"Tora, why did the Anbu try to take the elders of the Shimura clan?"
Tora lowered his head slightly and responded, "Hokage-sama, I am just following the orders of the deputy minister. I don't know the specifics."
Not willing to disclose the mission details? The Third Hokage's expression darkened as he regarded his former subordinate.
"I will handle this personally. Return to Shinki and tell him that this stops here."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Withdraw the team."
Without hesitation, Tora gathered his men and led them back to the Anbu headquarters to report. The mission had failed, but Shinki was unfazed.
The proximity of the Sarutobi and Shimura compounds to the Hokage's office meant any commotion would quickly draw the Third Hokage's intervention.
Failure was expected.
"I understand. Rest up and prepare the team. There will be a significant operation tonight," Shinki informed Tora.
Another large-scale mission? The pupils beneath Tora's mask widened slightly. What could this mean?
"Capturing the Shimura elders was always going to be difficult. The Hokage can intervene at any moment," Nara Shikako remarked, resigned.
To succeed, they needed an element of surprise. Charging in with fanfare only ensured the Third Hokage's swift appearance.
Shinki nodded thoughtfully. "I'm aware."
Nara Shikako paused, understanding dawning on his face. Shinki's strategy was becoming clear. It wasn't about capturing anyone in one attempt; it was about creating pressure.
If they failed once, they'd try again. And again. Each time, the Anbu would mobilize around the Shimura clan. Whether they succeeded was secondary—the act itself was the strategy.
The repeated mobilization would force the Hokage's office to respond each time, creating tension and disrupting the balance of power. Meanwhile, Shinki could also use the opportunity to cleanse the Anbu of loyalists tied to the Hokage.
"Senior, could you select some members from Ino-Shika-Chou to fill civilian roles within the Anbu?" Shinki asked suddenly.
Nara Shikako blinked, surprised. "How many? Ino-Shika-Chou has a fair number of ninjas. We could easily replace all civilian positions, but where would the current staff go?"
The question loomed: could the Anbu handle such a shift?
"I have plans for that, senior. I intend to reassign them to the pharmaceutical department."
The Anbu was now an independent entity, and keeping critical positions filled with trusted allies was crucial. This would be a gradual process, beginning with civilian roles and transitioning to operational positions over time.
Nara Shikako nodded. "Understood. The Yamanaka clan would excel at interrogation work. There's no better option in the village."
"Agreed," Shinki said, satisfied.
Nara Shikako saw the advantage. Integrating Ino-Shika-Chou into the Anbu would strengthen their bond and offset the losses they'd suffered from aligning with Tsunade. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans had gradually pushed their people out of prominent roles. This opportunity from Shinki was a much-needed boon.
"I'll arrange for twenty people to be ready within three days," Shikako promised.
"Thank you, senior."
Shinki left to continue his plans. The logistics of the Anbu were the next priority.
Arriving at the logistics department, he was greeted by the head ninja.
"My lord," the ninja saluted.
After acknowledging the greeting, Shinki asked, "How many full sets of equipment do we have in stock?"
Anbu equipment was costly and included armor, masks, weapons, and toolkits. The department rarely kept large numbers on hand due to the expense.
"Sir, we currently have fifty sets available."
Fifty. It was sufficient for now.
"Move all those sets to the main hall. Also, draft an application for at least 200 more sets and send it to the Hokage's office."
"Two hundred?" The logistics team exchanged glances, stunned.
The entire Anbu force was smaller than that. The Hokage's office would undoubtedly balk at such a request—two hundred sets meant an enormous expenditure.
When the Third Hokage received that request, his reaction would be one of disbelief, if not outright shock. Two hundred complete sets would strain even the village's robust budget.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 310 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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