Fugaku watched their puzzled expressions and offered no explanation.
Conviction was a strange force, difficult to pin down.
"You don't need to understand why I'm asking. You both want peaceful lives, but the shinobi world itself is far from peaceful.
"Konoha's peace exists because countless ninja have sacrificed for it. If you carry out this mission to my satisfaction, you'll gain complete freedom.
"You can live quietly or keep fighting in the shinobi world. The choice will be yours."
"Please give us your orders, sir."
"My task for you is simple. You'll defect from Konoha. As far as anyone else knows, you've received orders from Danzo to go and assist him.
"In truth, you can choose any of the Small Nations and establish a Secret Base there. Your main task is to develop that base.
"At first, recruit orphans and wandering ninja and train them as members of your organization. Take scattered jobs to earn money.
"You'll need to keep your identities secret in the early stages and focus on training ninja. I'll provide money and some Ninjutsu Scrolls."
The two nodded. "Rest assured, sir. We'll build the organization into a strong one."
The mission Fugaku had given them was remarkably safe—safer even than carrying out missions inside Konoha.
"Good. Start tomorrow. There's no need to make a scene when you defect. Just leave behind a few traces pointing to Danzo."
"Yes, sir."
Fugaku watched them leave the room, then vanished.
The next morning, a squad waited quietly at the mission desk. Even when the sun climbed high, no one came to meet them.
"Why hasn't the captain arrived? He's always the most punctual one on missions."
"Maybe something held him up. He's a jonin, after all. He often takes secret missions."
The others nodded.
"When the captain took secret