The Beginning of Taking Charge of the Anbu

The Hokage and the Uchiha Clan are two different factions in this village.

The big shots are always playing a game of maintaining a balance among themselves.

When Uchiha Shingen returned to the village with the Two-Tails, the matter of rebuilding the Uzumaki Clan was put into action. The Hokage faction spent a considerable amount of money to persuade the Uzumaki Clan people to change their minds.

The same applies to the Hokage Tomb; no matter what it involves, the Uchiha Clan will not be allowed to participate.

"Go ahead, I have my own plans," Namikaze Minato said.

Seeing that his Hokage's expression was no joke, Genma Shiranui nodded and went out to find someone.

The Hokage's office returned to silence, and Namikaze Minato resumed reviewing documents.

After a while, the door opened, and the head of Leaf Village's ANBU walked in.

"Torabe-kun, please have a seat." Namikaze Minato didn't even look up.

The full name of the head of the ANBU is Sarutobi Torabu.

By all accounts, he is a direct descendant of the Third.

His generation, the most outstanding members of the Sarutobi Clan in the ANBU, were Konohamaru's parents. During the Third's time, this couple were the Third's right-hand men.

Sadly, he was killed.

Sarutobi Torabu could probably guess why the Hokage had summoned him.

The ANBU were really poorly rendered.

Our foreign affairs work during this period has been far from satisfactory.

Internally, the Hokage Tomb incident happened; he would be furious in that situation too.

But Sarutobi Torabu couldn't do much either; the ANBU was really difficult to manage, and there were many things he didn't know how to handle.

The situation is completely different now than before.

After a while, the only sound in the office was Namikaze Minato flipping through documents, and Sarutobi Torabu felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

He breathed a huge sigh of relief when the knocking came again.

It doesn't matter who it is, as long as it's a person, he's been suffocating.

"Please come in." Namikaze Minato finally raised his head.

The door opened, Sarutobi Torabu looked over to see Genma Shiranui and Uchiha Shingen standing in the doorway.

Uchiha Shingen was probably dragged here when something came up, and he looked very unhappy.

Upon seeing Uchiha Shingen, Sarutobi Torabu had a bad feeling.

"Shingen, come quick!" Namikaze Minato waved enthusiastically.

Uchiha Shingen also saw Sarutobi Torabu sitting on the sofa, and his heart skipped a beat.

He already knew that something had happened at the Senju Tomb Complex.

The squad leader of the ANBU did not disclose the matter, but the Police Force was not blind to the ANBU's large-scale operations in the Senju Tomb Complex.

I just don't know what happened.

But when Uchiha Shingen saw Sarutobi Torabu sitting there, he knew that this matter was probably serious.

It's likely a case of both old and new grudges.

He had heard about the poor performance of the ANBU during this period.

Uchiha Shingen simply couldn't understand it. The conditions for the ANBU now were far better than Third Shinobi World War, so how had they managed to make such a mess of things?

It's just a pig; shouldn't it have become a spirit by now, after ten years? It's not like we're in a world where spirits aren't allowed after the village was built.

So, you're a pig?

Uchiha Shingen looked at Sarutobi Torabu, wanting to just ask the question directly.

"Lord Hokage, I'm still teaching my students," Uchiha Shingen said preemptively. "I have some promising students for this exam."

"Shingen, you're overthinking it." Namikaze Minato said dismissively, "It's just something I need your help with. Don't worry, it's nothing, it won't take up your time."

Upon hearing those familiar words, Uchiha Shingen knew things were alright.

I don't believe you for a second! You always say that!

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Beginning of Taking Command of the ANBU

"I say, Lord Hokage ..." Uchiha Shingen said, "I'm really not being picky and unwilling to do things for the village, but could you please change your approach? You can't always use the same formula, can you? It's getting boring."

"Hahaha." Although he was teased, Namikaze Minato wasn't embarrassed at all. He laughed heartily, "Don't say that. After all, I've thought about this a lot, and maybe only you can come up with a solution."

"Oh." Uchiha Shingen said expressionlessly, "You may have misunderstood. I do have some crooked ideas, but they all rely on the village's own strength. If the hardware isn't up to par, they're useless."

Sarutobi Torabu to the side, immediately felt like he'd been subtly insulted.

So annoying!

He endured it!

After all, they can't beat them in a fight, and they can't win an argument either.

He hadn't forgotten how Uchiha Shingen had verbally battled the ninja at every budget meeting.

No one can out-talk this guy; his reactions are incredibly fast.

But when he thought about the current state of the ANBU, he wasn't angry anymore.

Despite your inner qualities, we'll see how you handle things then! You might not even be as good as me!

Omnipotent? Full of ideas? That's because you haven't done the work of the ANBU!

As a veteran of the ANBU for over a decade, Sarutobi Torabu firmly believes that the current ANBU will be the same no matter who comes in.

The people are all the same; how can changing the leader change everything?

"Shingen- kun~~" Namikaze Minato drawled, "I heard you're doing a great job with the Konoha Military Police Force."

"Lord Hokage, I haven't worked for the Police Force for a long time. Besides, the Konoha Military Police Force is led Hyuga Clan Lord Hyuga, what does it have to do with me?" Uchiha Shingen thought to himself, "Has this Hyuga girl taken the wrong medicine? When has he ever led Konoha Military Police Force?"

Do you take them to and from get off work on time?

"Didn't you offer many effective suggestions?"

"Lord Hokage, making suggestions is something we do at every clan meeting; it's just a routine. The Hyuga Clan does it the same way."

"In short, it's you." Namikaze Minato assertively concluded the matter. "You're a member of the Jonin Council, how can you only care about your former team and ignore your current one?"

Do you believe I'll take Naruto Uzumaki out for tea tonight? And I'll say it was you who suggested it.

