In the original storyline, the unsealing and resealing of the Dragon Vein did not interfere with Uchiha Hikari's seal. But just in case, An Lan intended to take control of the Kingdom of Rōran.
That means clashing with Sunagakure—Rasa, Chiyo, the One-Tail… and that woman, Pakura. None of them are weak.
Recalling the recent unusual movements from the Sand, An Lan began to suspect that the Dragon Vein might already have fallen into the hands of the Kazekage and his faction, who were now quietly preparing something.
Was it Anrokuzan causing the deviation, or some other butterfly effect triggering an unexpected storm?
He exhaled softly.
As time goes on, the storyline can only serve as a reference. Aside from a few key points, it's losing its value.
His thoughts surged and shifted. In the end, An Lan decided to stir up some trouble for Sunagakure. He couldn't let them develop too smoothly. If Orochimaru couldn't hold the line, the one cleaning up the mess would be him.
The shogun, who had already treated the Land of Fire as his private domain, brought his hands together.
"Bang!"
A puff of light smoke dissipated, revealing a jet-black cat with fur like the night. A trace of lingering irritation remained on its face as it elegantly settled on the desk before him.
"Lord An Lan."
The black cat quickly composed itself, its voice low and respectful as it awaited orders.
Yet the slight pout of its feline mouth and the stiff tip of its tail still betrayed its earlier displeasure.
"Do you remember the operatives we planted in Rōran years ago?" An Lan tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, producing a steady rhythm. "They've been dormant long enough. It's time to activate them."
"Use the highest-level communication channel. I want a full report on what's happening in Rōran."
Among the many forces across the shinobi world, An Lan adhered to the principle of "wide distribution, deep concealment, single-line contact." Through various methods, he had planted numerous sleeper agents—assets that would not be contacted unless absolutely necessary.
Some of them had risen to high positions. Some had died along the way. Others had given up and drifted through life.
But as long as one or two succeeded and brought him value, the resources invested by the Ginza Merchant Group were more than worth it.
Before troops move, supplies must go first—and intelligence was one of the most critical "supplies."
"Understood." The black cat nodded solemnly, committing the task to memory.
With the official matter settled, An Lan finally reached out. His fingers gently scratched beneath the cat's chin, then stroked the soft fur behind its ears, a hint of amusement entering his voice.
"All right, business aside. Why were you so upset earlier? Who annoyed our Chief?"
Feeling the warmth of his master's touch, the black cat leaned into his palm, a soft purring rumbling in its throat. But it couldn't hold back its complaint, which slipped out between its teeth, tinged with obvious irritation.
"Didn't you previously establish the policy of 'separating military and police'?"
It lifted its emerald-like eyes, filled with disdain for certain fools.
"Our formal shinobi army is already taking shape, each unit performing its duties."
"Per your orders, all the mixed 'Guard Units'—formerly composed of samurai and civilians—have been completely disbanded."
"Their functions have been merged into the newly established 'Shogunate Security Department,' responsible for patrols and maintaining order in Infinity City and its surrounding towns."
The more the black cat spoke, the angrier it became. Its tail slapped heavily against the desk.
"The people selected from those old Guard Units to fill the Security Department… Hmph! Five out of ten are useless idiots just coasting through life, empty-headed fools. Three more are slippery veterans who shirk responsibility at every turn."
"Only the remaining two are barely competent—diligent and somewhat useful!"
"Let these people maintain order? I'm afraid they can't even catch a thief—if anything, they'll turn the entire marketplace upside down first!"
It looked up at An Lan, its tone filled with helplessness and a trace of grievance.
"My lord, if this continues, the Security Department won't become an asset—it'll be nothing more than a liability and a laughingstock."
"Our ninja cat clan does a better job monitoring the city's dark corners than these so-called 'security officers'!"
An Lan listened to the complaint, still smiling faintly.
"The initial chaos of power transition and system restructuring has already passed."
He spoke slowly, his gaze drifting toward the orderly streets of Infinity City beyond the window—a symbol of the new order he had built.
"The old Guard Units were always a temporary measure—mixed and unreliable by nature."
