Roshi did not depart immediately.
He returned to the old house first.
As a shinobi who could be deployed at any moment, he checked his gear daily. Now that he was officially leaving, it only took a quick, final inspection.
"Roshi? Do you have a mission?"
Anko, who had been chatting with Grandma Momoka on the veranda, noticed him preparing equipment. She rose instinctively, ready to gear up beside him.
"Emergency mission. I can handle it alone," Roshi replied without looking up as he tightened his tool pouch.
"Oh… I see."
Anko halted mid-step.
"For now, stay here," Roshi continued. "Someone needs to keep Grandma Momoka company so she won't be lonely."
After realizing Orochimaru's movements were tied to Danzo, Roshi was confident in Konoha's internal security—for now.
Even so, some matters were unpredictable, and keeping Anko in the old house was the safest arrangement.
Anko scratched her cheek lightly, as if about to object.
"Well…"
Roshi finished tying the last clasp and looked at her.
"Consider it a captain's order."
Anko straightened instantly, offering a bright, exaggerated grin.
"Since Captain Roshi says so, I can only obey!"
Roshi nodded. "I'm counting on you."
Without further words, he stepped out of the courtyard, his silhouette melting into the shifting light and shadow.
The teams from Kumogakure and Sunagakure were finally setting off.
Because Chiyo was of high standing, Koharu and Homura personally escorted the delegations as a courtesy.
One by one, the foreign shinobi disappeared into the forest.
At the same time, the silent clash in the Hokage's office also reached a temporary conclusion.
Danzo left the Hokage Building with a dark expression, several Anbu trailing behind him.
Officially, he was departing to carry out an urgent classified mission ordered by the Hokage.
In reality, he and most of Root's mobile operatives had been forcibly removed from Konoha's decision-making core—isolated under the guise of duty.
By the window, Tsunade watched their figures vanish around a distant building.
Her shoulders, rigid until now, loosened slightly.
She was not naïve enough to think this would cage Danzo completely.
Root had existed for years—Danzo undoubtedly had hidden units outside the Village, ones never recorded on any roster.
But even so, this move would severely limit Danzo's direct reach in the critical days ahead, slowing the speed and reducing the range of any interference he could attempt.
And if something did happen, Tsunade would be able to respond faster—and seize control before things spiraled.
"You still have something you wish to tell me, don't you, Tsunade?"
Hiruzen's voice drifted from behind her.
The Third Hokage sat back in his chair, lighting his pipe.
He knew Tsunade's push to restrict Danzo wasn't just a defensive maneuver.
She had a follow-up plan.
Tsunade turned, her expression firm and resolute once again.
"Yes," she said. "The reform of the Uchiha Military Police Force must be accelerated. We can't afford any more delays."
Tsunade laid out the core of Roshi's proposals with crisp clarity—broadening paths of employment for the Uchiha, strategic personnel redistribution, and the steps needed for deeper, long-term integration.
Hiruzen listened quietly. The curling smoke from his pipe softened the deep lines on his face, obscuring whatever complex thoughts dwelled behind his gaze.
Only when Tsunade finished did he finally speak.
"Transferring new Uchiha members into Anbu is extremely sensitive," he said slowly. "It touches many factions. For safety's sake, we should wait until all foreign dignitaries have left the Village and things return to normal. Then we can hold a high-level meeting and implement the plan in full."
"However…"
He tapped the pipe against the desk softly.
"The Ninja Academy's administrative and teaching positions can be prepared immediately. That's an internal personnel adjustment, simple and low-impact. The resistance will be minimal. I'll begin the arrangements."
"The announcement that the Uchiha will be included in this recruitment… will be made by you, Tsunade."
Tsunade nodded without hesitation. This was exactly the breakthrough she needed.
She stood and left directly for the Uchiha compound.
Fugaku was caught off guard by Tsunade's sudden visit.
But as soon as he heard the reason—the Village opening Ninja Academy positions to Uchiha—the sternness in his expression softened ever so slightly.
Just as the Police Force had always been closed to outsiders, many other departments in Konoha had been implicitly closed to the Uchiha.
Even if a few teaching and clerical jobs seemed insignificant compared to the police force, it was still a clear signal:
A gesture of goodwill from the Village.
And when it came time to allow outsiders into the Police Force, internal resistance within the clan might be weakened because of this.
When Tsunade also brought up the possibility of forming a second Anbu squad composed primarily of Uchiha, Fugaku answered carefully—but positively. Taken together, these were clear signs: relations between the clan and the village were mending in earnest.
As for the final matter—Itachi needing to visit the Hokage's Office to finalize his Chūnin promotion—Fugaku had no reason to object. He called for his son immediately.
The procedures for Chūnin promotion were simple: a notification, a brief formality, and a photo.
Once they were complete, Tsunade finally turned to the quiet young man who had stood silently the entire time.
"Before leaving the village, Roshi said you could be trusted," she told him. "So you should hear this."
She succinctly explained Roshi's assessment:
The Uchiha Anbu squad might be targeted.
Danzo's potential involvement.
Orochimaru's movements.
Itachi listened without flinching, his eyes deep and still, absorbing each revelation without a ripple.
When she finished, he spoke calmly—but decisively.
"Lady Tsunade, I request permission to join Anbu."
Tsunade blinked, surprised. She hadn't expected this.
Itachi continued, "If the previous squad may have encountered danger, then my joining Anbu will stabilize the clan more quickly."
He liked Team 5. He enjoyed wandering on missions with Roshi and Anko, eating and talking together. He had no real attachments to food except for dango—he simply liked their presence.
But a shinobi must choose what is necessary, not what is comfortable.
For the sake of his clan, he was willing.
Tsunade felt a complicated tug in her chest. No wonder this boy earned such praise. His talent was one thing, but his clarity of thought—his ability to see the larger picture—rivaled even veteran shinobi.
A different angle from Roshi's plan, but equally effective.
Still, she shook her head.
"I'll consider your application," she said. "But you are Roshi's subordinate. Whether you join Anbu—and in what capacity—you should discuss with him personally after he returns. Decide together."
Itachi nodded obediently.
"…I understand. I'll wait for the captain's return."
"Good." Tsunade shifted topics. "Now, one more thing. I need a list of Uchiha who are neutral in their stance and gentle in temperament—the kind who could adapt well to Anbu or other village departments."
"Please compile it with detailed notes as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Itachi replied, bowing his head respectfully.
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