Chapter 155: Xianghui's Death, Zhuanqin Spits Blood

A sudden flare shot up, igniting the entire Leaf Village, and the people outside the Zhuanqin clan land craned their heads upward, each with a different look in their eyes.

That direction.

Watching the direction where the flare rose, Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's pupils contracted, and she felt her limbs turn cold.

How could this be! How could they know! She whirled around to look at Yan Shifan, only to see him give a contemptuous smile, swing his large hand and say, "Charge in; anyone who blocks is to be treated as a spy comrade, kill without mercy!"

Yes!

Police Department headquarters personnel lifted their swords without hesitation and rushed toward the Zhuanqin clan land; Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's face turned pale, her mind a haze, yet she did not immediately protest.

The elder behind her instinctively stepped forward with members of the Zhuanqin clan to block, but was cut down to the ground by several Uchiha acting together.

Seeing the elder lying in a pool of blood, everyone froze.

Huh? They really killed someone, Uchiha is serious this time; they won't start a fight, will they?

My god, Uchiha—no, the Police Department actually acted! What does the Zhuanqin assistant say? Should we fight?

Th-this... hahaha, alright, alright, let's fight, let's fight!

If they fight, doesn't that give us a chance?

Everyone's breath caught, then they recovered, breathing becoming rapid as they stared fixedly at Zhuanqin Xiao Chun.

The night wind howled, Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's breathing grew a bit rapid, yet she heard Yan Shifan speak calmly, "What are you standing around for? Rush toward the flare; I want to see how many spy comrades the Zhuanqin clan has hidden."

That phrase "spy comrade" instantly defined the elder's status; dying that way was in vain.

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun raised her hand to form a seal to kill those Uchiha, but Mizuto Monen firmly restrained her.

No, absolutely not!

Mizuto Monen surveyed the surroundings, watching the excited ninjas; he felt bitter inside, knowing that once they clashed with the Uchiha, these people would definitely seize the chance to act, and a massive civil unrest would erupt throughout the Leaf Village, with countless deaths unknown.

And the Zhuanqin clan, being the closest, would naturally bear the brunt.

Moreover, given the current situation, the Police Department has sealed off the entire Leaf Village; these people have no chance if they fight the Police Department head‑on, and will be caught and eliminated on the spot.

Yan Shifan found it a pity that Zhuanqin Xiao Chun was stopped, but he smiled lightly again.

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun was also foolish; the current ANBU are the original members from the Third Hokage's era, Shisui once stayed there for so long, Uchiha also sent several squads to support the Third Hokage, so they surely have some connections. Moreover, he had made many secret preparations, constantly watching those people; their so‑called diversion was merely a waste of time under his very eyes.

It seems the Zhuanqin clan aren't all spy comrades; go in.

Yan Shifan chuckled, then reminded them, and the Police Department personnel immediately rushed toward the direction where the flare rose.

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's inner fury was hard to quell, but after Mizuto Monen held her, she forced herself to calm; she knew the few she had hidden in the clan land could no longer be protected.

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's mind raced; moments later, looking at the clan member lying in the blood, her eyes narrowed and she formed a plan.

The people brought in by the Police Department as temporary workers outside the clan land, seeing Zhuanqin Xiao Chun endure, felt a bit disappointed, and their gazes toward the two clans shifted.

The Police Department didn't keep them waiting long; soon, those who had entered the clan land escorted a group of people out.

By the light, everyone saw the faces of those people; the one at the front was Zhuanqin Xianghui.

Hm? Isn't that Zhuanqin Xianghui? Why is she in the Zhuanqin clan land?

Yeah! She made a mistake; shouldn't she be sent to the battlefield now?

Damn it, if she's here, then those people the two assistants rescued from the Police Department earlier might also be hidden in the Village, right?

That's absurd; we've been deceived!

Everyone quickly recovered, each staring angrily at the Zhuanqin clan members.

And what about Zhuanqin Xiao Chun?

Her expression was more surprised than anyone's; she raised her hand, pointed at Zhuanqin Xianghui, and asked in disbelief, "Why are you in the clan land?"

Huh? Hearing Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's question, everyone was stunned.

Someone asked puzzledly, "What does she mean?"

She probably means she didn't know about Zhuanqin Xianghui's situation beforehand, right?

Is that true? If she didn't know, why did she try to block earlier?

Hmph, she's definitely faking it, that old corpse, can really act!

Someone sneered, and the surroundings fell silent; Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's mouth twitched, she glanced at that person, whose face turned deathly pale, and he hurriedly slipped into the crowd, not daring to show his head.

Zhuanqin Xianghui was also stumped by Zhuanqin Xiao Chun's question, but after hearing that person's curse she quickly recovered; she knew she had been abandoned, yet she bore no grudge against Zhuanqin Xiao Chun, and instead fixed a murderous gaze on Yan Shifan.

