"Commander?"
The moment Natsuhiko's words fell, both Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Sora froze where they stood.
Sora truly had no idea about Natsuhiko's situation. Even her understanding of his title as "captain" was vague at best.
All she really knew was that he had once been on the same team as Kakashi, had become a jōnin, and had even led Kakashi's squad for a time.
Beyond that, she knew almost nothing.
Most of what she had learned afterward had come from bits and pieces she'd overheard from others.
But Shin… Shin was genuinely stunned.
He knew that Natsuhiko had once been a high-ranking captain within the ANBU. Otherwise, he would never have sought him out to arrange for Shisui Uchiha to enter the organization.
What he had never imagined—what he couldn't have imagined—was that after the Nine-Tails incident, the young man before him would have risen to such a position.
Commander.
The head of the ANBU.
This boy… had already reached that level?
And yet, Shin's mind was filled with even more unanswered questions.
It wasn't as if he hadn't tried to learn about what had been happening within the ANBU. He had asked Shisui before—but the boy had kept his lips tightly sealed, clearly unwilling to reveal certain things.
At the time, Shin hadn't thought much of it. Given Shisui's sensitive position and his status as a trainee, caution was only natural.
But now, it seemed that wasn't the whole story.
It wasn't just caution.
Shisui had been afraid to speak.
Just what had happened inside the ANBU… to allow the young man before him to ascend to the position of Commander?
And what kind of secrets were involved—so dangerous that even Shisui dared not reveal them?
Even Shin himself didn't dare think too deeply about it.
The upper ranks of Konoha… were like a vast swamp.
That much was undeniable.
And the dangers lurking within it were far beyond anything internal clan struggles could compare to.
In that swamp, a single misstep could lead to complete annihilation.
Shin let out a quiet sigh.
The previous Commander… had likely already sunk into that abyss, utterly destroyed.
"Yes, Commander," Natsuhiko replied with a small smile, nodding lightly. "Though I haven't held the position for long, I am indeed the current head."
"I see…" Shin's hands trembled slightly. He tried to steady himself, but it only made it more obvious. "My apologies, Commander. I… have been presumptuous."
"There's no need to apologize." Natsuhiko shook his head gently, his smile unchanged. "You're Sora's grandfather. If anything, I should be the one showing you respect. Besides, you weren't aware of my situation, were you?"
"In that case… thank you, Commander Natsuhiko." Shin took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before speaking with utmost seriousness.
Sora watched all of this unfold—her grandfather's cautious humility, and Natsuhiko's calm, composed demeanor that naturally carried the weight of authority.
Everything she thought she knew… was being overturned.
It was the first time she had ever seen her grandfather act like this.
And it was also the first time she truly realized—
The boy who once sat beside her… was far more extraordinary than she had ever imagined.
Commander.
That was a position at the very peak of Konoha's power structure.
Someone her age… how had he possibly reached such a height?
And more importantly—
What kind of department was he leading?
Under normal circumstances, even a Commander wouldn't cause her grandfather to act this way.
Which could only mean one thing.
The department Natsuhiko controlled possessed immense, overwhelming power—so much so that even her grandfather felt fear, lowering himself instinctively, showing deference without hesitation.
But what kind of organization could command that level of authority?
And how, exactly… had her grandfather come to know him in the first place?
"Alright, let's not dwell on that." Natsuhiko shook his head lightly before continuing, his tone returning to its usual calm. "Today's encounter was unexpected. I only came here to assess a new recruit—but since we've run into each other, it's as good a time as any to take care of a few other matters."
"Our apologies for intruding, Commander Natsuhiko," Uchiha Shin said immediately, his expression turning apologetic. After a brief hesitation, he added, "May I ask what it is you need us for?"
In truth, Shin was puzzled.
From his perspective, anything Natsuhiko wanted to discuss with him would most likely revolve around the Uchiha clan.
And Natsuhiko had already mentioned that he was here to evaluate new personnel.
What kind of recruit would require the personal attention of the ANBU's Commander? Shin couldn't even begin to guess—but he didn't dare ask.
