"On what grounds is the Anbu conducting a search?"
"An intruder just attacked a key location in the village. The Anbu suspects the intruder may be hiding in the Uchiha clan's territory and wants to conduct a thorough search."
"On what basis!?"
Uchiha Tekka shouted angrily. It was bad enough they didn't trust the police force and refused to let them investigate, but now they were suspecting the Uchiha of collusion with the intruder?
A nighttime search of clan territory?
The Konoha leadership was clearly overstepping. Was clan land something that could be freely searched by outsiders?
"Clan head, I'll take people and drive the Anbu away." Tekka immediately moved to rally the off-duty members of the police force. The Anbu, even directly under the Hokage, numbered fewer than the police force—what gave them the right to search Uchiha territory?
"Tekka, wait."
Uchiha Fugaku called out to stop the furious Tekka. Though equally angry, Fugaku knew that mobilizing the clan right now could escalate the situation and lead to serious conflict.
"Go see to Kaeko and Mimoku first. I'll handle the Anbu."
"Clan head, are you really going to let them search?" Tekka hesitated at Fugaku's order—was he being told to get them out of the village?
Fugaku said firmly, "We can't afford a clash with Konoha now. We're not ready for anything."
Tekka understood, but allowing the Anbu to search their territory felt like an unacceptable humiliation for the Uchiha. Even if it meant fighting them barefoot and unarmed, he wanted to resist. Still, knowing Fugaku was thinking of the clan as a whole, Tekka nodded silently and complied.
This meant they'd have to send Kaeko out of Konoha in the middle of the night. The Uchiha clan, a ninja lineage nearly a thousand years old, couldn't even protect a guest—they were being forced to send them away at the Anbu's demand.
It was shameful.
Filled with anger, Tekka went to carry out the order. Their raised voices earlier had already woken everyone except Sasuke. Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Mikoto were already awake.
Itachi had even put on his forehead protector and gear, observing the conversation from the window.
After Tekka left with Kaeko and Mimoku, Fugaku headed to the area where the police force was facing off against the Anbu.
Not long after Fugaku arrived, the Third Hokage and Danzō also showed up.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had first stopped by the hospital to check on Naruto. From the Anbu, he learned Naruto hadn't been harmed—only Kushina had been marked with a curse seal. Relieved by that, Sarutobi's heart sank again when he heard the attacker's identity and saw the curse mark—it was Hyūga Mirai.
Jiraiya had been killed by this person. He'd apparently discovered crucial information in Sunagakure, but Mirai and Orochimaru ambushed him before he could escape. Jiraiya didn't make it out alive.
When Sarutobi heard that, his pipe fell from his mouth in shock, the burning tobacco extinguished in his hand—he was too stunned to react.
His most promising student had died carrying out a task he himself had assigned. Sarutobi remembered the teacup Jiraiya had given him, and in that moment, he felt like he had aged years.
Losing Jiraiya was a devastating blow to Konoha, already reeling from the Nine-Tails incident. Though a new generation was rising—Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui, Hyūga Seiya, Yūhi Kurenai—they had yet to grow into ninja capable of intimidating rival villages. Jiraiya's death hit both the village and Sarutobi hard.
And now, Hyūga Mirai had targeted Kushina.
He was tense. No one could understand this defector from the Hyūga branch family. Even with a full intelligence profile, the analysis showed only a kind and selfless personality—clearly a façade, but still all they had.
That made Mirai even more dangerous. With someone so unreadable, Sarutobi couldn't predict his next move.
Like this time—he had evaded Anbu surveillance, struck only Kushina, and left silently. What was his aim?
Sarutobi didn't know. But he had no doubt—Mirai was extremely dangerous. Not just for defecting, but for killing Jiraiya and the prophecy from Mount Myōboku.
Anything related to Mirai must not be taken lightly.
Tracking experts from the Inuzuka and Aburame clans had followed Mirai's trail from outside Kushina's home all the way to the Uchiha district, only to be blocked by the police force.
When the Anbu reported back, Danzō said sternly, "Hiruzen, this must be investigated. It concerns the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. We cannot have another disaster like before."
