Danzo's Scheme, Senju Hanayu!

"Big brother!"

The little girl crawled over to Senju Hashirama and pleaded through quiet sobs, trying to help her brother up.

But the already injured little girl had no strength left.

She could only sob softly.

"Hanayu, don't worry about me. Go find Uncle Xia!" Though Senju Hashirama appeared rough and carefree on the surface, he could be very thoughtful at times. He knew that if he was arrested, that bastard definitely would not spare his little sister.

Their only chance now was to go to the Military Police Force and find Uchiha Xia. He had helped Uchiha Xia with some odd jobs before, so perhaps Uncle Xia would be willing to look after his sister.

Otherwise, while he was being held by the guards, his sister might come to harm.

"But, Big Brother..." the little girl sobbed.

As the two whispered to each other, one of the men behind Sarutobi Asuma walked over, grabbed Senju Hashirama by the hair, and lifted him up. A vicious grin spread across his face. "Heh heh. Kid, you're coming with us!"

This was their first time enforcing the law, so they had to establish rules. They could not be like they had been during the Uchiha era.

"Hanayu, listen to me... cough, cough... go find..." Even as he was pinned down, Senju Hashirama continued to struggle. But injured as he was, he could not break free. He could only stare at his sister, urging her to leave quickly.

This captain of the guards did not see him as a person at all. He even wanted to punish them.

"Boss, should we arrest this guy too?" One man looked at the young thug standing nearby, suspicion in his eyes. He had a feeling that this thug had not told the truth and should be taken in for a thorough investigation.

"Captain, I've been wronged!" The young thug's face filled with pleading. He could not be taken back for investigation. There were certain things he simply could not hide if they investigated him.

"Get lost!" Sarutobi Asuma kicked the young thug away, then turned and dragged Senju Hashirama off.

As Sarutobi Asuma started walking away, everyone else consciously moved aside to clear a path for him. He strode forward just like that.

But halfway through, he stopped again. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I don't care what you were like before. Starting today, you'd better not cause any trouble. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude and inviting you to spend some time in the Military Police Force!"

With the barely conscious Senju Hashirama still hanging behind Sarutobi Asuma, the threat was immensely intimidating. No one dared to argue back.

They could only watch in silence. No one dared to resist.

They could only watch Sarutobi Asuma leave.

"Big brother..." Watching her brother being taken away, tears streamed down the little girl's face. She even looked like she hated that he had failed to meet expectations.

But when she saw the look her brother gave her, she knew she could not follow him.

She had to do as her brother said and find Uncle Xia.

"He's so arrogant. Let's report him to Hokage-sama!" Someone spat on the ground as he watched Sarutobi Asuma's arrogant back.

"Do you even know who he is, and you want to report him?" someone beside him said, signaling for the speaker to lower his voice so that demon star would not hear him.

"Who is he?" Some people still did not know Sarutobi Asuma's identity.

"Sarutobi Asuma is the Third Hokage's nephew. I heard he's also the head of the Military Police Force now. Do you think filing a complaint against him would do any good?" After that person spoke, no one dared to say another word.

The Hokage's nephew—even if they filed a complaint, it would be useless!

They might even face retaliation. It was better to behave themselves and endure it.

The little girl staggered to her feet and walked into the distance.

The young man who had fought Senju Hashirama got up and spat on the ground. Looking at the little girl's retreating figure, he sighed regretfully. "What a pity. Such a fine test subject. If I brought her to Lord Danzo, she'd definitely be worth a lot of money!"

But people had already noticed him now, so he would have to keep a low profile for a while.

With that, he walked away.

But when he reached a secluded spot, two black-clad ninja suddenly appeared before him, blocking his path.

"You were sent by Lord Danzo to find me, right? I've been watched these past few days, so I can't provide any test subjects for the time being!" The thug sounded regretful, as though he were mourning the money that had almost been his.

"No. You've already been exposed. I'm here to take your life!" the man in black said coldly, a dagger appearing in his hand.

Lord Danzo's affairs could not be allowed to spread.

This man could not be left alive.

"No, don't do this to me! I'm still useful to Lord Danzo. You can't kill me!" The thug panicked. He regretted it now. Rather than ending up like this, he should have gone with Sarutobi Asuma.

As he thought that, yellowish-white fluid suddenly seeped down his pant leg.

"Spare his life for now. Lord Danzo doesn't have many test subjects or orphans left. He can make a test subject himself," the person beside him reminded him.

The words seemed to strike a chord. The two black-clad ninja exchanged a glance, knocked the thug unconscious, and vanished into the alley!

They disappeared without a trace!

At dusk, outside the Merchant Guild!

A bedraggled little girl stood there unsteadily, looking at the Merchant Guild with hesitation.

She had first gone to the Military Police Force to look for Uchiha Xia, but had been driven out. In the end, a kindhearted person told her to come to the Merchant Guild, so she had come.

This time, she had come looking for Uchiha Xia. She did not know whether he could save her brother.

But as she looked at the magnificent Merchant Guild, she was afraid she would be thrown out again.

Just as she hesitated, a child even younger than her walked out from inside. He wore exquisite clothes and carried himself with great bearing, clearly the young master of a wealthy family.

She instinctively tried to step aside.

"Who are you? Why are you here?!"

Xuanyu had just come out of the Merchant Guild. Uchiha Hanjō had taken Uchiha Xia and several other captains to inspect the warehouses, familiarize themselves with the Merchant Guild's territory, and discuss its future.

Xuanyu had no interest in any of that and hadn't gone with them. He was about to head home for dinner.

He happened to spot a little girl cautiously peering into the Merchant Guild from its entrance, as though she were waiting for someone.

"M-My name is Senju Hanayu. Can you help me find Uchiha Xia—Uncle Xia?" Senju Hanayu looked at Xuanyu, speaking just as timidly.

"You're looking for Uncle Xia? He probably doesn't have time today. How about you come home with me for dinner first? I'll bring you to see him tomorrow!" Uchiha Xia was busy with his father right now. How could he possibly have time to deal with ordinary matters?

Besides, judging by the little girl's appearance, this was probably related to the Military Police Force.

Since it was connected to Uchiha Xia, he would take her home and get her settled first. Once Uchiha Xia was done tomorrow, he would bring her to see him.

"I-I won't go." Senju Hanayu hurriedly shook her head and said self-consciously, "I'll just wait here tonight!"

"If you know Uncle Xia, then you're Xuanyu's friend. Come with me!" Xuanyu smiled and reached out to lead the little girl home.

Hiss—

But the moment he moved, he heard the little girl suck in a sharp breath.

He frowned and glanced sideways at her. "You're injured?"

Twin Pupils Byakugan activated.

He saw that three of the little girl's ribs were broken, and his eyes immediately turned cold.

Who was it

that had laid hands on a little girl in Konoha?

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