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A middle-aged ninja suddenly leapt out of the mansion.
He looked to be about fifty years old, dressed in a black shinobi outfit. Though thin, his thick beard and cold, piercing eyes gave him a sinister air.
Many in the Hidden Mist Village knew this man well.
He was one of the senior advisors of the village, a figure of considerable influence.
He had already held that position before the Fourth Mizukage took office.
Up to now, perhaps only Elder Genji could claim higher seniority within the Hidden Mist Village.
Uchiha Haru had a distinct impression of this man because when Mei Terumi announced that the Uchiha clan would join Hidden Mist, this senior advisor was a major opponent—he had also fiercely opposed Mei Terumi's appointment as the Fifth Mizukage.
"Uchiha Haru, what are you doing here?"
The senior advisor rushed out aggressively, as if ready to call for his arrest.
But when he noticed the servants inside tied up by Haru's Wood Release ninjutsu, and that the person in front of him was the captain of the Police Department, Uchiha Haru himself, his aggressive stance immediately softened.
He had no choice but to restrain himself.
He had witnessed Haru's methods firsthand.
Did he really want to confront him head-on?
Uchiha Haru glanced coldly at the senior advisor. Without a word, a faint trace of murderous intent flickered across his face.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!"
From Haru's arm, several thick vines and branches instantly burst forth, flying straight toward the senior advisor with a soft whooshing sound.
Before the advisor could react, the vines wrapped tightly around him, constricting with unbearable force.
Soon, he felt the excruciating friction between his flesh and bones.
"Ah!"
The senior advisor screamed in agony.
Haru had deliberately held back.
Otherwise, this ninjutsu could have crushed someone as powerful as Danzo—let alone a mere senior advisor far below Kage level.
But killing him outright was too easy.
After all, even if he killed him ten thousand times, it would never feel like enough.
At that moment, Ao—Byakugan user and Haru's trusted subordinate—arrived.
Seeing the scene unfold, Ao's face turned grave.
The person Haru intended to kill now was no ordinary ninja.
This was one of Hidden Mist's senior advisors, a top-ranking official, and a leading figure opposing Mei Terumi's rise to Mizukage.
What would the opposition factions think if this man were killed now?
Would they assume the Fifth Mizukage was settling scores?
Could this spark a secret rebellion and plunge the Hidden Mist Village into a greater crisis?
Such consequences would be unbearable.
"Minister! Wait! Wait a moment!" Ao called out as he swiftly appeared beside Haru.
"Minister, he is a senior advisor of Kirigakure. No matter what crimes he has committed, he must be killed under Mizukage-sama's orders."
"Killing without hesitation might violate protocol," Ao added anxiously.
He knew persuading Haru to stand down would be almost impossible.
Even invoking the Mizukage's authority would be futile.
Others might not know the details, but as Mei Terumi's confidant, he did.
Even Mei Terumi herself had been promoted through Haru's influence.
Therefore, Ao had to tread carefully.
He couldn't oppose Haru outright, or risk enraging him further.
"No need. The Police Department is responsible for maintaining law and order in Hidden Mist. As long as someone threatens the village's stability, I'm authorized to act," Haru said calmly.
The vines tightened relentlessly.
The senior advisor's thin frame grew even thinner under the crushing grip—like a doll's head pinned between chopsticks.
His screams grew quieter.
Blood seeped from his pores, and bones cracked beneath the pressure.
The pain was endless.
Yet he could barely scream, only whisper weakly, "Let me go... you... you can't kill me... I'm the senior advisor of Hidden Mist... you can't... you can't kill me..."
His consciousness flickered, life slipping away bit by bit.
Ao grew visibly anxious, frequently glancing toward the door.
He hoped Mei Terumi would arrive soon—but there was no sign of her.
This could not continue!
Ao stepped directly in front of Haru, his face tense.
"Minister, even if the senior advisor deserves death, can you tell me exactly what crimes he committed?"
Haru's voice was calm but resolute.
"Accepting bribes, condoning his subordinates' rape, plunder, and trafficking of women, undermining the village's security and stability, secretly communicating with foreign countries, and leaking Hidden Mist's intelligence."
"Punished for multiple crimes, sentenced to death."
Ao was stunned.
This…
As a senior advisor of the Hidden Mist Village, one of the highest-ranking officials in the village,
he could still recall the previous accusations.