Still… if this was about the ANBU, then the discussion should revolve around ANBU matters. Was it really appropriate for them to be sitting here?
Besides, apart from Shisui Uchiha, the Uchiha clan hardly had any remaining connection to the ANBU at all.
"There is indeed something I need from you," Natsuhiko said, smiling faintly at the old man. His voice remained calm, but there was an unmistakable weight behind it. "But before that, you need to think very carefully."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Think it through completely… because the consequences of a wrong choice are something you can imagine."
"Natsuhiko…"
Uchiha Sora couldn't hold back when she heard the faint threat in his tone.
But the moment she spoke, she froze.
She didn't even know what she wanted to say.
Was she supposed to question him? To challenge him?
No—that wasn't her place. She didn't have the right.
Especially when even her grandfather was acting with such humility. If her impulsiveness were to ruin whatever her grandfather was trying to achieve, then she would become the one at fault.
She knew well how much effort her grandfather had put into helping the Uchiha integrate into Konoha.
Could it be… that the department Natsuhiko controlled was the key to all of this?
"Hm?"
Natsuhiko turned slightly to look at her, then seemed to understand something. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It seems your grandfather has been quite disciplined—he hasn't told you anything about me."
"No… he hasn't." Sora nodded softly. She hesitated for a moment, then looked at Natsuhiko before finally asking, "Natsuhiko-kun, since you're a Commander, then…"
"You're curious about which department I belong to, right?"
Natsuhiko didn't seem surprised in the slightest. He answered directly, his tone relaxed.
"The ANBU. I'm the head of the ANBU—I've always worked there."
"The… ANBU…"
The moment the words left his mouth, Sora stiffened just like Shin had before.
Now she finally understood.
Why her grandfather had reacted the way he did.
And why he seemed… afraid.
The ANBU.
Natsuhiko… was the Commander of the ANBU.
For a moment, her thoughts blurred, as if the world around her had grown distant.
She suddenly felt that the distance between herself and Natsuhiko had been stretched impossibly far.
The gap between an ordinary shinobi and someone at the level of a Commander was already like the difference between heaven and earth.
If she had at least been a jōnin, perhaps it wouldn't have felt so overwhelming. After all, in theory, Commanders were still classified within the same broad tier as jōnin.
In Konoha, beneath the Hokage, there existed a special body—the Jōnin Council.
Its leader could command all jōnin, and within that framework, all jōnin were, in principle, equal and subject to that authority.
Of course, in reality, that leadership was often more symbolic than absolute. More often than not, the position was honorary.
But those who held that title… were usually destined to become the next Hokage.
Even so, while Commanders and jōnin might share a similar classification on paper, the reality was entirely different.
A Commander held direct authority.
Unless one was an exceptionally powerful jōnin with strong backing, that hierarchy was absolute.
Rules were rules.
Breaking them was rarely accepted—unless you succeeded, in which case… that was another matter entirely.
Sora was only a chūnin.
She hadn't even reached the level of jōnin.
And yet, the boy who had once been her desk mate—her closest friend—now stood as the Commander of the ANBU.
That kind of distance…
It was enough to make anyone feel a quiet sense of despair.
Especially for someone like her, who was never carefree or indifferent by nature.
Having grown up within a great clan, Sora had learned one thing from a very young age—
Rules must be followed.
Whether it was the strict codes within her family or the unspoken order that governed life in the village, she had never once considered breaking them.
"What's with that expression?"
Just as her thoughts began to drift, Natsuhiko's voice pulled her back. He smiled lightly as he spoke.
"Just because I'm a Commander now… does that mean we're no longer friends?"
"I…"
Sora snapped out of it, but for a moment she was completely at a loss, unsure how to respond.
Natsuhiko, however, didn't give her the chance to struggle for words. He had already picked up a skewer of dango and held it out to her.
"Here. Take it. Do you remember what I told you before?"
"I remember." She accepted the dango, lowering her gaze slightly. "You said… sweets can make people feel better."
"Exactly." Natsuhiko rested his head lazily against one hand again, his tone as casual as ever. "And me becoming Commander—isn't that something worth being happy about? After all, it's the result of my efforts."
