"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Touhuan is leading a squad of guards towards the Shimura clan's territory."
"What?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelids twitched, but he couldn't immediately figure out what Uchiha Touhuan was up to.
"Hokage-sama, let me go. I'll try to stop him." At that moment, Uchiha Itachi, who was on duty that day, suddenly emerged from the shadows, knelt on one knee, and volunteered. Hiruzen Sarutobi
stared at Uchiha Itachi for a long time before sighing and saying, "It's up to you, Itachi. The village can't afford internal strife anymore."
Uchiha Itachi accepted the order and left, speeding through the houses of Konoha. Before long, he arrived at the outskirts of the Shimura clan's territory, just as Uchiha Touhuan and his group, who were traveling leisurely, arrived.
At this moment, the Shimura clan's territory was draped in white mourning clothes, and in the distance, mournful music could be heard.
Looking at the person blocking their way, even though he wore a mask, every ninja in the village knew who he was—the only minor currently in the Anbu.
"Itachi, we're here to summon the suspects from the Shimura clan back to the police headquarters to assist us in our investigation. Did the Hokage send you to help us?" Uchiha Touhuan asked.
Seeing his identity exposed, Uchiha Itachi stopped pretending and removed his mask.
"Touhuan-nii, let's go back. The village can't afford internal strife anymore," Uchiha Itachi said.
"So, you're here to stop me?" Uchiha Touhuan's eyes turned cold. "Is this your own decision, or the Hokage's?"
At this moment, the purpose of Uchiha Touhuan's deliberately slow and leisurely approach through the village became apparent. After all, with such a large entourage, there would always be a few villagers curious to watch the spectacle. Furthermore, the Shimura clan's territory was located in a relatively bustling area of the village, and a considerable number of villagers had already gathered around to watch the commotion.
"The evidence is conclusive that Shimura Danzo desecrated the First Hokage's body and attacked fellow village ninjas. The Shimura clan has a vested interest in him, and we're only here to ask them to return for investigation. But now you're standing in our way—what are you up to!" Uchiha Touhuan continued, seeing that most of the crowd had arrived.
"Touhuan-nii." Uchiha Itachi felt uncomfortable under the stares of the onlookers.
"Use your position when you're working!" Uchiha Touhuan interrupted Itachi mercilessly. "If this is the Hokage's order, I'll turn around and leave immediately."
Itachi turned to look at the crowd of onlookers who were practically craning their necks. Could he really say this was the Hokage's order?
The events at the village entrance yesterday, after a night of fermentation, had already spread to every corner of the village.
"Clan head..." Uchiha Itachi could only lower his head under the strange looks of the crowd.
Uchiha Touhuan, however, led his men past him.
Soon, the Shimura clan learned of the events at the clan's gate. The current clan head, Shimura Hiroshi, led his men to block Uchiha Touhuan's path within the clan's territory.
"Sorry, the Shimura clan is currently not receiving guests," Shimura Hiroshi, dressed in a pure black kimono, said coldly to Uchiha Touhuan.
"Then we've come at an inopportune time," Uchiha Touhuan nodded. "It seems the Shimura clan is holding a funeral?"
"You Uchiha clan still have the nerve to come here!" At this moment, an agitated young Shimura clan ninja suddenly sprang to his feet and charged towards Uchiha Touhuan. The security personnel behind Uchiha Touhuan were about to react when Uchiha Touhuan stopped them with a gesture.
The agitated Shimura clan member was quickly dragged back by the Shimura clan ninja beside him.
"The junior of the clan is ignorant of the rules, please forgive him," Shimura Hiroshi said.
"Understood, understood," Uchiha Touhuan smiled, "However, I am not here as a guest today."
Uchiha Touhuan's smile faded: "Please have Shimura Retsuto, Shimura Arashi, Shimura Yusuke, and others come with us to assist in the investigation."
Behind Uchiha Touhuan, the security personnel, who were already seething with anger, immediately prepared to step forward, and the Shimura clan ninja present naturally did not remain indifferent.
"This is probably not in accordance with the rules," Shimura Hiroshi said in a low voice.
"It's just cooperating with the investigation. After all, the ledgers that the security personnel found at the Root base show that the Shimura clan has deep-rooted interests with Root. I personally believe in the innocence of the Shimura clan chief." As Uchiha Touhuan spoke, he took out the almost burned ledger from a sealing scroll he carried with him.
"Clan leader, what else is there to say? The Uchiha clan is full of treacherous ambitions! Elder Danzo died at his hands! Avenge Elder Danzo!" roared the restrained ninja of the Shimura clan.
"It seems the Shimura clan has truly colluded with Shimura Danzo and intends to betray the village." Uchiha Touhuan's expression turned cold, and the three tomoe in his eyes transformed into the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Shimura Hiroshi wanted to lash out, but seeing the Mangekyou Sharingan flashing in Uchiha Touhuan's eyes, he could only suppress his impulse and forcefully said, "Stop! I'll just have them come with you."
As Danzo's cousin, Shimura Hiroshi had personally witnessed the great battle between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara. He clearly understood the immense power of the Mangekyou Sharingan; otherwise, where would such a vast area as the Valley of the End have come from? At this moment, within the Shimura clan's territory, if Uchiha Touhuan were to unleash his full power, the final outcome was uncertain, but none of the Shimura clan members would escape.
Furthermore, Uchiha Touhuan had arrived with a sense of righteousness; if a conflict broke out, they would be unable to clear their names even if they jumped into the Naka River.
"Wouldn't it have been better if you had cooperated earlier?" Uchiha Touhuan chuckled, waving his hand to signal Uchiha En'yu to lead men to capture them.
"Clan head!" The young members of the Shimura clan immediately protested. Accustomed to bullying others in the village, they couldn't tolerate this humiliation.
"Clan head Shimura, don't put me in a difficult position," Uchiha Touhuan approached Shimura Hiroshi and whispered in his ear.
Shimura Hiroshi's lips twitched, but he ultimately said nothing more, only gesturing for his clan members to remain calm.
The arrest didn't last long, as the individuals Uchiha Touhuan had previously named were all present. After handcuffing them, Uchiha Enyu reported back to Uchiha Touhuan.
"Clan Head Shimura, thank you for your cooperation." Seeing that the suspects were in hand, Uchiha Touhuan relaxed. "However, I must advise you that holding a funeral for traitors at this critical juncture is perhaps a bit inappropriate."
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(End of Chapter)