"Since Fugaku said to investigate, let's investigate. That's exactly what our police force is good at."
Kisaragi gave Uchiha Fugaku a smile, completely calm and unbothered.
"I also want to participate in the investigation."
Letting only Kisaragi's police investigate? How could Uchiha Fugaku rest assured? Not only would they avoid uncovering the truth, but they might also cover it up.
"So, you don't trust our police force?"
With that statement, all the police officers felt displeased by Uchiha Fugaku's accusation.
"No problem, we can investigate together. I hope that after we find the murderer, you won't go soft on them."
Kisaragi's smile made Uchiha Fugaku frown. Was he really so confident that he hadn't left any clues behind?
"How about starting the investigation at Captain Kisaragi's home?"
"Uchiha Fugaku, what are you implying? Are you accusing Lord Kisaragi of killing the two elders?" Uchiha Shin scolded angrily.
"I didn't say that. Is Captain Kisaragi unwilling? Could it be because he has a guilty conscience?" Uchiha Fugaku glared at Kisaragi, hoping to find some sign of guilt on his face. Unfortunately, Kisaragi remained as calm as ever.
"Fugaku, since you suspect that I killed the two elders, I'll humor you. You can search my house first. But if you find nothing, you must apologize to me in front of all the Uchiha clansmen."
"Fine, I agree." Uchiha Fugaku didn't hesitate to accept the challenge.
"Fugaku, you're being too impulsive. Even if Uchiha Kisaragi killed the two elders, he seems too confident now. Do you really think he'd leave evidence?" Uchiha Bon whispered to Fugaku, trying to reason with him.
"I'll find evidence."
Seeing Fugaku's determination, Uchiha Bob gave up trying to convince him. He realized Fugaku's hatred had clouded his judgment.
Later, Uchiha Fugaku, along with his team and the police, went to Kisaragi's home to search for evidence. At the same time, Fugaku ordered some men to try gathering information from the bodies of the two elders.
However, Kisaragi had long anticipated this. There was no way he would leave any traces behind.
"Uchiha Fugaku suspects Lord Kisaragi? That's too much."
"The deaths of the two elders have nothing to do with Lord Kisaragi. Maybe Fugaku's just pointing fingers to distract everyone."
"That's not necessarily true. If Lord Fugaku suspects Kisaragi, he must have a reason. Maybe Kisaragi really is guilty."
The Uchiha clan had split into two factions. One group sided with Kisaragi, firmly believing he had no part in the elders' deaths. The other group supported Fugaku, convinced that Kisaragi was behind the murders.
The search ended quickly, with Uchiha Fugaku emerging with a dark expression. No evidence had been found, just as Uchiha Bob had expected.
Uchiha Fugaku's actions today had deeply disappointed Bob. Even if Fugaku suspected Kisaragi, he should have kept it under wraps and quietly gathered evidence. Instead, he had tipped Kisaragi off.
"Fugaku, since nothing was found, doesn't that mean I'm innocent? Shouldn't you apologize to me in front of the entire clan?"
"Apologize!"
"Apologize to Lord Kisaragi!"
"Yes, you dared to accuse Captain Kisaragi. You must apologize."
The clansmen supporting Kisaragi began shouting at Uchiha Fugaku, making his face turn pale with anger.
"Kisaragi, stop pretending. Even if you didn't do it yourself, one of your subordinates definitely did."
Fugaku, driven by frustration, had lost his patience and openly confronted Kisaragi.
"It seems you're still not convinced. Fine, continue investigating, but if you find no evidence, I won't let this go."
Kisaragi's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.
"Then let's keep investigating."
Fugaku knew he had no way out now. He had to find evidence or he'd be humiliated in front of the entire clan.
The investigation shifted to the homes of Uchiha Shin and Uchiha Jin, as well as anyone who was closely associated with Kisaragi. Yet, no evidence was found.
"Uchiha Fugaku, it's disheartening that you would suspect us of murdering our own people. I demand that you kneel and apologize to us."
As Kisaragi's subordinate, Uchiha Shin wouldn't miss the opportunity to pile on the pressure.
"Don't push it too far."
Though Uchiha Bob was disappointed in Fugaku, he couldn't stand by and watch him be humiliated.
Kisaragi shot a cold glance at Rin before giving Shin an order.
"Shin, continue searching. We must find the murderer."
"Understood. Police force, come with me!"
Having searched others' homes, it was now time to search Uchiha Fugaku's house. The police force, loyal to Kisaragi, didn't hesitate. Most of them were his people, and those loyal to Fugaku had left the police force after Kisaragi became captain.
…
"Report, Captain! We've found the murder weapon. It matches the wounds found on the two elders."
One of the police officers ran out of Fugaku's home, holding the murder weapon.
Uchiha Shin sneaked a glance at Kisaragi. Yesterday, Lord Kisaragi had ordered them to keep the murder weapon. Now, finding it in Uchiha Shimana's home was clearly Kisaragi's doing.
It was a brilliant move to frame Shimana for the murders. Shimana and Uchiha Bob were loyal to the former patriarch, Uchiha Nagisa. Now was the perfect opportunity to eliminate them.
Although Shin didn't understand why Kisaragi didn't frame Fugaku directly, he knew what to do next without needing any more orders.
"Uchiha Shimana, you're truly bold to have assassinated the two elders. Arrest him immediately!"
"It wasn't me! I didn't kill them! Someone is framing me!"
Shimana looked devastated as he was dragged away. The moment the murder weapon was found in his home, he had been stunned into disbelief.
Damn it, this was definitely Kisaragi's doing!