The Bottom Line

Hearing Jiraiya's words, Uchiha Inabi was quite sensible.

"We understand, Lord Jiraiya."

Jiraiya nodded, then suddenly stopped in his tracks once more.

He turned his head to look at Uchiha Inabi and said, "Captain Inabi."

Uchiha Inabi paused slightly and asked, "Lord Jiraiya, what is your instruction?"

"Instruction is too strong a word; it is merely a request. Now, due to the invasion by Sunagakure, 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 request that when you search for spies, you only target specific groups. There is no need to involve those civilians and low-ranking ninja in such summary arrests."

Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura's pupils constricted slightly.

Jiraiya had now laid his bottom line out for the Uchiha.

As long as it did not involve civilians or the foundations of Konoha, the Uchiha could play however they pleased.

Calling a stag a horse was fine, and placing the high-ranking officials from the era of Sarutobi Hiruzen under house arrest or even purging them was of no consequence; as long as they did not disrupt the stability Jiraiya currently sought, he could simply turn a blind eye.

Uchiha Inabi bowed. "Rest assured, Lord Jiraiya, we Uchiha have always been law-abiding."

Jiraiya did not respond; he merely gave Uchiha Inabi a deep, searching look.

He knew that the rules Uchiha Inabi spoke of were not the rules of Konoha.

They were the unspoken bottom line of the ninja world: under no circumstances should one lay hands on civilians unless absolutely necessary.

Even when Sunagakure invaded Konoha, they had still adhered to this bottom line and spared the civilians.

Utatane Koharu, hearing Jiraiya's words, completely lost her composure.

Just as she was about to speak, Mitokado Homura cut her off.

At this moment, Mitokado Homura had completely discarded his usual mask of hypocrisy.

He pointed at Jiraiya and said, "Jiraiya, do you realize that this behavior of yours is a complete betrayal of the Will of Fire! This is a trampling of Sarutobi Hiruzen's will!"

"Trampling?" Jiraiya pointed at Mitokado Homura's nose and retorted, "What have I trampled? When Sunagakure invaded and I was fighting tooth and nail on the front lines, where were you? When Naruto, the son of a hero, was being ostracized by the villagers, where were you then?"

"You are the ones who have been reaping the rewards without sowing!"

After venting the gloom in his heart, Jiraiya's expression improved significantly.

He looked at the two of them and said, "There is one thing I must inform you of: Naruto's current situation makes it unsuitable for him to remain in the village. I intend to take him with me when I go to find Tsunade."

Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura automatically filtered out the parts about Jiraiya intending to have Tsunade serve as Hokage and taking Naruto away.

They only heard that Jiraiya was leaving the village.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were completely distraught; they knew the tide had turned against them.

After Jiraiya left, Utatane Koharu looked at Uchiha Inabi and squeezed out a smile that was more painful than a grimace.

"Captain Inabi, we were wrong. We surrender, is that not enough?"

Uchiha Inabi picked her up as if she were a small chick.

"Advisor, are you unaware that surrendering only adds another year to your sentence? Never mind, the two of you are doomed either way, so it doesn't matter."

"Dismiss the squad!"

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Jiraiya left silently with Naruto.

However, Konoha, currently in the midst of reconstruction, did not care; no one paid any mind.

To the people of Konoha, it was merely a pity that they had lost one outlet for venting their frustrations with life.

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

When he returned home, he happened to run into Uchiha Inabi.

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

With that, he led Uchiha Yan into his home.

The two sat opposite each other.

He first poured a cup of hot tea for Uchiha Yan.

Uchiha Yan took a sip of the tea. "Speak."

Uchiha Inabi deliberated for a moment before saying, "Lord Yan, we have now placed the two advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, under house arrest, and Jiraiya is preparing to leave the village. I fear this is our best opportunity; should we..."

Uchiha Yan stared at the tea leaves in his hand and said calmly, "The Anbu work regarding Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu will be taken over by Root. Do not come into conflict with them."

When Uchiha Inabi heard Uchiha Yan's words, he said with slight agitation, "Lord Yan, this is our best opportunity, why..."

Having said that, he prepared to stand up.

Uchiha Yan stood up first, pressing down on his shoulder with a gentle but unquestionable tone. "Trust me, everything is under control."

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

He looked at Uchiha Yan's confident gaze, remembering how the man had accurately predicted Orochimaru's attack on Konoha.

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

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

As his voice fell, he turned to leave.

Uchiha Inabi stared resolutely at Uchiha Yan, his eyes filled with fervor.

After leaving Inabi's home, Uchiha Yan shook his head.

"I didn't expect Fugaku's resolve to be so strong this time. Since that's the case, I need to make my move quickly too."

He tidied his clothes, preparing to go back and change before heading to the Konoha Military Police Force.

He directly pushed open the door, and the morning sun spilled onto the floor.

Uchiha Yan pushed the door open, expecting an empty room, but to his surprise, as he lowered his head, he saw a small figure curled up on his sofa.

It was Uchiha Izumi.

Seeing her, Uchiha Yan scratched his head in confusion.

In his memory, Uchiha Izumi should have been resting at her own home. How did she end up here?

But it was clear that Uchiha Izumi had stayed here all night.

She was still wearing her casual clothes, and to keep warm, she had haphazardly thrown on a black jacket belonging to Uchiha Yan.

The oversized jacket enveloped her entire body, making her already slender frame appear even more petite and delicate.

Uchiha Izumi's sleep was clearly not peaceful.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she were dreaming of something unpleasant.

As sunlight and fresh air flooded the room, Uchiha Izumi let out a soft hum on the sofa.

She struggled to open her eyes, rubbed them, and saw Uchiha Yan with a gentle expression in front of her.

Uchiha Izumi said with surprise, "Yan, you're back."

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

Uchiha Yan was already numb to Izumi being able to enter his home.

After all, for a ninja, it was incredibly easy to open a lock without damaging it.

Uchiha Izumi stood up, her hair a bit messy.

Uchiha Yan could even see a stray strand standing up.

He couldn't help but reach out and pat down the stray hair on Izumi's head.