Chapter 44

What strongest family in Konoha, what crimson eyes? In the end, they had still been pressed down so hard they couldn't lift their heads.

After enough time passed, all that remained in many people's hearts was contempt.

They had forgotten that the Uchiha, who had swallowed their anger in the past, simply hadn't wanted to cause trouble.

Now, things were different.

When the Uchiha turned all their anger and resentment into a blade—

No one could withstand the weight of that strike.

The moment the Uchiha made a move, the other side couldn't even find its footing.

Elsewhere, inside Konoha Village. "The clan head's side has already started fighting."

"These guys in the village should be showing themselves soon too, right?"

Shisui Uchiha crouched on a tree branch, looking down at the village. "Just follow the plan."

"I'm also rather curious to see who'll be the first to jump out."

Uchiha Itachi spoke from beside him.

At that moment, in the Uchiha clan grounds, someone hurried over to find Shisui. "Vice Minister, something happened."

"Today, I pinned down three of our own clansmen."

"What should we do about this?"

The speaker was Nagasawa Uchiha, wearing an expression that said he had a massive headache.

Some people in the clan really wouldn't listen no matter how they were persuaded.

At a critical moment like this, people from the Utatane Family and Mito Family had suddenly appeared, clearly looking for trouble. They had started fighting with the Police Force members on the spot.

If they didn't suppress it now, it might blow up. "Handle it according to the rules."

"We said long ago that no one who breaks the rules gets to be an exception."

"If our own people knowingly break the law, punish them twice as harshly."

Shisui's words were very decisive.

In the past, he would have had to weigh it carefully, afraid of offending both the village and the clan.

But now, things were different.

These matters had been planned from the start. "Understood."

"I'll handle it right away."

Nagasawa Uchiha turned and went to deal with it.

For matters like this, the faster they were resolved, the more deterrent they were.

Before long, three Uchiha clansmen were taken away and locked up.

The few ninjas from Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane's families were arrested as well.

By the time those two old folks heard the news and rushed over, the Uchiha side had already completed all the procedures.

The Hokage's office. "Third, our people were arrested by the Police Force."

"They're probably being dealt with right now."

"You have to help us get our clansmen out."

The moment Koharu Utatane entered, she laid it out plainly.

Her family's people had fought the Uchiha around noon.

The afternoon had only just passed, and her own people had already been locked up.

Since the two of them had secured their positions among Konoha's higher-ups, this was the first time something like this had happened.

And now that the Uchiha were growing more and more powerful, their tails were practically sticking up into the sky. "I've already had someone go look for Fugaku."

"This is a Police Force case, and also an internal matter of their clan."

"We'll talk when he arrives."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he lowered his head and continued reviewing documents. "But—"

Koharu Utatane still wanted to speak, but Homura Mitokado stopped her.

She saw him shake his head, so she could only endure it in silence.

Before long, Shisui Uchiha arrived. "Lord Hokage, Minister Fugaku has gone to carry out another mission, so only I could come."

"Has something important happened?"

The moment Shisui entered the room, he didn't even look at Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

These two old things could have just stayed in their own clans and enjoyed retirement, but they insisted on getting involved.

Then they couldn't blame him for not giving them face. "So it's you, Vice Minister Shisui."

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe between his fingers and exhaled a mouthful of white mist. His gaze swept to the side. "At the end of the day, we're all from the same village. If there's really some knot between everyone, can't you just lay it out and talk it through?"

Those words were obviously meant for Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Today's matter had originally been stirred up by these two. He didn't want to butt heads with the Uchiha at this time. Since they insisted on coming, then let them charge into the vanguard. "What instructions does Lord Hokage have? I'll handle them immediately."

Shisui Uchiha's expression was as calm as a stagnant pool, as if he had no idea what had happened at all. "Vice Minister Shisui, that kind of talk is pointless."

Koharu Utatane spoke in a low voice, and there was already a ** edge in her tone. "We're all colleagues of Konoha. Why are you playing dumb with us?"

"Our two families' clansmen were all detained by the Police Force."

"Don't tell me you don't know about this."

When Koharu Utatane saw Shisui Uchiha acting as if this had nothing to do with him, her anger shot up at once.

Looking at Koharu Utatane as if she were about to jump in rage, the expression on Shisui Uchiha's face still didn't fluctuate in the slightest. "I do know."