During the period when the Fourth Mizukage was controlled by the masked man, chaos engulfed the village.
He wasn't surprised that someone took advantage of that turmoil to commit crimes.
But the last accusation—
Secretly communicating with another country—this was… treason?!
He couldn't understand it. Having reached such a high position, why would anyone betray their own village?
"Minister, is there any evidence for this?" Ao asked.
"My words are the evidence!" No sooner had he spoken than a sharp snapping sound echoed through the air.
The senior advisor's body was torn apart, falling to the ground with a sickening thud—a mass of shredded flesh and blood.
No intact body remained.
"This… alas…" Ao sighed heavily.
In the end, he still could not change the outcome.
Just then, Mei Terumi appeared on the scene.
She glanced coldly at the bloody remains of the senior advisor on the ground.
A flicker of anger crossed her face, but she quickly masked it.
After all, standing before her was Uchiha Haru, the very man who had helped her ascend to Mizukage.
"Minister Haru, what exactly happened here?" Mei Terumi asked calmly.
There was no need to wait for an answer. The captain of the Police Department standing beside Haru spoke clearly and decisively:
"The senior advisor of the Hidden Mist Village accepted bribes, condoned his subordinates' acts of rape, plunder, and trafficking of women, undermined the village's security and stability, secretly communicated with foreign nations, and leaked critical intelligence about Kirigakure."
"These are heinous crimes. According to regulations, he was sentenced to immediate execution."
Mei Terumi listened carefully as she arrived.
But this wasn't the question she truly wanted to ask.
She exhaled deeply, forcing herself to remain composed, then approached Haru and whispered in a voice meant only for him:
"You promised me you would never do anything to harm Kirigakure."
"I am helping you," Haru replied calmly.
"Helping me?"
Mei Terumi's eyes filled with sarcasm.
This was only the first day the Police Department began its operations—and already, such a major incident had occurred.
The most experienced and highest-ranking senior advisor in the Hidden Mist Village was executed on the spot.
This was bound to escalate tensions and create unforeseen problems within Kirigakure.
How could this be "helping" her?
Haru looked at Mei Terumi with a faint smile. "You are too weak."
Without waiting for a response, he strode past her, flanked by the Police Department ninjas, and stepped forward in front of the gathered Kirigakure villagers.
The villagers instinctively took a step back, fear flashing across their faces.
They had just witnessed Haru end the life of the senior advisor with a mere wave of his hand. Who wouldn't be afraid?
"Do not fear, villagers," the captain of the Police Department announced to the crowd. "We are from the Kirigakure Police Department. This is our director, Uchiha Haru."
Beyond their combat abilities, those chosen by Haru to captain the team excelled in other areas, such as communication with Kirigakure's residents.
The Police Department served the grassroots people directly.
They engaged face-to-face with Kirigakure's villagers, shaping the Uchiha clan's image and their relationship with the village.
Back in Konoha, the Uchiha clan's relationship with the villagers had deteriorated largely because this kind of community outreach was neglected.
So this time, Haru placed great importance on it.
After all, the Uchiha clan was new to Kirigakure and intended to live there permanently.
They weren't familiar with many aspects of village life and needed support.
Building good relationships was essential.
Hence, the selection of the four captains was critical—they were not only capable but also adept at dealing with people.
"This is our head of the Police Department, Uchiha Haru," the team captain introduced him.
Then, continuing:
"The duty of our Police Department is to maintain the stability and public security of Kirigakure, and to crack down on all evil forces and criminals who threaten our village."
"The senior advisor of the Hidden Mist Village accepted bribes, condoned his subordinates' rape, kidnapping, and trafficking of women, undermined the village's security and stability, secretly communicated with foreign nations, and leaked critical intelligence about Kirigakure."
"His crimes were heinous beyond measure!"
"By regulation, he was executed in public by our minister."
"In the future, if you encounter anyone who undermines the security and stability of the village, bullies others, or oppresses the villagers, you may report them to our Police Department."
"We promise that no matter who they are, we will bring them to justice!"
"Good!"
The Kirigakure villagers watching burst into heartfelt cheers at these words.
During the period when the Fourth Mizukage was controlled, Kirigakure was engulfed in smoke and darkness.
Organizations that were supposed to protect them instead persecuted them.
Until now, a legitimate organization had finally emerged to defend them.
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Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
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Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
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