Prisoners of War Paraded Through the Streets

The dragon scales on Qian Ye's body slowly faded, and his slit pupils returned to clear black eyes.

He turned and shot the ANBU squad leader a sidelong look.

"Weren't you just telling me to get lost?"

The ANBU squad leader choked on his words. Behind his mask, his face flushed crimson.

Qian Ye pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his fingers, his tone lazy.

"This is an outer district of Konoha. It falls under the Root Public Security Auxiliary Corps' jurisdiction."

"My men cornered these three rats, and I took the blast myself to dismantle the Explosive Tag."

"We're the ones who captured them, too."

Qian Ye pointed at the two prisoners on the ground.

"Under the wartime regulations for the outer districts, prisoners remain in the custody of the commander on the scene until they're registered and handed over to higher authorities."

"If you want them, tell Hiruzen Sarutobi to bring an order from the Hokage."

"Or would you rather go to Root and submit a request to Lord Danzo?"

The ANBU squad leader's breath caught.

Ask Danzo for the prisoners?

Root's people didn't even give ANBU the time of day. If the prisoners were handed over, ANBU under the Hokage's direct command would never control the interrogation.

Uchiha Yan stepped forward, hauled the two prisoners up from the ground, and handed them to the members behind him.

"Lord Qian Ye, the site has been cleared. The entrance was damaged, but the medicine and scrolls inside the depot are intact."

Qian Ye nodded in satisfaction.

"Good work."

"Everyone who took part tonight gets a five-thousand-ryō bonus and one Third-Class Merit."

"Anyone injured should see Pakura for a Recovery Medicinal Diet and Hemostatic Medicine."

At Qian Ye's promise, the eyes of the hundred Auxiliary Management Unit Members