Playing the Victim

The atmosphere in the open space in front of the Konoha Military Police Force building suddenly grew tense.

Shimura Danzō wore a dark kimono and held a wooden cane. His only visible eye was so gloomy it seemed ready to drip with menace.

Four elite members of Root, equally chilling in their presence, followed behind him. Though they wore no masks, their trademark indifference and bloodlust were enough to make ordinary shinobi keep their distance.

The group headed straight for the Military Police Force's entrance, their target clear: the core members of the Shimura Clan and Root who had been detained on Uchiha Ling's orders.

However, just as Danzō was about to step onto the stairs in front of the Military Police Force, four figures appeared silently before him like ghosts, blocking his way in a neat line.

At their head was Uchiha Tekka, one of the most capable squad leaders currently under Uchiha Ling.

His expression was solemn. He bowed slightly to Danzō, his form impeccable, but his tone was firm and allowed no argument. "Elder Danzō, please stop here."

Danzō halted, tapping his cane lightly on the ground with a dull thud.

His gaze cut across Uchiha Tekka's face like a blade. His voice was hoarse and oppressive. "Move aside. I want to see Uchiha Ling, and while I'm at it, I want to see what gives your Military Police Force the right to detain members of my Shimura Clan, as well as the people who work for me."

He deliberately obscured the name of Root, but everyone present knew exactly what he meant.

Uchiha Tekka stood ramrod straight. Facing this elder, who wielded immense power in Konoha, he didn't back down in the slightest.

"Elder Danzō, I'm very sorry. Squad Leader Ling is currently handling important duties and cannot receive visitors.

"As for your request to visit the detainees, according to the Konoha Regulations, during an investigation, anyone not involved in the case is prohibited from visiting suspects in custody unless they have a special authorization order from Lord Hokage or the head of the Military Police Force."

He had clearly prepared his response in advance, citing the relevant regulations with ease and shutting down every ordinary avenue available to Danzō.

Danzō's single eye narrowed slightly. The air around them seemed to freeze, and the four Root elites behind him began to give off faint traces of killing intent.

Danzō sneered, his voice filled with bone-chilling cold. "Since when has the Konoha Military Police Force—especially the Military Police Force run by your Uchiha Clan—become so independent that even the Hokage's aide and an elder of the village are turned away?

"Where is Uchiha Ling? Tell him to come out and see me! Or did he do something shameful and not dare face me?"

Uchiha Tekka's expression didn't change. He maintained his outwardly respectful demeanor, but yielded not an inch in his reply.

"Elder Danzō, you're exaggerating. Squad Leader Ling has acted strictly in accordance with the regulations established by the Second Hokage. He has nothing to be ashamed of. As for the 'shameful thing' you mentioned..."

Uchiha Tekka paused, then continued pointedly, "I'm sure Elder Danzō has heard some of the false rumors circulating in the village lately about my Uchiha Clan.

"Squad Leader Ling is conducting this investigation in accordance with the law to uncover the source of those rumors and maintain stability in the village.

"If Elder Danzō still insists on entering, please present the special authorization order from Lord Hokage. Otherwise, I'm afraid we cannot let you pass. It's our duty."

"You!" One of the Root shinobi behind Danzō couldn't help taking half a step forward, his presence surging as if he meant to force his way through.

At almost the same moment, more than twenty Uchiha officers appeared inside the Military Police Force building and in the surrounding shadows.

They hadn't activated their Sharingan, but each had a keen gaze and held their chakra in check. Together, they formed an invisible yet solid wall of bodies, loosely surrounding Danzō and his four men.

In both numbers and presence, the advantage shifted overwhelmingly to the Uchiha.

Danzō's face turned ashen, his chest rising and falling slightly. He glared at Uchiha Tekka, then surveyed the Uchiha officers standing ready around him. At last, his gaze fell on the tightly closed door of the Military Police Force building.

