Mid-May.
"So many things have happened lately, and the outside world has become quite restless."
Kakashi, sorting through intelligence in the intel room, suddenly remarked.
With a mask covering his face, his expression was indiscernible.
"Yeah, who'd have thought a Neutral Country would one day be threatened… What is the Hidden Sand Village trying to do?"
Assisting Kakashi in sorting through the intelligence was the Anbu Ninja Tenzo, who served under Kakashi's second squad as Squad Leader of the sixth team.
He has always been Kakashi's assistant.
Personally, he was also a ninja with Kekkeigenkai, one of Kakashi's trusted subordinates.
Upon hearing Kakashi's remark, Tenzo responded.
Currently, due to the situation with the Uchiha, Konoha has relatively fewer Anbu squads patrolling and gathering intelligence externally.
Moreover, the Land of Demons is located on the opposite side of the continent, and by the time Konoha Anbu collected the news, a week had already passed since the Hidden Sand Village conducted military exercises on the border of the Land of Demons.
Due to internal matters, it can be said that Konoha's external intelligence system has become exceedingly weak at detecting outside information.
Ideally, after the Hidden Sand conducts its operations, the intelligence should have been relayed back to the village within a few days.
"This doesn't have much to do with us; a Neutral Country facing military pressure will most likely end with an international body stepping in to mediate and clean up the mess."
According to common logic, that would be the outcome.
However, orchestrating this incident behind the scenes in the Land of Demons is that man, and Kakashi knows that clearly moves have already been made by the Land of Demons.
Speaking of which, for the past month, intelligence hasn't been properly transmitted over there.
Not just due to being too busy, but also because of the actions being undertaken by the Land of Demons, which are more significant than the Uchiha situation in Konoha.
Over there, they've mobilized entirely, leaving no time to attend to Konoha's issues.
Additionally, from the start, their attitude toward Konoha's Uchiha was dismissive, only wanting to gauge the extent of Konoha's internal conflicts through the Uchiha.
"It seems like it might evolve into a looting situation."
Tenzo sighed.
Currently, due to the Uchiha situation, Konoha is too overwhelmed to focus its energy on the Land of Demons.
Eventually, the mediation of this dispute is likely to be handled primarily by the Hidden Rock, Hidden Cloud, and Hidden Mist.
Ignoring the Hidden Mist and Hidden Rock, the Hidden Cloud is the biggest concern.
This village has always adhered to the philosophy of absolute power, attacking other nations freely during war, and during peace, covertly searching the Ninja Realm for small Ninja Villages, plundering their Secret Techniques and Forbidden Techniques to strengthen themselves.
"No need to worry. Since the end of the Third Ninja World War, the international environment has been like this. We should just focus on doing our part. By the way, how's the Uchiha's situation recently? Anything unusual?"
Kakashi suddenly asked.
"Unusual? If anything, the frequency of Uchiha gatherings seems to have decreased recently, and some individuals have inexplicably escaped surveillance."
Tenzo reported the result.
"Did you inform the Hokage?"
"Yes… But it wasn't me who reported it. Itachi was faster than me in reporting it."
Tenzo replied.
"He's still the same, diligently fulfilling Anbu duties."
"Indeed, from that perspective, there's nothing to criticize."
"However, the Uchiha Clan gatherings suddenly becoming less frequent might indicate something is happening we're unaware of. Investigate further, don't miss the slightest clue."
"Understood."
"I'll head to the meeting now; just sort out this intelligence and place it in Sarutobi Ryu's office."
Kakashi checked the time, it was meeting time, and walked out of the intel room.
◎
Arrived at the meeting room.
Only six people were present.
Minister Sarutobi Ryu, Vice-Minister Sarutobi Linko.
They are the eldest son and daughter-in-law of the Third Hokage, possessing significant status and strength as Jonin in Konoha.
They were included as Anbu candidates at a young age, and after many years, appointed as minister and vice-minister of Anbu by the Third Hokage, having contributed countless efforts to Konoha.
Besides them, only Kakashi and four Sub-Captains were assembled here.
On Kakashi's left was the Sub-Captain of the Anbu First Squad.
Kakashi is the Sub-Captain of the Second Squad.
To the right was Itachi, the Sub-Captain of the Third Squad.
To Itachi's right was the Sub-Captain of the Anbu Fourth Squad.
As Sub-Captains of Anbu, their superiors were Sarutobi Ryu and Sarutobi Linko, the minister and vice-minister.
Of course, they had another direct superior, which is the Third Hokage.
As the Hokage's direct unit, the Hokage has the authority to bypass the minister and vice-minister's command, directly interfering with Anbu, with appointment and dismissal powers in the Hokage's hands.
"I've gathered everyone here abruptly to announce something."
Sarutobi Ryu was the first to speak, casting a glance at the four Sub-Captains.
Including Kakashi, all four Sub-Captains looked intently, waiting for Sarutobi Ryu's statement.
"The surveillance task regarding the Uchiha Clan will now be transferred to the Third Squad Sub-Captain. The Second Squad will resume its original duties, performing external missions, and that's how it'll be established."
Sarutobi Ryu spoke directly, his voice indifferent, without giving an explanation, merely issuing a straightforward command.
Kakashi froze: "So, the original task of the Second Squad is to be transferred to the Third Squad… is that correct, Minister?"