifth Hokage."
From that day onward, Konoha's intelligence network bore the Aburame name.
The clever people present were all swiftly calculating the gains and losses.
Chiba's methods were far too seasoned.
He did not play by convention and directly bypassed the traditional hierarchy of seniority.
Whoever was obedient and capable would be used.
"Next is the Police Department."
Chiba's voice suddenly rose several notches.
The conference room, which had still held faint rustling sounds, instantly fell into deathly silence.
Fugaku Uchiha felt his throat go dry.
The Police Department was the Uchiha Clan's lifeblood.
Was Chiba going to touch it?
Could the deputy minister position given to Shisui earlier have merely been groundwork for stripping away the Police Department?
Fugaku Uchiha's nails nearly dug into the flesh of his palms.
Hyuga Hiashi also held his breath and quietly waited for what came next.
"Starting today."
"The Police Department will be completely dismantled and reorganized."
Chiba's words were like a heavy hammer crashing into the hearts of the Uchiha clansmen.
Fugaku's heart sank to the bottom.
Their power was about to be taken away.
Would the hope that had just risen within the Uchiha Clan be snuffed out once