Just how much did they earn? Enough to make Cloud Village, which had merely reached a peace agreement with Konoha, so eagerly fulfill "ally" duties and proactively elevate their relationship up one level.
Shuji felt curious internally but did not directly inquire. Facing Samui's proposal regarding fixing the joint exam model, he only provided cautious responses. Subsequent specific cooperation frameworks required waiting until he returned to Konoha, formally reporting to the Hokage and obtaining permission before further negotiations could occur.
However, Cloud Village's displayed eager attitude gave him new thinking directions.
What truly attracted Cloud Village was not the Chūnin Exam but rather the revenue produced by shinobi combat competition matches.
The core lay in the commercial value and influence of events, not administrative selection functions.
Though possessing some vague ideas, clearer organization and planning remained necessary.
Not immediately obtaining affirmative replies from Konoha did not disappoint Samui. For her, the more important preliminary result was that Cloud Village's willingness participating in Konoha's September Chūnin Exam basically received tacit acknowledgment from Konoha's squad leader.
This meant when Cloud Village next proactively initiated joint exam invitations, Konoha, out of reciprocal courtesy, would probably not refuse.
Having achieved staged progress, she provided Konoha's envoy more freedom of movement. Namely, under Cloud shinobi accompaniment, permissions to walk within Cloud Village's non-core areas.
Shuji did not decline, immediately expressing hopes to wander around the village.
Since she issued the invitation, Samui naturally became that accompanying person.
Through this period's comings and goings, Shuji had seen much of Cloud Village's architectural style.
Regarding shinobi visible everywhere within the village whose physiques obviously proved one size more robust than Konoha counterparts, he had long grown accustomed.
Not until entering commercial districts did he more intuitively feel Cloud Village's atmosphere. Here existed not only shops specializing in ninja tools but even several stores specifically selling various protein powders and fitness nutritional supplements, with quite flourishing business.
"Miss Samui, does Raikage-sama need new protein powder?" One shop owner greeted familiarly.
"No, Konoha's ally is interested here," Samui answered calmly.
The word "ally" made the shop owner's expression appear more enthusiastic. He turned toward Shuji, sizing him up. "Young man, looks somewhat thin and weak."
"True men must possess robust physiques and solid muscles!" While speaking, he deftly retrieved several different colored cans from shelves. "My shop is personally certified by Raikage-sama! If effects prove poor, Raikage-sama will personally come smash the shop!"
"Get a membership card?"
"The gym next door cooperates with us. Card holders enjoy discounts."
Regular guard teams allocated to daimyo typically ranged between nine to thirteen people. Standard composition was one jōnin squad leader, supplemented by one to two tokubetsu jōnin, with the remainder filled by chūnin.
However, Konoha's current rotation of Uchiha guards stationed at Fire Capital obviously exceeded regular specifications. Three full squads, three Uchiha jōnin, plus nine chūnin, and squad leader Uchiha Shisui himself. Enough for conducting localized conflicts between the five great shinobi villages.
Uchiha who could be "recommended" coming to Fire Capital during Police Force reform's current circumstances were considered the group with greatest resistance toward changing policies.
They did not disappoint this judgment.
"Even Aburame clan people can enter Police Force now." One Uchiha spoke in low tones.
"Such expansions fundamentally dilute our clan's influence, preludes to seizing Police Force control."
"What new opportunities, merely another isolation method..."
Complaints and resentment intertwined within oppressive spaces. They felt their positions and glory being stripped by invisible hands yet could not prevent this.
Uchiha Enblade waited until compatriots' emotions accumulated to certain degrees before speaking.
"We must return. Must seize this current opportunity."
"Shisui is absent. Just one hint suffices, having the daimyo proactively propose guard replacement applications to the village. The village has no reasons refusing."
"As long as we can return to the village..."
Enblade looked at these Uchiha. Their eyes still held fighting spirit, not completely domesticated. As long as they could return, resistance possibilities still existed.
In shadows they could not see, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Uchiha Shisui, leading two carefully selected ANBU squads, quietly watched this secret Uchiha gathering.
Unauthorized departure from predetermined mission schedules, infiltrating Fire Capital, secretly contacting other shinobi executing important guard missions...
This series of behaviors, regardless of how many war achievements Uchiha Enblade earned for the village previously, already constituted conclusive, irrefutable charges.
Now, sufficiently reasonable justifications existed for centrally handling these radicals.
No need employing death penalties. Merely imprisoning them sufficed resolving many potential problems.
However, not yet time. True targets had not appeared. Not yet time startling snakes by beating grass.
"Shisui, their behavior will not affect other Uchiha," Sarutobi Hiruzen reassured Shisui.
"I guarantee you, as long as they show no fierce resistance during arrest processes, final handling methods will primarily involve imprisonment."
"Now requires patiently awaiting true enemies appearing. Only then does all this have value."
Shisui's mood proved complex beyond words. However, he understood matters' gravity, responding quietly. "I understand, Third-sama."
Fifth Hokage Tsunade personally explained circumstances to him. Even long-retired Third-sama coming out executing external duties proved the village judged Uchiha truly acting externally, sabotaging village-clan relations.
Therefore now, must endure.
"Kamon, are there other abnormal chakra reactions appearing nearby?" Sarutobi Hiruzen turned toward that Hyūga branch family member within ANBU teams.
"Within target buildings, no chakra sources discovered besides known Uchiha members." Hyūga Kamon maintained Byakugan vision, calmly reporting back.
"As for more peripheral areas... Fire Capital's population proves dense. Too many chakra interference sources exist. I can only focus monitoring whether unfamiliar, threatening chakra sources are proactively approaching Uchiha Enblade."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Continue surveillance, maintain vigilance. Especially when Uchiha Enblade is isolated, pay extra attention."
"Uchiha Enblade seemingly has been completely exposed."
Black Zetsu's voice sounded. With his perception and concealment abilities, under environments lacking barrier isolation, few people could evade his investigations.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War in original storylines, shortly after Uzumaki Naruto and Killer B escaped barriers, they were sensed by Black Zetsu who was battling the Mizukage.
Such perceptual abilities, truly few in the shinobi world could compare.
Since two years ago, Obito had accumulated considerable experience with his formulated plans repeatedly suffering setbacks, actual effects falling far below expectations.
Especially last year, Hidden Mist Village's sudden loss of control proved even more cautious in his actions.
Moreover, unlike Mist Village, if current Konoha launched surprise attacks, he alone truly might capsize.
After all, Uchiha Shisui's strongest genjutsu reputation spread too widely. Few situations existed where Kamui could not respond. This counted among rare areas requiring caution.
Fire Capital's location happened to be where Uchiha Shisui was long stationed. Naturally, he would not rashly appear but first have Zetsu investigate circumstances clearly before deciding next actions.
"Even Third Hokage appeared. Obito, what to do next?" White Zetsu's voice interjected.