The election ended, and the Jonin scattered like birds and beasts.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!——
The crowded plaza instantly became empty.
Iron Blue walked over. "Aozora, what were you talking to that idiot about?"
Aozora shook his head. "He's not stupid, just a little too trusting."
Iron Blue didn't argue and said, "Want to come to the Police Force together?"
Aozora thought for a moment. "Perfect, we're heading the same way! I also want to ask Uncle Iron Blue something."
Iron Blue couldn't help but feel puzzled—since when were they on the same route?
Walking along Konoha Main Street toward the Police Department, Aozora asked, "Uncle Iron Blue, I heard from the Chief that recruitment among commoners isn't going well."
Iron Blue nodded casually. "Yeah, we've had the recruitment posters up for three days already, but barely any commoner ninja have come to apply. And those who do show up are mostly useless."
Aozora frowned. "How useless? Can't they even patrol the streets?"
Iron Blue replied, "Mainly because they're too ugly!"
Aozora paused at that. People who lack strength can still patrol, but being ugly was an issue—because going out represented the image of the Police Force!
"Know why that is?"
"Reason? Hmm… Maybe those commoner ninja just know they aren't good enough!"
Seeing Iron Blue's attitude, Aozora quietly figured out why their recruitment hadn't yielded any results.
Thinking for a moment, Aozora said, "Uncle Iron Blue, take me to see one of the job postings."
Although their attitude wasn't great, since it was a task from the Chief, Iron Blue and others hadn't slacked in their work—they had plastered the posters all over the village.
Soon, on a bulletin board along the street, Aozora saw the Police Force's poster recruiting commoner ninja.
The content was extremely simple: The Police Force is currently recruiting, and applications from Commoners are welcome.
Salary, benefits, future prospects—none of these were mentioned.
If it weren't for the official seal of the Police Department at the bottom, people might have thought it was some kind of joke.
Sighing, Aozora couldn't really blame them.
In the past, when the Police Force recruited, there was no need for so many complications. They just shouted in the Uchiha Compound and plenty of people would sign up.
Thinking about this, he gently shook his head, deciding to go home and seriously think about the matter of recruiting commoner ninja.
This also made him realize what a big deal it was for the Police Department to start recruiting Commoner Ninjas.
If the Uchiha only wanted to protect themselves, then developing their own clan alone would suffice.
But if the Uchiha wanted to move forward, bringing in Commoner Ninjas and gaining broader support would be a necessary step.
Aozora observed how the surrounding people reacted while reading the poster, then said, "Uncle Iron Blue, you can head to the Police Department yourself. Let's part here."
Iron Blue looked puzzled. "You're not coming to the Police Department anymore?"
Aozora gave him a surprised look. "Uncle Iron Blue, have you ever seen me appear at the Police Department on a weekday?"
Iron Blue thought back and shook his head.
"My working day is Saturday. Today is my day off!"
After saying that, he waved goodbye to the stunned Iron Blue, leaving behind a cool and casual silhouette.
Watching Aozora leave, Iron Blue couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Previously, he always thought that working six days a week with one day off wasn't bad.
Now, seeing Aozora, who only showed up one day a week and took six off, his mind almost couldn't process it.
Was there still any sense of justice in this world? Was there no law left?
He was so angry he almost wanted to take off his Police Department vest.
Thinking of his gentle wife at home and their child who would soon be attending a Ninja Academy, Iron Blue sighed and continued walking toward the Police Department.
Life really wasn't easy!
Meanwhile, Aozora made his way to the market.
There wasn't much food left at home, so it was time for a restock.
Plus, Shisui was coming home today. He could prepare something nice for him.
"Auntie, give me three catties of carrots!"
"Sure thing, three taels per catty!"
"Can you make it cheaper?"
"No! Everyone's selling at this price! It's already weighed!"
"Uh... fine then!"
"..."
For some reason, every time he came to the market, Aozora suddenly became clumsy with words. Normally so sharp-tongued, he just couldn't find the right phrases here.
Facing those fiercely intimidating middle-aged women, Aozora instantly lost all courage to haggle.
After purchasing the vegetables Shisui liked, Aozora sealed them into a scroll before heading straight home.
Back home, Aozora practiced cultivation for a while. As noon approached, he started preparing lunch.
