Uchiha Zheng's Wicked Hair!

"I'm... I'm fine... Th-thank you..."

Aoki looked back. She was already beaten black and blue, blood streaming from every orifice—a gruesome sight. Young and hot-blooded, he couldn't contain his surging rage.

"Just who are you people—"

Before he could finish...

"Aoki, watch out!"

Yamamoto lunged over in a flash, desperately thrusting his arm in front of Aoki.

But it was too late...

A frigid gleam of light burst forth!

The blade flashed and vanished!

"Aaaahhh!"

Two screams rang out in succession as Yamamoto's arm was severed clean off!

Yet even that couldn't stop the razor-sharp blade from plunging viciously into Aoki's back!

A searing, bone-deep agony shot through him, and Aoki coughed up mouthful after mouthful of blood.

He turned his head with difficulty and saw the female ninja, her face smeared with gore, her lips curling into a demonic grin—a hideous, terrifying smile.

"Thanks for that, you kind fool..."

With those words, the female ninja fled in an instant!

The "Konoha ninja" roared in fury: "Bastards! You damn Police Force! That woman was a spy from the Blood Mist Village! And you let her slip right out of our Anbu's hands!"

"Are you plotting treason?!"

Aoki and Yamamoto gritted their teeth against the pain, their faces instantly pale as paper, drained of all color.

"Blood Mist Village... Kirigakure... a spy?!"

The two weren't fools; they realized in an instant they'd been set up!

All of this was likely a Conspiracy Trap, waiting for them to walk right into it.

Worst of all, the so-called Anbu ninja wore sinister, triumphant sneers on their faces...

They put on a show, immediately giving chase to the female spy.

Leaving only Yamamoto and Aoki behind—one missing an arm, the other gravely wounded and dying—utterly ignored.

"Aoki! Aoki!"

"How... how are you?"

"I'll take you to the hospital right now..."

Aoki let out a bitter laugh: "Yamamoto, your arm..."

"Damn it! What's one arm compared to your injuries?!"

Aoki shook his head: "It's all my fault for being so stupid, so impulsive, falling for such an obvious trap..."

"S-sorry, I dragged you into this..."

"What the hell are you saying, you idiot?!"

Tears streamed down Aoki's face: "I... I regret it so much. I've followed Captain Qianyu for so long, yet I never learned a thing from him. I'm utterly ashamed..."

Yamamoto let out a guttural roar, ignoring the blood gushing from his severed left arm, and clutched Aoki's body with his remaining arm, sprinting toward Konoha Hospital.

"Shut up! Hold on!"

"The hospital's almost there!"

Aoki smiled faintly, blood spilling from his lips with every jolt of Yamamoto's steps, staining the ground all along the way...

Not long after.

Shinnosuke Sarutobi led a squad of Anbu to the Police Force to demand an accounting.

"Clan Head Fugaku."

Fugaku Uchiha had already heard about Aoki and Yamamoto. Rage burned in his chest, barely containable, yet now he had to face these people twisting the knife.

He ground his teeth, his fists clenched until his knuckles cracked.

"What is it?"

Fugaku forced the words out through gritted teeth.

Shinnosuke Sarutobi sneered inwardly with smug satisfaction.

"Your Police Force interfered with Anbu operations and nearly let a Kirigakure spy escape!"

"Don't you owe us an explanation for that?!"

Fugaku's eyes blazed as if they might spit fire.

"What explanation do you want?"

Shinnosuke Sarutobi let out a cold snort.

"I heard that both of those men are members of Uchiha Qianyu's squad."

"As a Squad Captain, he was already suspended for extreme methods, and now his squad members act just as recklessly and impulsively, nearly causing a major disaster. It seems his entire squad follows the principle of 'the rotten foundation leads to a crooked structure'!"

"This squad must be disbanded immediately!"

Uchiha Fugaku and the entire Police Force couldn't help but change color dramatically!

Clearly, this was a targeted attack and retaliation against Qianyu!

"Furthermore, all of Uchiha Qianyu's subordinates must undergo interrogation by the Anbu..."

"Not a single one will be spared!"

Uchiha Fugaku finally exploded.

"Shinnosuke Sarutobi, don't go too far!"

"Too far?"

Beneath the eerie mask of the Anbu, Shinnosuke Sarutobi's eyes were as cold and bloodthirsty as a vulture's.

"It was your Police Force that interfered in our Anbu's major operation!"

"You even nearly let a dangerous Kirigakure spy slip away, causing a catastrophe!"

"Who can guarantee that Uchiha Qianyu and his subordinates aren't moles from Kirigakure in the village?!"

"Clan Head Fugaku, if you obstruct this, you'll be suspected of harboring and conniving as well!"

Fugaku trembled with rage: "You!"

Behind him, the members of the Police Force were also blazing with fury, their chakra surging instantly as they surrounded Shinnosuke Sarutobi and all the Anbu!

Shinnosuke Sarutobi looked around, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

"What, Clan Head Fugaku, does the Uchiha clan..."

"Truly intend to rebel?!"

Chapter 20: Fugaku's Compromise!

Behind Uchiha Fugaku, clan members like Uchiha Yakumi, Uchiha Tekka, and Uchiha Inabi had already widened their eyes in fury, erupting with surging chakra, ready for battle at any moment!

However, Uchiha Yashiro suddenly let out a sigh and gently patted Uchiha Fugaku on the shoulder.

"Clan Head..."

"Don't act rashly..."

"Shisui's stance is ambiguous, and Qianyu is suspended at home. This really isn't the time for recklessness..."

He lowered his voice and whispered into Fugaku's ear.

Uchiha Fugaku ground his teeth, but ultimately took a deep breath and relaxed his fists.

"Qianyu's squad can be temporarily disbanded."

"However..."

"I will absolutely not hand them over to your Anbu!"

Shinnosuke Sarutobi's pupils contracted: "So you still intend to shield them?!"

"Clan Head Fugaku, with this approach of yours, it will be difficult for me to explain things to Lord Hokage and the entire village..."

Uchiha Fugaku said, "I can guarantee with my own life that no member of the Uchiha clan could ever be a spy from Kirigakure!"

"If you insist on interrogating someone..."

"Then start with me, the Clan Head!"

Uchiha Yashiro and the others were greatly alarmed.

"Clan Head!"

"What... what are you saying..."

Shinnosuke Sarutobi's expression also shifted.

He hadn't expected Uchiha Fugaku to go this far...

But wasn't that even better?

He let out a cruel, cold laugh: "Does Clan Head Fugaku mean to say that you'll accept interrogation by the Anbu in their place?"

"Truly a Clan Head who understands righteousness and cares for his clan members..."

"In that case, please trouble Clan Head Fugaku to come with us!"

Uchiha Yashiro roared and abruptly stepped in front of Uchiha Fugaku.