Young Dragon Roar (1)

"What?"

Kazuna smiled at Shikaku Nara. "Senior Shikaku, didn't you know? The Uchiha Clan just passed it in a clan meeting. I am now the Uchiha Vice Clan Leader and Deputy Head of the Security Force!"

A slight commotion broke out among the surrounding shinobi.

They knew all too well what this meant.

Was the former Crimson Flame about to return?

Even the Yellow Flash had been unable to suppress him back then. Now that Minato Namikaze was dead, wouldn't this Uchiha dominate the younger generation all by himself?

Though there was still Uchiha Shisui, he was Uchiha too.

Kazuna had been an outstanding spearhead on the battlefield.

But his surname was Uchiha, so many people hoped the only place he ever appeared would be the battlefield!

Why had he returned after lying low for three years?

Had the Uchiha's sudden severing of ties with the village also been because of him?

Shikaku Nara's expression stiffened for an instant.

He truly had not known about this.

As Konohagakure's Jonin Commander, he was also considered one of the upper ranks.

But during Hiruzen Sarutobi's administration, how could he truly count as upper management?

It was nothing but a title.

Those four did not even have enough power to divide among themselves. Who would be willing to share any with him?

Fortunately, he was not particularly interested in power. Yes, he simply was not interested in power.

But could his workload not be so damn heavy?

Suppressing the urge to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, Shikaku Nara grumbled inwardly while smiling. "Then congratulations, Kazuna. But are you saying these shinobi suddenly appeared and tried to kill you?"

"Yes!" Kazuna said pitifully. "Senior Shikaku, you have no idea how terrifying it was. I was just taking a walk, minding my own business. Why would anyone refuse to let me go? If I hadn't reacted quickly, I would have lost my life."

Quite a few people instinctively glanced at Danzo.

If there was anyone Kazuna had a grudge against...

That mission Kazuna had carried out back then had been far too suspicious, especially its timing.

It had happened on the eve of victory in the Third Shinobi World War.

It was almost too perfect. Kazuna, a hero, had suddenly become involved in such an incident. In less than a day, it spread throughout the entire village. He was condemned by everyone and fell from heaven into hell.

The grudge between Kazuna and Danzo ran deep.

Now that Kazuna was returning and had become the Uchiha Vice Clan Leader, it practically meant he would become the future Uchiha Clan Head.

As his enemy, it seemed only natural for Danzo to strike at this time.

Unfortunately, he had run into someone like Kazuna, who feared no trouble at all. He had directly slaughtered everyone sent after him and made such an enormous spectacle of it.

The shinobi present rapidly filled in the gaps in their minds.

"Taking a walk?"

Danzo sneered. "The Uchiha Clan Grounds are so large, and they are not enough for you to walk around in? You came all the way to such a remote place? Kazuna, could it be that you betrayed the village and were caught by the Anbu?"

"Shut up, Danzo!" the Third Hokage snapped. "We cannot yet determine that these people are Anbu."

Danzo coldly glanced at the Third Hokage. He knew that his old friend still did not wish to tear things apart with the Uchiha Clan.

How foolish!

Could he not see the danger posed by the Uchiha Clan?

Kazuna chuckled, looking at Danzo with a smile. "One-Eye, you really did not think before speaking."

One-Eye?

Quite a few people nearly burst out laughing.

Kazuna's expression, coupled with that tone...

Though the occasion was somewhat inappropriate, they really could not hold it in.

"Bastard, what did you say?"

Utatane Koharu flew into a rage and was about to speak when a pair of cold eyes locked onto her.

They bore strange triangular patterns.

...They differed from the usual tomoe. Was that the Mangekyo?

The Third Hokage and the others felt their hearts sink.

Though they had known already, they had still clung to a sliver of hope. Now, it was completely shattered.

The other shinobi saw it too, and their hearts skipped a beat.

They did not recognize the Mangekyo, but they sensed an intense ominousness from those bizarre patterns.

It felt as though they could be torn apart at any moment.

"At a time like this, no one had better provoke me!" Kazuna said calmly. "I have shed blood for the village and earned countless achievements. I have never done anything to betray the village, yet I was assassinated within it. And you still dare complain about my attitude? Who do you think you are? Do you think flowers grow on your faces?"

Kazuna stared coldly at Utatane Koharu.

"As for that mission back then, hehe, should we send people to investigate it? How about having each of the many shinobi clans send representatives and conduct a thorough investigation?"

Quite a few people's expressions changed slightly.

"No!" Danzo coldly interrupted. "What happened back then was settled long ago. Those comrades from the village died because of you."

"Oh, I see!" Kazuna suddenly smiled. He looked at someone in the crowd, stared at those dead fish eyes, and said with a smile, "I suddenly thought of someone."

A bad premonition abruptly surged through the Third Hokage's heart. The immense panic made him lose his composure, and he shouted, "Shut up, Kazuna!"

"Hatake Sakumo!"

Kazuna pronounced the name one word at a time.

The moment those words were spoken, the place fell completely silent.

Many people's breathing grew rapid.

Quite a few others' expressions darkened completely.

"Hehe!" Kazuna smiled. "That man abandoned a mission for his comrades. According to you, I abandoned my comrades for a mission. So we were both wrong, weren't we?"

Everyone present fell silent, one quieter than the next.

Only Danzo and the others wore expressions so dark they could have dripped water.

"So now I understand!" Kazuna said with a smile. "It turns out every shinobi must protect their comrades while completing the mission. Otherwise, they are failures and deserve to be despised by everyone!"

"Enough, Kazuna!" The Third Hokage's voice was icy. "The Anbu will take away these corpses and conduct a thorough investigation. They will give everyone an explanation of what happened."

"During that time, I hope you remain quiet and report whenever summoned!"

As if he had not heard the heavy threat in the Third Hokage's words, Kazuna smiled. "The Uchiha Clan's Barrier, sentries, patrols... all of them are being adjusted. Everyone is running themselves ragged, and as one of the Uchiha's upper ranks, I naturally hope things remain peaceful!"

Sweat instantly broke out across Shikaku Nara's forehead.

His tone became urgent. "Vice Clan Leader Kazuna, what do you mean by that? The Uchiha Barrier, sentries, and patrols have all changed?"

The others also looked astonished.

"Yes!" Kazuna smiled. "The old ones were too outdated, relics from decades ago. It is time to replace them."

Shikaku Nara's face twitched slightly.

"Shikaku..."

Choza Akimichi gave a low shout from behind him.

He did not understand what had happened to his old friend.

Several Anbu appeared and took the corpses away.

Kazuna watched with a smile, saying nothing and showing no intention of stopping them.

"Everyone, disperse!"

The Third Hokage looked around, his cold voice laced with exhaustion.

"Please wait a moment!"

At that moment, an Uchiha stepped forward.

The Third Hokage frowned at him. "You are Yashiro Uchiha, correct? What is it?"

Too many things had happened today, and he had no idea what effects would follow. His heart was filled with impatience.

Kazuna also looked at Yashiro in surprise.

He did not remember arranging anything else.

Yashiro Uchiha wore a broad smile. "I am conveying an order from Uchiha Clan Head Fugaku. According to the appointment of the Second Hokage, the Uchiha Clan Head holds all appointment authority over the Konoha Military Police Force. Therefore, Clan Head Fugaku formally issues the following order: Vice Clan Leader Kazuna will serve as Head of the Konoha Military Police Force."

"Uchiha Clan Head, Fugaku Uchiha!"

"Uchiha Vice Clan Leader, Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Kazuna Uchiha!"