Chapter 83: It wasn't me, I didn't

Sima Yi smiled, closed the briefcases on the table one by one and stacked them aside, then ordered, "Go tell them that the cholera‑stricken people of Leaf Village have been captured. They are the backbone of Leaf Village's livelihood; Leaf Village cannot do without them. As long as they conduct business properly, they won't be affected."

"Furthermore, the profiteering and market‑disrupting racket has already been thrown into prison; Leaf Village's prices will soon begin to drop, expected after five days, within seven days."

Hiss, understood!

Hui Uchiha looked at Sima Yi and couldn't help but gasp, nodding repeatedly.

"Uncle Yi, as expected of you, tell me any other orders together. Later I still need to go with Sister Yang Zhe to guard the Police Department."

Sima Yi shook his head and simply instructed, "There's nothing major. Remember to keep a low profile, and also gather villagers' information, staying on top of public sentiment."

"Understood, I'll leave now."

Hui bowed and left; Sima Yi looked at the stacked briefcases and laughed, "This money came at a good time—perfect because it arrived just right."

All of Shisui's money was used by Sima Yi to set up an intelligence network, bribe the Dark Ones, purchase supplies, and buy materials for the sealing technique.

As for those Dark Ones, he has never been stingy with rewards; now that he's spending money in many places, his funds are nearly depleted.

"Jin Huo, go to the clan and check on the members whose houses were damaged by the heavy snow earlier, and also tell them that Shisui plans to build some houses on the vacant land in the southwest of the clan territory, which may require some workers later."

Because Ying Shu was busy with other matters, Sima Yi had to summon Jin Huo and give the order.

Jin Huo slapped his chest, his expression excited, "Alright, Grandmaster Yi, rest assured, leave it to me!"

The clan's atmosphere was off, and he also learned some of it from Tie Huo, realizing that Shisui seemed to be undertaking something big for the family; now being able to help Shisui made him very happy.

Seeing Jin Huo like that, Sima Yi couldn't help but sigh, "Youth is wonderful."

On the other side, Hui had just entered the interior when the bun shop owner hurriedly ran up to him, respectfully presenting delicious meat buns.

"Sir, sir, look, these are the ones I made especially for you this morning."

Hui hadn't had breakfast yet, so he casually took the paper bag.

He gave the sycophantic bun shop owner a cold stare and said bluntly, "Hold back, looking like that makes me lose my appetite."

"Fine," he said, and without regard for the owner's expression, thrust the money into his hand, then turned to leave.

"No, no, no, sir, stay a moment, sir, stay a moment!"

Unexpectedly, the owner's face turned deathly pale, and with a sobbing voice he hurriedly stopped Hui.

"What are you doing? Didn't I already give you the money?"

The bun shop owner, looking terrified, said, "Sir, you only ate a few buns; how could I take your money? That day, truly my eyes were short‑sighted."

He kept trembling, his hands still on his chest as if reaching for something, but his anxiety made him unable to succeed, and he was so urgent that he was about to kneel.

Hui's complexion changed as he sensed something amiss; fortunately his eyes were quick and he promptly stopped him, then instinctively glanced around and saw the villagers' gazes had indeed been drawn to them.

"Who is this? There's a clan emblem on it, is it a Uchiha? Buying buns without paying—how outrageous."

"Keep your voice down. Didn't you see how many were arrested yesterday? Be careful not to get caught yourself."

"What are you afraid of? It's not the Police Department."

"Another bun‑stealer?"

"Should we involve the Police Department?"

The crowd whispered, pointing at the two, while the bun shop owner, unable to care about anything else, frantically tugged at his chest‑coat.

"Take it, we won't be able to sleep if we don't take from them."

At this moment, Hui recalled Sima Yi's words before he left, instantly understanding their meaning.

Seeing the other's face full of unease, he patted his shoulder and shouted, "Alright, I'll take the buns, this time it'll be fine. If there's another time, I'll eat through your stall!" With that, Hui picked up the banknotes left earlier and, under the gaze of the onlookers, swaggered away.

"Ah? Oh! Th‑thank you, sir, sir, take care, sir, come often!"

Seeing Hui take the buns, the owner's words seemed to forgive him; the owner finally exhaled, wiped the sweat from his face, touched his chest again, found the money there, and instantly felt better.

Seeing the surrounding villagers still eyeing him curiously, he let out a cold snort, regained his composure and shouted, "What are you looking at? None of your business, really!"

Leaving the street, Hui quickly arrived at the Police Department.

Because Shisui took the Police Department's main force to a remote area for training, only a few Uchiha guards remained here; four captains took turns staying in the Police Department hall to guard against emergencies.

Thus, at this moment in the Police Department, the vast main hall had only Uchiha Yang Zhe, a former Police Department member, sitting expressionlessly; the others were all temporary personnel assigned to the task.

"Sister Yang Zhe, I brought breakfast. Want a taste? It's free~"

Hui stepped forward, sat beside Yang Zhe, shook the bag in his hand and said cheerfully.

"No need, I've already had breakfast, and you seem unwashed, a bit smelly, stay a little distance from me."

"Also, you're late; I will record it faithfully."

Yang Zhe, with a disdainful expression, fanned the air and lifted his hand to note Hui's name.

"You guy… leave when you leave!"

Hui's mouth twitched, and, irritated, he walked aside; though rebuked, he had no choice.

Putting Uchiha Mikoto aside, Yang Zhe is currently the most powerful, prestigious, and talented woman of the Uchiha clan; she is not a match for him.

Hui moved aside to eat his buns by himself; after a few bites, a temporary staff member rushed from outside to Yang Zhe's side and said something.

"Uchiha Hui!"

Hui glanced once and didn't bother to respond, but Yang Zhe suddenly shouted his name loudly.

"What? I won't give you any now that you want to eat."

"Come here!"

Yang Zhe, with a grim face, called Hui over, then turned to the other person and said, "Say it again."

The person, looking oddly at the buns in Hui's hand, repeated, "Earlier, Captain May reported during patrol that someone ate buns without paying; by the time we arrived, the person had already left."

"We searched the street but still couldn't find anyone; the captain asked me to inquire whether we should join other squads to intensify the search."

Facing their strange gazes, Hui's complexion changed; glancing at the buns in his hand, he instinctively explained, "It wasn't me, I didn't, I gave it, he didn't want it!"

Yang Zhe looked at the strong disdain on Hui's face, but did not press further; instead he replied to the person, "Each squad only needs to take care of its own street; I will coordinate other squads for the search."

"You must patrol carefully; today is the first day of the Police Department's external training, and Lord Shisui has instructed that no one with a reckless heart may disrupt Leaf Village's stability!"

"Yes!"

After that person left, Hui wanted to keep explaining but was cut off by Yuan Zhe, "I know it's not you, no need to explain."

Yuan Zhe believes this matter is either a misunderstanding or involves someone else; if even people of the Police Department act recklessly, the whole Konoha would already be a mess.

"Eh? Ah, um, oh"

Hui had a mouthful of words but they were blocked at the throat, leaving a stunned expression, humming and whimpering as he left.

"This guy is unexpectedly quite reasonable."

(End of Chapter)