"Now that they've been integrated into a formal Security Department, we can't allow the residue of the past to drag down the reputation and efficiency of the new system."
He turned back to the black cat, his gaze sharpening.
"Trash should be removed. The Security Department has no need for idle fools or slippery opportunists."
"Chief, this falls under your responsibility. You have seven days to conduct a full inspection and evaluation of all personnel."
"Create three clear categories: retain, observe, eliminate."
"For those confirmed as beyond saving—remove them immediately. If anyone resists or dares to cause trouble…"
A cold smile tugged at An Lan's lips.
"The shogunate has several expanding mines, logging camps, and road projects in need of labor."
"Arrest them all and send them for 'labor reform.' Let them understand—this eastern sky belongs to the shogunate, to the Uchiha—not to them."
The black cat listened as each decisive instruction was delivered. Its emerald eyes grew brighter and brighter, its earlier anger completely gone.
When it heard the words "labor reform," its tail shot up, and it let out a short, delighted cry.
"Meow~!"
"Now that's more like it!"
It straightened up energetically. "This should have been done long ago, my lord! Rest assured—I'll clean up the Security Department from top to bottom!"
"All those parasites and rotten wood will be dealt with properly!"
It was already planning the inspection procedures and arrest lists in its mind.
After all, it had carefully recorded information on each of those people during previous observations.
"But—"
The black cat's ears twitched as another issue occurred to it.
"If we remove so many unqualified people, there'll be a huge manpower gap. Patrols and law enforcement can't just stop."
"That's the next step."
An Lan had already prepared for this. He smiled.
"After the cleanup, immediately launch a new round of public recruitment."
"Raise the standards. Prioritize character, responsibility, and basic physical fitness. Civilians with no criminal record may apply—but they must pass strict screening and basic training."
He paused briefly before adding:
"Additionally, select a group of meritorious shinobi from the army—those suited for law enforcement—and transfer them into the Security Department as core personnel."
"Use them as the backbone to quickly build a disciplined and combat-capable force."
"As for recruitment and initial training procedures—"
He looked at the black cat.
"Draft a proposal first. Then have Mikoto and Fugaku—who previously served in the Konoha Police Force—review and refine it."
"What I want is a force that can truly maintain order, reassure civilians, and serve as a reserve combat unit when necessary—a future security force composed entirely of shinobi."
"Not another empty shell."
"Yes! Understood!"
The black cat nodded vigorously, its eyes shining with excitement at the responsibility entrusted to it.
Reorganizing, eliminating inefficiencies, and building a more effective system—this was exactly the kind of work it excelled at and enjoyed.
"Go." An Lan waved his hand. "First, find out what's happening in Rōran. Preparations for the Security Department can begin simultaneously."
"Understood, my lord!"
The black cat bowed, then dissolved into a puff of smoke, heading off with great enthusiasm to carry out its mission.
The office fell silent once more.
An Lan leaned back in his chair, his gaze turning deep again.
Externally, the mysteries of Sunagakure and Rōran remained unresolved. Once clarified, it would be time to engage with Orochimaru's forces. After all, with Sunagakure preparing for war, Orochimaru would bear the brunt—there was no need for the shogunate to rush in as the vanguard.
The power of the Dragon Vein was not something current shinobi could manipulate.
Internally, the refinement of the new order required careful, steady progress. And then there was Kirigakure…
…
When Fuguki Suikazan once again sent word through Kirigakure's channels, Terumi Mei was studying a sea chart, calculating the next supply route.
She looked at the scroll in her hand, her delicate brows slightly furrowed—this time, the "request" was no longer simple intelligence, but a naked bargaining chip.
Fuguki urgently needed either a "military achievement" within Infinity City to gain trust and status—or arrangements to safely return to Kirigakure with a group of subordinates.
Even the handwriting on the scroll seemed to carry anxiety and urgency.
Terumi Mei rolled up the scroll, her gaze fixed on the gray, misty sea outside the cave. Yet beneath that calm surface, her thoughts churned like a storm-tossed ocean.
