Nagato's Judgment

So all you ever do is offer me a cigarette? No way! I want incense!

"You guys always... never mind, never mind." Uchiha Shingen turned to look at Yamanaka Fū and the others, and found that they each had a cigarette in their hand.

Isn't the Tobirama Squad and Root in this timeline way a bit too skewed?

But he clearly didn't do anything special back then, nor did he treat anyone differently.

I like girls too, so why don't you guys burn some erotic pictures?

Uchiha Shingen silently took a cigarette from the small metal box, and at the same time secretly vowed in his heart that he would never come again.

Unless they burn the image.

Sarutobi Hiruzen away the cigarette case and took out a lighter.

The seasoned smoker, Hokage, skillfully flicked out a lighter, put the cigarette in his mouth, and lit it.

He exhaled a puff of smoke, handed the lighter to Mitokado Homura, then stepped forward, bowed to the tombstone, and inserted the cigarette holder into the incense burner.

Uchiha Shingen watched expressionlessly as Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu huddled together lighting cigarettes. The way they looked was exactly like when a group of people hid in the bathroom to smoke during their school days in Zero.

As he was internally complaining, a lighter was suddenly brought close to his face, the small flame of which flickered.

It's Terai.

"Lord Shingen, let me light it for you."

Uchiha Shingen was at his wit's end, so he lit a cigarette.

Over here, Sarutobi Hiruzen also lit it up again.

A group of people were smoking in front of the tombstone.

Uchiha Shingen commented that this scene was not serious at all, it was extremely silly.

He thought back and realized that he definitely wasn't playing this comedic character in his first playthrough.

A gentle breeze blew, and the incense smoke in the burner quickly burned down to the mouthpiece and gradually went out.

The smokers finished their cigarettes, rubbed the butts in their hands, and let them turn into powder that floated down.

In order to fit in, Uchiha Shingen had no choice but to follow this strange ritual.

He now feels like he could carve an aircraft carrier out of his own feet.

But it's finally over.

"Shingen, now that you're in charge of the ANBU, what are your plans?" Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe again. "We had Hizashi check on the Hokage's Tomb, and everything is fine. There's nothing to worry about."

"Yes, I plan to gather the original Root members together and take them to the Land of Rain."

"Oh? Under what pretext?"

"Using the pretext of inviting Rain Village to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams," Uchiha Shingen said, "The main problem with the ANBU right now is that their approach has been too weak in recent years, which has led to a serious decline in Leaf Village's deterrent power. Fortunately, in previous years the ANBU has been the one to negotiate with allies about participating in the exams, so we can do both things at the same time."

"This idea isn't bad, the current Rain Village..." Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of his mission from back then.

Looking back today, it was a wrong decision, but he doesn't regret it.

At that time, Leaf Village was facing enemies on multiple fronts and could not afford to lose the strength of Amegakure.

The Iwagakure could only advance from Kusagakure was because Hanzo of Amegakure firmly chose Leaf Village.

Otherwise, Iwagakure wouldn't have been defeated because of a single Kannabi Bridge.

"The Rain Village of the past and the present are the same; there was nothing wrong with the decisions made back then." Seeing Uchiha Shingen Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression, Shingen Uchiha knew that the guy had activated his memory mode again.

Considering the other party's current age, once he unlocks the floodgates of his memories, Uchiha Shingen won't be able to leave anytime soon.

"Since you're confident, of course we'll support you." Interrupted from his reverie, Sarutobi Hiruzen, though somewhat regretful, still gave Uchiha Shingen some advice, "But don't stay away for too long; the village is short-staffed right now."

"Don't worry, Lord Hokage, we're not leaving until tomorrow. We still have things to finish today," said Uchiha Shingen, turning to look at the two Hokage graves once more.

"Does Shingen wish to pay his respects to Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama?"

"No, Lord Hokage. Rather than burning incense, it's more meaningful for us living people to do more good deeds."