Blades danced through the air as he quickly prepped the ingredients, then waited for Shisui's return.
But one minute passed, ten minutes passed, an hour passed—he still hadn't returned.
With noon fast disappearing and the prepared dishes slowly losing freshness, Aozora let out a cold snort, lit the stove, and began stir-frying.
At midday, Aozora ate a sumptuous meal all by himself.
...
As the sun set in the evening, Shisui finished his daily training and returned to the Uchiha Compound.
Pushing open the door and stepping inside the yard, seeing light glowing from the living room, he smiled happily.
Ever since returning to Konoha, each night had brought comfort and relaxation, no matter how exhausting the day had been.
Entering the house, he saw Aozora sitting cross-legged with his arms crossed.
Aozora wore a sour expression, "Oh look who finally remembered to come back! Where exactly have you been gallivanting all day?"
He'd specially prepared a welcome-back meal, but that guy didn't even leave a word before going out all day.
Seeing this, Shisui immediately apologized, "Aozora, I'm really sorry! I had an urgent matter and didn't have time to tell you."
Aozora frowned, "What kind of business is so important? Could you possibly be that busy? You just came back from the battlefield—can't you rest for two days first? Even if you're so eager to contribute to the village, don't you at least need time to recover?"
Shisui shook his hands rapidly, "No, no—I went to the Hokage Tower this morning to inform Lord Hokage about my decision."
Aozora gave a light hum and signaled Shisui to continue.
Beaming with genuine joy, Shisui said, "Not only did Lord Hokage not blame me, but he also wants to keep developing my potential! He invited me to join the Shadow Guard Team!"
"The Shadow Guard Team?"
Aozora's eyes widened in shock. He'd assumed that Shisui refusing Sarutobi Hiruzen's previous invitation might cost him the Hokage's trust. But instead, Sarutobi had decided to invite Shisui into the Shadow Guard.
Nodding enthusiastically, Shisui declared, "Unexpected, right?! Lord Hokage truly values me so much!"
"Totally unexpected. Really, completely unexpected."
Aozora forced a smile. "Congratulations."
Then he stood up.
"I left the dishes in the kitchen for you. Let me heat them up!"
With that, Aozora turned and headed toward the kitchen.
Aozora realized that in the past six months, he hadn't just gotten stronger—after everything he'd been through, he was also much calmer and more composed now.
While stir-frying the vegetables, Aozora wondered about Hiruzen Sarutobi's real intentions.
Did Hiruzen really want to cultivate Shisui?
Impossible. If that were truly the case, he wouldn't have waited until now to prepare for it—he would've invited Shisui into the Shadow Guard Team the moment the Hokage Deputy position was established.
What good intentions could Hiruzen possibly have?
At this moment, there were only two things about Shisui that Hiruzen might desire.
The first was his power—"Shisui the Teleporting Flash" wasn't just a title; an elite Jonin-level combatant was definitely worth recruiting.
The second was his identity: being an Uchiha could help him divide the Uchiha clan.
How should he expose Hiruzen Sarutobi's true nature?
Soon, the food was warmed up, but Aozora still hadn't figured out a clear plan.
He decided to wait and see for now—Hiruzen Sarutobi would surely reveal his true colors sooner or later.
Still, even before Sarutobi played his cards, he wasn't completely helpless either.
At the dinner table, Aozora stared at Shisui with admiration and respect.
"Bro, you're so amazing! You actually got into the Shadow Guard Team!"
"No big deal…"
"Even Hiruzen Sarutobi and several current Elders were part of the Second Hokage's Shadow Guard Team back then!"
"That's true…"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi must certainly want to nurture you carefully—he'll definitely keep you by his side, letting you observe how village affairs are handled."
"Would he really do that?"
"Why not? The Second Hokage nurtured Hiruzen Sarutobi the same way back then—you'll definitely be trained the same way! Who knows, maybe he'll even personally teach you Ninjutsu and take you as his disciple!"
"Is that possible?"
"How is it not possible? Several of Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciples either defected or went wandering, never coming back unless there was a war going on. Don't you think he must be looking for someone to pass his legacy to? It might very well be you!"
"…"
Seeing Shisui already lost in thought, Aozora couldn't help smiling.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, you're not trying to make empty promises to Shisui, are you?
I'll help you paint an even bigger picture first—don't worry if it gets too grand!
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