After the petrified Obito shattered into pieces, Kakashi, who only dared to approach
after the commotion subsided, finally arrived belatedly. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Uchiha Touhuan standing proudly in the center of the battlefield.
"How did it go?" Kakashi asked from behind Uchiha Touhuan.
"The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage, the villain who assassinated the Fourth Hokage, has been captured," Uchiha Touhuan said, turning to the arriving group.
As soon as he finished speaking, the arriving group erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Although the process tonight had been somewhat convoluted, at this moment, they could finally declare their plan a complete success.
Amidst the cheers, Kakashi gazed thoughtfully at the shattered stones before him, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Once the cheers behind him subsided slightly, Uchiha Touhuan turned to the group: "Go back, everyone. There's still some finishing work to do tonight."
"Yes!"
"Let's go." Uchiha Touhuan patted Kakashi's shoulder. "Come on, tell Genma and the others later that it was kind of them to escort the border troops back. You come back with us first. As for the transfer order to bring you back to the village, we'll process it tomorrow."
"Okay." Kakashi nodded, glanced again at the shattered stone fragments, and followed Uchiha Touhuan.
Inside the Hokage's office, after receiving the signal, Uchiha Fugaku slowly stood up and coldly looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, saying, "Third Hokage, I'm sorry to have troubled you to stay in the Hokage Building these past few days. As for your safety, I'll leave it entirely to the Security Department."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't reply. The initiative was no longer in his hands. What he needed to consider now was offering something to Uchiha Touhuan in exchange for a dignified retirement. After that masked man appeared and attacked the Security Department, he was already in deep trouble—even if he wasn't completely innocent, he was still guilty. The blame for the Nine-Tails' attack six years ago was hanging over his head, but the person who was supposed to take the fall for him was no longer there.
On the way back to the security headquarters, Uchiha Touhuan learned of Uchiha Itachi's fate.
"Clan Head Touhuan, what should we do about Itachi's situation?" At that moment, Uchiha Tsuru, the elder in charge of coordinating the clan's rituals, came to Uchiha Touhuan's side and asked.
Most deceased Uchiha clan members were buried in the clan's private cemetery after their Sharingan was removed, and the Sharingan was enshrined in the clan's shrine. Uchiha Obito's situation, where he was buried in the village's cemetery, was an exception. However, Uchiha Itachi's situation was special, and only Uchiha Touhuan, the clan head, could make the decision.
Upon hearing the news, Uchiha Touhuan shook his head regretfully. After a moment's thought, he said, "Bury him in the clan's cemetery, but keep the funeral simple."
"I understand," Uchiha Tsuru nodded.
...
Jiraiya, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza were politely invited into the new prison by the Nanga River by Uchiha Inahi and the others.
As the group passed the cell where the two advisors were being held, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stared in disbelief at the scene.
"Jiraiya? Shikaku? Even you've been arrested?" Mitokado Homura shouted incredulously through the iron bars of the window.
"Has Uchiha Touhuan rebelled?" Utatane Koharu also asked, banging on the iron bars of the window.
Jiraiya was currently in a state of self-isolation and had no interest in replying. Nara Shikaku and the other two wisely pretended not to see what was happening.
Uchiha Inahime frowned as she glanced at the two men's cells and coldly said, "Looks like you two former consultants are in high spirits tonight? Have more evidence to confess? Men! Give these two former consultants a good beating!"
...
Upon arriving at the Namikawa Grand Hotel, Uchiha Touhuan had barely entered the interrogation area when he heard the screams of these two consultants.
Uchiha Touhuan picked at his ear, frowned, and a platoon leader from the security department behind him immediately left the group. Within two minutes, the screams ceased abruptly as the mouths of the two interrogated consultants were gagged.
Uchiha Touhuan and Kakashi first entered the room where Nara Shikaku and the other two were being held.
Considering they had previously saved Kakashi, the security department didn't give them any trouble, and after escorting them to their room, they were quickly served tea.
Seeing Uchiha Touhuan and Kakashi enter the room, Nara Shikaku and the other two composed themselves.
"Nara-suke, thank you for your help earlier," Kakashi nodded to Nara Shikaku.