His relaxed posture, his familiar way of speaking—it eased something in her.
It was true. No matter how unbelievable it felt, no matter how distant it made him seem…
This was something worth celebrating for him.
In life, effort didn't always lead to results.
And yet, what brought the greatest joy was precisely when hard work did bear fruit—when the outcome matched the effort.
Gains without effort might bring momentary happiness, but they carried no real sense of achievement. Only what one earned through struggle could truly stay in the heart.
Thinking this, Sora's expression gradually softened, returning to how it used to be.
She took a small bite of the dango Natsuhiko had given her.
Sweet.
So sweet that it felt as though she had been carried back to those days long ago.
Her reaction didn't go unnoticed.
Renge watched quietly, a slight lift of her brow betraying her thoughts. It was clear to her that Natsuhiko and this Uchiha girl shared more than just a passing acquaintance.
But she said nothing, instead turning her focus inward, seriously considering what she needed to do moving forward.
As for Uchiha Shin, his eyes seemed to gleam faintly.
He had always known that his granddaughter and Natsuhiko were on good terms—but just how close they were, he had never been certain.
After all, Natsuhiko had left the academy too early. Even Shin himself hadn't known much about him back then.
It wasn't until later, when he sought a connection to the ANBU through Kakashi, that he had unexpectedly learned more about Natsuhiko.
But now…
It seemed their relationship was far closer than he had imagined.
And if that was the case, then for Shin, it was undeniably a good thing.
Of course, he wasn't naïve enough to believe he could control someone like Natsuhiko through his granddaughter.
Those who rose to such heights—how many of them weren't ruthless beneath the surface?
Shin had no intention of provoking him, nor of dragging his granddaughter into anything dangerous.
But this connection… this bond…
It could become a bridge.
Something that might allow him to cooperate more closely with Natsuhiko in the future, preventing himself from being placed in a completely passive position.
And perhaps—even if only as a distant possibility—
He couldn't help but wonder if the two of them might one day be joined together.
Though Natsuhiko was from the Senju clan, Shin had long since resolved to abandon the old hatred.
After all, the alliance between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju had once been built on personal bonds.
But in Shin's eyes, that kind of connection had never been truly stable.
The most reliable bond…
Might well be the oldest kind.
"Alright, Elder Shin. Let's talk about our matter now."
Natsuhiko, of course, had no idea what the two of them were thinking. He turned back to Shin, his tone returning to something more businesslike.
"Have you made your decision? I don't like to rush people, but you should understand—I won't give anyone too much time."
"I understand, Commander Natsuhiko."
Shin immediately straightened, pulling himself out of his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Natsuhiko with complete seriousness.
"I've already made my decision. If nothing unexpected happened, I would have come to you tomorrow to speak about it."
He paused briefly before continuing,
"But since we've met today… I'll tell you my answer now."
"Grandfather…"
Sora could tell from his expression that he was about to say something important. She instinctively tried to stop him, lowering her voice in warning.
They were still in a public place—and Shin hadn't made any effort to lower his voice at all.
However, what made Sora feel slightly awkward was that her grandfather seemed completely unaware of the subtle atmosphere around him. His expression remained serious and unwavering, as if nothing else mattered.
Uchiha Shin, however, understood very clearly that Natsuhiko was no longer merely a squad captain.
He was now the Commander of the ANBU—the one who truly commanded and controlled the entire organization.
That change in identity also meant a change in their positions.
While his own standing had become more passive, it also meant that Natsuhiko now held far greater power to offer them what they needed.
"Commander Natsuhiko," Shin said solemnly, "I have made my decision. I hope to engage in a deeper level of cooperation with you."
"I hesitated before because of the long-standing hatred between the Uchiha and the Senju clans."
"But now I've come to understand something. To remain bound by that hatred would be an insult to you, Commander Natsuhiko."
"And it would also reflect poorly on my own judgment and vision."
"You are like the ancestors of old—you have cast aside hatred and are willing to extend help to us."
