"There are only about twenty people under the jurisdiction of our Uchiha clan, and all of them disappeared while these people were away or had gone into areas managed by the Sarutobi Police Force!" Uchiha Izumi replied seriously, giving the information Genya wanted.
As she spoke, her expression grew heavier, as if a shadow had settled over her.
In her heart, she was certain that these mysterious disappearances were somehow connected to the Sarutobi clan.
But she was only an ordinary member of the Uchiha Police Force and had no right to conduct an investigation.
"Oh?" Genya's eyes narrowed instantly, a cold glint flashing as he continued to ask, "Do the missing people have families?"
"Huh?" Uchiha Izumi froze at his question, a look of surprise crossing her face.
She quickly composed herself and said earnestly, "Yes. Some of the missing people have family members who have been persistently searching for them, but so much time has passed, and there has been no news at all."
As she spoke, her hands clenched into fists unconsciously, her knuckles white with tension, her heart heavy with guilt.
As a member of the Uchiha Police Force, she could offer no help to these suffering families, and it left her feeling powerless.
"What does the clan say?" Genya asked without pause.
"The clan leader and a few captains haven't said much. They only said to wait for your return before making a decision," Uchiha Izumi nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Genya, filled with trust and expectation.
Over the years, she had come to understand that although Uchiha Kinya appeared to be the clan leader, the real strategist behind the scenes, the one making the decisions, was Genya.
It was precisely because of Genya that the Uchiha clan had managed to navigate through complicated situations and had grown increasingly prosperous.
"Then let's begin," Genya said firmly, nodding with resolve. "You contact the families of the missing. Have them register at the Uchiha Police Force, and then publish a mission through Konoha's Mission Department. Tell them it's to search for their lost relatives."
"Publish a mission?" Uchiha Izumi's eyes widened, disbelief and confusion written all over her face.
She simply could not understand why Genya had made such a decision.
In her eyes, this matter clearly involved the higher-ups of Konoha, like Hiruzen Sarutobi. Announcing the mission so publicly was practically telling them that the investigation had already begun.
"Why do you look so doubtful?" Genya keenly noticed Uchiha Izumi's startled gaze and asked.
"Yes. Why don't we investigate quietly instead of letting them issue the mission?" Uchiha Izumi mustered the courage and blurted out her question.
"Do you think Hiruzen would be unaware of our investigation into the missing people if the mission wasn't announced?" Genya replied, looking at Izumi, speaking each word carefully, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
It seemed Uchiha Izumi had lived too comfortably in the Uchiha clan and hadn't yet truly experienced Hiruzen's cunning and deceit.
"But if we investigate directly, won't it make them even more suspicious?" Izumi frowned, thinking through the potential consequences. "They might even destroy evidence that's unfavorable to them!"
"I'll take the mission, hehe. In their eyes, I'm still just a useless nobody!" Genya rubbed his palm, his tone tinged with teasing. "They won't take me seriously!"
Indeed, in the eyes of Konoha's higher-ups, he was nothing but a useless fool.
Their arrogance and prejudice made them lower their guard around him.
And this, exactly, was the perfect opportunity to conduct an investigation.
Once the truth was uncovered, everything would make sense.
"Yes. Tomorrow I'll make the arrangements." Uchiha Izumi nodded sincerely, her eyes filled with shock and admiration as she looked at Genya.
She knew that every decision Genya made carried deep considerations; all she had to do was follow his instructions.
As they spoke, they unknowingly arrived at the business hall.
"Son, you're finally back! You had me worried to death!" The moment Genya stepped through the doors, his father, Uchiha Kinya, ran out like a joyful little dog, arms wide, and hugged him tightly.
The excitement in his expression was as if he truly feared Genya wouldn't return.
"Dad, if you want to say something, just say it. No need to be so mushy," Genya said, pushing his father away with a look of disdain.
He thought silently that Kinya knew his abilities perfectly well and was only pretending to worry—probably because he wanted Genya to do something for him.
"Hehe, you still know your father best!" Uchiha Kinya said, looking at Genya with a flattering smile, a little shy. "I've been training hard recently. Shouldn't I have Shin give me a few days off?"
After speaking, he secretly glanced at Genya, his eyes filled with a hint of hope, silently wishing that Genya would agree to his request.
These past days, he had been training rigorously under Uchiha Shin.
Not only did he have to learn all kinds of complex ninjutsu, but he also had to endure intense taijutsu training, which left him feeling utterly exhausted.
Every time he tried to ask Uchiha Shin for some leniency, hoping for a little break, Uchiha Shin would put on a stern face and say it was Genya's decision, absolutely refusing to give in.
So, poor Uchiha Kinya could only endure the harsh training day after day.
"No." Genya looked at his father, who had grown noticeably thinner, and although he felt a pang of sympathy, he shook his head firmly.
"You are at a critical stage in improving your strength. Uncle Shin is training you so hard to push your body to its limits. Only by doing this can you make greater progress!"
Uchiha Shin, standing nearby, felt grateful as he heard Genya explaining on his behalf and secretly gave a thumbs-up.
He thought to himself, it's good Genya spoke up. Otherwise, the clan leader would definitely make life miserable for me, and things would be really difficult.
Ah~~
Hearing Genya's answer, Uchiha Kinya's eyes widened in shock, and then his face immediately fell, deflating like a burst balloon.
He pitifully asked, "Then how long until I can rest?"
"When you reach the level of a jōnin!" Genya stroked his chin and, after some thought, gave a clear answer.
He knew that once his father had jōnin-level strength, even if the ninja world fell into chaos in the future and there was no strong protector nearby, he would still have the power to protect himself and wouldn't be at anyone's mercy.
"Ah~~"
But all that came out was a miserable wail from Uchiha Kinya.
He dragged out the sound, despair written all over his face. "How long will that take?"
The high-intensity training over the past days had already drained him. Now he had to keep going, and he had no idea when he would ever reach jōnin-level strength.
Perhaps, with his talent, he would never reach such a level in his lifetime!
Thinking this, his gaze toward Genya turned slightly resentful.
Hmph, this son isn't thoughtful at all. Hikari is so much better.
Hikari would thoughtfully prepare healing potions every night, but this kid? All he knew was tormenting his father in every way possible. So cruel.
****
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