"I'm sorry, aunt, he falsely accused me of breaking the law, tarnished my reputation, and threw me onto the battlefield. I refuse; today I returned to the village in secret to take revenge!"

Having said that, she looked at the elder lying on the ground, a trace of sorrow on her face, and said mournfully, "Second Uncle helped me after learning, but I never expected him to die at the hands of Uchiha."

Everyone's expression turned strange, glancing at each other, not knowing what to say.

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun was very cooperative, immersed in sorrow, her expression mournful, looking deeply shaken.

So it was Second Uncle who deceived you, you silly child.

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun caught her breath and quickly added.

Yan Shifan looked at the two's full‑of‑holes acting and couldn't help but smile, then cut in, "Enough, enough. Since this has nothing to do with the Zhuanqin assistant, please step back."

Then he turned to the Uchiha Hachidai beside him and asked, "Zhuanqin Xianghui left the battlefield on her own while bearing a criminal status; what crime is she charged with?"

"Disrespecting orders is insubordination, leaving the battlefield on her own is desertion, assassinating Police Department members is treason against the Village; by law she should be executed outright."

Execute!

Zhuanqin Xianghui's pupils narrowed; she instinctively looked at Zhuanqin Xiao Chun, only to see her also looking grim—after all, she was her own niece! "Since there is law to follow, we shall act accordingly. Even the Third Hokage present would not oppose, nor allow such a traitor to remain in the Leaf Village. Bring them back to the Police Department; they will be executed at noon tomorrow."

When the words fell, everyone felt a cold wind brush their necks.

They really intend to kill.

Hundreds of gazes kept shifting between Zhuanqin Xiao Chun and Yan Shifan; Zhuanqin Xiao Chun felt those looks scraping her like knives against her skin.

"Xianghui already said they were also deceived; the one who deceived them is now dead. In my view, it's better to send them to the battlefield to atone. After all, she's a medical ninja; her survival can save more villagers."

Mizuto Monen hesitated briefly, then forced himself forward and said, "As for the so‑called assassination, it was merely Xianghui speaking in a fit of anger, it never happened. Young people can be impulsive; the future of the Leaf Village still depends on you, the younger generation."

Zhuanqin Xiao Chun also looked at the corpse on the ground, grief flashing in her eyes; the person was already dead, and pinning these matters on him was for the sake of the clan. "Since Xianghui was also deceived, let's send her back to the battlefield again."

What? Even at this point you can redeem yourself with merit? Damn it, can I do the same?

Damn Zhuanren, and they still want them to atone by merit? Do they really treat Konoha as their own home?

Shameless to the extreme, we fought life and death on the battlefield, barely returned and now have to endure this grievance; I suggest we cut them off directly, stop bringing disaster to the front lines!

The crowd murmured, the two's faces slightly changed, but thinking of the consequences of Zhuanren Xianghui being taken, they could only grit their teeth and persist.

A joke.

The two tried to brush it off, but Yan Shifan wouldn't give them that face, speaking coldly: "Manipulation? Impulse? One impulse can assassinate someone from the Police Department, one manipulation can leave the battlefield; what does she think Konoha's law is?"

Today, with one impulse she can assassinate me and leave Konoha alive; tomorrow she could kill others. Your Zhuanren clan is still a ninja clan; if so many powerful ninjas disregard Konoha's law, do ordinary villagers have any chance of survival?

Whoa— the crowd was already unwilling, and Yan Shifan's reminder made their reaction even more intense.

Right, these ninja clan's ninjas are powerful; if Konoha's law can't restrain them, what will we do in the future? Be beaten to death, and the other side can just dodge to the front lines and survive—what does that make us?

Damn it, even the front lines have Zhuanren people; they might be safe even there!

No, we must punish them severely!

We must punish them severely!

The crowd realized that Yan Shifan's actions were to protect their interests; if they don't deal with Zhuanren Xianghui today, other ninja clans will follow suit, and how can they survive in Konoha? In an instant, emotions surged, Zhuanren Xiaochun and Shuihu Menyan's faces turned pale, realizing the matter could no longer be resolved peacefully, they looked at Zhuanren Xianghui.

Zhuanren Xianghui saw this and knew death was certain, but for her clan she couldn't be taken back to the Police Department, so she seized the moment, broke free from the people behind her and lunged at Yan Shifan.

The sudden turn shocked everyone; many instinctively drew weapons. Yan Shifan's eyes flickered, his guards moved in unison, several swords thrust straight into Zhuanren Xianghui's body, pinning her firmly to the ground.

For a moment, blood flowed unabated, and her breathing grew faint.

