Yesterday, at 10 p.m., a serious prisoner escape incident occurred at the labor camp located in the southern part of the Land of Whirlpools.
The Kirigakure shinobi, who had invaded the Land of Whirlpools five months ago to commit theft, were caught red-handed by our beloved Uzu-nin and sent to the labor camp for reformation.
However, these despicable Kiri-nin did not sincerely accept their reformation. Instead, they secretly gathered and plotted to take the labor camp director hostage to escape.
Fortunately, our quick-witted Uzu-nin discovered their plan and immediately coordinated with the military to conduct a thorough search, eventually locating the escaped Kiri-nin.
However, because the fugitives were holding hostages, the Uzu military, prioritizing the safety of the hostages, did not act rashly and found themselves in a standoff with the escapees.
In the end, a kind-hearted elderly citizen with graying hair stepped in to assist the police, successfully capturing the fugitives. Truly a cause for celebration!
"So, I was saved by an old man yesterday?" Yōya said, looking at the morning newspaper and then at Hanaka with a sigh. "How unpredictable life is!"
"Yeah!" Hanaka nodded, her face full of relief. "When I saw the Uzu-nin carrying you back last night, I thought something terrible had happened to you."
"After asking the Uzu-nin, I finally learned what happened."
She walked over to Yōya and sat down beside him with a smile. "The higher-ups have also sent a notice. You can rest for the next two days." She carefully examined his body. "Are you feeling any discomfort? Do you need to see a doctor?"
"Discomfort?" Yōya moved his body in confusion, then rubbed his neck. "Just a bit of pain in my neck."
That bastard with the sharp teeth, if he thought I was too noisy, why didn't he just gag me?
Why did he have to chop my neck?
"Tch!" Yōya tilted his head back, sucking in a sharp breath. "He really hit hard!"
"Careful, careful, don't move recklessly." Seeing Yōya like this, Hanaka quickly helped him lie down and complained, "Why did you even get taken hostage in the first place?"
"I'll take you to see a doctor later."
"That was just an accident." Yōya laughed awkwardly and waved his hand. "It's fine, it's fine. Just a bit stiff. I'll be fine after resting." He formed a hand seal in confusion, frowning at his hand. "But..."
"My body feels a little strange?"
"What's wrong?" Hearing Yōya's words, Hanaka panicked. "D-don't scare me like that! Maybe we should go to the hospital right now for a check-up."
"No need."
Suddenly...
Yōya's face lit up with excitement. "I know what's going on."
"The seal on my body..."
"Has been removed."
...
"This ending is really..." Uzumaki Jun wore a helpless smile, shook his head, and put down the newspaper. He looked at Hibiki in front of him and asked, "Is the commendation banner for Madara ready?"
"It was finished overnight," Uzumaki Hibiki said, adjusting his glasses. "As per your request—large, eye-catching, with gold trim. It should have already been delivered to Old Man Madara."
"Good." Uzumaki Jun narrowed his eyes and murmured, "I hope Madara-sama likes it."
This is something even Hashirama never received!
Moreover, it represents Madara-sama's significant contributions to society.
How meaningful!
Just imagine, when Hashirama is eventually reanimated, Madara can take him to his room, point at a wall, and say, "Look how much I've done for the people."
Tsk tsk...
How amusing.
"What should we do with those Kiri-nin next?" Uzumaki Hibiki asked with a frown. "According to the clan leader and the elder's opinion, they believe execution is the best option. Otherwise, it could have serious consequences for the Land of Whirlpools in the future."
After all...
If escaping prison doesn't carry any punishment, people might start thinking the law is just for show.
"This does need to be resolved." Uzumaki Jun stroked his chin, deep in thought. No matter how you look at it, burying over a dozen elite jōnin just like that would be a waste.
In the shinobi world, jōnin are highly skilled specialists capable of handling major tasks independently.
So...
For a nation like the Land of Whirlpools, which is currently lacking in shinobi, keeping them alive would undoubtedly contribute greatly to the country's development. However, simply pardoning their crimes without consequences would undermine the nation's legal authority.
And...
What about that fat guy?
Just because the script went wrong, he has to die along with the Kiri-nin?
He'd probably be cursing the Land of Whirlpools in his heart, dripping with resentment.
"Split them up," Uzumaki Jun sighed and shook his head helplessly. "Scatter them and assign them to national construction projects and community sanitation work."
Let's see if serving the people can help them redeem themselves and be accepted into the great responsibility of protecting the Land of Whirlpools.
"We still need a moving, tear-jerking story to whitewash their reputations," Uzumaki Jun muttered, narrowing his eyes.
In the shinobi world, anyone can be whitewashed. If someone truly can't be redeemed...
Either their backing isn't strong enough, or they've outlived their usefulness.
"I'll arrange it immediately." Though Uzumaki Hibiki didn't fully agree with Jun-sama's decision, since the order had been given, he could only carry it out.
But...
Given the Land of Whirlpools' current policy of rule by law, would this decision negatively impact the nation's legal system?
...
"I am..." Hoshigaki Fuguki suddenly opened his eyes and looked around at the Kiri-nin staring at him with concern. His voice faltered. "This..."
"What happened?"
He remembered they had been surrounded by Uzu-nin. Then, during negotiations, the Uzu-nin suddenly broke script and attacked, knocking out some of the Kiri-nin...
"Genjutsu?" Hoshigaki Fuguki touched his face and muttered, "What a powerful genjutsu."
They didn't even see the caster. How did they get caught in it?
"You're finally awake."
As Hoshigaki Fuguki was lost in thought, Pakkun Jūzō walked over with a sigh and hugged him tightly. "If you hadn't stopped me back then, we'd all be finished."
"Especially at the end..."
"When you bravely charged at the Uzu-nin, shouting 'I am a Kiri-nin!'" Pakkun Jūzō patted Hoshigaki Fuguki on the back. "It was truly remarkable!"
"In the past, I thought you were just a cowardly, sleazy fat guy who only got into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen through connections."
"Turns out, I misjudged you."
Pakkun Jūzō looked at Hoshigaki Fuguki with guilt. "Even though our plan failed this time..."
"It wasn't your fault. The Uzu-nin were just too cunning."
"I..." Hearing Pakkun Jūzō's words, Hoshigaki Fuguki opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. What he had actually wanted to shout was...
"I'm on your side!"
But the Uzu-nin didn't give him a chance to speak before knocking him out.
Now, seeing the admiring looks from the other Kiri-nin, Hoshigaki Fuguki decided it was better not to tell the truth. Otherwise, they might turn him into sliced pufferfish sashimi.
I'm doomed either way!
Thinking this, Hoshigaki Fuguki swallowed hard and forced a cheerful smile. "No need for thanks. This is just my duty as a Kiri-nin."
"Ha ha, everyone, no need to admire me. Just basic operations, basic operations."
"These are all just basic operations!"
I'll just wait and see what the Uzu-nin plan to do before making any decisions.
Seriously...
They changed the script without even telling me.