Defying Orders to His Face!

Sunlight slanted across the spotless floor of the South District Command Center's main hall.

Steam still rose slowly from the teacups.

Four ANBU elites in Bird Masks swept through the air and landed at the hall's entrance.

Their captain crossed the threshold with his chin raised, a dark-red scroll in his hand.

"South District Commander Qian Ye, I bear orders from Lord Hokage."

The ANBU Captain spoke stiffly, his chin held high with the arrogance typical of those who answered directly to the village leadership.

Qian Ye sat behind his desk, leafing through account books. He did not even look up.

"Leave the orders on the desk. I still have work to do."

The ANBU Captain's gaze turned cold. He stepped forward twice, the hilt of his Short Blade striking his waist with a sharp click.

"This is the Hokage Building's highest-priority wartime order!"

"Lord Hokage commands you to leave at once. You must reach the Hokage Office within fifteen minutes. No delays!"

Qian Ye turned a page and picked up a red pen to mark an entry. He made no move to rise.

The ANBU Captain's anger flared at the quiet rebuff.

He turned toward the rear courtyard, where heavy breathing could be heard beyond the hall's screen.

According to Danzo and ANBU intelligence, the man who had crippled the ANBU Second Squad was in that courtyard.

"You brought an outsider into a restricted part of the village without authorization. Does the South District have no rules?"

The ANBU Captain snorted. Chakra surged beneath his feet as he headed straight for the rear corridor.

"I'll see for myself what South District Commander Qian Ye is hiding back there."

The other three ANBU operatives followed at once, spreading into a loose encirclement.

The tip of Qian Ye's pen stopped against