Back in the Village, Izumi found herself wandering the familiar streets alone, her steps slow and unhurried. The usual excitement of training or missions was absent, leaving a dull boredom to settle in her chest. As she strolled beneath the swaying branches of the cherry blossoms, the soft rustle of leaves barely noticed, her attention was suddenly drawn by a loud commotion nearby.
A crowd had gathered around a small street vendor, where several members of the Uchiha Police Force were engaged in a heated dispute with the vendor himself. The vendor's stall had been overturned, its contents scattered across the dirt path, and a young villager—apparently the vendor's relative—was being forcibly dragged away by a stern Uchiha Ninja.
The villager's family was wailing bitterly, their cries of anguish tugging at the hearts of passersby. Slowly, the crowd began to swell as sympathetic onlookers surrounded the Uchiha Police Force, voices rising in indignation.
"You're enforcing the law? Then why are you treating us like criminals?" a man shouted, fists clenched. "Is this the rough 'justice' of the Uchiha?"
Another villager spat angrily, "You could have simply taken him away. Why destroy his stall? You've made his livelihood worthless!"
The Uchiha officers stood firm, unflinching.
"That stall was knocked over by himself!" one officer argued sharply.
"Don't lie to us!" came the quick reply. "Everyone here saw you smash it!"
The crowd murmured assent. "Yeah! They're the ones who caused it!"
"Enough!" snarled one of the Uchiha Police. His glare was sharp enough to cut steel. "We're doing our duty. Step aside, or you'll be arrested too."
A woman near the front cried out, "Are you going to lay hands on us now? You're just bullies!"
The tension thickened, and the crowd closed in even tighter, creating a human barrier around the Police Force. The officers struggled to push their way through.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd, loud and clear: "The Uchiha Police Force is hitting people! They're beating innocent villagers!"
"Nonsense!" one officer barked, his voice edged with fury. "Who's spreading these lies? Show yourselves!"
But the accusations continued, volleyed back and forth, the tension rising like a powder keg ready to explode.
Izumi's sharp eyes scanned the faces in the crowd. Her instincts told her that a few individuals were stirring the pot, deliberately fanning the flames of unrest. As they slipped away from the crowd, Izumi quietly followed, her curiosity piqued.
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku arrived on the scene. Izumi caught sight of him and expected the clan leader to take control of the situation. But instead of rushing into the fray, she chose to shadow those suspicious individuals who had just dispersed.
She trailed them until they disappeared inside their homes. Though she did not enter, she memorized their faces and residences carefully.
A sly smile curled on her lips. "Let's see how you like the Ninjutsu I created."
Later, Izumi discreetly sprinkled a special ink onto those suspects. This ink, infused with her unique chakra, quickly changed color and clung to their skin.
Her new Ninjutsu was inspired by Gaara's remote observation techniques, but with a twist. By arranging intricate talismans and formulas within the ink on her targets' bodies, she could monitor their movements and actions from afar by recalling the ink's signals.
Days of observation followed. Izumi discovered that those individuals were regularly receiving money at odd times and in secretive locations.
She reported her findings to Uchiha Fugaku immediately.
Fugaku's expression darkened as he listened. "You've done well. These people have been slandering the Uchiha Clan and receiving illicit payments. It's likely they are spies sent by other Ninja Villages to infiltrate us and gather intelligence."
He turned to Izumi with a rare look of approval. "If you can catch one of these spies, I will personally reward you."
Izumi's smile was bright and confident. "I won't let you down."
---
Several days later, in the bright heat of midday, a black-clad figure was spotted lurking in a narrow alley by a group of Uchiha Ninja on patrol.
They activated their Sharingan, piercing through the illusion, only to find the figure was not a person but a chakra-made clone—dark and insubstantial, crafted to deceive and scout.
Quickly, the Uchiha called for reinforcements, summoning the skilled Inuzuka clan to aid in tracking this elusive intruder.
Together, their combined senses hunted through the village, following faint chakra traces and sniffing out the masked stranger.
At last, deep in a shadowy alley, they cornered the intruder.
