Shadow Guard Members

Back at the Hokage Office, Kagami Uchiha dismissed Danzo and leaned back in his chair. After a moment's thought, he summoned the Anbu hidden in the shadows.

"Someone, come." He spoke without hesitation, his voice low.

The shadows stirred. Two masked Anbu Ninjas in standard black uniforms appeared before him from blind spots in the room and dropped to one knee, their breathing steady.

"Send word to Uchiha Tsukiyama, Shizuya Hyuga, Genichi Senju, and Hayama Shirakumo. All four are to report to the Hokage Building immediately and await orders."

"They have fifteen minutes. No delays."

The two Anbu bowed their heads in acknowledgment, then vanished into the shadows and sped across Konoha to deliver the summons.

Kagami Uchiha opened the files in his hands and leafed through them.

Uchiha Tsukiyama, age 38. A member of the Uchiha Clan and one of its elite Jonin. Role: close-range assault.

Specialties: Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Fire Release Ninjutsu, Uchiha Style Taijutsu, high-speed assaults.

Personality: decisive and ruthless, with a strong allegiance to his clan. A typical clan ninja.

He was one of the Uchiha Clan's key figures pledged to the new Hokage. His loyalty was beyond doubt.

Shizuya Hyuga, age 35. A member of the Hyuga Clan. He could detect ambushes in advance, see through disguises, and perceive the flow of Chakra. His Byakugan made him the team's ideal lookout.

Specialties: Gentle Fist, all-around perception with the Byakugan, Chakra sight, predicting barrier formations, precise strikes on Chakra points.

Personality: calm, rational, rule-abiding, and meticulous. He rarely made mistakes.

Unfortunately, he belonged to the Hyuga Branch Family. His Byakugan had a weakness: a one-degree blind spot in his field of vision.

Genichi Senju, age 30. Born into a branch of the Senju Clan, he possessed the clan's vast Chakra reserves. He specialized in Earth Release and Water Release and was also highly skilled in Medical Ninjutsu.

Personality: gentle and steady, attentive and patient. His combat skills were solid, and his ability to survive was exceptional.

By ordinary ninja standards, he was a capable fighter. Unfortunately, Hashirama alone possessed Wood Release. Not one other member of the Senju Clan had awakened it, not even his own granddaughter Tsunade. Still, Genichi would be useful.

When he reached the last name, Kagami Uchiha picked up the file for a closer look.

Hayama Shirakumo, age 28. A Konoha Jonin born to commoners, he was one of the few Konoha Ninja skilled in Wind Release. With his Vacuum Flow Swordsmanship and masterful Body Flicker Technique, he was no weakling even among Jonin.

According to his teammates, he was quiet, loyal, and levelheaded. He neither formed factions nor sought powerful patrons, and he was exceptionally dependable.

He was the ideal choice to balance team members from the great clans. Judging by his surname, he might be an older relative of a future Konoha Jonin named Hayama Shirakumo. Kagami Uchiha was very pleased with him.

In an ordinary courtyard in Konoha, Hayama Shirakumo sat wiping down the sword he carried.

His home was that of an ordinary commoner ninja, without the grandeur of a great clan's estate. Only a few clumps of wild grass grew in one corner of the yard. His clean Jonin uniform and Forehead Protector were neatly in place. Faint scars from years of fighting marked his face, but his expression was peaceful, and his fingers moved slowly and steadily.

Years of hardship had taught him to stay calm and rely on his own abilities. When he had no duties, he rested at home and seldom involved himself in disputes among the ninja clans. He knew that in Konoha, where the great clans held sway, a commoner ninja could establish himself only by knowing his place and doing his duty.

Suddenly, the air beyond the courtyard gate seemed to still.

A masked Anbu Ninja dressed in black landed at the gate. Without pleasantries, he stepped forward and handed over a summons written by the Hokage himself.

"Jonin Hayama Shirakumo, Lord Hokage Kagami Uchiha has summoned you. Report to the Hokage Building immediately and await orders. Do not delay."

