Undercurrent (1)

The sudden commotion in front of the pharmacy startled the passing villagers.

However, when many of them looked at the two members of the Police Department at the entrance, they realized one of them was the Smiling Executive Officer Qingguang, whom they knew well.

The gentle and elegant smile that had always graced his face was gone, replaced by a cold and serious expression.

Many young women passing by caught sight of this and found themselves unable to move, stopping to stare for a moment longer.

Those walking together even blushed and started whispering to each other.

"This is the first time I've ever seen him make that kind of expression. It's not bad, though. So cold, so handsome."

"Exactly! The one next to him is good too. It's been a while since I've seen a Police Department ninja with that kind of look. I'm a little nostalgic."

These words naturally reached Akiya's ears, and the already serious expression on her face instantly turned icy. Yashiro felt a tightening in his back and couldn't help but swallow.

The commotion at the pharmacy made the shop owner upstairs restless. He immediately hurried down the stairs in a panic.

When he saw that the visitors were from the Uchiha Clan of the Police Department, he put on a stern face and walked up to Qingguang.

"Why has your Police Department sealed my pharmacy? I'm running a legitimate business here, a Shimura family enterprise. What do you think you're doing?"

Qingguang turned to look at the man. "Shimura Kougen, former Konoha jonin. You opened this pharmacy five years after retiring."

"Your shop has been selling fake medicine, and several people have ended up in Konoha Hospital because of it. Please cooperate with the investigation."

Although Qingguang's attitude was polite, in Shimura Kougen's eyes, the Uchiha were never good people, and the Police Department was no different.

He pointed directly at Qingguang's face and yelled, "I knew all the changes in your Police Department recently were just a facade! Deep down, you're still a bunch of violent barbarians!"

"This is a certificate for selling medicine personally approved by the Medical Department. Are you questioning the Medical Department?" Shimura Kougen walked to the counter and pointed at the license hanging on the wall.

The seal of the Medical Department was clearly stamped on it.

Just then, Akiya emerged from the shop's warehouse carrying two boxes of medicine, placing them in front of Shimura Kougen and Qingguang.

"Qingguang, the adulterated medicine is all here. We're still further investigating the remaining Black Wind."

"What should we do with the unopened ones that don't have a smell?"

Qingguang smiled at Shimura Kougen and bent down to pick up a packet of Wind Cold Spirit from the box. "This is the medicine you bought from your shop, Wind Cold Spirit, used to treat and prevent colds. Three children have already been admitted to Konoha Hospital after drinking this medicine. Would you like to try some yourself?"

Shimura Kougen immediately stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He retorted, "The Medical Department approved it. How was I supposed to know this medicine was problematic?"

"What, does the Medical Department have to open and inspect every single packet of medicine?"

"Yashiro, Akiya, take all the medicine here, along with the people, and seize them. I'll ask Senior Tsunade to assist in a thorough investigation of this matter!"

The six employees of the pharmacy and Shimura Kougen were handcuffed by the Police Department ninjas and escorted to Konoha Hospital.

One Police Department ninja was left behind to guard the scene from the shadows, while the others, led by Qingguang, headed to the next suspicious location.

By noon, five pharmacies and eleven vegetable stalls within Konohagakure had been sealed.

That same day at noon, the Police Department ninjas posted the latest announcement on all the village's bulletin boards.

With such a significant commotion in the village, and caused by the Uchiha of the Police Department, the other ninja families immediately had copies of the announcement made and delivered to their clan heads.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, received a report from an Anbu ninja.

"This matter was spearheaded by that child, Qingguang?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the white-haired ninja wearing an Anbu mask before him.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

"This is the announcement posted by the Police Department at noon."

Placing the announcement on his desk, the Anbu ninja remained at attention.

Looking at the contents of the announcement, Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. "Sakumo, go and have Qingguang come see me."

"Oh, and call Fugaku Uchiha as well."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Just as Hatake Sakumo was about to leave, a knock sounded on the door.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, the pipe he was holding going out.

"Enter."

The office door opened, and the arrivals were none other than Uchiha Qingguang and Fugaku.

Hatake Sakumo glanced at the two, then at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi wave his hand, Hatake Sakumo immediately vanished, disappearing through the window.

"Qingguang, Fugaku, you're both here. I was just about to send someone to call you."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not offer Qingguang his usual smile. His face was devoid of any expression.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?" Putting down his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Qingguang.

Qingguang immediately presented Hiruzen Sarutobi with the recent records of food poisoning and accidental medication ingestion cases at Konoha Hospital.

He then recounted the entire plan in detail.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was satisfied with the operation, but one point made him uncomfortable. "How did you find out about the Konoha Hospital matter?"

"A while ago, Kushina injured some children at the Ninja Academy. I happened to be on patrol that day, and when I took them to the hospital, I noticed several villagers suffering from food poisoning. So, I paid a little more attention."

"Our Konohagakure is located in the most fertile region of the Shinobi world. Whether it's vegetables or meat, there shouldn't be any issues. So, I paid a little attention to it."

"Coincidentally, Tsunade-senpai was on duty at Konoha Hospital that day. I saw her outpatient medical records and sensed something was amiss, but I didn't have concrete evidence. Recently, these kinds of medical records have still been appearing at Konoha Hospital from time to time. I felt it wasn't a coincidence, so I brought the matter up with Minister Fugaku."

After listening to Qingguang's explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Fugaku.

"Hokage-sama, everything Qingguang said is true."

Hiruzen Sarutobi then broke into a smile and nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. You handled this matter very well. It seems the recent changes in the Police Department were indeed the right decision."

"You're not only protecting the order and safety of the village, but you're also so dedicated to the villagers' daily lives. You've all worked hard."

"I will handle the Medical Department. I won't delay you further in interrogating them."

"As for the medicine, I'll have Tsunade cooperate with your investigation. Go ahead and do it without hesitation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded at Qingguang with satisfaction, and the two then left.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi was alone in the office, his expression instantly turned grim.

"Sakumo."

"Your subordinate is here." Hatake Sakumo knelt before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Accompany me to the Medical Department."

"As you command, Hokage-sama."