"We're all from the same village, it's only right," Nara Shikaku said.
Uchiha Touhuan then chuckled and sat down opposite the three, saying, "The three of you contributed to the battle against the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage tonight, but it's also an undeniable fact that you and your clansmen openly defied the village's martial law order."
"So, Captain Touhuan, how do you plan to handle this?" Nara Shikaku asked.
"We'll discuss that later, but could Nara Susuke answer a question for me first?" Uchiha Touhuan said, "Nara Susuke is a smart man; he should be able to see that Jiraiya is not a wise ruler, so why did the three of you still involve your clansmen in this matter?"
"We must repay the debt of our ancestors," Nara Shikaku said.
"I understand," Uchiha Touhuan nodded.
"Captain Touhuan, please tell us how you plan to deal with the three of us," Yamanaka Inoichi said.
"In that case, I won't hold back anymore," Uchiha Touhuan said. "How the Security Department deals with the three of you is up to you to choose."
"Captain Touhuan, please speak," Nara Shikaku said.
"The three clan leaders received intelligence today that the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' attack plans to invade the village tonight, so they intend to bring their clansmen to help. For the sake of secrecy, they did not notify the Security Department beforehand, which led to a misunderstanding. However, village rules are rules. After weighing the merits and demerits, Nara Aide-de-Ci will be demoted two ranks and return to the Jonin class as a battalion commander. Inoichi and Choza will each be demoted one rank," Uchiha Touhuan said.
"Captain Touhuan, I remember there's no rule in the village about offsetting merits and demerits," Nara Shikaku said. The first path Touhuan offered seemed lenient, but Shikaku knew that if he agreed, the three of them would likely remain in their demoted positions until retirement. Their clans wouldn't have many opportunities for advancement. After Touhuan rose to power, his subordinates would be waiting to share the spoils; there would be no place for them at the table.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clan's current prosperity was due to the Hokage's trust and support; after completely fading from the village's core circle, their future was destined to decline.
Therefore, Shikaku wanted to hear about the other path Touhuan offered.
"Isn't there a rule in the village that merits and demerits cannot offset each other?" Uchiha Touhuan nodded. "Then I haven't considered that."
"Well, the three clan leaders led the way in violating the village's martial law order, and according to the law, they should be treated as rioters. Although the actions of the three clans did not cause particularly serious consequences, the three of you should still resign and retire, leaving the village's ninja ranks. Only in this way can we give the village an explanation, right?"
"Clan Leader Touhuan, I understand. The three of us will resign tomorrow." Nara Shikaku said. "Now that we've finished talking about the faults, shouldn't we talk about the merits?"
"Your merit is saving Kakashi, which has nothing to do with me." Uchiha Touhuan smiled and shook his head, looking at Kakashi.
At this moment, Kakashi looked at the three and said, "I've heard that every generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho clan has an earring oath when they become teammates. I wonder if I have the honor of being a witness to this ceremony?"
Hearing this, Nara Shikaku finally smiled. Although the Ino-Shika-Cho clan would inevitably be reduced after the three of them retired, they had gained a promise for the future.
...
After leaving Nara Shikaku and the others, Uchiha Touhuan and Kakashi went to Jiraiya's place.
The room was the same as before, but Jiraiya's mindset was completely different this time.
The two entered the room one after the other, and Uchiha Touhuan released the seal on Jiraiya's body.
"Lord Jiraiya, please bring Naruto back. He has school tomorrow," Kakashi said.
Jiraiya, his eyes vacant, glanced at the two of them, silently formed hand seals, and summoned a toad from Mount Myōboku. After learning of Jiraiya's request, the communication toad returned to Mount Myōboku.
A short while later, the communication toad brought back the sleeping Naruto.
"Lord Jiraiya, I don't think you're in the mood to talk to us right now. Why don't you stay here for a while? You know the place well anyway," Kakashi said.
After speaking, Kakashi and Uchiha Touhuan left the room.
Uchiha Touhuan, looking at Naruto being carried by Kakashi, said, "Take this kid home first, then come to the Hokage Building. The sooner we finish things up, the better we can go back and rest."
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(End of Chapter)