Hayama Shirakumo's hand paused on his sword. He accepted the document, his expression still calm, though surprise flickered in his eyes. Then he nodded solemnly. "Understood. I'll leave at once."

After the Anbu Ninja vanished, Hayama Shirakumo carefully opened the document in his hands:

After the Anbu Ninja vanished, Hayama Shirakumo carefully opened the document in his hands.

The handwriting was neat and solemn, and the page bore the Hokage Building's distinctive vermilion seal. It contained only a few lines, but they carried immense weight.

"Hayama Shirakumo, a Konoha Jonin born among the common people and without the backing of a clan, has guarded the border for many years and endured countless battles. Steady in temperament, accomplished in swordsmanship, and proficient in Wind Release, he conducts himself according to the rules and serves with loyalty and diligence. He is worthy of being held up as an example to Konoha Ninja.

"By the personal appointment of Hokage Kagami Uchiha, you are hereby summoned to report immediately to the Hokage Building and participate in the selection for the Hokage's personal Shadow Guard.

"This order is urgent. Depart as soon as you read it. Do not delay."

At the bottom, the Hokage's bright red seal stood out clearly.

Hayama Shirakumo's gaze settled on the words "selection for the Hokage's personal Shadow Guard." At last, a visible ripple disturbed his calm eyes.

"The Shadow Guard?" Confusion crossed Hayama Shirakumo's face.

"Members of every previous Shadow Guard came from the great ninja clans, allowing the Hokage to reassure them, or they were the Hokage's own disciples, like those Lord Tobirama took in."

"Since when did a mere commoner ninja qualify?"

By the customs of the Shinobi World, a village's Kage was the supreme military commander within his nation. The Shadow Guard who protected him at close range was no casual appointment. Its members had to pass layers of rigorous screening, with only the village's finest ninja chosen.

People often said that even a gatekeeper at a minister's residence wielded a little authority. The same held true in Konoha.

The Shadow Guard might appear to be mere bodyguards, but the authority they held was considerable. They stayed at the Hokage's side, learned many secrets, and carried weight in everything they said and did. Their opinions on many matters could even influence the Hokage's decisions.

Hayama Shirakumo read the document carefully, then folded it and tucked it inside his clothes, close to his chest.

He set down the blade he had been polishing and rose. After securing the sword at his side, he checked the ninja pouch at his waist to make sure his Kunai and Explosive Tags were all there.

Without further hesitation, he set his Forehead Protector in place, walked out of his courtyard, and headed briskly toward the Hokage Building.

Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

Hayama Shirakumo reached the imposing Hokage Building and went straight to the Hokage Office. As he pushed open the door, he found three figures already standing inside. They had clearly arrived before him.

At the far left stood Uchiha Tsukiyama, about thirty-eight years old and a genuine elite Jonin of the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan had no shortage of handsome men. His features were sharp and striking, his eyes and brows held the clan's characteristic proud intensity, and he stood straight as a spear. His bearing was bold and fierce, honed by years of battle and killing.

In the middle stood Shizuya Hyuga, dressed in clean, understated white clan robes. His refined features were gentle, his expression composed, and his gaze watchful yet reserved. He carried himself with the natural poise of the Hyuga Clan.

At the far right, Genichi Senju looked the most solemn. An elite member of a surviving branch of the Senju Clan, he stood with a solid, steady posture. His features were upright and resolute, his expression grave, and his presence steady as a mountain. He had both the quiet strength of a skilled elemental ninja and the restraint of a medical ninja.

Hayama Shirakumo stepped into the room in a plain uniform bearing no clan crest.

The eyes of Uchiha Tsukiyama, Shizuya Hyuga, and Genichi Senju all turned to him instinctively.

All three came from Konoha's foremost clans. They had inherited generations of bloodline advantages, held high positions within their clans, and long been accustomed to clear social divisions.

Now a Jonin of entirely commoner birth had joined them in the selection for the Shadow Guard. A trace of surprise and distance flashed through their eyes.

