In the Hokage Residence, within the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen frowned, poring over intelligence from the border, calmly awaiting Veigar's arrival.
Veigar was currently the most suitable person in the village to handle this mission. If he had a choice, Hiruzen wouldn't send Veigar out of the village right now.
Suddenly, a Konoha Anbu appeared before Hiruzen, kneeling on one knee, head bowed, reporting with rapid urgency:
"Report, Lord Third. Jōnin Veigar was just arrested on his way here by the Military Police Force, on suspicion of colluding with spies and harming villagers."
Hiruzen's head snapped up. His aura, losing control, expanded momentarily before vanishing.
"You mean the Uchiha arrested Veigar?"
Even Hiruzen, due to his emotional fluctuation, said "Uchiha" instead of "Military Police Force."
Veigar had been arrested, taken away by members of the Military Police Force in broad daylight.
At the time, Kinzan's words had caused an uproar among the surrounding villagers.
They all knew Veigar was a hero returning from the battlefield. For the Military Police Force to suddenly arrest Veigar under such an accusation, it would be strange if it didn't cause a commotion!
"No way! How could Veigar-sama collude with spies and harm villagers?"
"Exactly. Everyone knows Veigar-sama is a hero of the village."
"The Military Police must be slandering Veigar-sama."
Veigar looked at Uchiha Kinzan before him, smiling meaningfully as he said, "Oh!"
"Arresting me?"
"And by your Commander's order?"
'Looking for trouble? Not a chance.'
When Kinzan emphasized "Commander" in his statement, Veigar understood Uchiha Fugaku's intentions.
His arrest was merely an excuse.
However, Fugaku had made a misstep by bringing him to the Military Police Force under the accusation of colluding with spies, in full view of the public.
This would undoubtedly cause the Uchiha clan's reputation to plummet in the villagers' minds.
Why? Because Veigar was currently a hero of Konoha. If he was arrested without concrete evidence, how would they explain it afterward?
What kind of justification would they give Veigar?
Fugaku, who had only recently taken charge of the Uchiha clan, hadn't realized the importance of public sentiment.
Veigar had truly witnessed the Uchiha's arrogance today.
"If you resist, we will resort to force." Kinzan said sternly, looking at Veigar's calm demeanor.
"Hehe~"
"Alright, I'll go with you."
Veigar left, simply walking towards the Konoha Military Police Force's headquarters, surrounded by the five Uchiha members.
It was just a shame he hadn't managed to get even a single bite of his beloved Ichiraku Ramen yet!
The news that the Uchiha, under the guise of the Military Police Force, had arrested Veigar on charges of colluding with spies and harming villagers, immediately spread like wildfire through Konohagakure.
At this point, things became interesting. What exactly did the Uchiha clan intend to do?
This question hung over everyone's heads.
The various ninja clans in the village, and ninja from civilian backgrounds, all felt that this incident today could very well trigger unrest within the village.
However, with no definitive conclusion yet, they all continued to observe.
Upon receiving the news of Veigar's arrest by the Military Police Force, Hiruzen didn't bother with his administrative duties. If this matter wasn't handled properly, Hiruzen already foresaw the subsequent developments.
Leaving the Hokage Residence and heading towards the Military Police Force, Hiruzen's face remained calm, but inwardly, he was already cursing.
The Konoha Military Police Force was located in a relatively secluded area. The independent Military Police Force building was surrounded by forest, with few civilians residing nearby.
When Hiruzen appeared outside the Military Police Force headquarters, quite a crowd had already gathered at the entrance, eager to watch the spectacle.
The Uchiha clan, who held power over the Konoha Military Police Force, had the authority to disperse and prohibit the onlookers.
But they didn't. They simply kept the Military Police Force's gates tightly shut, while stationing several members at the entrance to prevent any conflicts.
The Hyūga, Aburame... and Shimura, among other Konoha clans, had all sent people. Hiruzen also saw many civilian ninja gathered in groups of two or three, discussing in hushed tones.
Veigar, was he a nobody?
No!
A hero of Konoha.
This title alone showed his immense standing in the hearts of the Konoha villagers.
And that's a nobody?
Veigar's arrest by the Military Police Force had garnered significant attention from the villagers.
But the ninja clans within Konoha were concerned about something else entirely.
What exactly did the Uchiha clan intend to do?
To openly arrest Veigar, if they couldn't provide a proper reason, then...
Hehe.
Hiruzen moved through the crowd, slowly walking inside under the gaze of numerous onlookers, his breathing steady.
In the Military Police Force's interrogation room, Veigar sat calmly and composedly on a solitary chair, arms crossed over his chest, his expression indifferent.
Before Veigar was a small, low table. Behind the table, Fugaku sat grandly on a stool, his gaze cold as he looked at Veigar.
With no one else around, Fugaku dropped his pretense and spoke to Veigar:
"It's been a while, Veigar!"
Veigar maintained a faint smile, staring at Fugaku as he said, "You didn't 'invite' me here just to say hello, did you?"
Veigar put a heavy emphasis on the word "invite," causing Fugaku's calm expression to break into a helpless smile.
"I will certainly give you an explanation for today's events."
"I 'invited' you here in this manner because I just wanted to ask one thing: is our previous deal still valid?"
Veigar broadened his smile, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and said, "Why wouldn't it be valid? It's a mutually beneficial transaction, good for both of us."
Though he didn't know why Fugaku was asking this, Veigar clearly saw a sense of relief on his face.
Veigar didn't ask, and Fugaku didn't elaborate. In the interrogation room, the two exchanged pleasantries, and Veigar also received compensation from Fugaku.
Medicinal herbs worth fifty million ryō.
This was both an apology and a show of sincerity.
After Hiruzen entered the Military Police Force headquarters, someone immediately informed Fugaku.
Daring to "invite" Veigar, Fugaku naturally came prepared. He immediately produced a pre-prepared interrogation record and a stack of intelligence reports, then walked out.
Hiruzen, inwardly cursing, had calmed down upon arriving at the Military Police Force, wanting to know what the Uchiha clan was trying to pull this time.
A short while later, Fugaku stood before Hiruzen, respectfully greeting him.
"Lord Third, why have you come?"
Hiruzen chuckled, "Hehe. Fugaku, the order to arrest Veigar, that was yours, wasn't it?"
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]