Land of Whirlpools.
Afternoon.
"Don't be nervous." The young man handed a bottle of water to Uchiha Fugaku and said, "Our mission isn't very difficult. We just need to protect the Land of Whirlpools and serve the people." Looking at the hardworking civilians not far away, he smiled slightly. "Some things, they understand better than we do. Everyone lives freely and equally under the law."
"Although the Land of Whirlpools is a nation based on law, there are still some differences in customs and sentiments."
"You don't need to worry..." The young man patted Uchiha Fugaku on the shoulder and said, "You'll get used to it after some time."
"Thank you." Uchiha Fugaku took the water, glanced at the bottle, and said expressionlessly, "How much?"
"No need, no need." The young man shook his head with a smile. "Consider it a treat from your senior."
"The Uchiha clan hasn't changed at all."
"Always so serious and strict."
Hearing the young man's words, Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes. His three-tomoe Sharingan activated automatically as he put down the water bottle and stared at him. Why did this ordinary police officer know his identity?
Had Lord Jun informed the entire Land of Whirlpools?
However...
"Don't be nervous." Seeing Uchiha Fugaku's tense expression, the young man paused, then smiled and said, "I haven't introduced myself yet."
"Muroto Sosuke, a member of the Chinoike Clan."
Chinoike!
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes widened. Although that chief said the Chinoike Clan had long forgotten what the Uchiha Clan did to them, it didn't mean everyone below had let go of their hatred. So...
He was still somewhat worried inside.
"Don't worry." Sosuke spread his hands to show he meant no harm and said, "The Chinoike Clan doesn't want to live in hatred forever."
Of course, the premise was that the Uchiha Clan became citizens of the Land of Whirlpools.
"Sorry." Uchiha Fugaku deactivated his Sharingan, picked up the water bottle, and said calmly, "I will also restrain the Uchiha Clan."
"No need." Sosuke shook his head. Just as he was about to say something else...
A little girl ran over.
"Daddy!"
She hugged Sosuke's leg.
"Yuko!" Sosuke picked up his daughter, his face full of affection. He patted her head and smiled. "What are you doing here? Where's Mommy?"
"Mommy?" Yuko looked around in confusion, then turned her head and said happily, "She's coming."
"Honestly." A long-haired woman ran over, pinching Yuko's cheek with a stern expression. "Why did you run off? Don't you know Daddy is on duty?"
"I missed Daddy." Yuko clung tightly to Sosuke's neck, pouting. "Mommy is mean."
"Oh! You're calling Mommy mean now?!" The mother rolled up her sleeves, ready to pinch Yuko's cheek again.
"It's fine." Sosuke shook his head. "I was just taking a break anyway." Then, pointing at Uchiha Fugaku beside him, he said to Yuko, "This is Uncle Fugaku."
"Hello, Uncle Fugaku." Yuko said sweetly, then took out a piece of candy from her pocket. "Yuko will give you candy."
As for Uchiha Fugaku...
His expression froze. He was only in his teens, still a young boy, and unmarried. How had he suddenly become an uncle?
But as a member of the Uchiha Clan, he quickly dismissed the thought after a brief pause. He nodded and said, "Hello."
The mother also greeted Uchiha Fugaku, then took Yuko and said with a smile, "Come with Mommy. Daddy still has work to do." Ignoring Yuko's protests, she apologized to Fugaku and Sosuke before leaving with her.
"Haha." Sosuke watched the scene with a warm smile and said, "Sorry about that."
"No." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and said calmly, "She's very cute."
Looking at the red candy in his hand, he couldn't help but smile slightly.
Back in Konoha...
No child would ever treat a member of the Uchiha Clan like this.
"Yeah!" Sosuke looked up at the setting sun and smiled. "The Chinoike Clan cherishes our current life very much. So..."
"We haven't told the next generation about the past, any grudges or hatred..."
"Let it all end with our generation."
As long as we can live happily, that's enough.
...
Konoha.
"The Uchiha Clan's corpses..." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe, narrowed his eyes at Danzō, and said, "No matter what, they sacrificed themselves for Konoha. They should be buried as soon as possible."
His old friend had suddenly taken all the Uchiha corpses away. What was he planning?
"I know." Danzō nodded solemnly. "But after investigating, we found that a group of Uchiha clansmen are missing."
"Root and ANBU searched thoroughly but couldn't find them in the village."
"What about recent exit records?" Hiruzen frowned and said, "Maybe the Uchiha Clan wanted to preserve their bloodline and moved some members out."
"We've already checked." Danzō shook his head. "The Uchiha Clan hasn't had any exit records recently. Most of them returned to the village."
"You mean...?" Hiruzen seemed to realize something and narrowed his eyes. "Someone secretly took them away?"
And the ones taken were mostly women and children.
Who could it be?
"It's still unclear." Danzō touched his right eye and shook his head. "But I'll investigate thoroughly."
"Maybe it really is related to that Mangekyō."
Among the Uchiha corpses, not only was the clan leader missing one eye, but the three-tomoe Sharingan of three Uchiha elders had also been gouged out.
So...
Who was it?
Or perhaps Uchiha Shin was the Uchiha Clan leader, and the reason he killed his clansmen and committed suicide...
Was because he loved the village so deeply!
Also...
Danzō knew very well that the remaining Mangekyō of the Uchiha Clan leader must never be revealed to his old friend. Otherwise, who knew what might happen?
"Sigh!" Hiruzen sighed helplessly and nodded. "I'll leave it to you. Konoha is in a critical state right now!"
Any potential risks must be handled carefully.
"I will protect Konoha." Danzō nodded seriously. "You are Konoha's light, and I am Konoha's shadow. We are both indispensable parts of the village."
"..."
For some reason, hearing Danzō's words made Hiruzen feel an urge to punch someone.
Damn shadow, just stay in the shadows and take the blame!
You've changed, old friend. You've become shameless and even more sinister.
Hiruzen sighed gloomily and said, "So, how should we handle the Uchiha Clan now?"
"..."
You want me to make the suggestion?
Danzō stared speechlessly at Hiruzen. You've already made up your mind, yet you want me to say it. Isn't this just making me take the blame?
The blame for being cold-blooded and ruthless!
But...
As the shadow of the village, he had no choice but to speak.
This was the price...
The price for the Uchiha corpses.
"Confiscate the Uchiha Clan's land for village use." Danzō sneered. "At the same time, spread the word that the Uchiha Clan's fate was due to their attempt to stage a coup."
"Isn't that too harsh?" Hiruzen gripped his pipe, hesitating. "No matter what, the Uchiha Clan was one of Konoha's noble clans."
"No, it's not harsh at all. This is the fate traitors deserve." Danzō shook his head. "Hiruzen, you're too kind."
"In that case..." Hiruzen fell silent for a moment before reluctantly conceding. "Do as you say. But..."
"Declare the Uchiha Clan leader as a hero of Konoha. To prevent civil war in the village, he killed the entire Uchiha Clan before committing suicide."
"At the same time, confiscate the Uchiha Clan's land for village use. In the name of the Hokage, distribute it to ninja who have made significant contributions to the village or to impoverished civilians."
"Remember..."
"Everything we do is for Konoha!"