After several seemingly peaceful days passed—
This day arrived.
Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamabuki were out on routine patrol.
"With the captain gone… it's really boring," Aoki sighed.
Yamabuki shot him a look.
"Weren't you always the one saying the captain was too extreme?"
"That he never looked at things from the bigger picture, always causing trouble for the Uchiha and the Police Force?"
Cold sweat immediately soaked Aoki's back as he hurriedly clamped a hand over Yamabuki's mouth.
"Shh!"
"Don't spout nonsense! If the captain hears that, I'm dead!"
"Besides, it wasn't just me saying it—haven't you complained before too?"
Yamabuki brushed his hand away and snorted.
"That was because I was too naive."
"Now I finally understand—the captain's way was the right choice."
Aoki nodded.
"Yeah… I just don't know when the captain will be able to come back…"
"And Hokage-sama—"
Before he could finish, both of them fell silent at the same time.
Just then—
A sudden commotion erupted ahead, as if a fierce fight had broken out.
The two exchanged a glance.
"Let's go!"
Though still young, they had followed Qianyu for many years. Their perception and judgment were sharp.
What they saw ahead made their blood run cold.
Five or six Konoha shinobi were beating a female shinobi like rabid beasts.
Fists landed again and again, a storm of violence.
Her screams were shrill and desperate—painful to hear.
More disturbingly—
Aoki and Yamabuki had never seen these shinobi before.
Though they wore Konoha forehead protectors, their origins were unknown.
"Stop!" Aoki roared, charging forward.
Yamabuki hesitated briefly—but seeing Aoki rush in, he sighed and followed.
"Who are you?!"
"What are you doing?!"
One of the shinobi looked up coldly.
"The Police Force?"
"This has nothing to do with you."
"Mind your own business."
"Get lost!"
As he spoke, he continued beating the woman mercilessly.
"Help… help me…"
Her cries tore at the heart.
Aoki's blood boiled. He shouted angrily, drawing his blade—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The attackers scattered in shock. Seizing the moment, Aoki rushed in and positioned himself in front of the woman, shielding her.
"Are you okay?"
"I—I'm fine… thank you… thank you…"
But when Aoki looked closer—
Her face was bruised and swollen, blood pouring from seven wounds. The sight was horrifying.
Rage surged uncontrollably.
"Who the hell are you people—"
Before he could finish—
"Aoki, watch out!"
Yamabuki lunged forward, desperately throwing himself between them.
Too late.
A freezing killing intent exploded.
A blade flashed.
"AAAAH!"
Two screams rang out.
Yamabuki's arm was severed at the shoulder.
Yet the blade didn't stop—
It pierced straight through into Aoki's back!
Thud!
Agonizing pain ripped through him. Aoki spat out mouthfuls of blood.
He turned his head with difficulty—
And saw the woman he had just saved.
Her face was smeared with blood, lips twisted into a cruel, demonic grin.
"Many thanks, you kind idiot…"
The moment she finished speaking, she vanished in a blur.
The so-called "Konoha shinobi" roared furiously.
"Bastards! You damn Police Force dogs!"
"That woman was a Hidden Mist spy!"
"You actually let her escape from under the ANBU's hands!"
"Are you trying to rebel?!"
Aoki and Yamabuki endured the pain, their faces turning deathly pale.
"Hidden Mist… Blood Mist… spy?!"
They weren't idiots.
In that instant, they understood—
They had fallen into a trap.
This had been a carefully laid ambush, waiting for them to walk straight into it.
Worst of all—
Cruel, satisfied smiles crept onto the faces of those so-called ANBU.
They pretended to chase after the fleeing spy.
Leaving behind only Yamabuki and Aoki—
One missing an arm.
The other critically wounded, on the brink of death.
No one cared.
"Aoki! Aoki!"
"How are you holding up?!"
"I'll get you to the hospital—right now!"
Aoki forced a weak smile.
"Yamabuki… your arm…"
"Damn it! An arm means nothing!"
"Your injuries—"
Aoki shook his head weakly.
"It's my fault… I was too stupid… too impulsive…"
"I walked straight into such an obvious trap…"
"I'm… I'm sorry… I dragged you into this…"
"You idiot, what nonsense are you saying?!"
Tears streamed down Aoki's face.
"I… I regret it so much…"
"I followed Captain Qianyu for so long… yet I learned nothing from him…"
"I'm ashamed… truly ashamed…"
Yamabuki roared, ignoring the blood pouring from his severed arm.
He clutched Aoki tightly with one arm and sprinted toward the hospital.
"Shut up!"
"Hold on!"
"We're almost there!"
Aoki smiled faintly.
Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth with every step, staining the ground red behind them.
...
Not long after—
Sarutobi Shinnosuke arrived at the Police Force headquarters with a squad of ANBU, demanding accountability.
Uchiha Fugaku had already heard what happened.
His fury surged uncontrollably—
Yet now he was forced to face the accuser.
His teeth ground together. His fists clenched until they cracked.
"What is it?" he asked through gritted teeth.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke sneered inwardly.
"Your Police Force interfered with an ANBU operation."
"They almost let a Hidden Mist spy escape."
"You owe us an explanation."
Fugaku's eyes blazed with fury.
"What explanation do you want?"
Shinnosuke snorted.
"I heard those two were members of Uchiha Qianyu's squad."
"He was suspended for extreme methods."
"And now his subordinates act recklessly as well—almost causing a disaster."
"Like leader, like followers."
"The entire squad must be disbanded immediately."
Fugaku and the Police Force members all changed expression.
It was obvious—
This was retaliation aimed directly at Qianyu.
"And furthermore—"
"All of Uchiha Qianyu's subordinates must undergo ANBU interrogation."
"Not a single one is exempt."
Fugaku finally exploded.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke! You're going too far!"
"Too far?"
Behind the ANBU mask, Shinnosuke's eyes were cold and bloodthirsty.
"It was your Police Force that interfered first!"
"You almost released a dangerous Hidden Mist spy—causing a catastrophic disaster!"
"Who can guarantee Uchiha Qianyu and his subordinates aren't Hidden Mist sleeper agents?!"
"Clan Head Fugaku—if you obstruct us, you'll be suspected of harboring traitors!"
Fugaku trembled with rage.
"You—!"
Behind him, Police Force members flared with fury, chakra surging as they surrounded the ANBU.
Shinnosuke slowly scanned his surroundings, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"What?"
"Clan Head Fugaku…"
"Are you Uchiha planning to rebel?"
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