Chapter 190: Punish According to the Law

"You!"

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun's pupils trembled, her complexion turned unusually sallow; looking at the evidence everyone had prepared in advance, how could she not see that today's meeting's target was not An Benxiong, but clearly herself, Zhuan Qin Xiaochun! "Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, abusing the Hokage's trust to act recklessly, has caused division and discord throughout Konoha, and now even the Ninja Academy's students are affected. Her sins are so deep that they are intolerable; I request the Hokage to render a verdict!"

Seeing that several people didn't even call the consultant, Zhuan Qin Xiaochun's forehead sweated lightly; instinctively she looked at Shisui and explained: "It's not that I won't give the money each department needs, it's just that it takes time to reallocate. Konoha has many places that need funds, so there must be a priority order."

"Damn it, these guys are deliberately setting me up, but I still have Rizhan, I still have the Fifth. I have contributed to Konoha; he promised never to move against me. As long as he is willing to trust the queen, I still have a chance to settle things; at worst I can retire!"

Shisui frowned, his expression somewhat conflicted, seeming unwilling to believe that Zhuan Qin Xiaochun would do such a thing, yet he didn't know how to explain it to everyone.

Nara Zhuque stepped forward in time to speak for Shisui: "The incident happened suddenly, the Hokage himself doesn't know the specifics. Now everyone holds different opinions, so let's simply have the ANBU and Police Department conduct a joint investigation; then the Hokage can decide. What do you all think?"

Investigation?

The two sides felt differently; An Benxiong and others were puzzled—evidence had already been submitted, why continue investigating? Then they realized, delighted, that the result of the investigation was predetermined; after all, if they could find it, the Hokage could certainly not miss it. So they all said in unison, "The Hokage is wise!"

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun also pondered: a joint ANBU and Police Department looks like mutual supervision, but in fact they're all Shisui's people. As long as Shisui, for the sake of the Third's face, gives her a hand, she can leave safely.

But what if Shisui refuses to help her?

While she was conflicted, Shisui finally spoke: "The consultant has assisted the Third for many years, contributing great merits to Konoha and earning the Third's trust. I trust the Third's judgment; as for your requests…"

After Shisui finished speaking, he looked at Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, his gaze inquiring.

"I act righteously and sit upright; since they want an investigation, then let them investigate!"

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun understood Shisui's meaning; this was his decision. Although she didn't want an investigation, without an explanation others certainly wouldn't stop. Yet Shisui's trust gave her some comfort; she hadn't expected the Third's influence on Shisui to reach this extent.

"Then, Dao Huo, Kakashi, the two of you each lead a squad and, within seven days, fully investigate the Finance Department's situation; you must clear the consultant's name!"

Kakashi instantly appeared, half‑kneeling with Dao Huo, and replied: "Yes!"

Having received the Hokage's promise, the ninjas of each department were very satisfied, but regarding the Education Department's An Benxiong's handling, opinions again diverged.

"Fifth, An Benxiong used substandard work, maliciously sabotaging the Ninja Academy's assessment and should be severely punished!"

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun's eyes turned icy, squinting at An Benxiong.

An Benxiong, naturally unwilling to take the blame, sneered coldly and shouted: "Hokage, you see clearly; if it weren't for Zhuan Qin Xiaochun embezzling Education Department funds, I wouldn't have used substandard work!"

"Full of nonsense, I only allocated the money in batches; you could have used that money for ninja tool procurement. Now the assessment has problems, clearly you did it on purpose!"

"If it's embezzlement, then it's embezzlement. What batch allocation? I don't see any batch allocation for the Medical Department's funds."

At this, Nara Zhuque raised an eyebrow; everyone present showed a change in expression, and Shisui glanced sideways at An Benxiong.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun sneered coldly: "The Medical Department concerns the safety of all wounded; they are heroes who have retreated from the front lines. Does An Benxiong mean to divert the Medical Department's funds to your Education Department?"

An Benxiong's face changed, and he hurriedly said: "I'm not saying that; don't change the subject!"

"Or that the mission fees for the supervising ninjas are more important than Konoha's future, and you placed them first?"

"You!"

"Enough, no matter how you put it, this concerns Konoha's future; I will not tolerate it. Whoever caused this, I will give everyone, give Konoha an answer."

"But until the matter is clarified, I ask both of you to speak cautiously!"

Shisui's expression was icy, his tone solemn.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, having no bottom to begin with, naturally dared not oppose Shisui.