"If I were to reject this cooperation because of outdated grudges, I fear I would regret it for the rest of my life."
"More than that… it would cause the Uchiha clan itself to lose your trust."
"And that is a consequence we simply cannot afford."
"If the Uchiha wish to reintegrate into Konoha, then we must stand alongside all other clans."
"Just like in the past—if our predecessors could do it, then so can we."
Natsuhiko quietly observed Uchiha Shin as he spoke, his tone growing increasingly passionate. In the end, Natsuhiko simply nodded lightly.
A declaration like this was, at the very least, a good sign.
Although words were never as reliable as actions, this was still a meaningful beginning.
And for now, that was enough.
He didn't need perfection—only progress.
From here onward, he could begin to extend a certain level of trust. Information that was known within the ANBU… things that were normally not disclosed to outsiders.
Of course, strictly speaking, such matters should never be revealed beyond the organization.
But Natsuhiko was the Commander.
And right now, his word was law.
"Very well. I can feel Elder Shin's determination."
He then turned his gaze back toward Renge.
"Now then… where were we before that interruption?"
"You said that if I failed to satisfy your expectations, the consequences would be severe," Renge replied immediately, understanding his intent and following his lead.
Natsuhiko's meaning was clear.
He was willing to grant them a certain degree of trust regarding ANBU matters.
Even though Renge felt that such trust was almost excessive—this involved the deepest secrets of the ANBU, after all—she did not question it.
Her role was simply to adapt and comply.
That was the safest way not to displease him.
Uchiha Shin's eyes brightened noticeably at the exchange, while Sora's expression grew even more complicated.
She could tell that Natsuhiko was intentionally revealing parts of ANBU information to demonstrate trust in them.
But her mind was still preoccupied with one thing—
The "hatred between the Uchiha and the Senju."
The Senju clan was not unfamiliar to her.
Even though the name was rarely spoken of nowadays, she still knew how deep the conflict between the two clans ran.
And Natsuhiko… was from the Senju.
So his real name must be Senju Natsuhiko.
Suddenly, something clicked in her mind.
It was said that on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, an ANBU operative had used Wood Release to stop the beast and had worked alongside the Fourth Hokage to seal it.
Could that ANBU… actually be Natsuhiko?
If that were true, then it would explain everything.
Why someone so young could rise to the position of ANBU Commander.
So that was why her grandfather had reacted so cautiously earlier…
"That's right. As harsh as it may sound, that is the reality." Natsuhiko said, nodding.
"Are you prepared for it? Or rather… are you willing to take on this challenge?"
"I am," Renge replied without a trace of hesitation, her voice as calm and decisive as ever.
After speaking, a trace of hesitation flickered in her eyes, but it quickly solidified into resolve.
"After all, this is an opportunity Natsuhiko-kun gave me to prove myself."
"And as his fiancée… if I can't even handle something like this properly, then what right would I have to stand beside him?"
The moment her words fell, the once lively and bustling dango shop fell into an abrupt silence.
It lasted only an instant—so brief it was almost as if no one had noticed it at all. In the next breath, the patrons resumed their laughter and conversation as though nothing had happened.
But for those at the table, the atmosphere had clearly shifted.
Sora, Uchiha Shin, and even Natsuhiko himself all wore slightly strange expressions.
Neither Shin nor Sora had expected this at all—Natsuhiko actually already had a fiancée.
For Sora, today felt like she was discovering a completely different person.
First came the revelation about the ANBU. Then the matter of the Senju clan. And now, out of nowhere, a fiancée had appeared.
At first, she had thought he was simply treating his teammates to a meal. Later, she assumed it was a recruitment meeting for ANBU personnel.
But now she finally understood.
He was indeed recruiting people—just that one of them… happened to be his fiancée.
Even Natsuhiko hadn't expected Renge to say something like that outright.
When he turned to look at her, however, he found that she remained as composed and indifferent as ever, as if she had merely stated a trivial fact.
And when he thought about it carefully, it wasn't entirely wrong.
Their engagement had likely been arranged long ago; she was simply stating the truth in the most straightforward way possible.
