The People Took to the Streets, Giving Konoha's Higher-ups a Headache!

Nara Shikaku spoke in a deep voice.

The other two froze upon hearing this. Yamanaka Inoichi could not help but ask, "Do we really need to go this far? Things have not reached that point yet, have they?"

Akimichi Choza was also somewhat horrified, his gaze toward Nara Shikaku filled with disbelief.

"It is necessary, absolutely necessary!"

"Do not underestimate Uchiha Jin. The most terrifying thing about him is that he thinks."

"There is no way the things our Shinobi Clans did in the past could fool that guy. What I fear most is Uchiha Jin settling scores with us in the future."

"After all, no matter how smart he is, his nature is still Uchiha!"

"And he is an Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyo. That proves that, at his core, he is still an extremist."

"We cannot take that risk!"

Nara Shikaku's tone was solemn.

The two men broke out in cold sweat at those words. Because of Uchiha Jin's usual conduct, they had truly overlooked his Uchiha nature.

Everyone in the Shinobi World knew that the crazier an Uchiha became, the stronger they were!

Who knew what darkness lay buried in the heart of an Uchiha like Jin, someone capable of awakening the Mangekyo?

He might have seemed controllable now, but once he truly seized Konoha's power, many matters would become difficult to predict.

"Fine, I agree!"

"I will make the arrangements when I get back!"

The two fell silent for a moment before quietly nodding.

As for that,

Nara Shikaku merely nodded. He then looked out into the night and could not help but sigh.

The road ahead was difficult. At the very least, Konoha Higher-ups' troubles would soon come knocking again.

And indeed, three days later.

The lower-class civilians, unable to endure any longer, gathered around the Hokage Building and wildly demanded that Sarutobi Hiruzen solve the problem. If he could not, then he should immediately step down!

There was no helping it!

Because the Konoha Military Police Force was refusing to do its job, they could only hope that Konoha Higher-ups would step in.

But who would have thought?

How long had it been already?

There had not been the slightest movement from the Hokage Building.

For the past few days, everyone had temporarily endured it because they were busy enjoying the spectacle. But now?

They could not endure it anymore!

After all, everyone needed to eat. Gossip could not fill their stomachs.

So the people, having reached the limits of their patience, spontaneously blocked the entrance to the Hokage Building.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, step down!"

"Can you solve the Konoha Military Police Force's problem or not? If not, replace the Hokage with someone who can!"

"We want food! We want to live!"

"..."

Angry cries rang out continuously before the Hokage Building.

Every face was filled with rage. Their long-simmering resentment had driven them mad, leaving them with no respect whatsoever for Sarutobi Hiruzen.

As for that,

The Anbu guards stationed before the Hokage Building felt their scalps go numb.

Though they were powerful, they did not dare act rashly against these civilians.

In the end,

They could only barely maintain their formation and prevent the crowd from storming the Hokage Building. Then they turned to look behind them, hoping their Hokage would quickly come up with a solution.

Unfortunately,

Inside the Hokage Office,

Konoha Higher-ups had gathered together, and every one of them had a splitting headache.

That included Danzo!

Clearly, he had been too engrossed in his public opinion war with the Uchiha lately and had long forgotten about this matter.

"What should we do?"

"This has completely blown up. We must come up with a solution as quickly as possible!"

"Hiruzen, what do we do?"

"How about ordering the Uchiha to resolve this today, no matter what?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

In the end,

Unable to think of any solution, they could only hope the Uchiha would resolve it. After all, this mess had been caused by the Uchiha.

As for that,

Sarutobi Hiruzen rolled his eyes. After setting down his pipe, he said in a faint voice, "The Konoha Military Police Force is carrying out reforms in the name of serving the village. What reason do you have to make them give up?"

"If Konoha orders the Konoha Military Police Force to abandon its reforms, then when wrongful convictions happen again in the future, they can dump the blame on us and say that everything was ordered by Konoha Higher-ups."

"What will you do then?"

"More importantly, once that order is issued, the Uchiha will have someone to shift the blame onto. The villagers will hate us from then on!"

Almost instantly,

As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, everyone present fell into dead silence again.

They were all stunned!

There was no helping it.

What Uchiha Jin had set up was an Open Conspiracy. No matter what they chose, it would be the wrong choice.

"Damn it!"

"Is Uchiha Jin really this difficult to deal with?"

"Is he truly an Uchiha?"

Mitokado Homura's face was full of bitterness.

As for that,

No one could give him an answer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up. "Danzo, do you have a solution?"

"No." Danzo shook his head.

He remained calm at this moment because this matter was dealing a blow to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Of course, considering that they were allies, he thought for a moment before speaking directly. "At the very least, there is no conventional solution. The only thing I can think of is killing him outright!"

"If we cannot solve the problem, can we not solve the person who raised it?"

His face was vicious.

For the leader of Root, this was indeed the best solution.

Utatane Koharu said, "Then let us do it!"

"Uchiha Jin truly deserves to die." Mitokado Homura nodded.

Sarutobi Hiruzen also turned extremely ruthless. "Danzo, do it as quickly as possible. As for the Konoha Military Police Force's problem, call Shikaku over and ask him about it."

Right after that,

He summoned an Anbu and told him to find Nara Shikaku.

Ten minutes later,

Nara Shikaku arrived at the Hokage Office. After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's request, he pondered for a moment before speaking. "It will be troublesome to truly resolve this matter. I cannot think of any solution for now."

"As for stabilizing things temporarily, I suggest having the Anbu step in."

"Have the Anbu temporarily take over the Konoha Military Police Force's duties. At the very least, it can suppress the civilians' dissatisfaction for a short while."

Nara Shikaku spoke slowly.

Since he had long anticipated this scene, he had naturally already thought of a solution.

That was right!

If they wanted him to confront the Uchiha head-on, then Nara Shikaku would certainly be unwilling.

After all...

This was a struggle between Konoha Higher-ups and the Uchiha. It had nothing to do with Ino-Shika-Cho.

However,

If they merely wanted him to think of a way to stabilize Konoha's chaos, then there was no problem at all.

That was what he, as an Advisor, should do!

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment.

In the end, he sighed and said directly, "If that is the case, then let us do as Shikaku says!"

Clearly,

He truly had no other solution now and ultimately accepted Nara Shikaku's suggestion.

Although he was somewhat reluctant to have the Anbu do the dirty work of the Konoha Military Police Force, with the Konoha Military Police Force collectively refusing to work, he could only nod in agreement for Konoha's stability.