On the streets of Konoha.
With his hands in his pockets, Xuanye strolled toward the Root Base on the outskirts when a novel idea suddenly popped into his head.
Come to think of it, Konoha was neither particularly large nor particularly small.
The Konoha Military Police Force frequently needed to weave between streets to handle emergencies.
Relying solely on ninja running on their own two feet left their mobility somewhat lacking.
Although the Body Flicker Technique was fast enough for travel, it was silent. It always seemed to lack the visual impact and intimidating pressure that forceful law enforcement ought to have.
They were, after all, an armed organization responsible for public security.
Surely they couldn't run everywhere every time they went out to arrest someone? That had no presence at all.
If he could equip every man in the Konoha Military Police Force with a flashy, heavy-duty chakra motorcycle, they could rev their engines on patrol, with hundreds or thousands of motorcycles roaring through Konoha's streets. The sight would be absolutely explosive!
"I remember that in the era of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the Shinobi World's technology advanced by leaps and bounds. The streets were full of all kinds of bizarre vehicles and scientific ninja tools."
Xuanye rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
"That means this world's tech tree can absolutely be unlocked. It's just that no one has deliberately developed it in that direction yet."
"But having me draw up blueprints and do the research myself? That's nonsense. As squad commander, I don't have that kind of free time."
Specialized work had to be left to specialists!
Scientific talent?
Xuanye's eyes suddenly lit up, and his mind immediately settled on Konoha's most famous mad scientist.
Perfect!
He was leading his men to raid Danzo's Root headquarters today.
With all the dirty money Danzo had amassed over the years, his private coffers had to be overflowing.
Once all the illicit funds went into the Konoha Military Police Force's accounts, the seed money for developing chakra motorcycles would be completely taken care of!
"You really do know how to keep your cool."
Watching Xuanye stroll leisurely along, still mulling things over, Tsunade couldn't help scoffing beside him.
He had sent all his men ahead to lead the charge, while he, the squad commander, took a leisurely walk here instead.
This was Root, which Danzo had painstakingly built up over decades!
In individual combat ability and assassination methods, Root's death-sworn operatives were even more vicious and brutal than the Anbu directly under the Hokage.
Was he really not afraid his Uchiha clansmen would suffer badly there?
"If they can't even clean out these few vermin hiding in the gutters, they should stop embarrassing themselves by wearing the Konoha Military Police Force's name in Konoha."
Xuanye's tone was utterly casual, as though he were discussing something insignificant.
"If I have to step in personally for everything, why am I even the squad commander? Why did I spend so much effort recruiting and training them?"
"Do you think I'm that old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi? Sending an Anbu to watch over even petty nonsense like a married couple arguing at home?"
"Oh, no, that's not quite accurate."
Xuanye's lips curled mockingly. "At the very least, whenever Konoha and another village fought until rivers of blood flowed and people had to risk their lives on the battlefield, I never saw that great Third Hokage on the front lines. The ones charging ahead to die were always us poor working stiffs."
What a vicious tongue.
Tsunade's eyes shone as she listened, and she couldn't help enthusiastically applauding Xuanye in her heart.
"I never really thought about it until you mentioned it."
"It seems that ever since my second grandfather took him to the Land of Lightning for peace talks during the First Shinobi World War and they were ambushed, Teacher Sarutobi never personally went to war again."
"In that respect, the Kage of the other ninja villages really have done far better than Konoha."
That was the absolute truth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stayed holed up in Konoha year-round. At most, he visited the Land of Fire's daimyo's residence, drank tea with the daimyo, and cultivated their relationship, consolidating his power through politics.
Konoha's victory in the Second Shinobi World War had depended on them, the "Konoha Sannin," and the "White Fang of Konoha," Hatake Sakumo, risking their lives at the front.
Turning the tide in the Third Shinobi World War had depended on Minato Namikaze rushing between battlefields to put out fires, earning the fearsome name of the Yellow Flash through his kills.
The only one missing was the Third Hokage, who spoke of the "Will of Fire" every day and should have led his troops into battle himself.
As the supreme ruler, not readily risking himself on the front lines was indeed understandable from a political perspective.
But such things suffered by comparison.
Just look at Iwagakure's Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. Old as he was, in which Shinobi World War had he not floated in midair to personally command the fighting?
Then look at Kumogakure's Third Raikage. To cover his subordinates' retreat, he had fought ten thousand Iwagakure ninja alone and died fighting on the battlefield!
Xuanye shook his head, no longer bothering to think about Hiruzen Sarutobi's rotten affairs.
He had only told Tsunade these things so she would understand that his style of leadership was worlds apart from that hypocritical politician's.
As they spoke.
The two had already reached the edge of the forest on the outskirts.
Xuanye stopped.
The lazy nonchalance on his face vanished instantly, replaced by the suffocating coldness and authority he carried while on duty.
Whoosh!
The Police Force members arrayed ahead quickly parted to either side, leaving a wide passage through the middle for Xuanye.
"Reporting, Captain! Every entrance and exit to the Root Base has been sealed! We haven't let so much as a fly escape!"
Deputy Captain Uchiha Shanyang strode forward and reported loudly.
"Well done. Proceed as planned."
Xuanye nodded slightly and looked straight ahead.