"Military achievement"…
Under Uchiha control in the eastern region, such "achievement" could only be bought with the blood and lives of Kirigakure's own shinobi.
Agreeing meant sacrificing her own people as offerings to the blades of the Uchiha-aligned forces.
Refusing meant losing a proven intelligence line—one that might lead directly into the heart of Infinity City.
It might even push Fuguki to fully defect to the Uchiha.
"Summon the three seniors."
Faced with the choice between benefit and sacrifice, Terumi Mei—whose conscience had not yet hardened—could not decide alone.
There was no attempt at evasion. Fuguki's request was laid bare before the remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Raiga Kurosuki was the first to erupt in anger, lightning crackling along his hair.
"That bastard! Who does he think he is? Asking us to trade our own people's lives for his promotion?!"
He saw his own possible future reflected in Fuguki's actions—a future where he too might be traded away. The thought filled him with fury.
Jinin Akebino clenched his fists, his voice low and dangerous. "Give him 'military achievement'? I'll smash his head into his stomach first! A traitor should die like one!"
Kushimaru Kuriarare said nothing.
All three were intelligent men. Terumi Mei's decision to summon them made her intentions clear—she did not want to abandon Fuguki's intelligence line, but she also refused to become an executioner of her own people.
Seeing their reactions, Terumi Mei's heart sank into silence.
Threatening Fuguki with exposure to Infinity City was also an option—but a poor one. If she did that, her reputation would be ruined beyond repair.
Is this the burden of those in power?
Experiencing this suffocating dilemma for the first time, unable to speak what she wanted, Terumi Mei suddenly recalled something from a forbidden book from the Land of Fire—something called "lackeys."
I must cultivate my own trusted subordinates—people who can carry out my will.
As for this opportunity… no. A Kirigakure shinobi's life is still a life.
If I abandon them for profit today, tomorrow I may abandon even more for greater profit.
My goal is to overturn the Bloody Mist era—not become as cold and ruthless as the Third Mizukage.
Having made her decision, Terumi Mei spoke:
"Let Fuguki return—"
"Lady Terumi Mei!"
Kushimaru suddenly interrupted, drawing everyone's attention.
"If a necessary strategic exchange can elevate Fuguki's position within the shogunate… bring us more critical intelligence… and create an opportunity for a more decisive strike against the Uchiha in the future…"
Behind his mask, his eyes held the cold indifference typical of Kirigakure—
A disregard for life.
"I suggest we grant Fuguki his 'military achievement.'"
Jinin Akebino and Raiga Kurosuki exchanged complicated glances.
From the perspective of Kirigakure's leadership, sacrificing a small part for a greater gain was the correct choice.
Shinobi were tools.
Meeting Kushimaru's cold gaze, Terumi Mei felt a lump in her throat.
She wanted to speak—but didn't know what to say.
After a brief silence, Kushimaru seemed to understand her thoughts. He felt both relieved—and amused.
Relieved that she still saw people as people.
Amused—
How young she still is.
He stepped forward and pointed to a region on the map labeled "Buffer Patrol Zone."
"Here. My three battalions rotate patrol duty in this area—each about two hundred men, moderate combat strength, primarily for reconnaissance and vigilance."
"Leak the patrol route and shift schedule of one battalion to Fuguki. That should be enough to count as 'military achievement.'"
With someone taking the lead, Jinin had no issue following. He grinned slightly.
"I agree."
Raiga nodded. "So do I."
Seeing the situation unfold, Terumi Mei closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the damp air.
When she opened them again, all hesitation and compassion had been buried deep within.
What remained was the resolve of a commander.
"Then it's decided."
She spoke each word clearly.
"Select the Third Battalion. Leak the route and timing."
"Inform Fuguki—his 'military achievement' will be delivered soon."
"And tell him—this is Kirigakure's sincerity."
"Make sure he repays this price with something worthy of it."
She turned away, no longer looking at the marked area on the map—the place that had just been designated as a sacrifice.
Picking up her brush, she began writing a report of her situation to Kirigakure's elder—
Her teacher, Genji.