Nara Shikashin contemplated and then shook his head.
"It should be. Shimura Richu was training outside the village. The training spot was near one of the villagers' fields. Hearing commotion in the forest, two villagers went to investigate and were affected by the released ninjutsu."
Nara Shikashin couldn't determine whether it was intentional or not.
After all, he only knew the general details of the incident. The investigation was handled by the Anbu, with the Third Hokage managing the situation.
He wasn't given the chance to intervene.
"It doesn't matter whether it was intentional or not. Just bring him back."
Shinki put the file down casually.
He only needed an excuse. Whether the details in the file were accurate was irrelevant.
It didn't matter.
For instance, Tsunade once gathered all the elders of the Hyuga clan and had them locked in the Anbu prison with just one excuse, terrifying the entire group.
"Tora, take a team and bring him back."
"Yes, sir."
With the command issued, two Anbu teams quickly set off.
"Shimura Richu is an elder of Shimura Group 1. They probably won't cooperate willingly."
Nara Shikako spoke candidly.
Tsunade had the authority to gather and detain the elders of the Hyuga clan due to her special status.
Tsunade could do this, but Shinki might not. The Shimura clan, being the first to support the Third Hokage, would certainly stand firmly with him. It wouldn't be easy to bring their members to the Anbu.
The Hyuga elders were taken away and imprisoned not only because of Tsunade's special status but also due to the Hokage's Office not intervening.
If Shinki aimed to detain members of the Shimura clan, the Hokage's Office would undoubtedly get involved.
"It's fine as long as things escalate. Whether they can be brought back is secondary."
Although the Anbu had significant privileges, those privileges varied. If the Hokage's Office got involved, it would be difficult for the Anbu to detain someone Shinki targeted.
Shinki had already anticipated this.
"Relay the order: all members in the village must assemble, and anyone on leave should return immediately and be prepared."
The Anbu headquarters quickly mobilized.
Meanwhile, at the Sarutobi compound, Tora led two squads to the Shimura residence.
"Under orders from the deputy minister, Shimura Richu is to come with us to the Anbu to assist in an investigation."
Previously, when the Anbu operated directly under the Hokage, a visit to the Shimura clan would often signal favorable outcomes, as the Anbu likely acted on behalf of the Third Hokage.
Since the Anbu's reorganization, their visits rarely brought good news.
"May I ask why Shimura Richu needs to be taken for investigation?"
The Shimura clan leader, who had just returned, wore a deep scowl.
He knew this was Shinki's retribution.
He had supported the Third Hokage as the first to speak in the meeting room, and now the Anbu had arrived.
What else could this be but payback?
"Please hand him over."
Tora did not offer an explanation.
The Anbu wasn't obligated to explain unless the Third Hokage himself inquired.
"Impossible! The Shimura clan will not hand anyone over. I have already sent someone to inform Lord Hokage to come and intervene on behalf of the clan."
As the leader, he couldn't allow the Anbu to take someone away.
Otherwise, the Shimura clan would suffer the same fate as the Hyuga clan and become a laughingstock.
The Hyuga elders had been taken away en masse and locked in the Anbu prison, tarnishing the Hyuga clan's reputation and inviting ridicule from other ninja families.
If this happened to the Shimura clan, they too would be disgraced.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Shimura leader dispatched a member to fetch the Third Hokage.
The Hokage's office was nearby. A brief delay would suffice for the Hokage to arrive.
They just needed to stall for a bit.
The Shimura clan leader was confident in this strategy.
Meanwhile, a member of the Shimura clan rushed into the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, who was reading documents, looked up.
"Hokage-sama, urgent news! The Anbu has come to our clan to take Elder Richu for investigation. The clan leader sent me to ask for your assistance!"
"What?!"
The Third Hokage dropped his documents onto the desk with a clatter and stood up abruptly.
He was stunned, momentarily unable to believe what he had heard.
The Anbu at the Shimura clan's doorstep?
This was Shinki's retribution!
The Third Hokage had anticipated conflict with Shinki when he moved to reclaim control over the pharmaceutical division and reduce the Anbu's privileges.
But he hadn't expected Shinki's response to be so swift.
The meeting had only just concluded, and the counterattack was already underway.
The Shimura clan leader spoke out first?
Well, now the Anbu was coming for his family.
The Shimura clan had to be protected; otherwise, they would face the same fate as the Hyuga clan and be ridiculed.
This would not only disgrace the Shimura clan but also embarrass him, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He had supported the clan, and if he failed to protect them, his credibility would be ruined.
With the Hyuga clan's experience fresh in his mind, the Third Hokage knew that if this happened again, his reputation would be irreparably damaged.
"Hokage-sama…" The Shimura messenger raised a hand as if to stop him, but the Third Hokage had already left his office.
The Third Hokage rushed to the Shimura compound, hoping to prevent conflict before it escalated.
If a fight broke out, it would be much harder to resolve.
Ultimately, the issue lay in the extensive privileges the Anbu possessed.
The Third Hokage reevaluated the need to limit these privileges.
But such measures were easier contemplated than implemented. Reducing the Anbu's authority was a daunting task.
At the Shimura compound, the situation was tense. The Anbu had drawn their weapons, and a confrontation seemed imminent.
"Stop!"
The Third Hokage arrived just in time.
Seeing that the conflict had not yet started, he let out a sigh of relief.
It was fortunate things hadn't escalated.
"Hokage-sama," the Anbu members greeted, putting away their weapons.
While the Anbu was no longer directly under the Hokage's command, the Third Hokage still held authority over them as the village leader.
"Hokage-sama, the Anbu's actions are excessive! They came to our doors to arrest an elder for investigation. This is outrageous!"
With the Third Hokage present, the Shimura clan leader found courage and voiced his complaints.
The Third Hokage raised his hand, signaling him to stop talking.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 300 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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