This law enforcement operation also exposed many problems. For example...
The Whirlpool ninjas were not firm enough in enforcing the law. They should have taken Yoya away directly when they found him instead of hesitating and allowing a crowd to gather. If not handled properly, this could have turned into violent law enforcement.
"This might also be because they care too much about their image," Uzumaki Jun said, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Moreover, his own appearance was not well-timed. When he showed up, it was no longer just a simple operation to arrest a spy.
If he had forcefully ordered them to take Yoya away immediately, others might not have said anything, but the newly arrived population, especially the rogue ninjas, might have felt uncomfortable and found it hard to integrate into the Land of Whirlpools.
So when he appeared, it was no longer about the law. Instead...
It became something that could be resolved with just a word from Uzumaki Jun.
If he had forcefully arrested Yoya, and if someone with ulterior motives exploited the situation, his image as a leader close to the people might have been ruined. In the future...
He might have had no choice but to rule the Land of Whirlpools with an iron fist.
But Uzumaki Jun did not want that. After all, the Uzumaki Clan had ruled the Land of Whirlpools for a long time. So what had maintained the country's stability all this time?
It was blood ties...
In a way, the citizens of the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki Clan were all somewhat related by blood. Unlike other clans that practiced inbreeding to maintain pure bloodlines, the Uzumaki Clan did not restrict marriages to within the clan. So to some extent, everyone might have been...
Relatives hundreds of years ago!!
Such blood ties were extremely strong in times like these, even stronger than the law...
Uzumaki Jun could certainly use his authority to suppress any dissent in the country, but that would not help him recruit rogue ninjas or even ninjas from other villages. On the other hand, if he let Yoya go...
Every ninja who defected and wanted to find a stable place to live peacefully would likely think of the Land of Whirlpools.
Of course...
"We must find a way to publicize this incident," Uzumaki Jun muttered.
He needed to let other ninjas know that the Land of Whirlpools did not care about their origins. As long as they obeyed the laws of the Land of Whirlpools and lived honestly...
They could still become citizens of the Land of Whirlpools.
So in a way, Yoya not only could not be punished too severely, but he also had to be protected from discrimination within the country...
This way, when other ninjas were either ransomed back or left unredeemed, the difference in treatment would create a stark contrast with Yoya's situation. Some ninjas would start feeling resentment and dissatisfaction...
Once this sentiment spread throughout their villages...
A ninja version of the workers' movement might emerge!!
Moreover, spies who were discovered like this would likely be executed if they returned!!
"The Land of Whirlpools has the obligation and the ability to protect every one of its citizens," Uzumaki Jun said with a mysterious smile, turning to Uzumaki Hibiki beside him. "Hibiki, assign those spies to be led by Yoya. Also, make sure Yoya's treatment is different from the other spies."
"Remember, Yoya is a citizen of the Land of Whirlpools."
"Yes," Uzumaki Hibiki nodded. Although he did not fully understand Jun-sama's intentions, the ninja world despised traitors. Even though Yoya had not done anything to betray the Land of Whirlpools yet...
Betrayal was still betrayal.
"Tell Yoya that he and his children will be citizens of the Land of Whirlpools from now on. Also, notify the leaders for a meeting."
"Yes."
This was the deal with Yoya. He would serve as a representative of foreign residents in the Land of Whirlpools, highlighting the country's tolerance and kindness. In return, the Land of Whirlpools would truly accept him and his children.
Uzumaki Jun watched as Uzumaki Hibiki left and sighed helplessly. "It seems the enforcement team must include ninjas from other backgrounds, not just the Uzumaki Clan. Otherwise..."
"It will damage our reputation."
Moreover, Uzumaki Jun really wanted someone who could take the blame for him.
Otherwise, it would be inconvenient for him to do other things.
"I wonder what Danzo is up to?" Uzumaki Jun muttered. At this stage, unless something extremely serious happened, the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha would not go to war. Unless...
Mito died.
So Uzumaki Jun did not make Danzo and his team help with infrastructure construction in the Land of Whirlpools. Instead, he locked them in a small dark room and provided three meals a day. Of course, there were some books inside that were very useful for ideological education.
He hoped Danzo would read them carefully. When he returned to Konoha, he would no longer foolishly take the blame for everything. Sometimes, he needed to learn how to use authority.
For example...
"By order of the Hokage..."
He should learn to invoke this phrase every time he carried out a mission.
Otherwise, how could he become the village leader without the people's support?
...
Konoha...
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed as he took a puff from his pipe and looked at Utatane Koharu beside him. "What should we do? Should we send someone to bring Danzo back?"
Why did he always insist on staying in a place where he had enemies?
Now he had been caught.
And Konoha had to step in to ransom him back...
"The Land of Whirlpools..." Utatane Koharu looked at the report in her hand and fell silent. "This time, they went too far."
"No," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "According to the intelligence we received, spies from other villages were also captured."
"..."
Utatane Koharu did not know what to say. So Konoha was not being singled out.
"We are allies with the Land of Whirlpools," Utatane Koharu said sharply. "This is no way to treat an ally."
"No, they already stated that although Danzo caused significant losses to the Land of Whirlpools during his stay there, unlike spies from other villages, he was not sent to labor camps. His movements were just restricted."
"We only need to compensate the Land of Whirlpools for their losses to get Danzo back."
"This treatment..." Utatane Koharu was speechless. There was actually such a distinction. That kid was not simple.
"How much?"
"Three million ryo."
It was not much, just the equivalent of a few dozen S-rank missions...
"In that case," Utatane Koharu said helplessly, "let the Shimura Clan pay this amount."
The Shimura Clan could afford it.
"Sigh," Sarutobi Hiruzen took another puff. "That's the only way."
This blame...
Konoha would not take it.
"How is the Uchiha Clan doing?" Utatane Koharu asked.
The incident of the stolen Six Paths tool in Iwagakure had not been resolved yet. The Tsuchikage kept demanding an explanation from Konoha...
"The Uchiha," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed gloomily. "I already questioned them last time."
"They..."