"Alright, since Hokage-sama says he's not one of the ANBU, then he must be a spy sent by an enemy village, intending to harm Konoha's peace. Wouldn't you agree, Hokage-sama?"
As Uchiha Kamito spoke, the recording insect was still aimed at Hiruzen.
What are you doing?
Spying on me?
How did you even manage this?
Normally, any village leader facing a situation like this would have already turned the culprit to ashes.
But unfortunately, this was Hiruzen.
"That's right. This must be a spy sent by an enemy village to sabotage Konoha."
"Then, Hokage-sama, I'll go prepare a full-scale search operation across Konoha. I'll make sure there won't be a single suspected enemy ninja left in the village."
If you let him carry out a full-scale search, what about Danzo's Root? They look even more like enemy ninjas than actual enemy ninjas.
Hiruzen immediately said,
"Konoha is currently in a critical recovery phase. There must not be any large-scale operations that would disrupt the normal lives of the villagers."
"So as long as it doesn't affect the villagers' daily lives, it's fine, right, Hokage-sama?"
Are you only listening to the last sentence? The important part was telling you not to act at all!
This is why you should keep things simple and direct—less room for misunderstanding.
Now that things had been pushed this far, Hiruzen had no choice but to continue.
"That's right. As long as it doesn't affect Konoha, everything else is permitted."
Danzo, this is as far as I can help you.
That cat-masked gray-clothed ninja—you'd better deal with him quickly.
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
Please don't understand. Going home and sleeping would be the biggest help you could give me.
Though that's what he thought, he still said,
"Good. You're teachable."
"Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
After Uchiha Kamito turned and left, Hiruzen quickly summoned a direct ANBU subordinate—someone from the Sarutobi clan, absolutely trustworthy.
"Go. Inform Danzo to rein things in."
"Yes."
As the ANBU left the Hokage's office, he had no idea that behind him, a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan eyes were watching him intently.
It was Uchiha Kanji.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kamito had just stepped out of the Hokage Building. Naturally, he noticed the movement behind him.
Shimura Danzo, since you've been targeting the Uchiha, I'll collect a bit of interest first.
...
"Kamito-sama, Ryoha asked me to deliver this. He said you might find it useful."
Inuzuka Ryuto approached with Eimaru.
Within the clan, formalities weren't necessary—they were all relatives, and Ryoha never cared for such rules. But outside, protocol still had to be followed.
Uchiha Kamito looked at the massive ninja dog Eimaru.
Well done. Looks like you're stepping in personally.
"Good. Thank him for me. This really helps a lot."
"Yes, Kamito-sama."
After leaving Eimaru behind, Inuzuka Ryuto departed.
"Let's go. I'll treat you to a big meal—but don't forget the real job."
"Woof woof woof." Who do you think I am? I wouldn't forget something that important.
Food outside is way better. What kind of garbage do they even feed me at home?
...
Uchiha Kamito returned to the Police Force with Eimaru.
Eimaru was devouring an entire pig leg, biting into it eagerly.
Delicious, delicious, so good!
Kamito assembled all Uchiha law enforcement personnel.
Aside from Uchiha Kanji's squad, which was out on a mission, the remaining 790 officers were all present.
"I don't like wasting words. This time, we're handling a major case. Before I give the order, no one moves. After I give the order, everyone strikes with lethal force. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Move out."
Eimaru hurriedly finished the pig leg—bones and all—and took the lead in front of the Uchiha force.
Along the way, he kept barking.
Unfortunately, none of the Uchiha understood what he was saying.
If Inuzuka Ryoha were here, he would definitely know.
Eimaru was shouting:
"Little guys, follow Lord Eimaru and charge forward!"
From this day on, I'll be the first one to lead the Uchiha clan forward.
Literally forward.
...
Before long, Eimaru led the enforcement unit to a mountain behind Konoha.
"Eimaru, this is the place?"
"Woof woof woof." That's right. Lord Eimaru's nose never makes mistakes.
"Kamito-sama."
Uchiha Kanji, who had been lying in wait, stepped out upon seeing the main force arrive.
"Looks like we've got the right place. Do you know where the entrance is?"
"Sorry, Kamito-sama. To avoid detection, I kept my distance, so I didn't see how he entered. It's likely protected by a barrier technique."
"No need to apologize. You made the right call."
Kamito reassured him.
A small but sweet interaction between superior and subordinate.
"Raiden-senpai."
"Chief Kamito."
"You can use Barrier Technique: Four Red Yang Formation, right?"
"I can, but this mountain is too large. The formation can't fully seal it."
"Sigh… our Uchiha clan still has many shortcomings."
"My apologies, Chief Kamito."
Kamito took out a scroll.
"Release."
With a burst, one hundred large black jars appeared.
"Raiden, take your First Division and surround the mountain. Then channel chakra into these jars."
"Yes, Chief Kamito."
Uchiha Raiden led his fully staffed unit of one hundred and quickly encircled the entire mountain.
Blue chakra flowed into the black jars.
Buzz—
The jars trembled violently.
Then—
Countless black insects flew out from their openings.
They filled the sky.
Some soared upward. Others burrowed underground.
A black-purple barrier completely sealed the entire mountain.
This was—
"Aburame Hundred-Insect Sealing Grand Formation."
Uchiha Raiden stared in shock.
He knew his chief had a close relationship with two young members of the Aburame clan.
But even a clan's ultimate secret technique could be borrowed so casually?
Having fought on the battlefield of the Land of Rain, Raiden naturally recognized this technique.
That Aburame prodigy had used this very jutsu to annihilate an army of three thousand Rain ninja.
And now it was being used against a group of suspected criminals.
Wasn't that overkill?
...
The towering black-purple barrier immediately drew the attention of all factions within the village.
Hokage's Office—
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"That's the location of Danzo's Root… and that barrier… why is the Aburame clan involved?"
He quickly issued orders.
Summon Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
The three of them, along with ANBU, headed toward Root.
...
Nara Clan—
Before his father's memorial tablet, Nara Shikaku, who had just officially taken over as clan head, glanced toward the barrier.
"Sigh… troubled times."
He called for Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza to go watch the spectacle.
...
Inuzuka Clan—
Inside the kennels, Inuzuka Ryoha burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! As expected of Kamito—what a grand move."
"Rinko, I'm heading out with the clan head. We'll be back soon."
"Mm!"
...
Aburame Clan—
The clan head found Aburame Shiken and pointed at the distant black-purple barrier.
"Care to explain?"
"A rather fine product exhibition."
"Exhibition?"
"Let's go, Clan Head."
That tone made it sound like you were the clan head. Still, the Aburame leader said nothing—anyone could be the clan head of the Aburame clan anyway.
...
Hyūga Clan—
"Father, let's go watch the show," said Hyūga Hiyasu.
"Mm."
The Hyūga clan head nodded.
"Yes. Respect the clan head—and respect the main family even more."
This was said by Hyūga Wataru, Hiyasu's father.
"Tch."
"Stubborn fool."
Veins bulged on Hyūga Wataru's forehead.
You brats—I'm saying this for your sake!