The next day, when Inuzuka Kaze arrived at the Police Department with seven clan members and twenty ninken, he was also shocked by the commotion at the entrance.
Normally, the Police Department exuded an unapproachable aura, but now it was decorated with lanterns and streamers. Above the entrance, a huge red banner hung:
[Ceremony for the Donation of Police Dogs to the Konoha Police Department and the Establishment of the Inuzuka Clan Special Police Dog Breeding Base.]
At the entrance, Uchiha Seiryu and Uchiha Fugaku stood in formal attire beneath the banner. Dozens of off-duty Police members stood upright at their sides.
This scene left Inuzuka Kaze at a loss. Originally, he had simply planned to bring the clan's trained police dogs and some promising juniors, and maybe get himself a position in the Police. But the grand display made him glance self-consciously at the standard Konoha ninja vest he wore.
The other Inuzuka clan members also suddenly felt their clothing was too casual.
At this moment, Uchiha Seiryu and Uchiha Fugaku, having noticed the group, led others forward.
"Kaze, we've been waiting for you all for a long time," Seiryu said warmly, shaking Inuzuka Kaze's hand. Then, approaching the other Inuzuka clan members, he shook each of their hands, saying, "Welcome, Inuzuka clan, to the Police Department."
"Inaho, take our colleagues to change," Seiryu instructed after the greetings.
"Yes!" Uchiha Inaho responded, then led Inuzuka Kaze's group, saying, "This way, please."
Eight people and twenty dogs, under Inaho's guidance, entered the Police Department. Soon after, they reemerged in new attire. Inuzuka Kaze now wore the captain's special Police ninja vest, and the twenty ninken were fully equipped.
After changing, Inaho led them back under the banner, where Seiryu waited.
Upon their arrival, Seiryu personally affixed the Police's ID numbers to the eight new Inuzuka members and then attached special tags to the twenty police dogs. Inuzuka Kaze's partner, Mokumaru, was given the special number 00001.
"On behalf of all members of the Police Department, I welcome the Inuzuka clan's ninja and ninken companions," Seiryu announced loudly.
The moment Seiryu and Inuzuka Kaze smiled and shook hands was forever captured by the camera.
…
The Hokage's office and all the major clans soon learned of the event at the Police Department's entrance.
Among them, the Aburame clan's leadership was especially dumbfounded. They, too, had received Seiryu's invitation that night. Unlike the Inuzuka, who promptly threw their support behind the Uchiha, the Aburame mostly felt fear.
After all, not long ago, it was the corpse of Aburame Torune that the Police had delivered. Now, Seiryu's personal invitation seemed anything but friendly.
Strictly speaking, the Aburame were victims as well—Torune was taken by Danzo's Root at a young age, almost by extortion, and had little contact with them since.
But Torune, using his clan's secret techniques to help Danzo with dirty work, inevitably made enemies. Unlike Yamanaka Fu, another of Danzo's top men, the Aburame's insect techniques were too distinctive. Families harmed by Danzo didn't dare oppose him openly, but they did bear grudges against the Aburame.
Thus, the Aburame had always kept a low profile in Konoha.
Now, a ruthless Uchiha had appeared and directly killed Danzo. The Shimura clan, which had risen rapidly in recent decades—though not as fast as the Nara, Mitokado, or Sarutobi—had grown from a typical summoning clan into one rivaling the old war-era families. But now, their head was arrested by the Uchiha Police, and no one knew if he was alive or dead.
What worried them most was that Torune's corpse left at their doorstep, bore the signature wound of the infamous Bloodless Blade, Kiburi—the wound was black, clean, and bloodless, stabbed through the heart.
This meant Torune was likely killed while attempting to assassinate Uchiha Seiryu, giving Seiryu a ready-made excuse to target the Aburame.
Now, all the Aburame could do was nervously await Seiryu's next move.
Despite having more jonin than the Inuzuka, the Aburame had been helpless against Danzo—how could they confront the even stronger Uchiha?
…
After finishing the welcome ceremony, Seiryu worked in his office until the end of the day and then left on time.
When he arrived home, Sasuke was already there, eating snacks prepared by Keiko in the dining room.
"Sensei, you're back." Sasuke heard Seiryu enter and ran over on his short legs.
"Sasuke, you're early today," Seiryu said cheerfully.
After two days together, the master and student had grown familiar. Sasuke was a very smart child; he could memorize everything Seiryu asked him to recite and, after some explanation, could grasp the deeper meanings behind the words.
Soon, they began today's lessons in the study.
…
"All right, Sasuke, that's it for today," Seiryu said.
"Yes," Sasuke replied. "Sensei, what will we study tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Seiryu smiled. "Starting tomorrow, you don't need to come for a while. I have some things to take care of."
"Ah?" Sasuke was stunned, then a little disappointed. "Okay…"
Over these three days, Sasuke had grown fond of Seiryu, who told him many interesting stories. Now that he was told not to come, he felt reluctant.
"Sasuke, I have an assignment for you," Seiryu said, patting his head. "Over the next while, try to truly understand what I've taught you. Use those principles to observe the world. When you start to feel those teachings can't explain what happens around you, come find me, and I'll teach you more."