When Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of Uchiha Qianyu's methods—especially the death of his nephew, Sarutobi Jirō—hatred naturally welled up in his heart.
What was even more frightening was this—
He realized that Jirō's death, and the way Qianyu handled it, might actually cause many villagers and ninja to look at Qianyu in a completely different light.
After all, to those so-called victims and onlookers, the Sarutobi father and son had truly earned universal outrage. Even if Qianyu's methods were extreme, in their eyes, he had done a splendid job.
The potential consequences of this incident gave Hiruzen an unrelenting headache.
Yet what he said to Uchiha Shisui was—
"Shisui, I understand those people you mentioned."
"Qianyu may indeed have helped them—solved their problems, punished the wicked."
"But—"
"If everyone acted like him, killing without trial, judging guilt solely by their own sense of justice…"
"What would this village—what would this world—become?"
"Today a gambler dies for loving gambling. Tomorrow, should someone who steals chickens and dogs die as well?"
"Today someone who mistakenly kills an innocent deserves death. Tomorrow, if an innocent is falsely accused, should they die too?"
"Do not worship one person's justice."
"Do not worship lone heroes who act entirely on their own."
"Worship those who use just means to carry out justice."
Shisui fell into deep thought.
"Hokage-sama… I understand now."
"It seems my thinking really was too simple. I was far too easily swayed by Uchiha Qianyu's words…"
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for helping me untangle my thoughts and clear my confusion."
Hiruzen smiled gently.
"It's good that you understand."
"You and Itachi are both good children—and the best candidates to resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha clan."
"So…"
"There's something I'd like to ask of you."
Shisui hurriedly replied,
"Please, Hokage-sama."
"I hope you'll do everything you can to suppress the rising battle intent within the Uchiha clan."
Shisui's heart shook.
This was the first time the Hokage had spoken so plainly.
Clearly, it showed the growing trust he placed in Shisui.
A heavy sense of responsibility pressed down on him—along with an inexplicable pride.
"Please rest assured, Hokage-sama. I will do everything in my power."
"Mmm. Then I can rest easy."
Hiruzen exhaled another ring of smoke, which slowly spread through the room.
The stale, decayed scent of the office grew even heavier.
...
"Captain Qianyu… if one day—"
"If I and Yamabuki made a mistake, would you kill us without hesitation too?"
During a patrol, Uchiha Aoki suddenly asked from behind.
"Yes."
Qianyu replied calmly.
Aoki and Yamabuki exchanged a glance, both showing bitter smiles.
"That really is cold…"
"Captain, is there really nothing in your heart besides justice?"
"There is."
"What is it?"
"The power needed to carry out justice."
"..."
"Then what about comrades? Friends? Clan?"
Qianyu shot past like a falcon skimming over leaves. His sharp gaze swept across the village.
To him, all crime and darkness were like rotting flesh—prey and resources waiting to be harvested.
"What the clan thinks doesn't matter."
"But you and I are first members of the police force, charged with enforcing the law—only after that are we Uchiha."
"If you put 'Uchiha' on your lips every day, then you've already planted the seeds of injustice in your heart."
Both men fell silent.
"What you say makes sense, Captain… but we're still human."
"To completely cast aside feelings toward our clan—maybe that's just impossible."
"That's why this shinobi world needs me."
"You're basically a heartless law-enforcement machine…"
"I wonder—in your eyes—what are we to you?"
Qianyu suddenly stopped.
Aoki and Yamabuki halted as well.
"What's wrong, Captain?"
Qianyu turned and looked at them.
"Rather than subordinates… or brothers…"
"I'd rather think of you as—"
"Followers who can inherit and carry forward my will."
"Of course, that may just be my wishful thinking."
"After all, you were born into this world. Many beliefs are already deeply rooted."
"But if I can influence you even a little—help you understand my methods just a bit more—then maybe there will be some hope."
Aoki said,
"I know everything you do is for justice, Captain. But don't you think your methods are… a bit too extreme?"
Qianyu replied,
"Of course they're extreme. Crooked trees must be straightened."
"Otherwise, you'll never see hope."
Yamabuki was silent for a moment.
"I understand, Captain Qianyu. I'm willing to follow you—to create a new world that purges evil in the name of justice!"
Aoki nodded as well.
"Me too!"
Qianyu gave a slight nod.
Though his methods seemed extreme, there were still those who stood behind him.
And once such people awakened, they possessed frightening zeal.
In Qianyu's eyes—
Those tiny points of light were sparks of fire.
"Clan Head… we've already collected Jirō-sama's body. When should we bury him?"
Sarutobi Hiyū looked at the corpse covered in white cloth.
Though the head had been reattached to the body, the line of blood still seeped through, staining the cloth red.
He clenched his fists.
"No. There will be no burial."
"Before that, I want Uchiha Qianyu to be buried with Jirō!"
The Sarutobi clansmen were shocked.
"Clan Head—this is too dangerous—"
"The Hokage has ordered us not to act rashly. If we move now, it could trigger a full conflict."
"The Uchiha are already a powder keg—if ignited, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
"Please reconsider, Clan Head!"
"Shut up!"
Hiyū roared.
"Do you think just because the Hokage stripped me of my position, you can lecture me now?!"
"When has the Sarutobi clan ever been bullied by outsiders like this?!"
"Are we supposed to endure watching an Uchiha kill our kin?!"
"Jirō may have been wrong—but who gave Uchiha Qianyu the right to execute him without trial?!"
"Today he kills Jirō in public. Tomorrow the Uchiha will ride over our heads completely!"
"Are we supposed to let ourselves be butchered at will?!"
His words ignited the clan's hatred and fury.
"Clan Head is right!"
"We must teach the Uchiha a lesson!"
"Yes! Make them hand over the murderer—or show them who the top clan in Konoha really is!"
Blood boiled. Righteous fury surged.
Though no longer clan head in name, Hiyū's accumulated authority and loyal supporters remained formidable.
Now, personally leading over twenty frenzied clansmen, he charged toward the Uchiha compound.
Hiyū gripped the sword in his hand tightly.
In his mind, he replayed again and again the image of slicing Qianyu's throat.
"Jirō… wait just a little longer…"
"Soon, Uchiha Qianyu will follow you into the afterlife!"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. Comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/Jace101