The clan head of the Sarutobi.
A relative of the Hokage.
A veteran jōnin of Konoha—decorated and respected.
And yet, just like that, his head had fallen beneath Chiba's blade—silent and decisive.
For a moment, the world seemed to fall completely still.
Even Uchiha Fugaku could not stop his body from trembling slightly.
Good heavens.
This Chiba truly possessed monstrous courage.
If a god stood in his way, he would cut down the god.
If a demon blocked him, he would cut down the demon.
Was there truly no such thing as fear in his heart?
Did he never hesitate?
Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamafū were equally stunned.
They admired Captain Chiba—understood him, even.
But this…
This was beyond decisive.
The Sarutobi clan simply could not believe what they were seeing.
Shock quickly turned into a roaring wave of fury.
"Bastard!"
"Uchiha Chiba! You dare kill the head of our Sarutobi clan?!"
"Avenge the Clan Head!"
"Kill him!"
The crowd erupted with rage.
Chiba merely raised his katana.
The Three-Tomoe Sharingan reflected a cold, almost sinister light as he slowly swept his gaze across them.
Despite their fury—
None dared to rush forward under that oppressive aura.
But two figures moved.
From opposite directions, they landed in the center of the battlefield.
Uchiha Shisui.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
And the first to speak was Shisui.
"Chiba, have you lost your mind?!"
He stared at Sarutobi Hiyu's severed head before locking eyes with Chiba.
Chiba tilted his head slightly.
"Lost my mind? How?"
"That was the head of the Sarutobi clan!"
"You killed him just like that?!"
"Are you trying to start a war between the Uchiha and the village?!"
Having just been lectured by the Hokage, Shisui had rushed here only to witness this scene.
His worldview felt shaken.
Chiba let out a cold laugh.
"Start a war?"
"The one who led dozens of hot-blooded clansmen to storm another clan's territory, spoiling for a fight…"
"Was that me?"
"Or was it Sarutobi Hiyu?"
Shisui froze.
"Even if Clan Head Hiyu acted impulsively, it was because his son died at your hands. He lost control for a moment."
"Even if he was wrong first, couldn't this have been resolved through negotiation?"
"Did you have to kill him?"
"He was still a shinobi of Konoha!"
Chiba's gaze swept across the battlefield.
"Who struck first?"
The Sarutobi clan remained silent.
Uchiha Aoki spoke loudly.
"Sarutobi Hiyu did!"
Chiba looked back at Shisui.
"You heard that."
Shisui fell silent.
It was true.
Sarutobi Hiyu had led men into Uchiha territory and attacked first.
That fact could not be denied.
"But… even so, you could have subdued him! Why did you have to go that far?!"
Chiba sneered.
"How laughable."
"Uchiha Shisui, you've fought on the battlefield for years."
"I didn't expect you to say something so naïve."
"You—"
Shisui burned with anger and frustration, yet no words came.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke stepped forward.
Wearing an ANBU mask and draped in a dark cloak, he resembled a predatory bird—ominous and oppressive.
"Uchiha Chiba."
"You will come with us to the ANBU."
"Why?"
"You killed Sarutobi Hiyu. Do you not owe an explanation?"
His voice was low and chilling—befitting the commander of the ANBU.
"I owe no explanation."
"And even if I did, it would have nothing to do with the ANBU."
"Since when does the Police Force answer to the ANBU?"
"You—!"
Chiba's lips curled in mockery.
"Sarutobi Hiyu trespassed into Uchiha territory and killed three ANBU shinobi in the process."
"Why didn't you demand an explanation from him?"
Shinnosuke inhaled slowly, suppressing his anger.
"His crimes should be judged by the Hokage—not executed privately by you."
"And you are not the Hokage."
"I am acting under orders."
"What orders?"
"…."
Shinnosuke fell silent.
His mission had been clear:
Stop Sarutobi Hiyu from doing something reckless and prevent open conflict between the Sarutobi and Uchiha.
Chiba had seen through everything.
"The Hokage's order was to stop Sarutobi Hiyu and prevent bloodshed, wasn't it?"
"…Yes."
"But if you refuse to stand down, the Sarutobi who seek vengeance will not stop either."
"A war will still break out."
Chiba glanced at the Sarutobi clan.
"They don't look eager to move."
"You—"
Shinnosuke said nothing further.
But the killing intent around him intensified sharply.
He was prepared to resolve the situation by force.
Shisui sighed softly.
"Clan Head, forgive me."
"This time… I must stop Chiba."
A powerful surge of chakra erupted from him.
He intended to join forces with Shinnosuke.
Fugaku's expression changed drastically.
Chiba's strength had already exceeded his expectations—
But Shisui and Shinnosuke were on an entirely different level from Sarutobi Hiyu.
Facing even one of them would be difficult.
Facing both?
Nearly impossible.
Chiba, however, had never feared consequences.
Even knowing he could not defeat the two together—
The corner of his mouth lifted instead.
He invested the hundred Merit Points he had just obtained into the power of his Sharingan.
Instantly—
Hum!
A violent surge of ocular power burst forth.
The Three-Tomoe Sharingan blazed crimson, cold and overwhelming.
"Come."
At that moment, in everyone's eyes—
Uchiha Chiba was the embodiment of madness.
Just as battle was about to erupt—
Fugaku suddenly stepped forward.
And stood beside Chiba.
Shisui's eyes widened.
"Clan Head…?"
Shinnosuke's voice turned icy.
"Clan Head Fugaku."
"Are you shielding this man?"
"Not shielding him."
Fugaku shook his head.
"I am resolving the matter."
"Oh?" Shinnosuke said coldly.
"And how do you propose to resolve it?"
"Simple."
"We report everything to the Hokage and allow him to decide personally."
"And Uchiha Chiba?"
"Likewise."
"Judged by the Hokage himself."
Shinnosuke's tone sharpened.
"Clan Head Fugaku, that sounds reasonable."
"But what you really mean is…"
"We are not taking Uchiha Chiba today."
"Correct."
Fugaku's stance had never been firmer.
Behind him, the Police Force silently focused.
Chakra rose in unison as they prepared for battle.
In an instant, the atmosphere surged with killing intent.
The Uchiha stood like a pack of crimson-eyed beasts, ready to strike.
Shinnosuke was genuinely taken aback.
He had never expected the usually hesitant Fugaku to go this far for Chiba.
But to wage war against the entire Police Force—
Whether he was capable or not—
The consequences would spiral far beyond his control.
Shinnosuke hesitated.
His gaze shifted toward Shisui.
At a moment like this—
The man who was both Uchiha and fiercely loyal to the Hokage…
Was the most suitable one to act.
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