Zhuanren Xianghui was merely a special medical jonin, her rank having been raised thanks to Zhuanren Xiaochun; her combat ability was average. At this moment, several Yuzhibo jonin acted together, subduing her instantly, while the Police Department personnel avoided vital points, merely restraining her.

Hmph, dull and stubborn, take her away.

Yan Shifan let out a cold snort, waved his hand at Zhuanren Xiaochun's murderous gaze and said.

As soon as the words fell, a splat was heard, and Zhuanren Xianghui spat a mouthful of fresh blood, soon falling silent.

She killed herself?

The crowd looked at the corpse pierced by four swords and sighed, "She got off cheap, dying so easily."

Everyone was a ninja; some had endured three ninja wars, countless battles, and were accustomed to life and death, indifferent to life, and felt little regret over Zhuanren Xianghui's death.

Yan Shifan narrowed his eyes, lamenting, "What a pity, Konoha's bright future."

Shuihu Menyan's face twitched at the words, then he dropped his weapon and left. Tonight they suffered a crushing defeat; their pride was trampled, and their future would only worsen.

Zhuanren Xiaochun's gaunt hand trembled slightly, whispering, "Everyone's dead, this corpse—Third Elder won't still try to snatch it from me, will he?"

Yan Shifan ignored it, turned to Yuzhibo Badai, and the four drew their swords; Badai bent down to inspect, and after a moment nodded.

Yan Shifan finally spoke, "Hahaha, logically the ninja's corpse should be inspected, but since the Zhuanren assistant spoke up, this thin favor must be granted; after all, it's hard for a white‑haired person to send a black‑haired one, I understand."

Sss— the crowd inhaled sharply, looking at Yan Shifan in disbelief.

"This guy is really ruthless, each sword stabbing straight into the chest, the two assistants actually endure it; if it were me, I'd definitely take kunai and clash with the Yuzhibo!"

A joke. With your strength, charging forward would just make you another Zhuanren Xianghui, courting your own ruin.

Exactly, the Yuzhibo were assassinated, aren't they eager for revenge?

I've long been displeased with the Zhuanren clan.

If you ask me, neither side is any good; dogs biting dogs just get fur in their mouths, better they fight.

People argued wildly, whispering to stoke the fire; Zhuanren Xiaochun's lips were about to split from biting, but she endured, ordering the bodies be taken away, then whispered, "Do not send them."

Yan Shifan, seeing this, simply waved his hand to have the remaining few taken away, but did not leave; instead he addressed the crowd, "The Zhuanren clan is harboring deserters, its members assassinate Police Department personnel, a highly malicious nature; for Konoha's stability and the villagers' safety…"

For the next month, the entire Zhuanren clan will be under Police Department surveillance; all members must report any entry or exit from clan lands, and anyone leaving without reporting will be deemed a deserter and executed on the spot!

Utter nonsense!

How can this be?

Zhuanren Xiaochun burst out laughing on the spot, unable to bear it any longer, and said, "I think you're insane; I, entrusted by the Third Generation to manage Konoha, would not act so recklessly."

The Police Department has no Hokage's order or authority to commit such a grave betrayal; you are clearly provoking trouble. Where are the ANBU? Take him to the Sarutobi Clan's lands; I want Rizhan to see clearly how arrogant the Yuzhibo are!

Authority?

Yan Shifan disdainfully glanced at Zhuanren Xiaochun, saying that authority comes from subordinates' recognition; now that Zhuanren Xiaochun's authority is trampled, which of these temporary workers would obey her?

As for the ANBU?

They pretended to be dead the whole time, as if they hadn't heard anything.

Nevertheless, Yan Shifan did not underestimate them; even if the Police Department could defeat the ANBU, it could not take the initiative to act against them.

"Assassins have appeared in the village, and the ANBU aren't staying by the Hokage's side; why linger here?"

At the question, the ANBU instantly reacted, fled hurriedly; they didn't want to be caught in the middle.

Only after the ANBU left did Zhuanren Xiaochun finally understand why Zhuanren Xianghui and the others were exposed so quickly.

Yuzhibo!

Zhuanren Xiaochun's anger flared; she saw darkness, a sweet metallic taste, then violently spat a mouthful of blood onto the snow, and collapsed straight onto the ground.

The crowd gasped, and members of the Zhuanren clan hurried forward to help.

Yan Shifan glanced at Zhuanren Xiaochun, then at the carried‑away Zhuanren Xianghui, adding, "What a pity, she was the one who knew medical ninjutsu."

Having said that, he turned and left with his men, leaving a group of ninjas to surround the Zhuanren clan's lands before departing.

When the ninja clans learned of last night's events, it was already the next morning.

(End of Chapter)