Using the fire as cover, Aozora and the others slipped away fast.
As they ran, Guy caught up to Aozora and asked, "Why did we just leave instead of explaining ourselves to the Daimyo's Guardian Shinobi?"
Aozora replied, "We didn't do anything. Why would we need to explain?"
Guy hesitated for a moment before saying, "But they think it was us who raided the black market and massacred civilians!"
Junping explained, "That's just their assumption. If they'd detained us, we wouldn't get cleared unless the real criminal was caught. But by leaving directly, when they accuse us, we can just say they're framing us.
After all, countless ninja can use Transformation Jutsu. Why specifically target us for massacring civilians?"
Aozora gave a slight nod. Not a bad point, Junping.
This wasn't the kind of ordinary world where appearances alone could serve as conclusive proof. One of the graduation requirements for Genin was mastering Transformation Jutsu, so looks couldn't be used as solid evidence.
So, while the Hokage Faction's false accusations added suspicion, they weren't enough to fully pin the crime on them.
Still, since Aozora and his team were stationed in this area, suspicion naturally fell on them the hardest.
Remembering how tragically White Fang and Hizashi died in the original timeline, Aozora manipulated the subtle thread of fate and dialed Shisui through the Cross-realm Phone.
"Keshin, help me contact Itachi. Tell him I've been framed during a mission and might be in mortal danger!"
"And also connect me with Natsuki. Let her investigate the Daimyo's recent movements and see if he's met anyone else!"
Just as he was about to hang up the inter-dimensional call, Keshin called out, "I've already adapted to this body and can use most of your abilities!"
Hearing that, Aozora responded immediately, "Can you use 'Jia Xing'?"
A firm confirmation came from the other end of the line: "Naturally!"
A faint smile appeared on Aozora's lips. He had a plan—he'd stir up this mess.
Whoosh!
After a sound like slicing wind, a flash of blue light appeared, and a thin cut opened across Aozora's palm.
Using the flowing blood, Aozora quickly formed hand seals.
[Summoning Technique!]
Poof!
With a puff of thick smoke, a giant crow as large as an eagle, completely jet-black in color, appeared before Aozora.
Aozora looked at Keshin's body, surprised by how much he'd changed. It had only been over ten days, yet the clone had already grown much larger.
Moreover, different from his previously all-black feathers, Aozora noticed some orange-red feathers on his body. His once crimson red eyes had now changed to orange-red.
But now wasn't the time to be checking Keshin's physical changes. Aozora directly said, "Trouble you to scout from the air!"
At the same time, Aozora secretly transmitted his idea for solving the problem to Keshin.
"No problem!"
The large crow gave a direct nod, then flapped its wings and soared into the sky.
Watching the magnificent sight, Guy exclaimed in admiration, "Aozora, your summoned beast looks incredible!"
Junping Uchiha added, "This eagle really is extraordinary!"
Uchiha Aozora shot them both an incredulous glance. "Seriously? Can't you two even tell what species it is? That's a crow!"
"What? A crow? No eagle could be that big!"
"Although it does look somewhat similar, can Puppet: Corpse Crows have fiery red feathers?"
Ignoring their shock, Uchiha Aozora quickly wrote two secret letters and summoned other ninja crows to deliver them separately to Shisui and Natsuki.
Once everything was set, Uchiha Aozora turned to Junping Uchiha and Guy and said firmly, "Let's move. We need to report to Commander Kosuke immediately—someone is trying to damage Konoha's honor and turn the Daimyo's court against us!"
Without wasting another second, Uchiha Aozora took off with Guy and Junping Uchiha close behind.
Konoha Temporary Command Center for Black Market Suppression.
Shriek!
After a sharp, piercing cry from an eagle, a proud Message Hawk landed gracefully.
Kosuke accepted the secret letter handed over by an Anbu member and frowned slightly as he skimmed its contents. "The Daimyo's court is questioning us. Why are Konoha ninjas conducting missions near Kyoto and killing commoners?"
He placed the letter on the table and turned to those around him. "Didn't we already issue orders to suspend all suppression activities near Kyoto? Moreover, no matter how you look at it, our Konoha jonin would never harm commoners, would they?"
Yamato nodded. "The order has already been sent out through message hawks!"
Another officer replied, "The suppression activities near Kyoto were led by Uchiha Aozora's squad. They have a notorious reputation for mercilessly wiping out almost everyone they encounter during black market operations."
"Hmph!"
Commander Kosuke snorted coldly, fixing his gaze on the Anbu. "Never suspect your own comrades without evidence!"
After reprimanding the Anbu, Kosuke continued reading the secret message with growing concern. "The Hokage demands we promptly uncover the truth and provide explanation to the Daimyo!"
Upon hearing this, Yamato immediately requested, "Commander Kosuke, allow me to lead an Anbu unit to investigate the truth and retrieve Aozora's squad if necessary!"
Kosuke looked deeply at Yamato twice before replying, "Fine. I'm assigning you now to retrieve Uchiha Aozora's squad—I believe they're innocent."
Hearing this, Yamato responded immediately, "Yes! I guarantee mission accomplishment!"
With that, he led a small Anbu squad and swiftly departed.
After Yamato and his team left, Kosuke stared at the secret letter and issued orders to halt all current suppression activities across the region.
By the next morning, Uchiha Aozora and the others had finally left Kyoto's outskirts behind. Just as they felt relieved, five figures suddenly appeared ahead of them.
An Anbu member wearing a cat mask shouted sternly, "Jonin Uchiha Aozora, Might Guy, and Junping Uchiha—you are suspected of disobeying superior commands and massacring civilians of the Land of Fire. Surrender yourselves immediately!"
Yamato's expression darkened slightly. He sensed his Anbu comrade was being too aggressive.
However, he didn't stop him, instead backing him up, "Please accompany us back for investigation."
Guy looked completely incredulous, stepping forward and loudly protesting, "We did not disobey orders, nor did we massacre civilians!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A volley of kunai shot forth, forcing Guy to retreat.
"Might Guy!" barked the Anbu wearing a cat mask. "Don't step forward without clearance! Surrender and come with us for questioning—it's Commander Kosuke's order. Do you really intend to defy this command openly?"
Guy stared at the kunai lying before him, disappointment and fury burning in his eyes as emotions churned within.
Aozora stepped forward and patted his shoulder before turning toward Yamato. "How exactly are we supposed to cooperate?"
"Accept our seals and bindings—we'll ensure your safety!"
"Their too dangerous!" the masked Anbu explained to Yamato. "Without bindings, they might lash out at any moment."
Yamato remained silent for a moment, then turned to face the three men. "Please cooperate."
Junping tightened his grip on a kunai, his eyes showing the Three Tomoe as he sneered, "What a joke!"
Fixing a cold gaze upon Yamato, Aozora sharply asked, "Do you even know who stands before you? We're three highly decorated jonin. Just because of mere suspicion—you'd seal and bind us like criminals?"
Yamato's expression didn't change. "No matter who you are, right now, you're just targets! I'm warning you—don't resist. If you do, I can't guarantee your safety."
"Don't block our path!"
Aozora's left eye turned as lifeless as his right—an exact mirror. "We're capable of walking on our own two feet—we'll explain anything directly to Commander Kosuke ourselves!"
With that, he strode right into the deadly aura of the five shinobi before him!
Without a word, Guy and Junping followed close behind, their eyes turning cold.
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