Everyone also fell silent; although they thought Shisui was a bit soft on the consultant's matter, he was the Hokage, and in public they had to obey, though they couldn't help feeling a bit contemptuous.

"He's truly a youngster."

The crowd dispersed, and Kakashi and Dao Huo immediately led people to take over the Finance Department.

Only Nara Zhuque stayed in the office, quietly helping Shisui sort the evidence everyone had submitted.

"Hokage."

Shisui took the documents, gave them a casual glance, and placed them aside, as if indifferent, yet as if he already knew their contents.

Nara Zhuque felt a slight stir inside, but as always he restrained his curiosity.

Shisui proactively asked: "Senior Zhuque, you don't seem curious at all."

"The Hokage must have his reasons for doing this."

"Senior Zhuque, do you think the consultant would do such things?" Shisui's expression remained gentle as always; the earlier anger had long vanished.

Nara Zhuque was silent for a moment, then finally replied: "The evidence is laid out here; if the evidence has no issues, then it should be true."

"Hahaha, Senior Zhuque remains as meticulous as ever, but what they uncovered isn't evidence; only what the ANBU and Police Department find counts as evidence."

"The Hokage handles matters fairly, earning trust."

Shisui's expression unchanged, he calmly stared at Nara Zhuque and continued: "Then, Senior Nara, do you think, besides the consultant, there are others like that?"

Nara Zhuque suddenly looked up, his heart rate quickened a few beats.

"With hundreds of people, there are all sorts of oddities; Konoha has hundreds of thousands of people, so there must be some who stray from the Will of Fire, like the consultant; surely there are others."

"Or perhaps Senior Zhuque sees far; if it were just me, there would be blind spots. If you have guidance, you can tell me directly; you need not worry—if you ask, I will not hide anything."

"Thank you. Hokage's trust!"

"Move, not that you're cute, you are medical ninjas, watch the formation, Itachi, protect those two!"

On the Tōkaidō, Shiliu Ye led three people on a mission; the target was a merchant convoy, actually because Shangcun Yizhi's return made the salt merchants of Tōkaidō want to flee.

Their bounty attracted Kakuto, which consequently caused the death of Uchiha Pan; Shiliu Ye, of course, would not let them go unpunished, so she led a squad to intercept and slay them.

Shiliu Ye had already confirmed that there were no experts in the caravan; Itachi led the three among a crowd of samurai and wandering ninjas in a melee.

Although Itachi was young, his strength was the greatest among the three; relying solely on his taijutsu and a masterful sword technique, he slew one wandering ninja after another, as well as samurai.

The melee ended quickly; all three had been on battlefields, seen corpses, and killed people, so this was already acceptable to them.

Perhaps having relaxed too long, Itachi looked at the bodies strewn on the ground, and his mind began to ponder some complex questions.

"Why are we killing them?"

Shiliu Ye was startled, then prepared to tell Itachi that they were taking revenge. Seeing the other two also cast doubtful glances, Shiliu Ye had to reorganize her words.

"After we return, you can ask Shangcun Yizhi; he'll tell you the reason, okay?"

Shiliu Ye said, her expression slightly shifting, then looked up and saw a raven circling; after confirming Shiliu Ye, it landed on her shoulder.

"This is Shisui's ninja crow."

The crow landed on Shiliuye's shoulder, met its gaze, and then a three‑hooked jade reflected in the crow's eye.

A moment later, Shiliuye was startled.

"It seems you have no chance to ask Shangcun Yizhi now; perhaps you should go back and let the Hokage tell you."

"Are we going back to the village?"

Shiliuye created a clone to deliver the news to Shangcun Yizhi, who replied, "Indeed, the Hokage has ordered that I bring you back to Konoha within three days. No time to waste—let's set out immediately!"

The three didn't know what had happened, but the basic training of a ninja made them depart at once.

Before departing, Shangchuan Ming used an Earth Release technique to bury the corpses in the ground.

Meanwhile, Fugaku, who was serving as a test subject in the Fields Country, also received news from Shisui.

"Heh heh heh, are you leaving now?"

Orochimaru licked his tongue, his gaze lingering on the test subject before him with a hint of reluctance.

Fugaku's expression was solemn, yet the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.

"Lord Orochimaru, continue your own research; I must return to Konoha first."

