New List

None of the ninjas sent out returned alive, and the Twelve Guardian Ninjas responsible for protecting the daimyo could not leave their assigned targets.

Ultimately, the Daimyo's Mansion had no choice but to accept Konoha's investigation report, attributing the deaths of the three town nobles to the actions of rogue ninja.

However, the secret letters were still delivered to the Hyuga Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and Nara Clans through various channels.

These underhanded tactics did not escape the notice of the Internal Affairs Department. That very night, at the behest of Aburame Ryoma, a captured spy, after being interrogated, revealed several names and died suddenly in the interrogation room.

The brand-new list was delivered to Kazashiro's desk.

Since becoming the so-called Acting Hokage, Kazashiro hasn't been able to go home to sleep on time for a long time.

Fearing that going home too late would disturb the two little ones, Bai and Kimimaro, Kazashiro Bai simply bought a set of bedding in the break room next to the office.

The photos of the Hokage hanging on the wall look a bit scary.

"Please ask Captain Fugaku to come here."

Seeing the names on the list, Kazashiro mentally gave the Internal Affairs Department a thumbs up for its efficiency and arranged for members of the Internal Affairs Department to invite Fugaku.

"Teacher, is this really a good idea?"

Itachi, who had been placed by Kazashiro's side, was somewhat curious. Wasn't this a way to deplete Konoha's internal resources?

Right now, all the hidden villages are trying to take advantage of the Fourth Generation's injury to cause trouble.

Although the Internal Affairs Department arrested the spy in Konoha with swift and decisive action, the information about Sakumo's battle with the mysterious enemy had already been delivered to the various Kage before they even took action.

Combined with the recent high frequency of border patrols in Konoha, any Kage with a modicum of intelligence could deduce something from this.

The seasoned Ōnoki completely disregarded the peace treaty signed during the Third Shinobi World War and dispatched a small unit of Stone Ninja to Kusagakure.

Kusagakure, which was forced by Konoha to take Karin Uzumaki away, was happy to let Iwagakure take over its defenses and even took the initiative to provide supplies for the troops.

In Itachi's view, the most urgent task for Kazashiro should be to reclaim Kusagakure from Iwagakure's sphere of influence.

"The situation in these three towns is far too serious. I must ensure that the Main Family no longer colludes with the Daimyo's Mansion. If they cause trouble at some crucial juncture, the consequences will be far more severe than they are now."

Kazashiro did not take Kusagakure seriously.

They're just a fickle little village, capable of surviving in the Shinobi World simply by playing both sides, yet they can't see that and insist on aligning themselves with Iwagakure.

Moreover, Iwagakure only sent a small team, which was to test our reaction.

There is still a lot of room for maneuver on my side.

Just as Kazashiro and Itachi were discussing their next move, Fugaku, who had just opened the door after hearing a knock, nearly suffered cardiac arrest on the spot.

The blue striped Anbu uniform indicated that the person in front of him belonged to the Ninja Internal Affairs Department.

Today, the Ministry of the Internal Affairs Department not only strikes fear into the hearts of all spies, but also instills terror in the Konoha Ninja.

At Kazashiro's insistence, the Internal Affairs Department was granted internal law enforcement powers last month.

Now they are not only capable of counter-espionage, but also of enforcing the law against misbehaving ninjas from their own village.

Those who were taken away by this group almost all survived.

If it weren't for Kazashiro improving the ninjas' treatment and reforming the commission-sharing ratio, he would probably have already been impeached by the Jonin and removed from his position Acting Hokage.

The simple principle of giving a stick followed by a sweet treat allowed Kazashiro to successfully win over the hearts of the people.

Upon hearing that the Internal Affairs Department ninja in front of him was only asking him to go to the Hokage's Office, Fugaku finally calmed down and nervously followed the man to the Hokage Building.

"Captain Fugaku, please take a look at this."

The moment Kazashiro saw Fugaku, he handed the list to him.

"Hyuga Munekata, Hyuga Shota, Hyuga... these are all members of the Hyuga Main Family. They actually colluded with Stone Ninja?"

After reading the statement, Fugaku felt that its contents were utter nonsense.

The main branch of the Main Family is practically the emperor-eunuch of the Hyuga Clan. They not only have deep ties with the Daimyo's Mansion, but also maintain good relations with ancient Ninja Clans in other countries.

What are they after in colluding with the Stone Ninja?

Is the image of Iwagakure more about the mountains, or is it the image of Ōnoki with the Dust Release?

However, Fugaku wasn't foolish enough to question the authenticity of the testimony at this point. He had already realized that Kazashiro was determined to take action against the Hyuga Clan.

Thinking that several more talented young Uchiha Clan had been promoted to Jonin and assigned to key positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, Fugaku had made up his mind that even if Kazashiro wanted him to take down Hyuga Hiashi, he would do it.

"The Main Family has become too arrogant because of the Caged Bird's situation. We need to let them know that in Konoha, the higher-ups are their Main Family."

Kazashiro tapped the table lightly with his fingers, propping his head up with one hand. "Leaving aside the connection with the Daimyo's Daimyo's Mansion, the Hyuga Clan is just an ordinary ninja clan in Konoha."

However, I also believe there must be some hidden story behind this, so I plan to send someone to invite these members of the Main Family to the Internal Affairs Department for a chat and a cup of tea to clarify the matter.

To avoid unnecessary conflict, I hope the Military Police Force will cooperate, and I will personally be present to clear up this misunderstanding with the Hyuga Clan."

Whether it was just his imagination or not, Fugaku felt that the way this kid spoke and his tone of voice were becoming more and more like Danzo's.

"Yes, the Military Police Force will cooperate."

Seeing Fugaku turn and leave, Kazashiro got up from his seat and turned to look out the window.

"A dark and windy night..."

The moon in the sky was dimmed by the obscuring clouds.

Hinata House.

The four elders of the Main Family, along with the Clan Head Hiashi, sat upright in the council hall, discussing how to handle the secret letter sent by the daimyo.

"The Daimyo has ordered us to investigate who was behind the attacks on the three towns."

The third elder Hyuga Isamu, was the youngest of the elders, and his voice was full of energy.

"Shouldn't this kind of thing be left to the village's higher-ups to handle?" Fourth Elder Hyuga Kenmei knew the deeper meaning behind it, but still pretended not to understand.

Of the four elders, only he was not so rigid in his thinking, and he could roughly see the current situation in Konoha.

Even with the Fourth Generation's best efforts, he couldn't reverse Konoha's financial problems, yet this Acting Hokage, who has only been in office for a few months, is able to come up with a large sum of money to improve Konoha.

Considering the other Danzo's son, the source of this money is now quite obvious.

"Needless to say, this must be a conspiracy orchestrated by that evil Shimura in collusion with the Internal Affairs Department."

Second Elder Hyuga Shota bluntly brought up the topic, blaming everything on Kazashiro.