"Sarutobi Shinnosuke, we haven't seen you for a long time."
Kisaragi knew Sarutobi Shinnosuke. When he was at the Jōnin School, Sarutobi Shinnosuke was a year ahead of Kisaragi.
They had some friction during their time at the Academy, and Kisaragi had even taught Sarutobi Shinnosuke a lesson.
Now, Sarutobi Shinnosuke found himself in Kisaragi's hands again.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked at Kisaragi with hatred. The conflict between them was deep, and now it had reached a breaking point.
"You attacked my team—how bold of you! Give him a beating."
"You dare?! If you touch me, my father won't let you off."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke tried to leverage his father, Sarutobi Hiruzen, again.
"Do you think invoking the Third Hokage will help you?" Kisaragi gestured to two Uchiha clansmen, and they immediately acted.
After a brutal beating, Sarutobi Shinnosuke's screams echoed through the room.
"Kisaragi, just you wait. I won't let this go."
"I like people who talk tough," Kisaragi said with a smirk. "Slap him."
Kisaragi's smile widened as Sarutobi Shinnosuke stubbornly refused to back down. Kisaragi wasn't worried about whether this incident would offend Sarutobi Hiruzen; he had already crossed that line long ago.
Once the beating was over, Kisaragi picked up a red-hot branding iron and walked toward Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
"You… what are you going to do?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke's voice trembled slightly.
Sizzle!
Kisaragi didn't bother answering, letting his actions speak instead. The burning iron was pressed against Sarutobi Shinnosuke's chest, branding him. Sarutobi Shinnosuke howled in pain.
"Tsk, tsk. No one can see this brand under your clothes. Should I brand your face next?" Kisaragi waved the still-glowing iron near Sarutobi Shinnosuke's face, causing him to panic. He was terrified and visibly shook, urine trickling from his crotch.
A brand on his chest was one thing—hidden by clothes. But a brand on his face? His life would be over.
"Stop… please stop."
As the iron moved closer to his face, Sarutobi Shinnosuke screamed in terror.
"Fifty million ryo, and I'll let you go. Agreed?" Kisaragi asked calmly.
"Yes! Yes, I'll pay!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke didn't dare refuse. He knew that if he did, the red-hot iron would leave a permanent mark on his face.
"Have someone deliver the money today. If I don't see it by then, this branding iron will find its way to your face."
Kisaragi tossed the iron aside and left the torture room.
Back in his office, Kisaragi had barely sat down when someone knocked on the door. This time, it was someone from Danzo's root organization.
"Kisaragi, Lord Danzo wants to see you. Come with me."
The root agent's tone was cold and indifferent, typical of the emotionless tools Danzo controlled.
"Danzo wants to see me? Then tell him to come to me."
In a flash, Kisaragi drew his blade, decapitating the root ninja instantly.
"Kisaragi-san!"
Outside, Uchiha Shin rushed in, immediately kneeling upon seeing the corpse.
"My apologies, Kisaragi-san. I failed to guard the door and allowed him to enter."
"I'll let it go this time, but don't let it happen again. Uchiha Shin, I see potential in you—don't disappoint me."
"Yes, Kisaragi-san. I won't let you down."
Inside, Uchiha Shin seethed with anger at the intruder, knowing he had almost lost Kisaragi's favor.
"Clean up the body and make sure to spread the word that a spy infiltrated the guard. Say he was killed by the captain for attempting to gather information."
"Understood."
Shin quickly removed the body with practiced efficiency. His skills made him a promising Jōnin, not far from becoming an Elite Jōnin. Kisaragi had taken note of his talent and was grooming him for greater things.
As for the root organization, they were little more than an annoyance to Kisaragi. The hidden rats in the shadows weren't even worth his attention.
"It's time to put on a good show and claim the Uchiha clan leadership."
In the past, Kisaragi had no interest in becoming clan head. It was a thankless position that only brought pressure from Konoha's higher-ups. But now, things had changed. The pressure from Konoha's leadership meant little to him, and Kisaragi needed the Uchiha clan's support to continue amassing power.
Gathering his police unit, Kisaragi led a group of Uchiha through the streets of Konoha Village. As they passed, people quickly stepped out of their way. In the past few days, the Uchiha and the guard force had become infamous, though not in a good way.
Now, when the villagers of Konoha saw the Uchiha, they instinctively kept their distance.
Following behind Kisaragi, the Uchiha walked with their heads held high, feeling the fear in the eyes of those around them.
"So arrogant."
"I'd keep quiet if I were you. Do you want the guard to haul you in for questioning?"
"If you want to die, don't drag me down with you."
Neither the civilians nor the shinobi dared provoke the Uchiha. Word had spread that even the Sarutobi and Hyuga clans had been humbled by them. Ordinary ninjas without powerful connections had no chance of standing up to them. Even when talking about the Uchiha, people only whispered behind their backs, never daring to speak out openly.
Kisaragi returned to the Uchiha compound with his clan's honor intact. At this time, the Uchiha clan's land was still near the center of Konoha.
After the Nine Tails' attack on the village, the Uchiha had been pushed out of the central position by Konoha's leadership. However, as one of the two founding families of the village, the Uchiha's compound still remained in the heart of the village.
Upon returning, Kisaragi didn't head home but made his way to Uchiha Fugaku's residence. The real show was about to begin.