Konoha F4 at Their Wits' End, Nara Shikaku Dragged Into the Fray!

The next morning.

Uchiha Jin had just returned from the training grounds when Uchiha Tekka approached him respectfully. "Jin-kun, the Anbu are here!"

"Mm, I expected it." Uchiha Jin spoke casually. "Go invite Elder Setsuna over."

Uchiha Tekka respectfully departed, while Uchiha Jin returned home.

Ten minutes later.

Uchiha Setsuna and an Anbu ninja entered at the same time. The Anbu ninja immediately said, "Uchiha Jin, Hokage-sama summons you!"

Before Uchiha Jin could speak, Uchiha Setsuna slammed a hand on the table.

"Show some respect! Jin-kun is now an Uchiha Elder!"

The Anbu fell silent and did not respond.

He represented the Third Hokage and could never lower his head to the Uchiha.

Still, he had no intention of making a scene. He knew that Uchiha Jin before him was undoubtedly the cruelest and most dangerous of all Uchiha.

"Enough, Elder Setsuna."

"He is merely an Anbu carrying out his duties according to the rules. There is no point making things difficult for him."

"I am heading to the Hokage Building now. Elder Setsuna, take the elites of our faction and immediately proceed to the Sarutobi Clan grounds to stand by."

"Proceed according to plan!"

Uchiha Jin spoke with a smile.

He made no effort to avoid the Anbu before him. After speaking, he headed straight for the Hokage Building.

Twenty minutes later.

By the time Uchiha Jin arrived at the Hokage Office, the Anbu had already finished his report and respectfully left.

Uchiha Jin gave the departing Anbu an indifferent glance before speaking with apparent respect.

"Hokage-sama!"

"Assistant Danzo, Elder Utatane, Elder Mitokado, Advisor Nara..."

"Greetings, everyone!"

Uchiha Jin wore a smile, giving off a remarkably gentle impression.

Paired with his handsome face, he even gave everyone the illusion of seeing the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

But when they recalled this man's ruthlessness, their scalps went numb.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze deepened. He took a puff from his smoking pipe before setting it down. "May I ask why Jin-kun ordered Elder Setsuna to lead a team to my Sarutobi Clan grounds?"

A trace of gloom lingered on his face, but his tone remained as mild as possible.

"Of course, to protect the Sarutobi Clan!"

"Recently, there have been too many Enemy Village Spies. Not only have many Uchiha gone missing, but the Anbu and Root have suffered considerable losses as well."

"As the Konoha Military Police Force, naturally we must increase our patrols."

"Hokage-sama has devoted himself wholeheartedly to Konoha. Naturally, our police force must ensure you have no worries behind you!"

Uchiha Jin's tone was calm.

Since he had dared to give the order in front of the Anbu, he naturally did not fear Sarutobi Hiruzen holding him accountable.

And indeed, that was the case!

Following Uchiha Jin's remarks, everyone present froze in place. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was left speechless, feeling thoroughly stifled.

What could he say?

Konoha and the Uchiha were only tense in secret. On the surface, they still maintained the bare minimum of harmony. Could he say now that he did not trust the Uchiha?

"Uchiha Jin, you are outrageous!"

Danzo flew into a rage and said coldly, "The Sarutobi Clan does not need protection from your Uchiha!"

"Oh, I see." Uchiha Jin's expression remained unchanged. "I think I understand."

"So if the Sarutobi Clan suffers any losses, no matter how many clan members die, it will have nothing to do with the Uchiha Military Police Force, correct?"

"Then please have Hokage-sama issue a statement. I will immediately withdraw the police force!"

Everyone present fell silent again.

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There was no need to think about issuing such a statement. It was simply impossible.

Because they feared that the moment they issued it, that bastard Uchiha Jin would dare to hunt down Sarutobi Clan members at any cost!

Uchiha!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze deepened.

His eyes were dark and shifting. He simply continued smoking, with no intention of speaking.

