Catching the Thieves

Konoha

Military Police Force Headquarters

Naraku frowned slightly upon hearing Yakushi Nonō's words.

"Five hundred thousand taels stolen? They even stole money from the orphanage? Who could be so heartless?"

"Yes, of the 2.5 million taels that arrived the day before yesterday, I hid 2 million taels, but the 500,000 taels meant for operating expenses were stolen..."

Yakushi Nonō looked sad and ashamed. As a former elite ninja, the fact that her money could be stolen without her noticing made her feel ashamed and even more resentful of Nonō 'Danzo shamelessness.

"Since you reported this to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen Third Hokage, he will likely inquire about it."

However, I need to clarify that the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, has stepped down and is no longer the Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the previous Hokage, is currently only temporarily exercising the authority of Hokage, and it's unknown whether he will handle this matter.

Naraku hesitated for a moment upon hearing of Nonō's arrival. It was obvious that Danzo had sent someone to do the theft as revenge against Nonō for disobeying his orders.

"Yes, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, asked me to communicate with Danzo."

The relief funds were handed over to Danzo by his Third Hokage, but Danzo did not distribute them to the orphanages.

"It's not that I can't carry out missions for Konoha, it's just that the orphanage needs my care, and besides, I've already retired. The Third Hokage still wants me to communicate with Danzo, and I think I understand what the Third Hokage means."

Before returning, Yakushi Nonō went to the Hokage Building to complain to the Hokage. Sarutobi Hiruzen comforted her, but ultimately passed the buck to Danzo, telling Nonō to negotiate with Danzo.

Nonō went to Danzo's residence to find Danzo, but couldn't find Danzo anywhere Nonō had a Danzo against Danzo at the former Root base, she didn't dare go there. So she went to the Military Police Force and pinned her hopes on Uchiha Nara.

The aid provided by Konoha amounted to three million ryo, which was enough to cover most of the orphanage's expenses. In addition, the orphanage staff often took odd jobs, which helped keep the orphanage running.

Now that Naraku has financial support, the lack of relief funds is no longer important. However, Danzo's relentless pressure and underhanded tactics are overwhelming for Nonō.

"What does the Third Hokage Danzo? Hmph, they're in cahoots!"

Naraku responded to Yakushi Nonō, while subtly mocking the Third Hokage, and then said:

"The Military Police Force will never let theft go unpunished, and no matter who is behind it, they will punish them severely."

"Nonō, you go back to the orphanage first. The children need your care. I will dispatch a Special Police Division squadron to guard the orphanage. With the Military Police Force protecting it, I think there won't be any more thefts."

Naraku, with a serious expression, did not refuse Nonō's request for help and planned to send Special Police Division officers to guard her.

Yakushi Nonō was somewhat moved by Naraku's firm response, and at the same time understood Uchiha Nara's stance and the nature of the Military Police Force's work.

Of course, Nonō also clearly understood the relationship between the Root and the Uchiha. This Uchiha Nara seemed to be very concerned about matters involving the Root.

Nonō breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she was somewhat worried about the competition ahead.

"The children are the most important thing; I cannot back down..."

Nonō encouraged herself, bowed slightly, and said in a grateful tone:

"Thank you for your help, Lord Naraku. The children will repay your kindness in the future."

"No need for repayment, this is the duty of the Military Police Force. Nonō, I can tell the children like you very much. Go, don't worry the children."

"Yes!"

Yakushi Nonō bowed slightly and turned to leave. Nonō looked haggard. Knowing the darkness of ninjas so well, she never expected that Konoha, besides the Third Hokage, had someone with such a strong Will of Fire.

After watching Naraku leave, Nonō stroked his chin.

"He even stole money from the orphanage! Danzo, what a bastard, Dōmoto!"

"Hi!"

Uchiha Dōmoto deactivated the Transformation Technique, and a wisp of smoke rose from a green plant in the corner of Naraku's office, from which a figure emerged.

"You heard what that lady just said, right? Summon Uchiha Fugaku."

"Yes!"

Uchiha Dōmoto nodded, pushed open the door, and walked towards Fugaku's office to carry out the summons mission.

Night

The orphanage outside the village was very quiet; at this hour, the children and staff had all gone to bed and were fast asleep.

Outside the orphanage, a four-person team dressed in night clothes quietly approached. Danzo was furious after being reprimanded by the Third Hokage for Yakushi Nonō complaining to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The root squad is dispatched tonight to arrest a child as a warning to Yakushi Nonō.

The Root carries out its missions with two people on guard outside and two people going inside to carry out the tasks; the division of labor is clear.

"Hey, look at this vase, I don't think it was here last time I came?"

The two who sneaked into the orphanage were not normally expected to chat or engage in any kind of conversation Root's strict discipline. However, they had some questions about this unexpected "flower vase" (a seemingly ordinary but actually attractive person).

"That stool over there looks newly added too? No! It's Transformation Technique!"

After speaking in hushed tones, the two Root members realized something was amiss.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The lights in the orphanage came on, and not only the vases, but also the tables and chairs were shrouded in smoke, which transformed into figures wearing black vests and masks.

"Tie up these two audacious thieves!"

"Yes!"

The Special Police Division members nearby obeyed the order and took out shackles and Sealing Tag, which they then placed on the two black-clad thieves.

The two Root members were stunned; they had already fallen into the Genjutsu woven by Uchiha Fugaku the moment he appeared.

"Yay!"

The children in the orphanage, awakened by the disturbance, and Nonō friends watched as the thief was subdued. The three adults Nonō, couldn't hide their worry, while the children cheered.

The two Root members were now bound by sealing shackles and Sealing Tag, becoming lambs to the slaughter.

Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward and removed the masks from the two Root members, examining them closely.

"As expected, they're not from Konoha! What a disgrace to the ninja world!"

The Root has some members from ninja clans, but most of them are war orphans who are recruited and trained through brutal methods.

As Military Police Force, they would be somewhat familiar with most of the ninjas and villagers of Konoha, but they were complete strangers to Uchiha Fugaku and the surrounding Special Police Division officers, whom they had never seen before.

Uchiha Fugaku Fugaku wanted to slap each of them twice, as he held these scoundrels who stole money from orphans in utter contempt.

However, in front of so many orphans, Fugaku couldn't be too rough, so he gently scolded:

"Take them back to the dungeon. We'll give these two scoundrels a good beating tonight."

"Hi!" X8

"Wadō Squad, continue guarding this area. Don't let your guard down. Tessan Squad, escort these two back."

"Hi" X4

Tonight, the Special Police Division lying in wait, including their leader Fugaku, totaled seventeen people, with two squads taking turns resting.

Fugaku, who was leading two squads, was initially somewhat reluctant to carry out this mission. But now that they had actually caught the thief, even the stoic Fugaku couldn't help but smile.

Yakushi Nonō watched as Fugaku and the others escorted the thief away, her worries deepening. But then, as if she had thought of something, her gaze hardened again.