Still… saying it so casually in a place like this did make things feel a little awkward.
"Natsuhiko-kun… you already have a fiancée?" Sora asked.
There was a faint unease in her voice—though even she couldn't quite tell where that discomfort came from. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure and gave a polite nod.
"Then… congratulations."
"Thank you," Natsuhiko replied with a faint smile, casually spreading one hand.
"Though I only found out about it a few months ago myself. It seems it was arranged by the clan."
"Just a few months ago… so it was a family arrangement," Sora murmured, quickly making sense of it.
In noble clans, such arrangements were common—pairing talented heirs with equally capable partners to preserve lineage and strengthen the family's future.
It was nothing unusual. Given Natsuhiko's abilities, it made sense he would be "taken care of" in this way.
In fact, even she had experienced something similar before—though her grandfather had ultimately refused it on her behalf.
Still, even understanding that rationally, Sora couldn't quite shake the strange feeling in her chest.
Because she couldn't be sure what her own future would turn into.
Suddenly, she recalled what Renge had said earlier—that Natsuhiko had given her an opportunity to prove herself.
She didn't know what that opportunity was. She didn't know what this woman intended to do after joining the ANBU either.
But she did know one thing—
Perhaps this, too, could become an opportunity for her to change her own fate.
Maybe it was the lingering warmth of childhood memories that made her want to understand Natsuhiko more.
Or maybe it was her unwillingness to accept a future dictated entirely by her clan.
Either way, a decision began to quietly take shape in her heart—though she still needed time to think it through.
For now, she simply maintained her composure and nodded politely. "Nice to meet you. Please take care of me."
"You as well," Renge replied calmly. "Let me reintroduce myself—my name is Renge. Senju Renge. Please take care of me."
Both women were naturally reserved, and both had been raised under strict and refined clan etiquette. As a result, neither was particularly warm toward others, but neither would allow herself to appear impolite.
Yet for some reason, Natsuhiko couldn't help but feel that the atmosphere between them… was strangely harmonious in a way that didn't quite make sense.
Still, he didn't dwell on it.
His thoughts were already elsewhere—focused on future plans and the immediate matters he needed to resolve.
After all, his original purpose in coming here today had only been Renge.
To give her an opportunity to prove herself… and, in doing so, lighten his own workload.
However, now that he had encountered Uchiha Shin here, handling a few additional matters along the way was hardly a problem.
Shoma Senju was currently working to connect all the major clans of Konoha, building the necessary web of relationships and cooperation across the village.
But Natsuhiko suspected that the old man would never take the initiative to reach out to the Uchiha clan. In that case, it would be better for him to handle this matter personally.
Besides, he had already made his move within the Uchiha clan once before—if he applied a little more pressure, the results might turn out even better.
With that thought in mind, Natsuhiko turned his gaze toward Uchiha Shin and spoke slowly.
"Since Elder Shin has already made his position clear, then I should also state my own thoughts."
"Please speak freely, Commander," Shin immediately focused all his attention on him.
Although he had noticed that the atmosphere between his granddaughter and the Senju girl was somewhat unusual, that feeling was far from reliable. Sora's behavior hadn't changed much on the surface, and yet something still felt slightly different.
Still, he didn't dare dwell on it too deeply. The man before him was Senju Natsuhiko.
And that alone demanded his full attention.
"I've heard about your performance on the night of the Nine-Tails attack. It was commendable. Because of that, I believe we can take things a step further."
A faint smile appeared on Natsuhiko's face as he lightly tapped the table, speaking in a calm, measured tone.
"I assume Elder Shin still remembers our previous conversation. Things have reached this point, so it's time to move forward."
"Right now, the ANBU is undergoing reform—a large-scale restructuring. We need not only a large number of combat personnel, but also a great deal of administrative talent."
"And you, Elder Shin, also need people—more individuals capable of assisting you."
He paused slightly at that point.
Uchiha Shin's body began to tremble faintly with excitement.
He understood exactly what Natsuhiko meant. More importantly, he understood what Natsuhiko was offering.
Even if he didn't fully grasp the details of the ANBU reform, one thing was clear—
This was a door.