"I also signed off on the handling result."

"Is there a problem?"

When he said this, his gaze returned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, as if he were waiting for the Hokage to give an explanation. "You knew?!"

"Then you still indulged your clansmen in provoking trouble everywhere, creating—"

"Lady Utatane, please think before you speak!"

Before she could finish, Shisui Uchiha interrupted her directly, his tone turning cold.

Koharu Utatane was stunned by this suddenly forceful attitude, and for a moment, she really felt a little afraid.

She took a deep breath before suppressing her anger and asking, "Fine. Then I'd like to hear what kind of explanation Vice Minister Shisui can give us."

"The Uchiha will take responsibility for what the Uchiha have done."

"The trouble my clansmen caused has already been punished according to the rules."

"Right now, they should be apologizing in person to the clansmen of you two lords."

Shisui Uchiha's voice wasn't loud, and his pace was steady, but everyone present could sense the anger pressing beneath it.

As soon as he said this, not only Koharu Utatane, but Homura Mitokado and Hiruzen Sarutobi were all stunned.

A public apology?

The Police Force's punishment had already been carried out?

The expressions on all their faces changed.

According to past precedent, if a matter really blew up, then even if punishment was needed, at most it would be an internal reprimand. Even if they took a beating, it wouldn't count as much to them.

But this time, the Uchiha had actually made a public apology?

That was the Uchiha.

And it was even a decision made personally by the Vice Minister of the Police Force before them.

In the past, if they wanted the Uchiha to lower their heads and admit fault, the higher-ups would have had to exert pressure together and then attach some special privilege in exchange. Only then would there be the slightest chance of succeeding.

And even then, nine times out of ten, they would be directly refused.

The Uchiha Clan was proud down to its bones. This was something everyone acknowledged. "Lord Hokage—"

Right at that moment, an Anbu ninja suddenly appeared.

After seeing who was in the meeting room, he still braced himself and said, "There's trouble in the village."

"What trouble?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's temples throbbed twice.

Originally, he had only wanted to use Danzo's matter to set up a game. Who would have thought that these two old fellows, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, would get hotheaded and insist on sticking a foot in?

Now great, everything was piling together. "The Uchiha people and the people from the clans of these two lords have all gone to Shadow Leaf Lake."

"Before setting out, the ninjas from the two lords' clans used ninjutsu on the street."

The Anbu ninja spoke rapidly, recounting everything that had just happened exactly as it was.

When those three Uchiha were apologizing, the ninjas of the Utatane Clan and Mito Clan had directly switched on their mode of mockery and sarcasm.

The three from the Uchiha Family apologized for quite a while, and their attitude could be considered sincere.

But those people had no intention of letting them off. Their words grew harsher and harsher, and after cursing for a while, they directly made a move.

The Uchiha side had endured it for quite some time. Now their anger had risen too, and they struck back on the spot.

At first, it was only fists and feet, but when the dozen-plus people on the other side saw they couldn't gain an advantage, they directly used ninjutsu.

In order to protect the civilian houses beside them, the three Uchiha took some injuries.

Their eyes also turned red with rage, and they directly issued a challenge.

The location was set at Shadow Leaf Lake.

The moment the words were finished, Shisui Uchiha turned his head and stared at Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Koharu Utatane, who had just been shouting for an explanation, immediately wilted.

This matter hadn't been hidden at all. Everything was laid out in the open.

It was the ninjas from their families who had used ninjutsu first. The Uchiha had merely fought back.

The Anbu had watched from the side, and the common people had seen it too.

Trying to deny it? Not a chance.

Then looking at Shisui's expression, it was as if he wanted to eat someone alive.

How could Koharu Utatane dare waste any more words? She greased her soles and ran straight toward Shadow Leaf Lake.

Among the people taken away, one was her own nephew. "Lord Hokage..."

"I won't go over."

"Even if I go, it would be useless."

"The Anbu don't need to interfere either."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he lowered his head and continued reviewing documents.

The Anbu acknowledged the order and vanished in a flash.

Over at Shadow Leaf Lake. "I called you trash. Was I wrong?"

"You don't even dare fight, only know how to dodge and hide, and you still have the nerve to call yourselves Konoha's number one clan?"