Danzo's expression was exceptionally grim, murderous light flickering in his eyes. But he was no fool and knew those words could not be spoken aloud.

Instead, Utatane Koharu slammed the table in anger. "Uchiha Jin, you have gone too far!"

"You dare disrespect Hokage-sama? Are you Uchiha planning a rebellion?" Mitokado Homura added.

Uchiha Jin shrugged. "Do the two Elders mean that caring about the Sarutobi Clan's safety is disrespecting Hokage-sama?"

Utatane Koharu: "..."

Mitokado Homura: "..."

The two of them were instantly left speechless, feeling thoroughly stifled.

Of course.

While angry, both of them were also deeply shocked.

Was this guy really an Uchiha?

How could those single-celled Uchiha creatures possibly be this good with words?

If not for the Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes, and his behavior being even more extreme than that of ordinary Uchiha, they would have suspected the hospital had mixed up the babies. After all, his sharp tongue was more like that of the Nara Clan, wasn't it?

And at that.

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help but sigh.

His two old friends were too useless, leaving him deeply helpless. He could only cast a look toward Nara Shikaku.

Nara Shikaku's scalp went numb.

He truly did not want to get involved in the mess between the Uchiha and the Konoha Higher-ups. But now that Sarutobi Hiruzen had personally signaled him, he could only force himself to speak despite his displeasure. "Ahem..."

"Well, Jin-kun, let's discuss the main matter first!"

"Regarding the murder of Root and Anbu personnel last night, many people, including people within the Uchiha, suspect that your Radical Faction was responsible. Do you have any explanation for this?"

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes.

As expected of the Nara Clan. He was digging a pit for me!

It was a classic self-proving trap. If it were anyone else, they would most likely fall right into it.

But unfortunately.

It was useless against someone like him, someone who had received compulsory education. He did not even need to think before replying, "Advisor Nara, that is not the right way to put it. The correct approach should be for you to prove that I am guilty!"

"Otherwise, our Radical Faction could also believe that the Nara Clan was responsible. After all, your Ino-Shika-Cho had a motive too, didn't you?"

"After Namikaze Minato's death, your Ino-Shika-Cho investment went down the drain. Yamanaka Inoichi was removed as head of the Intelligence Department, Akimichi Choza seems to have been left idle at home, and even you lost your position as Jonin Squad Leader. Now you only retain the title of Advisor."

"I suspect that what happened last night was done by your Ino-Shika-Cho. How about Advisor Nara explains himself first?"

That was right.

Back in Namikaze Minato's era, Nara Shikaku had been the Jonin Squad Leader, Yamanaka Inoichi had been head of the Intelligence Department, and Akimichi Choza had controlled the Barrier Team. He had even served concurrently as deputy director of the Anbu. Along with Hatake Kakashi, he had been one of Namikaze Minato's nails planted in the Anbu.

And now?

The Intelligence Department and Interrogation and Torture Department had been merged, with Morino Ibiki becoming the person in charge. The Barrier Team Leader had also become a Civilian Ninja backed by the Sarutobi Clan.

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza were now both idle at home. Only Nara Shikaku remained useful, so he had been given the position of Advisor.

In the original story.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen was killed by Orochimaru, virtually none of the Shinobi Clans appeared. That itself represented the general trend. Saying that Ino-Shika-Cho held no grudge against Sarutobi Hiruzen would be nonsense!

Nara Shikaku: "..."

He was utterly stunned, his scalp going numb.

Especially when he covertly caught sight of the ugly expressions on Konoha F4's faces, chills ran down his spine, and fine cold sweat covered his forehead.

Uchiha Jin was too difficult to deal with!

Even as Konoha's foremost strategist, he could only awkwardly wave his hands repeatedly.

"Jin-kun, don't talk nonsense!"

"Inoichi and Choza only returned home temporarily to recuperate due to health issues."

"Our Ino-Shika-Cho has not the slightest resentment toward Hokage-sama!"