You'll see if your wife doesn't beat you to death!

"This is the head of the ANBU, Sarutobi Torabu, you know Shingen?"

"I know him, that's all..." Uchiha Shingen glanced once more at this sacrificed individual, for whom becoming a spirit was forbidden after the village was founded.

That's terrible. He's been a veteran of the ANBU for over a decade, and now he's known as the weakest ANBU chief in history.

Uchiha Shingen thought to himself that if it were him, he would have quit long ago; he couldn't bear the humiliation.

"It's good that you know each other." Namikaze Minato nodded in satisfaction. "You know the current situation without me having to explain it; we're facing internal and external troubles."

"Lord Hokage, you're kidding me." Uchiha Shingen was taken aback. "Who's so reckless? Tell me, and I'll give you a permit to send a detachment of the Konoha Military Police Force. I'll go and deliver some warmth to him."

"Lord Shingen," Sarutobi Torabu couldn't help but say, "The village is the focus of the Ninja World right now, everyone's watching, you need to be careful how you behave."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Shingen was immediately awestruck.

He seemed to know why this guy hadn't been able to become a spirit yet.

Namikaze Minato was also somewhat speechless.

Who would have thought? Sarutobi Torabu, you rough-looking guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, the kind of face that could make a girl want to call the police if she looks at you for too long, are actually so honest?

His resolve strengthened.

"Don't tease me, Shingen, I'm serious," Namikaze Minato sighed. "The preparations for the exam are already giving me a lot of trouble, but the work of the ANBU is not going well, and I'm really worried about it. I'd like you and Torabe to lend a hand and take charge of the ANBU's work during this period."

"Bring the ANBU? Lord Hokage, I've never done this before." Uchiha Shingen was taken aback. "Isn't this inappropriate? Sarutobi Clan, a veteran of the ANBU, couldn't handle this. I can't take on this job."

"Hey, don't be so quick to refuse." Namikaze Minato indicated that he understood perfectly. "Everyone in the ANBU, including Torabe-kun, listens to you. I won't interfere. Just give me the results. It's okay if you can't get it done."

So you think things can't get any worse? That's hit rock bottom? Did you even consider how this Tiger Lord feels?

Uchiha Shingen couldn't help but glance at Sarutobi Torabu again, only to see him trying to force an awkward yet polite smile.

So pitiful.

"Alright, since you've said so, how could I refuse?" Uchiha Shingen looked unsure of himself. "I'll try my best, but I'm really not familiar with... no, I mean, I don't know anything about this area of business."

"Don't worry, I'm the Hokage. You can do whatever you want. The ANBU needs your inspiration. I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong." Namikaze Minato spoke confidently, causing Genma Shiranui to glance at him frequently.

In his memory, Namikaze Minato never spoke with absolute certainty.

This kind of trust is truly "heavy."

The Yellow Flash of yesteryear, after Hokage for many years, is now a purebred yellow old sow.

Genma Shiranui found time truly wondrous.

For some reason, he recalled the man he met on the battlefield of Hidden Mist Village during the Third Shinobi World War when he was still Genin.

He spent his entire life Genin, yet he defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

If that man were still alive, I wonder what he would be like now?

"Alright, I'll take this job." Uchiha Shingen felt the time was right, so he nodded with a "reluctant" expression.

"Do a good job, I have high hopes for you." Namikaze Minato never faltered when it came to acting, he patted Uchiha Shingen's shoulder heavily, looking like he was wishing him good luck in battle.

Sarutobi Torabu almost lost his composure.

Those two are really good actors. He wasn't very good at his job in the ANBU, but he wasn't blind.

What could be done? One was the Hokage, and the other was the White Ghost of Leaf Village, both destined to become the future head of the Uchiha Clan.

He can't afford to offend any of them.

So he simply decided to ignore it.

Amidst Namikaze Minato's loud cries of "Just got my dad!", he finally followed Uchiha Shingen out of the Hokage's office.

Once the door closed, both of them composed themselves.

Although he mentally criticized himself, Sarutobi Torabu quickly got into character, which was one of his greatest strengths; he knew exactly what role he was supposed to play.

From this moment forward, he will be Uchiha Shingen's subordinate.

Before Namikaze Minato regained power, Uchiha Shingen became the person in charge of Leaf Village's ANBU, an important military force in Leaf Village.

He remained the head of Leaf Village's ANBU, but he was now the second-in-command.

I wonder how Uchiha Shingen will make his debut in office.

He doesn't ask for much; just don't embarrass him too much.

However, as soon Uchiha Shingen opened his mouth, he felt that the White Ghost of Leaf Village was still someone he could get along with.

"Brother Torabe, I'm sorry to have troubled you these past few days," Uchiha Shingen said to Sarutobi Torabu's somewhat astonished gaze. "Tonight, let's have a get-together. I'll treat everyone to dinner. Please do me the honor."

"Shingen, you flatter me." Sarutobi Torabu unconsciously lowered his stance, "How could I possibly trouble you to spend money?"

"We're all colleagues. Work is work, and leaving work is leaving work. I'm the new guy, so of course I have to organize the gathering. That's the rule." Uchiha Shingen patted Sarutobi Torabu on the shoulder.

Sarutobi Torabu grinned sheepishly.

He wondered if people who Flying Thunder God all had a particular fondness for patting others on the shoulder.

Hokage hits you, and you hit me, you really don't lose out, huh?

"Lord Shingen, where do we go next?"

"Let's go to your office first. All the ANBU with official positions, please come over. Let's have a brief meeting."

"Okay, I'll inform them right away."

Here it comes! Even if it's not three fires, it'll still be a huge torch.

Sarutobi Torabu didn't dare to delay. He first took Uchiha Shingen to his office, and then hurriedly sent people away.