At ten in the morning, at the entrance to Konoha's South Street.
Four masked Anbu reporting directly to the Hokage strode toward the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters, carrying an official transfer order stamped with a red seal.
Shopkeepers along the street poked their heads out, confusion in their eyes.
Normally, by this time, Yashiro or Chikage would already have led the patrol officers out onto the streets.
Today, however, not a single person in a Konoha Military Police Force uniform could be seen along the entire street.
The Anbu squad leader approached the headquarters' main entrance.
The heavy vermilion doors were shut tight.
A large wooden sign hung on them, bearing eight crooked characters written with a brush.
"Internal inventory. Operations suspended."
The Anbu squad leader reached out and knocked, the brass ring striking the door with a dull thud.
There was no response from inside.
The Anbu squad leader drew a kunai and pinned the Hokage's order directly to the center of the doors.
"By order of Lord Hokage!"
"The Konoha Military Police Force is to surrender responsibility for South Street's security and withdraw from all field posts within one hour!"
His voice echoed down the empty street.
There was still no movement behind the doors.
Several Root operatives across South Street watched coldly, then quietly retreated into the shadows to relay the news to the Hokage Building.
Half an hour later, in the Hokage's Office.
"The doors were shut tight?"
Utatane Koharu could not help laughing when she heard the report.
"It seems Fugaku has already received word of Chikage and Yashiro's deaths."
"The Uchiha Clan has always thrown its weight around. Now that its mainstays are dead, it's gone and hidden in its shell."
Mitokado Homura lifted his teacup, looking relaxed.
"With powerful fighters like Shisui