The masked Ninja smirked, pulling out a brush from his sleeve and swiftly drawing various creatures in midair—ferocious beasts born from his ink, which leapt forward to attack.
The Uchiha and Inuzuka Ninja braced for battle.
Despite the intruder's clever use of ink-drawn monsters, the numbers and teamwork of the Uchiha and Inuzuka overwhelmed him.
Just as they were about to capture the masked Ninja, a shadowy figure appeared from the side and rescued him, breaking the encirclement.
The enemy vanished swiftly, leaving no scent or trace behind.
The Inuzuka leader growled in frustration. "This ninja knows Konoha well, and clearly had help escaping. We must report this to Hokage-sama immediately."
The Uchiha officers fumed at their failure to apprehend the intruder.
But Izumi's lips curled into a quiet smile. "This is perfect. I was just wondering how to cover up my ink Ninjutsu. Now I have a reason."
With no choice but to report the incident, the matter was brought to the Hokage's office.
---
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, displeased as he addressed Uchiha Fugaku.
"Hmph. Fugaku, you did not inform me of this matter beforehand, and you acted independently. Your actions have alerted the enemy, making it harder to catch them now."
Uchiha Fugaku lowered his head respectfully. "Yes, Lord Hokage. I admit we were negligent. However, these provocateurs repeatedly damage the Uchiha Clan's reputation and incite discord between the clan and villagers. As clan leader, it is difficult for me to suppress our people's desire to defend their honor. I apologize for not handling this better."
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "I understand your position. The Uchiha Clan will always be a vital part of Konoha. We won't treat you unfairly. This matter is now in my hands. You may leave."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Fugaku replied gravely before departing.
After Fugaku left, the Third Hokage glanced over his shoulder and muttered, "Danzo must be reined in. This is getting out of hand." He then called for his assistant. "Send for Danzo immediately."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" came the prompt reply, filling the room with an echo before silence returned.
---
The next day, Izumi arrived at Uchiha Fugaku's residence.
Uchiha Mikoto greeted her warmly, eyes sparkling as she ushered Izumi inside.
Seeing that Uchiha Itachi was absent, Izumi quietly exhaled, relieved.
Fugaku, already aware of Izumi's purpose, smiled as he spoke, "You did well. However, the enemy was prepared, so the Hokage has taken over the investigation. You have made a great contribution. What is it that you desire? Ninjutsu? Weapons? Medicinal herbs? Name it."
Without hesitation, Izumi answered, "Clan Leader-sama, I wish to study Ninjutsu related to Sealing Techniques and talismans. I have a particular interest in them, but few are skilled in these arts. I want to learn."
Fugaku nodded approvingly. "Indeed, few are willing or able to master these ancient arts. Talent is necessary, but since you have the will, I will grant you access."
He led her into a chamber filled from floor to ceiling with countless scrolls—an entire room devoted to the secret history and techniques of the Uchiha Clan.
"These scrolls contain the secrets of our clan's long history," Fugaku explained. "Many of these are forbidden Ninjutsu that ordinary Ninja cannot access. Some talismans have even lost their original creation methods over time. If you have the passion, perhaps you can restore them."
He looked at Izumi solemnly. "Work hard to help revitalize the Uchiha Clan."
"I will! I promise to study diligently and uphold the honor of the Uchiha!" Izumi declared with determination.
Fugaku smiled. "You may select four scrolls related to Sealing Techniques and talismans. Keep in mind, even an ordinary Jonin is only allowed to access five."
"Thank you, Clan Leader-sama!" Izumi exclaimed and began to carefully examine the scrolls.
However, while choosing, she quietly used her Divine Ink Chakra to copy the contents of every scroll. She didn't stop at just the Sealing Techniques but included Genjutsu and other secret arts.
Finally, she selected a few scrolls to study on the spot.
Her eyes scanned the ancient characters with intense concentration, absorbing the vast Ninjutsu formulas and unlocking their meaning bit by bit.
---
Izumi's dedication was unwavering. She knew that mastering these secret arts could change not only her fate but the future of her clan. And as she delved deeper into the scrolls, she felt the weight of history settle on her shoulders — a legacy she was determined to honor.
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