"Yes, I know," Sarutobi replied. The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Hyūga Mirai, and the Uchiha clan—almost everyone involved in the incident from years ago was now in play. If the Anbu hadn't noticed in time, Konoha could've been doomed.
He and Danzō had arrived just ahead of Fugaku and waited for him before stepping forward.
Only Fugaku had the authority to speak for the police force.
"Lord Hokage."
Fugaku greeted Sarutobi calmly. As for Danzō, he completely ignored him—this so-called "darkness of the shinobi world" had long targeted the Uchiha, from forcing their relocation after the Nine-Tails incident to interfering in police operations. Danzō's malice was blatant.
Sarutobi softened his tone. "Sorry for disturbing you at this hour, Fugaku, but something serious has happened in Konoha."
"What happened?" Fugaku's expression darkened. "Why are the Anbu restricting the police force and searching the Uchiha district? Did we commit some crime, Lord Hokage?"
Danzō cut in harshly, "This concerns the safety of Konoha. The Uchiha should cooperate with the Anbu!"
"Danzō!" Sarutobi snapped. "As head of the police force, Fugaku is no less dedicated to Konoha's safety than anyone else. Don't question his loyalty."
Fugaku had been angered by Danzō's accusation, but Sarutobi's words calmed him slightly.
"The Uchiha, as protectors of Konoha, will of course defend it without hesitation."
Fugaku made his stance clear. He didn't want conflict between the clan and the village, so he stepped back.
"But Lord Hokage, what exactly happened that warrants a search of our district? Is a missing-nin hiding here?"
"...Fugaku, you must not tell anyone."
After a pause, Sarutobi decided to tell Fugaku. Without a valid reason, the Uchiha wouldn't accept the search.
"Kushina was attacked. The assailant was Hyūga Mirai. He was present during the Nine-Tails' attack years ago. According to the Inuzuka and Aburame clans' tracking, Mirai may have spent considerable time in the Uchiha district."
Sarutobi slightly exaggerated the Anbu's report before explaining it to Fugaku.
"Hyūga Mirai...?"
Fugaku frowned. He hadn't expected this to be connected to that man, and was shocked to hear Mirai had been in Uchiha territory. Had the police force really missed him?
"Please wait, Lord Hokage."
Fugaku returned to question the squad leader on duty that night. After asking everyone, the response was unanimous—they had seen no one suspicious.
Fugaku returned to Sarutobi and reported this.
"The Uchiha district is remote and vast. It's normal that the police didn't notice. We should let the Inuzuka and Aburame investigate. If Mirai is still in Konoha, who will take responsibility for the consequences!?"
Danzō pinned the blame on Fugaku. Sarutobi stayed silent—though the Anbu had confirmed Mirai had fled in another direction, how he got in still needed to be determined.
In any case, the search of the Uchiha district would go ahead. Sarutobi and Danzō had already agreed on that. One would press, the other ease tension—good cop, bad cop.
After a moment of silence, Fugaku spoke.
"I understand. The Anbu may search our district for the missing-nin, but only under supervision of the police force. I must protect our elders and children. I hope you will accept this condition."
"Of course. That's a very reasonable request," Sarutobi agreed.
Two Anbu squads were dispatched, accompanied by police officers, to search the Uchiha district.
Meanwhile, members of the police force were stunned by Fugaku's decision. Many activated their Sharingan, and under the night sky, a dozen crimson eyes lit up. Fugaku quickly stepped in to calm them, invoking his authority as clan head.
Though they accepted it, the Uchiha officers gave the Anbu no courtesy.
While the Anbu searched, they were constantly watched by Uchiha with active Sharingan. One wrong move, and they would be attacked without hesitation.
Despite the tension, the Anbu carried out the search under strict orders to find any trace of Hyūga Mirai.
The Inuzuka and Aburame trackers followed faint traces left by Mirai deeper into Uchiha territory.
When they arrived at Fugaku's own home, the two lead trackers exchanged a glance—then simultaneously shook their heads.
The trail ended there.
(End of Chapter)