Danzō knew Uchiha Ling was inside, but today, he couldn't even get through that door.

"Fine. Very fine. Uchiha Ling... You really are a remarkable young man."

Danzō forced the words through clenched teeth, each one seeming to carry shards of ice.

He knew he was bound to lose face today. If he stayed any longer, he would only humiliate himself. He

whirled around, striking the ground hard with his cane, and left with the four Root elites under the silent gaze of the Uchiha officers.

His retreating figure was full of rage and humiliation, both suppressed to the breaking point.

After confirming that Danzō had left, Uchiha Ling immediately departed the Military Police Force. He brought no attendants and went alone straight to the Hokage Building.

The atmosphere in the Hokage Office was somewhat heavy. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his broad desk, wisps of smoke curling from his pipe.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely.

The door opened, and Uchiha Ling walked in. His face no longer held the coldness and forcefulness it had shown at the Military Police Force. Instead, it carried just the right touch of fatigue and grievance, along with the deference a junior ought to show when meeting his teacher.

He bowed respectfully to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Uchiha Ling, his young grand-disciple who had already stirred up a storm in Konoha. His feelings were complicated. He exhaled a puff of smoke and asked slowly,

"Ling, I've heard everything about what happened at the Military Police Force. Was your response this time... a little too extreme? Danzō is an elder of the village, after all, and he has rendered great service to it."

Uchiha Ling raised his head. His gaze was clear, carrying a hint of helplessness and sincerity. "Lord Hokage, I came here today precisely to report on this matter and apologize to you."

He lowered his head slightly, his voice carrying a hint of the choked emotion of a junior who had been left with no choice.

"I know this operation may have caused a stir, but I was backed into a corner and had no choice but to rely on the laws left behind by the Second Hokage to protect myself."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a furrowed brow.

Uchiha Ling began his carefully prepared performance, playing the victim.

In a measured, aggrieved tone, Uchiha Ling recounted the rumors circulating in the village lately, the ones targeting him personally and the Uchiha Clan.

"...Those rumors were extremely malicious. They were meant not only to smear me, but also to drive a wedge between the Uchiha and the village.

"All I wanted was to serve the village and defuse conflicts with the civilians. I don't know why I ended up being attacked so viciously."

He paused at just the right moment, letting a touch of confusion and indignation show on his face.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi listened, his brow relaxed slightly. His gaze toward Uchiha Ling held a little more understanding and consideration.

It was true. Hiruzen knew this young man well. He had the Will of Fire.

Danzō must have gone too far again. Otherwise, Uchiha Ling wouldn't have acted this way.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly reached a conclusion about the incident.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and spoke gravely. "All right, Ling. I understand what you mean.

"There's nothing wrong with acting in accordance with the law. Maintaining stability in the village and finding the people spreading rumors are also part of the Military Police Force's duties.

"However, when dealing with sensitive matters like this in the future, you should pay more attention to how you handle them, and try to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and conflict. I'll speak with Elder Danzō about this."

That was a clear statement of his position. It meant the Third Hokage accepted the legality of Uchiha Ling's actions, and at least wouldn't hold him responsible.

Uchiha Ling felt reassured. His face showed just the right amount of relief and gratitude. "Thank you for seeing the truth, Lord Hokage! I'll remember your guidance, and be more cautious in the future. I'll always put the village's interests first."

He bowed respectfully again. "If you have no further instructions, I'll take my leave. There are still many follow-up matters to handle at the Military Police Force."

"Go ahead," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, waving a hand.

Uchiha Ling left the Hokage Building. Sunlight fell across his face, and the grievance and helplessness were already gone, replaced by calm and depth.

"Teacher Tsunade's name and my status as the Third Hokage's grand-disciple really come in handy."

Uchiha Ling thought to himself. That status gave him the standing to "play the victim" in front of the village's leadership. It made it easier for them to see his actions as "a forced counterattack" rather than a long-planned assault.