Life is like a play, it all depends on acting!

"Nonsense!"

Following this voice, Mitokado Homura, wearing a short white coat and glasses, walked in from the crowd.

He already knew the detailed circumstances of this fire incident.

Someone was stirring up trouble!

After all, it was impossible for several places to catch fire simultaneously, especially when they were all department stores, so he quickly identified a target of suspicion.

Especially after Uchiha White Dove appeared openly, he was even more certain that this was the other party's retaliation.

It was just unexpected that the other party would choose to take action within the village.

This was the point that made him dissatisfied.

"What is it, Minister Mitokado?"

White Dove didn't even bother to pretend anymore; he didn't even call him an Advisor Elder, addressing him only as Minister.

Well, the other party managed the Administration Department, a position that had always existed in the village and wasn't something Sarutobi Hiruzen had created himself, so he naturally wouldn't deny it.

"You have such a..."

Just as Mitokado Homura was about to scold White Dove for his audacity, he suddenly associated it with something and swallowed the second half of his sentence.

Yes, he had already realized that the other party was doing this entirely on purpose.

It was clearly to provoke them.

Once he chose to get involved in this matter out of anger, he might fall into the other party's trap.

Therefore, Mitokado Homura chose to temporarily suppress the anger in his heart.

"What a pity!"

Seeing the reaction of Mitokado Homura, who had been about to explode, White Dove sighed inwardly.

Because he had been doing it on purpose just now.

He wanted to provoke these two Advisor Elders, make them stand on the opposite side of him, and simultaneously take action to protect these department stores at all costs.

In this way, when the evidence of "colluding with foreign villages" was searched out later, it would be possible to implicate them.

At least, that was how it would appear to the villagers.

Even if they could clear their names later, smearing a reputation was always much easier than cleaning it.

Just like the Uchiha.

No matter how they tried to clear their names, others could easily stir up public opinion and blacken them like the bottom of a pot.

Now that White Dove had stopped acting, he naturally had to carry the banner of opposing the "village."

Building a new Uchiha did not mean trying to please the village.

On the contrary, he would continue to oppose the village, just not as recklessly and mindlessly as the current hawks.

The village high-level's prejudice against the Uchiha was a deep-seated issue that had accumulated over time; it was almost impossible to resolve.

Therefore, no matter how much he tried to please the village's high-level officials, the final outcome would only be the fate of "the rabbit being killed once the hunt is over."

Strive for peace through struggle, and peace shall exist!

As a transmigrator, White Dove understood this principle.

Therefore, him taking the initiative to stand up and oppose the village was the only path to survival for the Uchiha.

He didn't even need to win; as long as he performed better than that "spineless" clan leader next door, he could gain the favor and admiration of a large number of Uchiha.

Right now, he was just acting!

It was a pity that the other party must have sensed something and didn't take the bait.

Just at this moment, several figures rushed out quickly from the department store blackened by the flames, with the leading Uchiha holding a small wooden box.

"Oh no!"

Mitokado Homura exclaimed inwardly.

He was also responsible for diplomatic work and was naturally familiar with other ninja villages, so he saw the secret mark representing Kumogakure on the corner of the box.

And having this mark meant that the box was related to the Cloud ninjas, yet the item was searched out from this Utatane Clan department store...

"Captain White Dove, when we were inspecting the inside, we found this hidden in a secret compartment..."

This small squad leader of the Uchiha Police Force handed the box to White Dove.

Normally, as a logistics captain of the Police Force, White Dove would not have the authority to command these Uchiha.

But these Uchiha respected and trusted him, treating him directly as their immediate superior, which was why they handed the item to him instead of taking it back to the Police Force headquarters.

"Uchiha White Dove, this item should not be handled by the Police Force; hand it over to the Anbu immediately!"

Mitokado Homura spoke up to stop Uchiha White Dove from opening the box.

If the box were opened and it was discovered that the contents were indeed related to Kumogakure, then things would be troublesome.

