But now, in Uchiha Ling's hands, this old regulation—forgotten by many and even regarded as a "shackle" by some members of the Uchiha Clan—had become his sharpest weapon.
He would treat them as they had treated him, using the rules established by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, to turn the tables on Danzo himself.
"Someone, come in." Uchiha Ling's voice was not loud, but it carried clearly beyond the door.
A member of the Uchiha Clan answered the call and pushed open the door, his expression respectful. "Captain Ling, what are your orders?"
Uchiha Ling now commanded great prestige within the Military Police Force. Not only had he resolved the conflict with the civilians, but he had also revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and brought many Jonin under his command.
Uchiha Ling handed him a copy of the Special Public Security Maintenance Regulations of the Konoha Ninja Village. His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable resolve:
"Pass on my orders. All squads of the Military Police Force are to publicly investigate and summon the relevant members of the Shimura Clan suspected of spreading rumors, as well as the Root members whose identities have been exposed.
"If they resist, you may take coercive measures as stipulated by the regulations, including arresting them on the spot."
The Uchiha member was taken aback at first, then a flash of excitement and fervor appeared in his eyes.
Going after the Shimura Clan and Root? This was something the Uchiha Clan had never dared even imagine for years!
But the order came from Uchiha Ling, the captain who possessed the Mangekyō. Without hesitation, he bowed and accepted it. "Yes, Captain Ling!"
The orders were quickly passed down, and the entire Konoha Military Police Force sprang into action like a finely tuned machine.
The Uchiha officers, already displeased by the recent rumors, were now fired up and eager for a fight.
They changed into their formal Military Police Force uniforms, pinned on their Uchiha Gunbai badges, and formed squad after squad. Like drawn swords, they headed straight for the Shimura Clan compound and several known Root outposts.
An unprecedented storm swept through Konoha.
The Shimura Clan members, who usually held no small amount of influence in the village, were stopped by Uchiha officers wherever they were—at home, in their shops, or on the road while carrying out missions.
The officers presented summons bearing the Military Police Force's seal and, citing the clauses in the yellowed regulations, ordered them to report to the Military Police Force at once to assist with an investigation into "suspected acts endangering the village's security."
"What do you think you're doing? I'm a member of the Shimura Clan! Are the Uchiha trying to rebel?" A Shimura Chunin tried to resist, shouting with more bravado than conviction.
The Uchiha squad leader in charge remained expressionless, his voice cold. "Under the Special Public Security Maintenance Regulations of the Konoha Ninja Village, personally signed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, the Konoha Military Police Force has the authority to investigate any suspected acts that endanger the village's security. Cooperate, or we will take coercive measures in accordance with the law."
Several Uchiha officers behind him immediately stepped forward, their hands on their weapon pouches as their imposing presence bore down on the man.
The Shimura Chunin saw the Sharingan glimmering in their eyes and the indisputable copy of the regulations. His bravado quickly ebbed, and in the end, he was escorted away, unwillingly.
Similar scenes played out all across Konoha.
Some Root members hidden among the civilians thought their identities were secure. But after Uchiha Ling used the Emotion System to roughly identify those harboring intense malice and conspiratorial thoughts toward him, their disguises proved no match for the Military Police Force's targeted investigations.
Uchiha officers dragged them out of their hiding places and took them away on suspicion of "involvement in illegal organizations and activities that endanger the village's security."
Naturally, the operation did not go without a few clashes.
A few Root members and Shimura Clan loyalists tried to resist, but the Uchiha officers were prepared and had the upper hand in strength. Their resistance was quickly crushed.
This sudden, large-scale law enforcement operation shook all of Konoha.
The villagers stared in shock as Shimura Clan members, usually so far above the rest, and the cold, sinister Root members were taken from their homes or off the street one after another and escorted to the Military Police Force headquarters.
News spread through the village like wildfire.
"What's going on? Why have the Uchiha suddenly arrested so many members of the Shimura Clan?"
"I heard they're acting under rules laid down by the Second Hokage. They say those people spread rumors and endangered the village's security."
"Really? The Second Hokage's rules... How many years has it been?"
"Look at the Uchiha. They have all the paperwork, and they even brought out the regulations. It doesn't look fake to me."
Public opinion began to shift, little by little. Faced with Uchiha Ling's fierce retaliation—one carried out "in accordance with the law and regulations"—the rumors targeting the Uchiha now seemed feeble and unconvincing.
Inside the Lord Third Hiruzen Sarutobi's office in the Hokage Building,
smoke from his pipe had nearly filled the entire room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, watching the occasional "escorts" on a distant street below. His brows were tightly knitted. Behind him, an Anbu Ninja knelt on one knee and reported the situation.
"Lord Third, the Konoha Military Police Force has produced the Special Public Security Maintenance Regulations of the Konoha Ninja Village, personally signed by the Second Hokage. As far as procedure goes... we have no authority to interfere directly with the Military Police Force's independent law enforcement powers, unless there is clear evidence that its actions seriously endanger the village's security."
The Anbu Ninja's voice carried a hint of helplessness.
Those regulations were a relic of the past, and now they were the most legitimate shield and sword in Uchiha Ling's hands.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe and slowly exhaled. Of course he knew the regulations existed. He also understood that Uchiha Ling was acting within the rules; indeed, this was a perfect counter to Danzo's provocation.
"Keep a close eye on how things develop, and make sure the conflict doesn't escalate further, especially not to the point of affecting ordinary villagers. Also... have the Medical Corps stand by."
In the end, that was all Hiruzen Sarutobi could order.
As long as Uchiha Ling stayed within the rules, Hiruzen could not stop him for now—not unless he was willing to risk a complete falling-out and shake the village to its foundations.
Friction between the various powers along the Land of Fire's borders was growing, and war seemed imminent. A conflict with the Uchiha Clan now would come at too great a cost.
Meanwhile, deep inside the Root Base where Shimura Danzō was staying,
the scene of devastation had only just been cleared, but the air still seethed with pent-up fury.
Danzō's face was livid, his single eye burning with resentment and rage that threatened to spill over.
Several urgent reports lay on the table before him. Every one of them concerned Shimura Clan members and Root operatives being taken away by the Uchiha Military Police Force.
"Uchiha Ling! Those naturally evil Uchiha actually dare to do this!"
Danzō slammed his fist onto the table. Cracks instantly spread across the solid wooden surface.
He had calculated everything, yet never imagined that Uchiha Ling would dig up the old regulations the Second Hokage had established decades ago and use them so mercilessly, so brazenly.
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