They did not look down on him, but the deep-rooted divide between clans and commoners remained. A subtle tension spread among the four.

The orderly, solemn office suddenly felt stifling, with an awkwardness no one voiced.

Seated above them, Kagami Uchiha saw the silent divide clearly. His gaze remained calm.

He spoke at the right moment, breaking the uneasy silence.

"You're here. Now that everyone has arrived, I'll tell you what I have in mind. You four are the members I've chosen for my Shadow Guard. I've already studied all your records."

"In strength and experience, every one of you is qualified for this duty. But remember this: as members of the Hokage's Shadow Guard, the village comes first in your hearts, the Hokage second, and your clans after that. If your clans ever treat you unjustly, report it to me. As Hokage, I'll stand behind you personally."

As he finished, his gaze lingered deliberately on the composed Shizuya Hyuga.

Shizuya Hyuga's relaxed shoulders drew back slightly, and some of the distance in his eyes faded. He showed no great excitement. He merely straightened, bowed his head, and replied in a steady, solemn voice:

"I'll remember that."

Kagami Uchiha then looked at Hayama Shirakumo, the only commoner ninja among them, and spoke more warmly. "Hayama, do you know why I specifically chose you for the Shadow Guard?"

Hayama Shirakumo paused, puzzled. He bowed slightly and asked:

"I'm afraid I don't understand. Please enlighten me, Lord Hokage."

Seeing his confusion, Kagami Uchiha smiled. "Hahaha. If even a Jonin as experienced and capable as you is puzzled, then I was right. The village truly does need to change."

"I chose you for the Shadow Guard to show everyone in the village that, to me, ninja clans are not above commoners. We are all comrades of Konoha. Anyone with talent and loyalty deserves a chance to rise."

"Konoha was founded by Lord Hashirama together with the ninja clans, and those clans made tremendous contributions. That foundation played a part in your selection, but more importantly, each of you has the strength and experience the position demands." As he spoke, Kagami Uchiha looked at Tsukiyama and the other two clan-born ninja.

Then his tone shifted. "But the contributions of commoner ninja to Konoha cannot be erased, either!"

"Without countless commoner ninja stepping forward, one after another, Konoha could never have come this far on the strength of the great clans alone."

"I will not allow any ninja clan to belittle commoner ninja or trample on their dignity."

He paused, then turned to look out the window.

From this angle, Konoha's houses and streets spread out before him.

After a moment, he continued. "In the Konoha I envision, there should be no sharp divisions between classes. Everyone is a comrade protecting this land."

"We share the same desire to protect the village. That makes us companions with a common purpose."

"I even hope that, one day far in the future, the next Hokage might be born a commoner. As long as that person loves every member of Konoha equally, that will be enough."

When Kagami Uchiha finished, the office fell quiet for a moment.

Uchiha Tsukiyama's brows stirred, and some of the pride left his expression.

Shizuya Hyuga's hand closed gently at his side. Beneath his calm expression, he looked more earnest as he nodded again.

Genichi Senju's solemn expression softened a little. He gave a small nod, accepting what had been said.

Hayama Shirakumo stood stunned. His earlier confusion had vanished, and his eyes grew warm. He straightened and bowed deeply. "I understand," he said in a low voice.

Lord Hokage really is different. He always keeps commoners in his heart.

A Hokage like him makes me want to give everything I have for him!

Each of the four had his own thoughts, but all of them took Kagami Uchiha's words to heart.

Just then, two soft knocks broke the silence.

Kagami Uchiha looked up. "Come in."

Shikata Nara opened the door and entered.

"You're here, Shikada. Have a seat for a moment." Kagami Uchiha then turned to the four before him. "You may go. Think carefully about what I've said today."

The four bowed together, their movements crisp and orderly.

They turned and headed quietly toward the door, one after another. Uchiha Tsukiyama went last. Before leaving, he glanced back at Kagami Uchiha in his seat, then stepped outside and closed the office door softly behind him.