“You’ve gone too far!” Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, their tension barely easing, immediately sought to regain control by retaliating against Uchiha Jin.
“To treat your fellow villagers like this is how the Konoha Police Force operates? I think we need to reconsider the funding request you submitted earlier!” Koharu, long fixated on the Police Force’s budget application, seized on Jin’s behavior as an excuse to delay it further.
“The Police Force’s operations are not something even the Hokage’s advisors have the right to interfere with!” Jin’s sharp Mangekyo Sharingan glared disdainfully at Koharu as he continued, his voice icy.
“The patience of the Uchiha clan is limited. If the Fifth Hokage election continues to be delayed, I, Uchiha Jin, will ensure that those who hide in the shadows learn what true justice is!”
Disregarding the fallen Asuma Sarutobi at his feet, Jin lifted Kurenai Yuhi and walked straight toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisors.
“What are you doing!” The three took a half-step back, wary of Jin’s every move and ready to defend themselves.
Hmph! Jin said nothing, striding confidently forward.
“Don’t act recklessly…” Koharu took another half-step back, her face tense as she kept her eyes on Jin. Hiruzen and Homura mirrored her wariness.
Jin remained silent until he passed Mitokado’s right side under their nervous gazes.
“Consider this a minor punishment!” He sneered, sensing their erratic breathing. “You should be grateful that your end isn’t today. When the Fifth Hokage takes office, all your crimes will be judged justly!”
Such confidence! Such arrogance!
Watching Jin, who clearly didn’t regard them at all, Hiruzen and his advisors felt a deep sense of relief.
It seemed the Uchiha were determined to claim the Hokage position!
However, exchanging glances, Homura and Koharu also felt a flicker of joy. Although the more aggressive Uchiha would be harder to handle, they would also be less acceptable to Konoha’s other ninja clans.
The advantage was theirs!
While Jin basked in his power’s arrogance, they had ample time to perfect their plans. As long as they avoided Jin’s “mutually assured destruction,” ultimate victory and power would return to them.
But Jin’s cold voice echoed again before Koharu could savor this delight.
“If the Police Force’s budget isn’t approved by tomorrow, I’ll personally lead an investigation into the Utatane clan!”
“You…”
Koharu’s smile froze. Despite her usual toughness, she reluctantly swallowed her words after a mental struggle.
As the situation seemed to settle, the heavily injured Asuma suddenly cried out to Hiruzen.
“Father, save Kurenai!”
“Asuma!” Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t turn around. Uchiha’s attitude and the current precarious situation left him unable to make the wrong decision at the wrong time for Kurenai Yuhi, despite her talent in genjutsu.
Moreover, if he were still the Hokage, he could protect Asuma and use Kurenai as a pawn to balance the village’s power dynamics. But now, Hiruzen needed allies, particularly from the clans doubting his Will of Fire. Asuma was the best candidate for an alliance marriage, perhaps with the Akimichi clan.
So…
Sorry, Asuma!
Hiruzen ignored his struggling son, focusing on Jin’s retreating figure. His mind raced with countless thoughts.
…
Jin didn’t care about Hiruzen and his advisors’ forbearance. He understood that compromise only made one weaker and more dependent on further compromise, leading inevitably to a tragic end.
You think you have hope only because I allow you to think so!
For Jin, he needed the Uchiha to have a formidable target, and Hiruzen and his kind needed a “dignified” end.
Pain, despair, losing everything…
Eventually, he would give these manipulators an eternal death in the most intolerable manner!
I can’t wait!
Thinking about how Danzo struggled to survive, Jin wondered what kind of pitiful figure Hiruzen would cut when his dreams and hopes were shattered.
As for Kurenai?
As a bearer of the Uchiha clan’s Will of Fire, fulfilling the wish of Konoha hero Shinku Yuhi wasn’t beyond Jin’s capacity.
Moreover, Kurenai was connected to another formidable presence with a unique Yin Release ability. After encountering Obito, Jin’s interest was piqued even more.
This is getting interesting!
Lost in thought, Jin had already left the memorial stone. Carrying Kurenai through Konoha’s streets, he stood out conspicuously.
Yet…
The vivid Uchiha fan emblem on his chest declared his belonging to Konoha’s most prestigious clan.
And even more striking were the two blood-red characters on the back of his black cloak:
Justice!
A hush fell over Konoha’s streets as everyone stared at these characters. No one dared to obstruct this bizarre scene.
Because “Justice” had swiftly become synonymous with someone no one in Konoha could afford to provoke.
Fear?
Perhaps a bit.
But mingled with that fear was a touch of envy and admiration, subtly reflected in the eyes of every Konoha villager.
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