Utatane Retsu's mouth was filthy.

His aunt was Koharu Utatane, one of Konoha's higher-ups.

He was the youngest son of the family, spoiled rotten since childhood.

A few days ago, he had been beaten by the Uchiha, and the handling result had been to punish both sides equally.

But the Uchiha were from the Police Force, so it counted as knowingly breaking the law, and they had to receive an extra punishment.

That was why the public apology had happened.

At first, he had only thought of regaining a bit of face and leaving it at that, but who knew that the more he cursed, the more addicted he became?

He couldn't stop at all, and so he caused another scene.

Of course, someone like him would always believe he was never wrong. "Your mouth really stinks."

"Whether we're the number one clan or not, won't you know if you come and try us?"

"Cowards hiding under a woman's crotch."

Uchiha Yasushi gave a sneering laugh.

Trash like this didn't even deserve to be their opponent. "What did you say?"

"Today, I'll let you know what the Utatane Clan relied on to sit among Konoha's higher-ups."

"You Uchiha are only fit to be rats."

Utatane Retsu rapidly formed hand seals. "Boom—"

Before he could release it, the Uchiha side moved first.

Their signature Great Fireball slammed straight into his face.

Then Shadow Clones scattered in all directions, and ninjutsu was thrown out as if it cost nothing.

Three pairs of Sharingan were fully opened, dodging left and right among a dozen-plus people, fighting with effortless ease. "Smack—"

"Who the hell hit my face..."

"Smack—"

"Smack—"

The sound of slaps rose one after another. "All of you, stop!"

More than ten minutes later, Shisui Uchiha finally arrived.

At the sight of this scene, he let out a furious shout. "Vice Minister Shisui, sir, you're finally here! If you'd come any later, we would've been killed!"

Uchiha Yasushi was covered in blood, and he was still cursing nonstop. "These ** had no intention of holding back. Every move was aimed at our vitals!"

"Clan head, we already lowered our heads and admitted our mistake, but they still wanted to wipe us out!"

The other two also shouted along, their voices coming from within the rising dust.

Koharu Utatane felt a chill in her heart as she listened.

She knew better than anyone that, at the root of today's matter, it was their side that had provoked things first.

If an Uchiha really died here, once word spread, the whole village would explode.

At that time, even if she stepped forward, she wouldn't be able to protect her nephew's life. "Whoosh—"

Shisui Uchiha raised a hand and waved. Chakra abruptly erupted, sweeping through like a violent gale.

The smoke and dust were blown clean away.

Revealed were the three of them, including Uchiha Yasushi, without a single patch of good skin on their bodies. Their cuts were so deep that bone showed.

Shisui looked at this scene, and the chakra on his body climbed higher and higher. "Vice Minister Shisui, this time, it was indeed our fault."

"We're willing to pay. Whatever the punishment is, we'll accept it."

Homura Mitokado saw that things were going badly and hurriedly softened his stance.

Shisui's reputation had been heard throughout the entire Shinobi World.

Shisui of the Body Flicker was not an empty title.

More importantly, hidden in his eyes was the Mangekyo Sharingan.

If Shisui was dead set on making a move, not a single person present would be able to escape.

And even if they died, they would have died for nothing.

The village's rules were right there—anyone who made the first move against someone from the same village would be treated as a rogue ninja on the spot.

A rogue ninja's life had nothing to do with the village.

Even if they were killed, no one would investigate. "Arrest them all and lock them up for a month."

Shisui frowned, thought for a moment, then threw out those words before turning and leading his men away.

Homura Mitokado looked at Shisui's retreating back and finally let out a breath of relief.

His life, at least, had been saved. "Weren't you... weren't you beating those three Uchiha down?"

Homura Mitokado had just been about to call for his clansmen to go to the Police Force and turn themselves in when he looked up and saw that the dozen or so people all had shoe prints and bruises all over their faces.

If he had not still been able to recognize a few distinguishing features, he would have suspected he had mistaken them for someone else. "They... sob..."

Of the dozen or so people, not one could say a complete sentence.

Koharu Utatane still wanted to press them, but Shisui had already arrived with the people from the Police Force.

Without another word, they took every last person away.

The Hokage's office.

"Lord Hokage, the matter over there has been handled."