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"Clan leader, this is urgent!."
Fugaku was initially resting at home today when Aien hurriedly arrived, immediately expressing with urgency, "Yoichi has detained individuals from the Shimura family, including two operatives from the Root, and they are now being brought in for interrogation by the police force!"
"What?"
Not just Fugaku, but even Mikoto, who had just served tea, froze upon hearing this. Even though she wasn't a ninja, she was aware of the Shimura clan's standing within the village, not to mention the Root's.
Fugaku, with fists clenched, said, "What is Yoichi trying to accomplish?"
"Clan leader, pondering on this serves no purpose now. We should head to the police force immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating."
"Let's go, to the police force!"
Upon hearing this, Fugaku stood up, not even taking the time to change his clothes, and followed Aien outside.
Simultaneously, the Second Elder, Kenji, also received news. Upon hearing the update relayed by Shoji, Kenji couldn't help but laugh.
"To possess such audacity at such a young age, coupled with a meticulous mind that avoids impulsive revenge, is commendable. However, if Yoichi-kun wishes to stir things up, then let's escalate it further."
"Rie, have Horigawa-kun assist as well, just like Shoji did."
Uchiha Horigawa, a prominent member within the Uchiha clan known for his explosive temper, previously acted rashly on the battlefield and hence was assigned back to the police force as a squad captain. He is related to Shoji as cousins and is also a nephew of Kenji.
Before the outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War and long after the Second Great Ninja War had concluded, the number of ninjas within the Uchiha clan had significantly increased.
The police force, comprising 300 members across four squads, included two squad captains from Kenji's lineage, excluding the clan's other ninjas.
At this time, the Uchiha clan's strength was unquestionable. After the decline of the Senju clan, the Uchiha emerged as Konoha's premier ninja clan.
Everyone was now converging towards the police force.
When Hiruzen arrived at the police force, he encountered Danzo and his Root operatives. Seeing the people behind Danzo, Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"Danzo, what do you intend by bringing so many people? Internal strife within the village is absolutely forbidden!"
The peace maintained since the end of the Second Great Ninja War was on the brink of collapse, as evident from the Stone Village's open violation of the treaty, indicating their intent to test the waters for war.
Upon hearing Hiruzen's reprimand, Danzo replied with a cold, angry tone, "The police force has become lawless. If I don't bring additional personnel, I might be the next one apprehended!"
"That won't happen, Lord Danzo."
Fugaku appeared in front of Hiruzen, nodding in acknowledgment before stating, "There must be some misunderstanding. Lord Hokage, allow me to address this."
Danzo retorted with a sarcastic sneer, "You handle this? Fugaku, if you could command the police force, this situation wouldn't have arisen. You..."
"Enough, Danzo. I trust Fugaku-kun."
Hiruzen rebuked Danzo, internally cursing him for his foolishness. Was this a time to sow division?
However, Danzo didn't share this view. A staunch militarist, he fully inherited Tobirama's discriminatory stance towards the Uchiha.
'Hiruzen is too lenient. This is the moment to firmly suppress the Uchiha, eliminating any undesirable tendencies. Had I been Hokage, such incidents would never occur within the village.'
"Let's proceed, Fugaku-kun. Let us clarify the misunderstanding at the police force!"
After speaking, Hiruzen gestured for Fugaku to lead the way, and the group promptly headed towards the police force headquarters.
Upon their arrival, Fugaku immediately sensed something was amiss. Normally, the police force would rotate two squads for duty, but today, members who were supposed to be off-duty had also convened here.
"Horigawa, why are you here?"
"Clan leader, the Second Elder indicated that assistance might be needed here, so he sent me to check."
Horigawa responded indifferently, then upon noticing Hiruzen behind Fugaku, inquired, "Lord Hokage, you've come as well."
"I came to observe. The police force apprehended some individuals today; there must be some misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? No, Lord Hokage, there's absolutely no misunderstanding. Far from it, the police force now possesses ample evidence that those detained were secretly communicating with the Stone Ninja!"
Yoichi emerged from the police force, gradually starting to speak, while glancing at Danzo and offering a cold smirk.
"Lord Hokage, it's unclear how extensive the Shimura clan's involvement is. I believe it's prudent for the police force to detain all Shimura clan members for now. As for Lord Danzo himself... hehe, a disciple of the Second Hokage is unlikely to betray the village, but it would be best for Lord Danzo to voluntarily submit to interrogation to prove his innocence!"
Danzo's complexion turned utterly livid.
How many years had he served as the Hokage's advisor? Who in the village dared speak to him in such a manner!
Demanding he submit to interrogation? What gave this Uchiha youth the audacity to utter such words!
Fury blazed within Danzo as he glared murderously at Yoichi, aware that he couldn't touch him within the confines of the police force and prioritizing the retrieval of his personnel.
"Retrieve the individuals!"
Danzo ordered coldly, eager only to take his people and depart. As for settling scores with this detestable Uchiha, opportunities would arise later!
Clang! The Raiden blade was swiftly unsheathed by Yoichi, who was then enveloped in a crackling surge of potent lightning.
"Intrusion into the police force will be treated as espionage and betrayal, punishable by immediate execution!"
His tone was definitive and resolute. Yoichi then coldly smirked at Danzo again, "I'm aware you possess numerous loyal subordinates, Lord Danzo, but there's no need to test my commitment to protecting Konoha in such a manner. Once I declare it, I will act! Absolutely!"
"If Lord Danzo doubts me, continue to send them over!"
After Yoichi concluded, his gaze slightly narrowed, the blood-red pupils with two swirling tomoe, and the lightning-wreathed Raiden blade, as if poised to strike imminently.
Danzo's face turned an angry shade of purple, his fury nearly crushing the cane in his grip.
Then, gritting his teeth, he addressed Fugaku, "This is the police force, Uchiha Clan Leader!"
Upon hearing this, Fugaku internally conceded that the situation could not be allowed to deteriorate further, also noting Hiruzen's displeasure.
Thus, Fugaku approached the police force, simultaneously issuing a stern directive to Yoichi, "Yoichi, let me take the individuals for now; I will handle this matter."
Crackle! Before Fugaku could finish, the lightning-enshrouded Raiden blade was brandished in front of him, halting him mid-sentence at Yoichi's icy gaze.
"Clan leader, do not test whether I will act. It would be better for the Root operatives to attempt it; let's see if they dare breach the police force, and whether this Raiden blade hesitates to fall upon their heads!
Or perhaps, let Lord Danzo personally test it, to see if this Raiden blade wavers!"
Upon Yoichi's declaration, the blood-red eyes of several police force members behind him activated their Sharingan in unison.
Both two-tomoe and three-tomoe Sharingan were present in abundance!
The gaze of over a dozen crimson pupils exerted an immense pressure on those present.
At that moment, numerous Uchiha clan members emerged from the police force headquarters, silently aligning behind their kin who had activated their Sharingan, remaining speechless.
The atmosphere on site instantaneously plummeted to an icy silence.
(End of Chapter)