The first Shogunate Military Council ended decisively after issuing operational orders against the Mist forces in the eastern region.
Eighth Floor — Private Office
Uchiha Anlan returned to his spacious office.
He had just taken his seat—
Hadn't even had time to drink water—
When—
Knock.
The door opened without waiting.
In strode Uchiha Huohe.
Arms crossed.
Brows furrowed.
Silent.
Watching.
The room grew heavy.
Not with hostility—
But with something uniquely oppressive:
The unspoken pressure of an elder.
And beneath it—
A faint frustration.
A veteran general—
Denied the battlefield.
Anlan looked up, meeting the stubborn, almost childlike accusation in his wife's grandfather's eyes—
Just as he was about to speak—
"Grandfather!"
The tension shattered.
Uchiha Mikoto entered.
Carrying a tray of fruit and snacks.
Her expression—
Half gentle.
Half scolding.
She placed the tray down.
Then fixed Huohe with a sharp look.
The old man's stern face—
Immediately cracked.
Caught.
Exposed.
Embarrassed.
"Grandfather, at your age, your body and reactions aren't what they used to be."
"Mugen Castle is thriving—why not take it easy? Walk around, enjoy the scenery, teach the younger generation…"
Her tone softened, but her grip tightened as she hooked his arm—
Trying to drag him out.
"The battlefield isn't your concern anymore."
"We'll handle it."
Then—
The killing blow:
"If something like what happened to the Raikage happens to you… how would you face it?"
Huohe froze.
His face stiffened.
He couldn't argue.
And worse—
He couldn't scold her.
So he turned—
Helplessly—
Toward Anlan.
Help me.
Anlan coughed lightly.
"Micoto. Wait."
She stopped.
Turned.
Anlan stood and walked over.
Smiling gently at her—
Then looking at Huohe.
"I understand Grandfather's thoughts."
"He has fought his entire life for the clan. Now that everything is moving forward, he feels… sidelined."
Huohe's expression eased.
His back straightened slightly.
"But…"
Anlan continued calmly,
"The times have changed."
"So has war."
He stepped closer.
Voice steady.
"You are not just a warrior."
"You are the clan's foundation."
"Rules… discipline… traditions… the shaping of the next generation—"
"These are matters only someone like you can handle."
Huohe fell silent.
Mikoto watched—
Then slowly let go of his arm.
Anlan smiled faintly.
"The young will charge into battle."
"But the future of the clan…"
He looked directly at Huohe.
"…must be guarded by you."
Silence.
Then—
A faint snort.
Huohe's arms dropped.
"…Hmph."
He didn't admit it.
But—
He accepted it.
A New Role — The Core Guardian
Anlan returned to his desk—
But didn't sit.
Instead, he leaned forward slightly.
Eyes sharp.
"The Shogunate has its armies."
"Red Guard. Wind-Forest. Fire-Mountain."
"And soon—the Oniwaban."
"But that's not enough."
"A true power…"
"…needs a shield."
He paused.
Then said slowly—
"We need a force."
"One that does not fight outside."
"One that does not operate in shadows."
"But instead—"
"Guards the core."
Huohe's eyes sharpened.
"Protect Mugen Castle."
"Protect the clan."
"Protect everything that must never fall."
"And—"
Anlan's voice dropped.
"Eliminate internal threats."
No matter where they came from.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
Anlan spoke the name.
"Inner Guard."
A new institution.
Directly under him.
"And its commander…"
He looked straight at Huohe.
"…is you."
The Old General's Fire
For a moment—
Huohe didn't move.
Then—
Understanding struck.
Not abandonment.
Not retirement.
Trust.
The most critical position.
The most irreplaceable responsibility.
"I…"
He muttered.
Then slowly—
A smile crept in.
"Good!"
"This suits me!"
His aura surged again.
But this time—
Not frustration.
Purpose.
He turned to Mikoto—
Almost smug.
"See that? This is not idle work!"
"This is guarding the clan itself!"
Mikoto couldn't help but smile.
Final Orders
Anlan added calmly:
"Initial size—twenty."
"Handpicked by you."
"Absolute loyalty first."
"Skill second."
"Train them."
"Shape them."
"They answer only to me."
Huohe nodded heavily.
"Leave it to me."
Then—
Without hesitation—
He turned and strode out.
"Grandfather, your tea—"
Mikoto called.
"No time!"
His voice echoed down the hall—
Full of energy.
"I'll drink it when the Inner Guard is complete!"
And he was gone.
Aftermath — Quiet Reflection
The room fell quiet again.
Sunlight streamed in.
Warm.
Calm.
Mikoto turned back.
Sat beside Anlan.
"The structure is taking shape," she said softly.
"But…"
Her tone shifted.
Serious.
"We're still at war."
"Is it really the right time to push administrative reforms?"
She met his eyes.
"People are used to the old system."
"If we change everything too quickly…"
"It could cause chaos."
"A perfect system means nothing if people reject it."
Anlan's Vision
Anlan listened.
Then nodded.
"You're right."
But—
His gaze deepened.
"We still can't stop."
He raised a hand—
As if drawing a map in the air.
"One central city."
"Four major hubs."
"Thirteen secondary cities."
"Hundreds of villages."
"Over four million people."
He looked at her.
"That's not a number."
"That's power."
"Four million mouths."
"Four million hands."
"Four million hearts."
"Production."
"Taxes."
"Labor."
"Future soldiers."
"Future elites."
His voice sharpened.
"This is the foundation of the Shogunate."
"Not just war."
Final Decision
Anlan stood.
Eyes cold.
"Reforms will proceed."
"But controlled."
"And monitored."
"The Oniwaban's first mission—"
His gaze turned dangerous.
"Oversee implementation."
"And root out resistance."
He smiled faintly.
"Let's see…"
"…how many hands are still moving in the dark."