After saying that, Uchiha Shingen nodded to the others and turned to leave.

Yamanaka Fū and the others bowed slightly to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and then followed Uchiha Shingen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the group leave, silently smoking.

He saw vitality in these original Root Ninjas.

The vitality that these people had lost has been awakened by this young Uchiha Clan.

"I have a feeling this is going to be interesting," Mitokado Homura said. "He has an advantage that Danzo doesn't possess."

"That's good. The ANBU needs people like this right now." Utatane Koharu looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, have you asked Minato about his thoughts?"

"Minato is the Hokage, let's not bother him." Sarutobi Hiruzen his hand. "By the way, are you guys going back? I want to stay here a little longer."

"Why go back so early? We don't need to take care of our grandson..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."

He suddenly missed Danzo.

At this moment, Uchiha Shingen, along with the original Root members, had already left the Senju Tomb Complex area.

The group moved quickly, and soon they returned to the foot of the Hokage Rock.

Uchiha Shingen led everyone back to the ANBU headquarters.

Upon hearing Sarutobi Torabu Uchiha Shingen hurriedly put down his work and rushed to greet him.

Uchiha Shingen didn't mince words with him and first told him about his plans for the next day.

"You're going to Amegakure?" Sarutobi Torabu was startled. He knew perfectly well about the origins of that "god" of Amegakure, and he also knew that Root was an enemy to that person. "Shingen, Pain of Rain Village has a long-standing grudge against our ANBU. Going there so openly might be seen as the village deliberately causing trouble."

"Special times call for special measures," said Uchiha Shingen. "The ANBU needs to establish its authority, and Rain Village is the best target. Akatsuki is still operating independently, and it's possible that someone might hire them to fight against Leaf Village during the Chunin Ninja Exams."

He no longer has high expectations for Sarutobi Torabu and has decided to ask Namikaze Minato transfer him out of the ANBU.

Consider tonight's dinner a farewell dinner.

It's not that Sarutobi Torabu is a bad person, but rather that his ideas are too different from Uchiha Shingen's. Putting the two of them together only makes things worse.

Uchiha Shingen has decided to establish a mutual support mechanism between the ANBU and the Police Force, allowing these two military departments to share resources and give full play to their respective advantages.

All of this needs to be set up before the Chunin Ninja Exams; efficiency is key.

"Brother Tiger, let's not talk about that now. Don't forget the dinner party tonight. See you there." Patting the other's shoulder, Uchiha Shingen led Yamanaka Fū and the others back to his office.

Sarutobi Torabu had barely begun to speak when Uchiha Shingen had already vanished like the wind.

Looking at Uchiha Shingen, who was surrounded by a group of former Root ninja, Sarutobi Torabu touched the spot where he had been slapped earlier, somewhat dazed.

He vaguely began to realize that he might not be able to stay in the ANBU for long.

Ignoring the dejected look on Sarutobi Torabu's face behind him, Uchiha Shingen led Yamanaka Fū and the others into the department head's office, then had them roll up their sleeves.

No one raised any questions; they stood in a row, Yamanaka Fū rolled up and arms outstretched.

Uchiha Shingen placed a Flying Thunder God Seal on each of their arms.

"This is the 'Flying Thunder God Seal,' which can enhance your coordination. I will familiarize you with its specific effects on the way tomorrow."

Everyone looked at their arms. They had seen the mark the moment the Flying Thunder God was placed, but now there was nothing left on their skin.

"Shingen, is the Flying Thunder God Seal you mentioned the same technique as the Fourth Hokage's?"

"Yes, the Second Hokage developed the Flying Thunder God Technique, known as 'Godspeed.' I've made some modifications based on the Second Hokage's version. Tonight at 7 PM, I'll use this hand seal to teleport you to the gathering place so you can get used to this feeling."

Uchiha Shingen waved his hand.

"Now we're disbanding. Everyone can go and contact their former colleagues."

