This ANBU captain and his team were specifically assigned to guard Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. During this period, they had been stationed in a secure location in the canyon outside Konoha to monitor her condition and chakra levels.
As a result, they were completely unaware of recent developments within the village—particularly the changes in the chain of command and tensions brewing between the Uchiha clan and the village leadership.
The ANBU captain, having just returned, assumed that Konoha was still operating under the same ANBU authority as before.
"What did you just say?"
"You bastard! Are you looking down on the Uchiha Clan and our Police Force?"
Uchiha En, who had been standing nearby, was immediately incensed by the ANBU captain's dismissive tone. His chakra flared.
"Lord Byakuya, leave this one to me," En said with a cold smile. "He needs to learn what it means to challenge the Uchiha."
Without waiting for a response, Uchiha En lunged forward.
The ANBU captain was momentarily stunned. When did the Uchiha become bold enough to attack ANBU directly?
"Clang—!"
Their weapons clashed in a sharp burst of sparks, and the ANBU captain was forced back several meters, his feet skidding across the ground. Though he appeared elite, his skill fell short of En's combat prowess. The gap in power was immediately evident.
"You dare raise your hand against ANBU? Are you declaring mutiny!?" the captain growled.
"Hmph," En retorted. "You allowed the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki to rampage through the village, and you speak of betrayal?"
Byakuya narrowed his eyes and issued a firm command:
"Detain them. They've endangered the village."
Following his order, members of the Uchiha Police Force drew their weapons and surrounded the ANBU.
"You—! The Police Force dares to threaten ANBU?"
The captain's voice trembled—not with fear, but sheer disbelief. When had the village structure been turned upside down?
"If you know what's good for you, stand down," En warned. "Otherwise, we will not hold back."
"You insolent fools—We are Konoha's ANBU!"
The captain prepared to retaliate, but it was already too late.
"Take them down!" En commanded.
He charged first, and the Uchiha officers followed in perfect unison. Though the ANBU were elite operatives, they weren't prepared for a coordinated assault from the combat-savvy Uchiha Police. Their formation collapsed under the pressure.
Cries of pain echoed across the area as the ANBU were swiftly overwhelmed.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived with his personal ANBU detail, his expression grim.
Earlier that day, the Third Hokage had been meeting with Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, discussing how to manage the growing influence of the Uchiha clan. But the emergency report from ANBU—of a Nine-Tails outbreak within the village—had sent him rushing to the scene.
He hadn't expected to find his own ANBU being overpowered by the Uchiha Police.
"Enough! Everyone, stand down!" Hiruzen's voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
But the Uchiha did not respond. Their allegiance was now tied to Byakuya, not the aging Hokage whose authority had waned among certain factions.
"Damn it! What are you doing? You dare attack ANBU under my command!?" Hiruzen bellowed.
Byakuya stepped forward, unfazed by the Hokage's fury.
"I could ask you the same, Hiruzen," he said coldly. "Why was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki allowed to run rampant in the middle of Konoha's civilian district? Do you intend to destroy the village yourself?"
Hiruzen's breath caught for a moment. He had only just received the report about Kushina reappearing in the village.
In his arrangement, she was supposed to remain in the remote valley where the risk of a rampage was minimized. No one had anticipated her sneaking back into the village—nor the Nine-Tails beginning to stir within her.
"This… this is a misunderstanding," Hiruzen managed to say.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was just about to explain when Byakuya cut him off.
"There's no misunderstanding here, Lord Hokage," Byakuya said coldly. "Because of your decision, Konoha has suffered losses. Someone has to take responsibility."
Hiruzen's brows furrowed slightly, but he kept calm. "I understand... I will take responsibility for the fallout from this incident."
Byakuya nodded with exaggerated solemnity. "Good. You've admitted your mistake and are willing to correct it. Not bad—for a Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eye twitched in frustration. That tone—was Byakuya treating him like some academy student being lectured by his teacher?
Still, he forced himself to remain composed. Now wasn't the time to argue. What mattered most was recovering Kushina.
Kushina was not just any kunoichi—she was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, an irreplaceable asset in maintaining the balance of power in Konoha. Leaving her in the hands of a rogue Uchiha faction could destabilize the entire village.
"En," Byakuya said, glancing over at Uchiha En, who was still scuffling with an injured Anbu, "don't forget to demand compensation from the Hokage for what happened."
Uchiha En grinned. "Don't worry, Lord Byakuya. I'll make sure the Hokage pays up in full."
"Good. Then I have nothing to worry about," Byakuya said with a smirk, adjusting the unconscious Kushina in his arms as he prepared to leave.
"Wait!" Hiruzen stepped forward sharply. "Leave Kushina. As the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, she belongs under the protection of the village. The Uchiha Clan cannot—will not—be allowed to take her."
Byakuya stopped and looked back, his gaze ice-cold. "You want me to hand her back… so you can keep using her as a weapon?"
"Kushina is a loyal shinobi of Konoha," Hiruzen said sternly. "We will ensure her safety."
"Hmph. Spare me the hypocrisy," Byakuya snapped. "The Uzumaki are all but gone, and now that she's useful, you suddenly care?"
He turned his back. "Kushina belongs with us now. The Uchiha will protect her—our way."
Hiruzen's hands clenched into fists. His instincts told him this wasn't just about Kushina—it was about power, about the growing defiance of the Uchiha. But for now, with his forces weakened and Kushina unconscious in Byakuya's grip, there was little he could do without risking further conflict.
As Byakuya and Uchiha En disappeared into the forest, Hiruzen stood in silence, the storm within Konoha quietly deepening.
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