"Not yet," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "After Kakashi retired, there's no one left in ANBU with both the strength and experience to command everyone's respect."
"Old man, but this position is important, isn't it?" Jiraiya said. "Right now, without a leader, the police force's requests for joint missions are more effective than direct orders from me as Hokage's advisor. If this keeps up, both ANBU and the jonin squads will end up as Uchiha's private squads."
"Then, do you have someone in mind?" Hiruzen asked.
"Yes." Jiraiya nodded, taking out a resume and placing it on Hiruzen's desk.
Hiruzen glanced at it, and his expression changed slightly: "Uchiha Itachi?"
"That's right," Jiraiya nodded. "He's the most suitable candidate for now. While he lacks some experience, his strength is absolutely top-tier within ANBU. More importantly, when it comes to joint missions with the police force, he's one of the very few ANBU who never gets involved."
"But he's from the Uchiha clan, and Fugaku's son at that," Hiruzen said. Ever since Itachi returned to ANBU, he'd moved out of the Uchiha compound, but Hiruzen still had doubts about him. Now that Jiraiya was suggesting him as ANBU Captain, Hiruzen couldn't help but worry.
"Of course, that's just my thought for now. I'll have to talk to him first to confirm," Jiraiya replied. "But I think he'll stand with the village."
"You're probably right." Hiruzen thought for a moment and then nodded. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid. In the past, Itachi was a ninja who saw beyond his clan and truly embodied the Will of Fire. Still, talk to him first before deciding."
"I will." Jiraiya nodded, then sighed, "Old man, sometimes I really don't know if agreeing to this was the right thing to do."
Hearing his lament, Hiruzen wanted to say something, but Jiraiya had already leaped out the office window.
…
The next day, Kakashi and Genma's team set out for the border, with Seiryu seeing them off at the village gate.
Before leaving, Genma handed Seiryu a special kunai engraved with unique symbols. Seiryu accepted it with a smile. "You guys came well-prepared."
"You've always got to have a backup plan."
Kakashi, with Kiburi at his waist, chuckled.
"Well, I won't say much more." Seiryu pocketed the special kunai and then looked at the group. "I wish you all a smooth mission and victory in battle!"
"We'll take the head clan leader's good wishes!" Genma said with a hearty laugh.
After they set out, Seiryu returned to work at the police force.
…
Meanwhile, in Jiraiya's advisor office, Uchiha Itachi entered.
"Lord Jiraiya, all the spies from the Land of Lightning have been eliminated, and all hidden spies in the village have been found. No information was leaked," Itachi reported.
"Well done, Itachi." Jiraiya nodded. "Have a seat."
Though Itachi felt a bit uneasy, he sat down as Jiraiya indicated.
"Lord Jiraiya, is there something you need?" Itachi asked.
"Itachi, I'll get right to the point. I plan to propose to the Third Hokage that you become the captain of ANBU," Jiraiya said.
Itachi immediately wanted to refuse: "Lord Jiraiya, I'm too inexperienced for such a responsibility."
"Itachi, ANBU needs people right now. Experience isn't the most important thing. Your strength qualifies you for the role," Jiraiya replied.
"But, Lord Jiraiya, the ANBU Captain position is a major responsibility. Please consider carefully." Since moving out, Itachi had devoted himself to ANBU work. But lately, with the rising closeness between the ANBU/jonin and the Uchiha police force, he was more and more worried.
Many ANBU talked privately about how great it would be to transfer to the police force.
To them, Uchiha Seiryu was a great ninja dedicated to the Will of Fire, and those who had received his help—led by civilian ninja like Nagai Seiichi—secretly called themselves members of Seiryu's loyal followers. If Seiryu ever staged a coup, Itachi couldn't imagine whose side these people would be on.
He wanted to stop all this, but with nearly the whole ANBU singing Seiryu's praises, his voice was too small.
"Itachi, don't be in a hurry to refuse." Jiraiya came around the desk and patted his shoulder. "What do you think of your current clan leader, Uchiha Seiryu?"
"Clan Leader Seiryu?" The question made Itachi frown. Unsure of Jiraiya's motives, he answered formally: "I'm not familiar with him personally, but the rest of the clan speaks highly of him."
"Really? That's not what you reported to the Third before—you said he was deeply ambitious," Jiraiya said.
"That was just hearsay from before. I apologize for harming the village's unity. Please forgive me, Lord Jiraiya and Third Hokage," Itachi replied.
"Itachi," Jiraiya sighed, "you see the current situation. I'll be honest: Do you know why I came back and took the advisor position?"
Itachi looked at him, puzzled.
"It all started when I, by chance, inherited Mount Myoboku's legacy…" Jiraiya explained the prophecy of the Child of Destiny and the Great Toad Sage's foretelling of a chaotic, unknown future.
Jiraiya described a future of peace for the ninja world, achieved through the Child of Destiny's efforts. Itachi was moved, and his face showed a hint of hope.
When he heard that the future had changed, and Jiraiya suspected Seiryu was involved, Itachi's expression became clear.
'So Brother Seiryu really is deeply ambitious, but I didn't expect such serious consequences if he became Hokage.' Itachi thought.
Most people would brush off Jiraiya's prophecy, but not Itachi.
First, he was biased against Seiryu. Second, though his head was empty, he was always thinking about life's meaning and peace—Jiraiya's story hit him right in the weak spot.
Add to that a touch of Uchiha arrogance and stubbornness, and Itachi's logic looped perfectly—he believed every word.
"Itachi, I need your help." Jiraiya gripped his shoulder. "Help me prevent that chaotic future."
"Lord Jiraiya, what should I do?" Itachi asked.
"Take the ANBU Captain position. Right now, you're the only one in ANBU with the strength and independence from Seiryu's influence."
Itachi was silent, but after recalling the Will of Fire and Jiraiya's story of a peaceful future, he made up his mind.
"I understand, Lord Jiraiya." Itachi stood and bowed.
"Good," Jiraiya smiled warmly. "The Third was right—you really are a good kid with the Will of Fire."
"You flatter me. Contributing to the village is every Leaf ninja's duty," Itachi replied.
…
The next day, Itachi officially became ANBU Captain.
Because his appointment felt preordained, some ANBU weren't convinced. But out of respect for Jiraiya, they didn't complain openly. Still, Nagai Seiichi immediately sent news of this to Seiryu's desk.
The next day, Seiryu led several police captains to the Hokage building to deliver the final report on the Orichimaru case.
"Third Hokage, here's the detailed report. Please review it." Seiryu placed the report on Hiruzen's desk.
Hiruzen only glanced at it before setting it aside. "Thank you, Seiryu."
"All for the Will of Fire." Seiryu bowed.
"In addition, after compensating the victims' families, about 2 million ryo remain from the confiscated assets of the three clans. By rule, this should go into the village treasury. Please sign here."
Seiryu placed a scroll with the cash and an accounting book on the desk.
"Only 2 million left?" Hiruzen looked at Seiryu. He knew well how much those clans' assets were.