The next day.
Chiya arrived at the Military Police Force and greeted a few clan members around him.
Then he headed toward the archives room of the Military Police Force.
The clan head was the leader and commander of the clan.
Naturally, he could come and go as he pleased.
Chiya arrived at the archives room of the Military Police Force and had someone pull out the patrol records from the past few months.
He went through document after document, trying to find any relevant information.
However, over an hour passed.
He found nothing at all. Not even the matter of the missing child had been mentioned anywhere.
This scene made Chiya's brow furrow.
'Strange. By all accounts, the patrol records of the Military Police Force should include entries for unusual incidents. Why is there not a single piece of information?'
'When it comes to matters involving the Senju clan, the Uchiha should be paying especially close attention.'
As for the missing child, Chiya actually had a leaning in his mind already.
In his memory of the story, there was one matter connected to missing children, and that was the work of Root.
Effectively controlling tailed beasts for military use was what radicals like Danzo desired.
To control a tailed beast, aside from the Sharingan, there was only Wood Release.
Someone like Danzo would naturally want to obtain Wood Release even more desperately.
Wood Release, in their minds.
Was a power capable of bringing order to a chaotic world.
However, in Chiya's view, what was truly powerful was not Wood Release itself, but Senju Hashirama.
Chiya was preparing to get up and leave the archives room.
A sound of hurried footsteps rang out.
Chiya looked up.
He saw the Great Elder leading a few younger members of the clan as they came rushing into the Military Police Force building.
"Remember. Matters involving the Senju clan are handled by the Hokage's circle. They are not our concern. During this afternoon's patrol, do not go near the Senju clan's side."
The Great Elder's voice carried over. It was not loud.
But in the quiet environment of the Military Police Force building at that moment, Chiya still heard every word clearly.
'The Senju clan? The Hokage's circle?'
Chiya's gaze locked onto the Great Elder.
Seeming to sense Chiya's stare, the Great Elder turned around.
A flash of surprise passed through his eyes.
"Why are you here?"
"Just looking through some records. But now that the Great Elder is here, I no longer need to waste any more time."
Chiya looked at him calmly, but the look in his eyes had turned cold.
"I wonder if you have some time to give me a report on recent affairs within the Military Police Force?"
Hearing the complete absence of any respect in his tone.
The Great Elder's brow furrowed slightly.
He then thought about the many Uchiha junior members surrounding them, along with Chiya's current position.
"Yes."
"Come with me."
Chiya had someone lock the archives room and left with the Great Elder.
"Our new clan head seems quite commanding."
An Uchiha ninja standing nearby let out a breath of relief and said to the colleague beside him.
"That's right. But only someone like that can measure up to being our Uchiha clan head."
"..."
Unlike the surprise felt by those outside.
After Chiya closed the door to the rest room.
The two sat facing each other.
The atmosphere instantly became serious.
"Great Elder, just now you mentioned the Senju clan, and also the Hokage's circle. What did you mean by that?"
The Great Elder rubbed his nose, then a slightly awkward smile appeared on his face.
"Clan Head, I was only reminding the younger members that matters involving the Senju clan are sensitive. During patrols, we should keep our distance to avoid misunderstandings."
A flicker passed through Chiya's eyes.
"What matters involving the Senju clan are sensitive?"
The Great Elder began to stammer and stall.
"Great Elder, do you know something but find it inconvenient to say?"
Chiya asked directly.
When dealing with these old foxes, Chiya had no patience for going in circles.
"Clan Head, there is nothing inconvenient about it."
"I am simply following the clan's traditions and rules, reminding the younger members not to get involved in unnecessary trouble."
'Not talking?'
Chiya laughed coldly inside. He knew the Great Elder was definitely hiding something.
Thinking about the "afternoon patrol" the Great Elder had just mentioned, Chiya said nothing more.
"In that case, Great Elder, please rest here comfortably."
Hearing this, the Great Elder's eyes visibly flickered.
Chiya walked out of the rest room and looked at the two Uchiha clan members standing at the door.
"Clan Head."
The two showed respectful expressions.
Chiya recognized them.
They were junior members under Uchiha Sosuke. Going by seniority, they would be Mikoto's cousins.
"The Military Police Force has many matters to attend to. Let the Great Elder rest well in the rest room this afternoon."
The expressions of both men immediately sharpened.
"Yes."
'Isn't this just putting him under house arrest?'
Both understood what was meant.
Chiya glanced back at the Great Elder, whose expression had turned somewhat dark, and the corner of his mouth curved into a cold smile.
He had only just become clan head of the Uchiha, and someone was already making moves behind the scenes.
If it came to it, Chiya would not go easy.
He had the resolve to turn the blade inward and cut out the rot completely.
Chiya flickered out of the Military Police Force building and headed in the direction of the Senju clan.
Tsunade seemed to know Chiya was coming.
She stood waiting at the windowsill.
When she saw Chiya's figure, Tsunade came quickly downstairs and stepped in front of him.
"Did you find anything?"
Chiya shook his head.
"There is something off about the Great Elder. I am not entirely sure whether it is connected to this matter."
Tsunade nodded and did not blame Chiya.
"But something may happen this afternoon."
"This afternoon?"
Tsunade's gaze sharpened.
"Then I will go back and have people get ready."
Chiya smiled.
"It's only eleven o'clock right now. The afternoon shift at the Military Police Force doesn't start until two. There is still plenty of time. Let's eat first."
Tsunade was about to agree.
Suddenly a familiar voice came through.
"Tsunade-sama."
Chiya and Tsunade turned their heads to look.
The person who had arrived appeared to be around twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a Konoha forehead protector.
She had a full head of smooth, red hair that reached down to her waist. The strands caught the light and carried a healthy sheen.
Her hair had been carefully combed and fell neatly behind her shoulders.
She wore a traditional kimono in a soft pale yellow color, decorated with deep purple stripes. It gave a lively impression.
Uzumaki Kushina.
'Uzumaki Kushina?'
Chiya recognized who had arrived.
When Uzumaki Kushina saw Chiya, she also paused for a brief moment.
She had seen Chiya once before, together with Mikoto.
"She is Uzumaki Kushina. She is staying with my grandmother right now."
Tsunade waved Kushina over and then quietly explained to Chiya.
Chiya gave a small nod.
"Kushina, you're back from a mission?"
Tsunade stepped forward, a small smile on her face, and lightly ruffled Kushina's head.
The gesture was remarkably similar to how Chiya ruffled Tsunade's head at night.
"Yes. Today's mission was a lighter one."
"Have you eaten?"
Uzumaki Kushina rubbed her stomach. An embarrassed look crossed her face.
"Come on. I'll take you to eat."
Tsunade smiled knowingly, grabbed Kushina's hand, and headed in the direction of the barbecue restaurant.
After taking two steps, she looked back at Chiya.
"Come on, let's eat."
Uzumaki Kushina looked at Chiya walking over, her gaze puzzled.
"Tsunade-sama, this person is..."
Tsunade let out a proud huff.
"Him? A smug little brat from the Uchiha. In a bit, we'll make him... do the grilling for us."