Chapter 97: Sarutobi Hiruzen Stumbles, Yet Must Praise the Uchiha

Uchiha Jin wore a faint smile across his face.

The veiled threat in Sarutobi Hiruzen's words seemed to have gone entirely unnoticed by him.

As if!

He preferred to plan before acting; since he had chosen to strike and kill, he had naturally prepared his justification long ago.

And today, through this matter, he intended to tell Sarutobi Hiruzen one thing.

He was not one of those foolish Uchiha, so if Itachi wish to move against the Uchiha?

No problem!

But Itachi must abide by the rules of the game.

If Itachi resort to underhanded tricks, like the Root's attack tonight.

Then...

If Itachi dare to extend your claws, I dare to chop them off!

What is the Hidden Leaf's Root?

A group of things hiding in filthy sewers, unable to see the light, not even belonging to the Hidden Leaf ninja sequence.

Such scum must remain in the shadows.

Just like today, at this very moment.

I have killed these people, yet Itachi, Sarutobi Hiruzen, dare to investigate?

Even if Itachi dare to investigate, once the truth is uncovered, do Itachi dare to announce it to the village?

The Root?

The Hidden Leaf's administrative sequence has no such organization.

Although the Hidden Leaf's high command, and even the major clans, tacitly acknowledged its existence.

But, similarly.

The Root must be buried underground; it is absolutely forbidden to see the light.

Just like now.

Today, the Root launched a surprise attack on the Uchiha Police Force; can Itachi, Sarutobi Hiruzen, produce a reason?

Can such a thing be spoken of openly?

No matter how Itachi secretly plot to destroy the Uchiha, publicly the Uchiha are a Hidden Leaf clan, and the Police Force was established by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, belonging to the Hidden Leaf's administrative sequence as a legitimate department.

Why did feudal dynasties in the past issue war manifestos before going to battle?

Four words: Just cause!

Righteousness, though seemingly insignificant, is something Itachi absolutely cannot lack.

An organization without even a sequence, like the Root, why would it attack the Uchiha Police Force?

Who gave the order? What was the reason?

Do Itachi, Sarutobi Hiruzen, dare to take responsibility for this matter?

If not, then shut your mouth!

This is the message Uchiha Jin intended to convey now.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

With Uchiha Jin's words, the thoughts of the various clans present instantly grew ambiguous.

Even many of them quietly stepped back half a pace.

Obviously.

Those who became high command were rarely fools.

The meaning Uchiha Jin left unspoken, they understood almost instantly.

The dead were from the Root!

And the reason for their deaths was attacking the Hidden Leaf Police Force.

They did not care about the reasons, but everyone understood one thing.

Whether this matter was authorized by Sarutobi Hiruzen or was Danzo's private action...

this matter could not be exposed!

Otherwise, there would be no need for the Root to act; the Anbu Black Ops could come openly during the day.

In that case, the Hokage has lost.

As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen wishes to protect Danzo, he cannot investigate this matter deeply.

The fact is exactly as stated.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

He looked deeply at Uchiha Jin, pondered for a long time, and then spoke softly.

"So, that is how it is!"

"The Uchiha have merited great service in exposing spies. Hereby, we commend all members of the Police Force!"

"By the way, I also heard that the Police Force captured three spies?"

"Why not hand these three spies over to the Interrogation and Torture Division?"

"It is not that I do not trust the Police Force, but professional matters are best left to professionals."

"Lord Jin, what do Itachi think?"

As expected, so it is!

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, the major clans exchanged silent glances.

Everyone guessed correctly.

Only Danzo was left, his face turning a furious iron-green.

His entire expression was twisted into a grimace.

He had lost a full seven elite squads, more than twenty elite Jonin!

Such a massive loss, dismissed so lightly with a single sentence?

Even an uncle could endure it, but an aunt could not.

"Hiruzen, Itachi..." Danzo could not help but speak.

But, unfortunately.

Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi forcibly cut him off: "Danzo, shut up!"

"But..." Danzo still wanted to argue.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke coldly.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

"Hiruzen, Itachi will regret this!"

Upon hearing this, Danzo let out a cold snort.

Finally, he cast a chilling glance at Uchiha Jin, then ignored the Hokage entirely, turning and leaving as if no one were there.

Yes.

As an elder of the Hidden Leaf Village, controlling the Root.

Within the entire Hidden Leaf, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, he held no one else in any regard.

Uchiha Jin's eyes were obscure.

A moment later.

A thread of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth, and only then did he look at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hmm, no problem."

"Since it is the order of the Hokage, the Police Force will naturally obey."

"Our Uchiha clan is completely obedient to the Hokage's orders."

"Tetsuka, release them!"

No nonsense.

After declaring his loyalty once, Uchiha Jin immediately spoke.

Even.

He was too lazy to make demands at this opportunity.

After all, the persona he was cultivating now was that of the Hidden Leaf's great loyalist, completely submitting to the Hokage, right?

It was not worth ruining his persona for a little benefit.

Besides, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a bad mood now; even if he spoke, no benefits would be given, at most just some verbal praise.

In the future, the days are long.

No rush!

We will just play slowly.

Anyone who experienced nine years of compulsory education in their past life, in this ninja world lacking complete experience in power struggles, would basically be capable of slaughtering everyone at will.

As Uchiha Jin spoke, Uchiha Tetsuka naturally said nothing.

He immediately went to the Police Force prison and brought the three 'spies' out.

Seeing the wretched state of these three, Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger flared even more.

Damn it.

These three were Anbu!

But, there was no way.

He still could not vent his anger.

Otherwise, how could he explain that the Anbu deliberately caused trouble for the Police Force in broad daylight?

If this matter escalated, what would happen to his reputation as Hokage?

Uchiha Jin knew not to ruin his persona; his Hiruzen Sarutobi's persona could not be ruined either.

So.

After taking a deep breath, he slowly waved his hand.

"Uchiha Jin, Itachi are very good!"

"I was previously worried that your sudden rise to a high position at such a young age would cause the Police Force to neglect its duties."

"Now, I am at ease."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a somber tone.

After finishing his words,

he turned and left without waiting for Uchiha Jin to speak.

With the Hokage's departure, the matter of today was settled.

It took only a brief moment.

The major clans and the Anbu Black Ops all turned and chose to leave.

In front of the Police Department, calm returned once more.

However,

the Uchiha did not move.

Instead, everyone looked at Uchiha Jin, waiting for their Chief's orders.

It was obvious.

After tonight's events, the vast majority of the Uchiha had accepted Uchiha Jin.

His strength was formidable, and his methods were ruthless.

Even the Hokage himself had come and left defeated.

The Uchiha are simple-minded.

If there is such an impressive figure within the clan, why not pledge loyalty immediately?

Meanwhile, on the other side,

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.

His gaze fixed on the Hokage Building in the distance as his mind raced with thoughts.

A moment later,

when he turned his head and saw the many Uchiha, he could not help but smile and speak.

"Thank Itachi all for your hard work today."

"Dispose of these bodies, then go home and rest."

"Clan Head Fugaku, let us go as well."