A door opening for members of the Uchiha clan to enter the ANBU.
For him, and for the entire clan, this was an incredibly positive signal.
For members of the clan to enter the ANBU meant building a direct bridge to the Hokage.
And the more people they placed inside, the more it demonstrated the Hokage's trust in them.
That kind of trust was exactly what the Uchiha needed right now—it was a crucial step toward truly integrating into Konoha.
At the same time, with enough personnel placed inside, they might even become a powerful force he could rely on when he eventually seized full control of the clan.
"I understand," Shin said, forcibly suppressing his excitement as he gritted his teeth. "I will give Commander Natsuhiko a satisfactory answer. I will ensure the clan's talents—"
"No need for so-called 'talents,'" Natsuhiko interrupted calmly before he could finish.
"What I want are individuals who have already been on the battlefield—especially younger ones whose personalities can still be shaped and corrected. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I…" Shin opened his mouth, then finally let out a wry smile and nodded. "I understand what you mean, Commander."
Natsuhiko had put it very bluntly—so bluntly that it left Shin feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Correcting their personalities" was just a polite way of saying he disliked the Uchiha clan's excessive pride.
But there was nothing that could be done about that. The clan's atmosphere had always been like this.
After the downfall of the Senju's dominance, they had faced almost no real rivals. The only clan they could meaningfully compare themselves to was the Hyūga.
And as the self-proclaimed strongest clan in Konoha, a certain level of pride was inevitable.
Still, not every member of the clan was the same. There were always exceptions—like Shisui, or those children who grew up in the lower ranks of the clan hierarchy.
"Besides that, there is another matter you need to handle," Natsuhiko continued after a brief moment of thought.
"That is the Police Force. The Konoha Police Force exists for the village—not as the private institution of the Uchiha clan. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand," Uchiha Shin said with a serious nod. "You mentioned this before, Commander Natsuhiko. I believe I already know what I need to do. I will begin selecting some civilian ninjas from the squads under my control and organize them into teams."
"Good."
A faint smile appeared on Natsuhiko's face as he immediately expanded on his vision.
"It's not enough to stop there. When appropriate, you should also assign them to leadership positions."
"The goal is to balance clan ninjas and civilian ninjas—merge them into a single structure while ensuring no internal conflict arises."
"And after that, we continue expanding. Not only civilian ninjas, but also ninjas from other clans must be brought into the system."
As he spoke, Natsuhiko paused briefly, glancing at Uchiha Shin, who remained sitting upright with perfect composure, and then at Sora, who was quietly listening nearby. Only then did he continue.
"This is a large-scale process that will take time. And during that process, you will face resistance beyond imagination."
"If you succeed, you will rise even further—perhaps even obtain things you once thought impossible."
"But if you fail, then you will have to bear all the consequences alone. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand. I've always understood."
Uchiha Shin nodded firmly, his expression unwavering.
"The moment I spoke those words, I had already made my decision."
"Commander Natsuhiko, I will be counting on your guidance from now on."
"Good."
Natsuhiko stood up and lightly tapped the table.
At that moment, all the customers in the shop simultaneously stopped what they were doing and quietly filed out, still chatting and laughing as they left.
Natsuhiko gave Uchiha Shin a faint nod and smiled.
"Then, a pleasant cooperation. I look forward to working with you."
With that, he turned and walked out of the shop together with Renge.
Sora stared blankly at the scene.
She had long suspected that something about the people in this dango shop was off—why else would such sensitive conversations be spoken so openly?
But witnessing it firsthand—that the entire shop was filled with disguised ninjas, possibly all ANBU operatives—was still deeply shocking.
Still, she didn't dwell on it for long.
Watching Natsuhiko's departing figure, she took a deep breath. She knew now was the time to seize her chance.
"Natsuhiko, please wait a moment," Sora called out softly.
"Hm?" Natsuhiko turned back, smiling. "Sora, what is it?"
"I have a question… or rather, a request."
"Go ahead. I might be able to help."
"Do I… have a chance to join the ANBU as well?"