The Bottom Line

When he heard Jiraiya's words, Uchiha Inabi immediately caught on.

"We understand, Lord Jiraiya."

Jiraiya nodded, then suddenly stopped again.

He turned to Uchiha Inabi. "Captain Inabi."

Uchiha Inabi paused slightly. "What can I do for you, Lord Jiraiya?"

"I wouldn't presume to instruct you. I just have one request. With Sunagakure's invasion, many civilians and low-ranking ninja have been displaced."

"Since the Uchiha and the Konoha Military Police Force are preparing to take over Konoha, I ask that when you search for spies, you focus only on specific groups. There's no need to include those civilians and low-ranking ninja in these arrests made first and explained later."

At those words, Mitokado Homura's pupils trembled slightly.

Jiraiya had now made his bottom line clear to the Uchiha.

As long as they didn't target civilians or undermine Konoha's foundations, the Uchiha could do whatever they wanted.

They could call black white, place the former administration under house arrest, or even purge it. Jiraiya didn't care, as long as they didn't disrupt the stability he was trying to maintain.

Uchiha Inabi bowed. "Rest assured, Lord Jiraiya. The Uchiha have always followed the rules."

Jiraiya didn't respond. He simply gave Uchiha Inabi a long, searching look.

He knew that the rules Inabi meant weren't Konoha's rules.

They were a tacitly accepted bottom line throughout the Shinobi World: unless absolutely necessary, civilians were not to be harmed.

Even when Sunagakure invaded Konoha, they had abided by that line and left the civilians alone.

When Utatane Koharu heard Jiraiya's words, she completely lost her composure.

She was about to speak when Mitokado Homura beside her beat her to it.

Homura had now dropped the hypocritical mask he usually wore.

Pointing at Jiraiya, he said, "Jiraiya, do you realize that what you're doing is a complete betrayal of the Will of Fire? You're trampling on Sarutobi Hiruzen's will!"

"Trampling on it?" Jiraiya pointed at Homura's nose. "What have I trampled on? Where were you when Sunagakure invaded and I was fighting on the front lines, drenched in blood? And where were you when Naruto, the son of a hero, was shunned by the villagers?"

"You're the ones who've been living off everyone else's hard work!"

After venting the gloom in his heart, Jiraiya looked noticeably better.

He looked at the two of them. "There's something I should tell you. Naruto's condition means he can't stay in the village anymore. I'm planning to take him with me when I go looking for Tsunade."

When Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura heard this, they filtered out Jiraiya's plans to have Tsunade become Hokage and take Naruto away.

All they heard was that Jiraiya was leaving the village.

Homura and Koharu completely lost control. They knew the tide had turned against them.

After Jiraiya left, Utatane Koharu looked at Uchiha Inabi and forced a smile that looked even worse than a grimace.

"Captain Inabi, we were wrong. Couldn't you let us surrender?"

Uchiha Inabi lifted her up as if she were a chick.

"Advisor, don't you know that surrendering adds another year to your sentence? Well, it doesn't matter. Either way, you two are going to die."

"Squad, move out!"

The next morning, Jiraiya slipped out with Naruto early, without drawing attention.

But Konoha was still rebuilding, and no one cared. Nobody paid them any mind.

To the people of Konoha, it was only a shame they'd lost one more outlet for venting their frustrations with life.

Uchiha Yan also left Kurenai's house early, feeling refreshed.

When he got home, he ran into Uchiha Inabi.

"Lord Yan." Uchiha Inabi bowed slightly. "I'd like to report something to you."

With that, he led Uchiha Yan inside.

The two sat facing each other.

Inabi poured Uchiha Yan a cup of hot tea first.

Uchiha Yan took a sip. "Go ahead."

Uchiha Inabi considered his words for a moment. "Lord Yan, we've placed the two advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, under house arrest, and Jiraiya is preparing to leave the village. This may be our best opportunity. Should we—"

Uchiha Yan gazed at the tea leaves in his cup and said calmly, "Root will take over the work involving Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. Don't get into a conflict with them."

At Uchiha Yan's words, Uchiha Inabi spoke with barely contained excitement. "Lord Yan, this is our best opportunity. Why—"

He started to rise.

Uchiha Yan stood first and pressed a hand to his shoulder. His tone was gentle but left no room for argument. "Trust me. Everything is under control."

At Uchiha Yan's words, Uchiha Inabi suddenly calmed down.

Looking at Uchiha Yan's confident expression, he remembered how accurately Yan had predicted Orochimaru's attack on Konoha.

He nodded. "Understood, Lord Yan. I trust you."

Uchiha Yan patted his shoulder. "Get some rest."

With that, he turned and left.

Uchiha Inabi watched Uchiha Yan with a resolute gaze, his eyes full of fervor.

Once he was outside Inabi's house, Uchiha Yan shook his head.

"I didn't expect Fugaku to be so determined this time. In that case, I'll have to act soon, too."

He straightened his clothes, intending to go home and change before heading to the Konoha Military Police Force.

He pushed open the door. The morning sunlight spilled across the floor.

Uchiha Yan opened the door, expecting to find the room empty. Instead, when he looked down, he saw a petite figure curled up on his sofa.

It was Uchiha Izumi.

Seeing her, Uchiha Yan scratched his head in puzzlement.

As far as he remembered, Uchiha Izumi should have been resting at her own home. How had she ended up here?

But it was obvious that Uchiha Izumi had waited here all night.

She was still wearing her regular clothes, with Uchiha Yan's black coat haphazardly draped over her to keep her warm.

The oversized coat engulfed her, making her already slender figure look even smaller and more delicate.

Uchiha Izumi clearly hadn't slept well.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if she were having a bad dream.

As sunlight and fresh air poured into the room, Uchiha Izumi gave a soft moan from the sofa.

She struggled to open her eyes, rubbed them, and saw Uchiha Yan standing before her with a gentle expression.

Uchiha Izumi said delightedly, "Yan, you're back."

Uchiha Yan nodded, then asked, "Why are you at my house?"

Uchiha Yan was already used to Izumi getting into his house.

After all, for a ninja, picking a lock without damaging it and opening it was hardly any trouble.

Uchiha Izumi stood up, her hair a little messy.

Uchiha Yan could even see a cowlick sticking up.

He couldn't help reaching out to smooth it down.