Before the dark underground entrance, hundreds of Root ninja wearing eerie masks had turned out in full force, crowding densely in front of the entrance.
Their stance was clear:
They would stop the Konoha Military Police Force from entering the Root Base, even at the cost of their lives!
"Captain Xuanye! What exactly does the Konoha Military Police Force intend by surrounding this place so openly?"
With Danzo absent, standing at the very front of all the Root ninja was none other than Danzo's most loyal "filial son"-Shisui Uchiha!
His face was full of confusion. He clearly didn't understand why the Konoha Military Police Force had suddenly moved against them.
That morning, he had heard rumors that the Konoha Military Police Force had arrested Lord Danzo the previous night.
And the charge was actually something as outrageous as "breaking and entering to commit rape."
To Shisui Uchiha, this was absolutely an enormous misunderstanding! Or someone was deliberately framing him!
Lord Danzo had poured his heart and soul into Konoha's prosperity and stability, toiling day and night. How could he possibly do something so shameless and filthy?
He had even assembled Root's personnel, preparing to head to the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters shortly to calmly negotiate with Captain Xuanye and demand Danzo's release.
Root's death-sworn operatives were killing machines who had been brainwashed from childhood and stripped of all human emotion.
But Shisui Uchiha was an exception. Danzo had coaxed, deceived, and brainwashed him into joining later in life.
Deep down, he still retained abundant emotions and the so-called "Will of Fire," making him look out of place among these soulless machines.
Had Danzo's arrest last night not been so sudden, leaving Root leaderless, their usual way of doing things would have seen them clash directly with the Konoha Military Police Force long ago.
Faced with Shisui's questioning, Xuanye had no interest in even opening his mouth to respond. He merely gave him a cold glance.
Standing beside Xuanye, Uchiha Shanyang immediately understood his captain's meaning. He took a forceful stride forward and roared at full volume:
"The Konoha Military Police Force is carrying out its lawful duties! All unauthorized personnel, put your hands on your heads, step back, and squat down immediately!"
There was no response.
The Root ninja stood like cold statues, not a flicker of emotion showing in the eyes beneath their masks.
Seeing this, the Police Force members sneered and wasted no words.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Over a hundred pairs of scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated in perfect unison, lighting the dim forest with an eerie red glow!
"First warning!"
"Second warning!"
"Third warning!"
After three consecutive warnings, the Root operatives opposite them still did not budge.
"Warnings ineffective! Everyone, prepare!"
Killing intent surged in Uchiha Shanyang's eyes. He abruptly drew the ninja blade at his waist and charged out at the head of the force!
"Forced Execution procedure activated!"
"Anyone who obstructs us is to be killed on the spot, dead or alive!"
The slaughter erupted instantly!
The moment Uchiha Shanyang gave his final command, over a hundred Uchiha elites pounced on Root's defensive line like tigers descending a mountain, holding nothing back!
Under the Konoha Military Police Force's ironclad rules, once the "Forced Execution" procedure was activated, no living thing was permitted to stand in their way!
Even Uchiha Itachi, who shared a bond with Shisui Uchiha as both mentor and friend and had always regarded him as a guide in life, could only grit his teeth, draw his kunai, and steel himself to fight those Root ninja.
Uchiha Itachi and Shisui shared an exceptionally deep bond. In the original story, he had even awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan on the spot after witnessing Shisui jump off a cliff to his death.
But the Konoha Military Police Force had its own rules!
During a forced clearance operation, showing mercy to the enemy would be classified directly as "collusion and treason" under the Public Security Regulations!
The reason was simple: any hesitation or weakness on the battlefield could cost the comrades beside you their lives!
"Getting itchy hands too? Want to go a few rounds?"
Supervising the battle from the very back of the formation, Xuanye turned to glance at Might Guy, who stood beside him looking eager to jump in.
Of course, Xuanye understood why Might Guy was so impatient to join the fight.
Ever since Xuanye had specially appointed him chief physical training instructor.
Although he put the members through sweat-drenched training every day, the Uchiha Clan had always been proud and only respected the truly strong.
The only reason they obediently cooperated with Might Guy's training was that Captain Xuanye had personally issued an absolute order.
Deep down, these Uchiha clansmen didn't think this bushy-browed man who only knew taijutsu was particularly formidable.
That was how practical the Shinobi World was.
To teach these unruly Uchiha wolf cubs, Xuanye's appointment alone wasn't enough. He had to demonstrate the genuine strength to command their respect!
Xuanye naturally understood the terrifying power of the Eight Gates Released Formation, but these Police Force members didn't.
"Captain Xuanye! That man called Shisui Uchiha is extremely powerful!"
Might Guy dropped his usual goofiness, his expression more serious than ever. "I'm worried the men in the Konoha Military Police Force aren't a match for him and will suffer badly!"
Was it merely to prove himself?
As expected of Might Guy, the iron-willed man who could carry self-restraint to its utmost limit.
That made sense.
If he readily revealed his strength merely to spite the Uchiha clansmen and save face, his so-called "self-restraint" would become an enormous joke.
The only reason he was now volunteering to fight.
Was his fear that his comrades in the Konoha Military Police Force would suffer needless casualties at Shisui's hands!
Before you continue