Shadow of the Uchiha Guard

Land of Fire

Konohagakure

Guard Headquarters

Sarutobi Hiruzen left the Uchiha Guard Headquarters with his son, along with Mitokado Homura and Mito Ido. His face was dark, his heart burning with anger. The price he had paid to retrieve these three was unbearable.

Uchiha Bai Ye, standing at the entrance of the headquarters, smiled faintly as he watched them leave.

His subordinates continued tallying the spoils of this encounter. The money acquired was staggering, and among the reports was a proposal to further strengthen the Guard's influence.

Hiruzen's expression soured further.

He had never imagined it would come to this.

In order to retrieve Homura and the others, he had been forced into a corner. Normally, he wouldn't have agreed to such an outrageous ransom—Mitokado Homura, in his eyes, was not worth the effort. But Bai Ye had presented a confession from Homura, one so damning that Hiruzen had no choice but to compromise.

His cold gaze swept toward Homura, who sported a bruised face swollen beyond recognition.

A so-called Hokage Advisor—what a disgrace.

Homura had crumbled under pressure almost instantly, revealing wartime secrets that should have been buried forever. If that confession were made public, the damage to the village's stability would be far worse than the scandal surrounding his own son.

He had no choice but to give in.

But that didn't mean he would forget this humiliation.

The Uchiha Guard had become too arrogant.

As he neared the exit of the Guard Headquarters, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowed his steps, turning slightly toward Bai Ye with an unreadable expression.

"The Guard has been doing impressive work lately."

His voice was calm, but a hidden edge lingered in his tone.

"Under Captain Bai Ye's leadership, Konoha has remained stable. Your contributions have not gone unnoticed."

Before, the Guard had been little more than an afterthought to him.

But now…

He had underestimated them.

The Guard's authority had grown far beyond what he had anticipated. This was not what the Nidaime Hokage had envisioned when he established the organization. Originally, the Guard was meant to weaken the Uchiha—isolating them from the village rather than granting them influence.

Yet somehow, under Bai Ye's leadership, they had achieved prestige instead of resentment.

The villagers no longer viewed them as an oppressive force.

They respected them.

This was dangerous.

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. The Uchiha Guard itself wasn't the issue. The problem was Uchiha Bai Ye.

Hiruzen had built his legacy on cunning and patience. He wasn't a fool. Removing the Guard entirely wasn't an option—not yet. But replacing its captain… that was another matter.

All people make mistakes.

And when they do, those mistakes become opportunities.

"The Cloud Shinobi Village envoy will be visiting Konoha soon."

His tone was casual, but his sharp gaze didn't waver.

"During their stay, the Guard will be responsible for the village's security. I trust that Captain Bai Ye will handle any issues that arise… accordingly."

With that cryptic remark, the Third Hokage turned to leave.

But before he could take another step, a hand gripped his shoulder.

A surge of force pressed down, staggering him forward.

For the briefest moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt something he had not felt in years.

Fear.

He turned sharply, his gaze locking onto Bai Ye's brilliant smile.

"Don't worry, Lord Hokage."

Bai Ye's voice was calm, almost pleasant.

"This captain will fulfill his duty."

Hiruzen's expression froze. He discreetly attempted to break free, but the grip on his shoulder remained firm.

It wasn't that he was weak—far from it.

Despite the embellished legends calling him "The Strongest Hokage," he knew the First and Second Hokage had surpassed him in raw power. But even so, he was still the Hokage of Konoha. He was no pushover.

Yet now…

He couldn't move.

Had Bai Ye truly surpassed him in speed and strength?

If this man had chosen to attack just now…

He would already be dead.

Terrifying.

When did the Uchiha produce such a monstrous talent?

Bai Ye leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper that only Hiruzen could hear.

"Please, Lord Hokage, keep an eye on your son."

His tone was still polite—yet beneath the words lay a chilling warning.

"If I ever catch him harassing my woman again…"

The smile faded.

"…I guarantee he won't be leaving the Guard's custody in one piece."

A naked threat.

This wasn't a statement from the Uchiha clan.

It wasn't a declaration from the Guard.

It was personal.

A man's possessiveness was not to be tested. He had no patience for vermin lurking around what was his.

Truthfully, he had no deep attachment to the Guard. It was merely a convenient position, one that rewarded him well for his efforts. If he ever chose to abandon this game…

He could overturn the entire village in an instant.

Never forget—

Konohagakure was built by the Senju and the Uchiha.

The Sarutobi clan was nothing more than a group of opportunists who pledged allegiance after the fact.

With a final pat, Bai Ye released Hiruzen's shoulder and casually waved him off before heading toward his office.

The Third Hokage stood still for a moment. Then, slowly, he rolled his shoulder, his expression unreadable.

The force that had just weighed on him…

He was certain there would be bruises.

His gaze lingered on Bai Ye's retreating figure.

Who exactly was Uchiha Bai Ye?