"What a pity—our experiment has already progressed. Soon we should grasp the principle of the ordinary Kaleidoscope's advanced Eternal Kaleidoscope. Why not tell Shisui and stay another two months?"

"…Next time."

Whether the Eternal Kaleidoscope is truly important, Fugaku didn't close the matter, yet he still insisted on leaving.

Orochimaru could only abandon the plan, then escorted Fugaku to the entrance of the basement and watched him depart.

"The Uchiha's secrets are countless; I so want to uncover them all~"

Seven days passed in an instant, and the ANBU and Police Department's joint investigation into Zhuanren Xiaochun's matter spread like wildfire.

Every household in Konoha's inner district, especially the Ninja Academy students, paid close attention, and the chatter continued nonstop.

Although the facts were not yet confirmed, the Zhuanren clan's reputation was ruined, and villagers kept hurling insults.

This infuriated Zhuanren Xiaochun, who wanted to see Shisui and gauge the situation, but Nara Suzaku, citing conflict‑of‑interest avoidance, barred the parties involved from meeting the Hokage or contacting ANBU or Police Department members during this period.

She could only turn to the Third, only to be told by Hibi Sarutobi that the Third was gravely ill and had not been seen for a long time.

This gave Zhuanren Xiaochun a slight unease, but time waits for no one; on the eighth day, senior officials from all divisions gathered at the Hokage Tower.

ANBU and the Police Department sealed off the area; nearly a hundred ninjas surrounded the interior and exterior. Shisui sat calmly in his office, while the ninjas from each division lined up on either side, feeling something odd.

Zhuanren Xiaochun arrived early at the Hokage's office, and the formidable scene made her increasingly uneasy.

Soon, ninjas from all divisions assembled, and another person stepped through the door—Uchiha Shiliuye.

As soon as Shiliuye entered, everyone cast sideways glances.

Zhuanren Xiaochun did the same; after all, she was another Kaleidoscope‑awakened individual besides Shisui, rumored to have been on special missions abroad, and her purpose for returning was unknown.

"Hokage, everyone is present,"

Nara Suzaku spoke, and after Shisui nodded, continued, "After seven days of continuous ANBU and Police Department investigation, it has been confirmed that since Zhuanren Xiaochun took over the Finance Department, a total of 178.72 million taels vanished from the ledgers. The false accounts have been identified, and the audit shows no errors."

"What?"

Zhuanren Xiaochun shouted in surprise, and the others looked on with speechless expressions.

"What are you surprised about? Aren't you aware of what you did yourself? We haven't even spoken yet!"

Zhuanren Xiaochun stared intently at Shisui; she hadn't expected him to conduct a genuine investigation. Did he disregard the Third's dignity? Moreover, a mere Nara Suzaku daring to call her by name made her even more uneasy.

"Zhuanren Consultant, do you have anything else to say?"

Shisui sighed, his expression deeply disappointed.

"This is a false accusation; it must be someone from the Uchiha ANBU framing me. I've managed Konoha with Rizhan for years—how could I…"

Zhuanren Xiaochun shouted defiantly, but Nara Suzaku cut her off, "I haven't finished. The above only covers Zhuanren Xiaochun's actions after taking over the Finance Department. According to the ledgers already examined, there was also embezzlement of 173.694 million taels in the Medical Department during the period when the Third managed Konoha."

Sss—now it's not just Zhuanren Xiaochun; every ninja in the room inhaled sharply.

One point seven billion!

More than the Daimyo's year‑end allocation.

"No, it's false, all false!"

Zhuanren Xiaochun sprang up, shouting hoarsely.

"Zhuanren Consultant, I've always trusted you, but…"

Shisui stared straight at Zhuanren Xiaochun, his gaze icy.

Looking at the stack of evidence and the gloating eyes of ninjas from each division, Zhuanren Xiaochun suddenly calmed, bending slowly.

"Fifth Generation, this time it's my fault; I am willing to resign from the consultant post and repay the money I borrowed during this period in full."

The others relaxed, satisfied that as long as Zhuanren Xiaochun lost the consultant position and her power, they would be content.

"Hokage, this cannot stand; Zhuanren Xiaochun's actions not only severely impacted the divisions, but also caused Konoha countless losses, affecting Ninja Academy students. According to Konoha law, crimes against the state merit multiple punishments and should be executed!"

"What?"

Everyone's pupils dilated as they turned to the speaker—it was Inabi Uchiha of the Police Department, Shisui's right‑hand man!

(End of chapter)