But since White Dove had deliberately created this situation, he naturally wouldn't listen to the other party's words.

Click!

He opened the box directly.

A scroll!

Inside the box was an intelligence scroll.

"This is..."

Uchiha White Dove's expression changed drastically, as if he had discovered something grave, instantly piquing the curiosity of the surrounding villagers.

Well, with acting skills like his, those young idols from before his transmigration couldn't compare even after decades of practice.

After all, the profession of a ninja truly demands high-level acting.

There are no second takes; if you show a flaw, the mission fails and you die, so there is no need to worry about acting ability—everyone starts at the level of a Best Actor.

Uchiha White Dove unfolded the scroll as if to confirm its contents.

Some villagers standing nearby with sharp eyes caught glimpses of words like "Defense Map" on the parchment.

Swish!

Uchiha White Dove quickly rolled up the scroll, carefully placed it back into the wooden box, and ordered the dozen or so members of the Uchiha Police Force who had just finished their search in a loud voice:

"Seal this area immediately! No one is allowed in or out. Also, seal off the other shopping centers where fires broke out. I suspect this fire was set by spies from other villages!"

His expression was stern and grave as he gave the order, as if a major catastrophe had occurred.

Life is a play, and it all depends on your acting!

Just by looking at him, the villagers knew that there was a deep, serious story behind this fire.

And Uchiha White Dove was naturally doing this on purpose.

If he didn't, how else could he let his business competitors learn what it means to truly suffer?

"Uchiha White Dove, what right does your Police Force have to do this?"

Having been alerted by Mitokado Homura that the situation was dire, Utatane Koharu spoke up immediately, intending to interrupt his actions.

The item had been found in her own shopping center; even if an investigation eventually proved it had nothing to do with them, their reputation would already be tarnished, and there would be no way to recover.

Therefore, Utatane Koharu had to prevent the incident from escalating and distance the matter from her own business.

The best way, naturally, was to seize control of the situation.

As a consultant elder of the village, even if her position was established by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and had procedural issues, her authority was real, which gave her the confidence to speak up.

"Of course we have the right. Our Police Force has the authority to handle all internal affairs of the village, and this power was granted by the Second Hokage. Surely, Minister Utatane is aware of that?"

Uchiha White Dove took the wooden box, preparing to lead his men away.

However, neither Utatane Koharu nor Mitokado Homura would allow him to just walk away with the evidence, so they blocked his path.

"Are you trying to obstruct the Police Force from performing their official duties?"

Uchiha White Dove pointed an accusatory finger, appearing furious, but inside, he felt a glimmer of anticipation.

If they actually dared to nod, that would be... just perfect.

Even if they were consultant elders, if they openly obstructed him, the blame would be so heavy it would make them choke.

Unfortunately, these two old foxes were no ordinary people, so they did not choose to play hardball.

"Of course not, but matters regarding intelligence leaks have always been the responsibility of the Anbu. It seems to have nothing to do with the Police Force, does it?"

Mitokado Homura offered an excellent excuse.

Indeed, the Police Force no longer had the authority to handle matters concerning spies and intelligence, which not only cost them a great deal of power but also deprived them of opportunities to earn merit.

It could be said that the current Police Force was in a position where they had few benefits and an endless stream of trouble and messes.

If there were benefits, they went to the Anbu or other departments; if there was trouble, they were the ones left to take the fall.

Having been forced to take the blame so many times, it was no wonder the Uchiha were constantly being complained about.

"Then let the Anbu come to the Police Force to retrieve it!"

Uchiha White Dove prepared to take the item away first.

As long as he took it, he could spin the facts however he pleased later.

Who said that spreading rumors and smearing others was something only they could do?

When it came to playing this game, as a transmigrator who had seen countless rumors and mud-slinging, he was the true master of this field.

Uchiha White Dove had even thought up the content of the rumors, guaranteed to be a headline that would fascinate the villagers.