The two of them leapt quickly across rooftops, eaves, and walls, darting over treetops and gliding across the surface of small lakes. Their movements were swift and fluid, each step carrying them deeper into the night.
"Captain, I was ignorant before. I misunderstood you and may have offended you. Please forgive me."
"It's fine," Gen replied evenly. "A small matter. Don't dwell on it."
When faced with strength, Uchiha were respectful and never needlessly stubborn.
When that strength came from one of their own clan, the respect doubled.
"Tell me about the division of responsibilities among the nine squads of the Police Force. Before now I was just a figurehead, so I never paid much attention."
"Yes, Captain."
"The First through Fourth Squads guard the east, west, south, and north of the village. Squads Five to Eight handle the four corners, southeast, northeast, southwest, northwest.
"Our Ninth Squad is different; we patrol outside the village. Usually, each three-man team covers one sector. East, west, south, and north require four teams. With you as captain, there are four more members. The extra four act as support. If you're absent, command falls to the deputy."
"How do you handle shifts?"
"No shifts, Captain. Our squad is the exception. We finish at nightfall, eight o'clock in spring and summer, seven in autumn and winter. Patrols outside are too large, too risky, so we rest once it gets dark."
Gen nodded.
That explained everything. It wasn't laziness, it was practicality. The forests and mountains beyond Konoha swarmed with wild beasts, poisonous insects, and the threat of enemy shinobi. Patrols there were far more dangerous than walking Konoha's streets.
"I see. After this special period, I'll restructure us into eight two-man teams. Each sector gets one, two act as mobile forces, and two rotate rest. That way everyone has more breathing room."
Uchiha Shu broke into a grin. "Excellent. That's why you're the captain. The men will be grateful."
Clearly, while Uchiha worked with dedication, they weren't workaholics. Extra rest would be welcomed.
"Introduce me to the team."
"Yes, Captain. Our deputy captain is Shin, he..."
As they spoke, they slipped out of the village and into a dark, endless forest. The night wind whispered through dense leaves. Insects droned, wild animals stirred. To ordinary people it was terrifying.
To ninja, fear only came from lacking power.
For the Police Force, the true threat wasn't beasts or bugs but humans.
At the rendezvous point, Shu gave a coded signal. From the shadows, red eyes flared.
"Deputy Captain, the new captain has arrived."
"So it's you, Gen," the man said, stepping out. He looked to be in his twenties, tall and sharp-featured, with a scar across his forehead. A fitted black uniform clung to his frame, his Sharingan glowing before it faded.
"If it were anyone else, I'd challenge them for the seat. But you… the strength, wisdom, and courage you showed last night convinced me."
Gen inclined his head. "I appreciate it."
"We're all family. No need for formality," Shin said easily. "I've placed the others to the east, west, and south, laying traps. The tighter the net, the fewer escapees. North is more complicated; mountains and Root's base are there. So our focus is the other three directions."
Gen nodded. Konoha was vast, and not everyone mastered sensory ninjutsu. That was why traps were vital as to cover the gaps where perception failed. The Ninth Squad was the last line, patching loopholes others missed.
"Well done," Gen said. "Let's patrol. I'll extend my sensory jutsu."
Shin's eyes lit up. "If that's true, no spy will escape."
"I'll try. But this world is full of strange techniques," Gen cautioned.
The three activated their Sharingan together. Under the moonlight, six crimson tomoe glowed in the forest like predatory eyes, more menacing than any beast.
Gen extended his soul perception, sweeping the woods. He mapped the aura of every ally, committing them to memory. If a new presence appeared, it would have nowhere to hide. Unless they had a forbidden seal or barrier strong enough to cloak the soul itself, no one below Six Paths level could escape.
The first half of the night passed quietly. Then, around three in the morning, Gen's eyes snapped open from where he reclined on a massive tree trunk.
"Come," he said, dropping silently to the ground.
Shin and Shu followed without a word.
Minutes later they reached the northwest forest.
Gen signaled with a hand, and the three melted into position; one behind a tree, another in the undergrowth, Gen himself vanishing into the darkness.
Moments later, the earth stirred. A head emerged cautiously, scanning the area. Seeing nothing, the spy climbed out.
Then froze.
Scarlet eyes glared at him from the shadows. Panicked, he turned to flee only to meet another pair. He spun again and more eyes. No matter which way he ran, the Sharingan awaited.
Heart pounding, the spy realized too late; genjutsu.
He bit his finger, formed seals, tried desperately to break free but nothing worked.
In the illusion, he slumped to the ground, defeated, certain of his death.
In reality, Uchiha Shu had already bound him tightly.