Whether the Third Hokage would be overwhelmed by this or not, Shinki didn't care.
He was determined to secure 200 sets of equipment, anticipating an expansion in the number of Anbu operatives in the near future. Shinki was prepared to launch a wave of rapid growth and operations.
True to the saying, "The leader commands, and the subordinates exhaust themselves," Shinki's directive left the logistics team with no choice but to draft an application to the Hokage's office, detailing the request for 200 sets of equipment.
The application soon made its way to the Hokage's office. The Third Hokage, who had just finished calming the Shimura clan and returned to his desk, was barely seated when the new application caught his eye.
"Puff!"
The Third Hokage, sipping tea, spluttered as his eyes widened, sending tea spraying across the room.
Setting the teacup down hastily, he grabbed the document and scrutinized it, thinking he had misread.
Two hundred sets of equipment?
Not twenty?
Was there an extra zero by mistake?
"Nonsense! How could the Anbu need so many people's worth of equipment?"
His first instinct was that the Anbu, or more precisely Shinki, was being absurd. Two hundred sets of full equipment for the Anbu would be a significant drain on the budget.
He called for his guards and passed them the document. "Send this back to the Anbu for review. Ensure there's no mistake before bringing me this kind of request. The Anbu doesn't even have enough personnel for 200 sets."
The guards returned shortly after, looking resigned.
"Hokage-sama, the Anbu insists that the request is accurate. Deputy Minister Shinki plans to expand the Anbu's size and emphasized that if the equipment isn't approved, he'll have to bring people to the logistics department to requisition it."
The Third Hokage's expression hardened. This was another of Shinki's provocations.
The Anbu's attempt to detain a Shimura elder had already stirred tensions, and it had taken considerable effort to pacify the clan. Now Shinki was making demands for equipment—200 complete sets, no less.
Where would the logistics department find that many?
The Third Hokage set the request aside, choosing to ignore it for now. Two hundred sets were out of the question.
The night passed, and as Konoha fell into silence with most of its inhabitants asleep, only a few lights remained illuminated. Yet the Anbu headquarters was brightly lit, filled with energy.
More than a hundred Anbu operatives assembled in the hall, a sea of animal masks and shadowed eyes.
Shinki stepped out from the office corridor and made his way to the podium, with Nara Shikako behind him. As he stood before the crowd, he surveyed the masked faces.
Clearing his throat, he spoke, his voice echoing through the hall. "It's good to see everyone here. For some of you, this may be the first time seeing me. I am Hyuga Shinki, Deputy Director of the Anbu."
"Tonight marks the beginning of an important operation. Prepare yourselves."
"Tora!"
"Sir," Tora replied, stepping forward.
Shinki handed him a list. "Escort the individuals on this list out. Effective immediately, they are no longer part of the Anbu."
The silence thickened as tension rippled through the crowd. Wasn't this supposed to be a special operation? Kicking people out hadn't been mentioned.
"Yes, sir."
Tora obeyed, rounding up those on the list. In all, over a dozen were pulled from the ranks—an alarming number, amounting to nearly a tenth of the assembled force.
"Mr. Deputy Minister, on what grounds are we being dismissed?" a defiant voice called out from the gathered group, tinged with disbelief and indignation.
Shinki met their eyes, calm and unyielding. He leaned on the podium, speaking firmly. "To put it kindly, you are being dismissed. The harsh truth is that I am granting you pardon—you are all traitors to the Anbu."
Gasps and murmurs erupted.
"Silence!" Tora's command restored order.
Shinki continued, "Why traitors, you ask? Let's not delve into past transgressions. Recently, I've observed some of you running to the Hokage's office for reasons unrelated to Anbu duties. The safety of the Hokage is no longer within our jurisdiction—it's the responsibility of his guard unit. So why this repeated activity? Could you not exercise discretion?"
Those who had protested lowered their heads, the weight of their guilt palpable.
"Since its inception, the Anbu has served directly under the Hokage. However, it's been less than a year since we became an independent unit. Some of you failed to adapt, choosing to continue your old habits of reporting to the Hokage. This behavior violates current Anbu regulations."
Shinki's gaze swept the crowd. "I won't make this difficult for you. Leave your equipment and weapons behind and exit. Your records will be cleared, and no stain will remain on your service history."
"Please, leave."
Reluctantly, those called out removed their equipment and surrendered their weapons, shame casting a shadow over their departure.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 310 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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