Chapter Thirty-Two: Nagato's Judgment

In the early morning, all was quiet. The bright sunlight rose from the eastern horizon, bathing the sky and spilling over the high walls of Hidden Leaf Village.

At this moment, the ninja village was still immersed in tranquility.

At the village entrance, a team of about thirty people had already assembled.

They were all dressed in black robes, their faces covered by masks, and fully equipped, awaiting orders.

Uchiha Shingen stood in front of this group; just now, he had imprinted the Flying Thunder God Seal on everyone here.

A ninja from the Inuzuka Clan ran over from the gate registration desk.

"Lord Shingen, registration is complete," the Inuzuka Clan ninja respectfully said to Uchiha Shingen. "You and your team may proceed."

"Thank you for your trouble," said Uchiha Shingen, then looked at the team in front of him, "For this mission, I will be the captain, Aburame Torune the vice-captain, and Yamanaka Fū, Terai, Hyo..."

He read out the names of the other six people one by one.

"You six will be squad leaders. Choose your team members and line up again."

Upon hearing the order, the six former Root members, who had been promoted to temporary captains, stepped forward and began selecting their team members.

The speed was very fast, and the other team members reacted quickly as well. In just a few breaths, the new formation was completed.

Aburame Torune stepped forward and stood next to Uchiha Shingen.

Uchiha Shingen did not interfere with their entire process.

The result is obvious: these people's moral character has not declined.

The ANBU suffers the most casualties, and being understaffed is the norm. The ability to be disrupted and reorganized at any time is one of the basic abilities of Anbu Ninja.

Efficiency is always the top priority.

Ninja villages may form ceasefires or alliances, but these have nothing to do with the ANBU. The ANBU is a team that is on standby 24/7, and they act only when the village needs them.

The ninja villages have started a war, and they are on the front lines.

The ninja villages have ceased hostilities, but they remain on the front lines.

In the world of the ANBU, there is only their own village, no allies.

The entire Ninja World knows that if you encounter the ANBU from the Five Great Villages on your way out, don't talk nonsense; they really know how to kill, and being an ally doesn't work against them.

But in the last decade, the Leaf Village ANBU seem to have taken the wrong medicine; their killing intent has greatly diminished, and they can be dealt with like ordinary ninjas.

"The Yamanaka Clan and Torune will follow me. The other squads will follow in tactical formation," said Uchiha Shingen.

With a whoosh, the five squads scattered, and the Inuzuka Clan ninjas standing to the side even had their hair blown up by the wind they created as they moved.

The Inuzuka Clan ninja quickly took a few steps back.

Just now, he thought these people were going to suddenly attack him.

Before he could even utter a complaint, Uchiha Shingen and the others could already see his back.

In the blink of an eye, his figure completely disappeared into the distant forest.

The Inuzuka Clan ninja raised an eyebrow.

I haven't seen such ANBU in years!

Meanwhile, Uchiha Shingen was already speeding through the forest, closely followed by Aburame Torune, Yamanaka Fū, and three other former Root ninja.

As Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune watched the figures speeding ahead, it was as if they had returned to the days when they followed Shimura Danzō.

Uchiha Shingen and Shimura Danzō completely different personalities; they were essentially opposites.

But their ways of doing things are very similar.

Treat going out like you're going to war.

But they don't dislike this kind of behavior. The reason they joined Root in the first place was because they were all the same kind of people who believed in might.

Aburame Torune then thought of another elder from his family in the original Root, Aburame Ryoma.

He and Yamanaka Fū were both newcomers in the Root. Before they could grow into bodyguards for Shimura Danzō collapsed.

Shimura Danzō and Aburame Ryoma were Orochimaru Shimura's personal bodyguards during his lifetime.

Orochimaru was loyal to the Third's orders and the conditions given by Shimura Danzō, while Aburame Ryoma was truly loyal to Shimura Danzō, or rather, to Root.

He was also the successor designated by Shimura Danzō.

After Shimura Danzō, he too perished.