"As expected of the Konoha Military Police Force," murmured one villager.
"Yes, Captain Bai Ye is as reliable as ever," another added.
"Thanks to Captain Bai Ye's protection, we can feel safe," chimed in a third.
The residents of Konoha's commercial district exchanged appreciative glances, their gratitude palpable. Among them, the owner of the weapon shop felt particularly indebted.
However, these sentiments were momentarily distant to Bai Ye. At that moment, he was leading his team back to headquarters.
Konoha Military Police Force Headquarters
In the interrogation room, Bai Ye sat with his legs crossed, sipping the coffee handed to him by a subordinate. His gaze was fixed on Mito Qingteng, who was securely bound before him.
Mito Qingteng, the son of Homura Mitokado—a senior advisor to the Hokage—held a position that many might consider untouchable. But Bai Ye wasn't one to be swayed by titles or lineage. Even if Homura Mitokado himself had caused trouble at the weapon shop, Bai Ye would have treated him no differently.
Reflecting on past events, Bai Ye recalled the Third Ninja War. During that tumultuous time, advisors like Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were believed to have made decisions that benefited themselves, leading to widespread discontent. While the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was competent, the presence of such advisors often led to internal conflicts, weakening the village from within.
"Tell me, why did you betray the village?" Bai Ye's voice was calm but carried an undertone of accusation.
Mito Qingteng's eyes widened in shock. "When did I betray the village?"
Bai Ye sighed, signaling to his subordinate. He then exited the interrogation room. Moments later, muffled screams echoed from within, each more harrowing than the last.
As the head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Bai Ye wielded absolute authority. He wasn't one to bend the rules. The regulations governing Konoha and its internal affairs had been reviewed and signed by the Third Hokage himself. This foundation gave Bai Ye the confidence to act without fear of repercussion, even if it meant confronting figures like Homura Mitokado.
The accusation of betrayal was a strategic move—a means to apply pressure. If the suspect remained defiant, Bai Ye had methods to extract the truth. And if the suspect broke under pressure, it would provide leverage against Homura Mitokado.
Bai Ye was aware that corruption had seeped into the village's core. He had no qualms about exploiting this rot to achieve his objectives. After all, if funds were obtained through dubious means, he felt no guilt in redirecting them for what he deemed the village's true benefit.
"Captain, he's confessed!" Uchiha Sanyo, the vice-captain, approached with a serious expression.
"That was quick," Bai Ye remarked, glancing at the confession. A chuckle escaped him. "Well, well, it seems we have a genuine traitor."
To his surprise, Mito Qingteng had divulged significant information after minimal persuasion. The confession was both enlightening and alarming.
At that time, Konoha was on the brink of negotiations with the Hidden Cloud Village (Kumogakure). Tensions on the front lines had escalated, prompting the Third Hokage to deploy members of the Hyuga clan to counter the Hidden Cloud's advances. This move had caused considerable setbacks for the enemy.
In response, the Hidden Cloud Village sought negotiations, aiming to extract concessions from Konoha. Their strategy hinged on understanding Konoha's internal affairs—its financial resources, military strength, and the Hokage's stance.
It appeared that ninjas from the Hidden Cloud had approached Mito Qingteng, seeking insights into Konoha's war expenditures and the Third Hokage's intentions. This intelligence would have given them a significant advantage in the upcoming talks.
Bai Ye's thoughts drifted to the original series, recalling how the Hidden Cloud's delegation had acted brazenly upon arrival. It now made sense—they had inside information about Konoha's strained resources, emboldening them to push their agenda, even to the extent of orchestrating incidents like the Hyuga affair.
The Fourth Raikage, despite his brash demeanor, had shown strategic acumen. He recognized that both villages were weary from prolonged conflict, yet he dared to pressure Konoha, knowing their vulnerabilities.
Bai Ye pondered a hypothetical scenario: if the Third Hokage had adopted a more assertive stance during those negotiations, could tragedies like the death of Hizashi Hyuga have been averted? Shaking off these musings, he refocused on the present.
"Continue the interrogation. I doubt he's revealed everything," Bai Ye ordered, handing back the confession.
"Understood, Captain," Uchiha Sanyo replied. "But what should we do after the interrogation?"
"Prepare a copy of the confession and send it to the Hokage," Bai Ye instructed, stifling a yawn. He had dinner plans with Kurenai Yuhi and wasn't inclined to let official matters delay him.
As he prepared to leave, a familiar notification echoed in his mind:
"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the self-discipline captain's patrol mission!"
"Ding! Your ocular power has increased slightly!"
A surge of energy coursed through Bai Ye, centering in his eyes. The tomoe in his Sharingan spun rapidly, evolving into a new pattern—the Mangekyō Sharingan. The transformation didn't stop there; the design solidified further, and a golden hue intertwined with the crimson, signifying the awakening of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Not bad," Bai Ye mused, satisfied with the development.
He surmised that with an infusion of Asura's chakra—a reward from a special mission—unlocking the Rinnegan would be within his grasp.
The ongoing mission, titled "Self-Disciplined Captain of the Guard," provided daily rewards, offering him small yet consistent enhancements. While the evolution of his eyes was noteworthy, Bai Ye remained unfazed. With his comprehensive skills, he felt confident in his abilities, regardless of his ocular prowess.
"Perhaps a visit to the moon is in order someday," he mused, contemplating the legends surrounding Kaguya Otsutsuki's seal. The thought of encountering ancient beings intrigued him, though he dismissed it with a chuckle.
For now, his focus was on the present—upholding his duties, enjoying his personal life, and navigating the intricate web of Konoha's politics.