The next day.
Morning.
As one body after another, draped in white cloth, was carried out from the Mitokado Clan, Utatane Clan, Uchiha Clan Police Force, and Sarutobi Clan, Konoha's residents began to realize something major had gone down last night—something they hadn't been privy to.
"Sarutobi, Utatane, Mitokado, Uchiha!"
A Konoha genin clicked his tongue in shock. "What the hell's going on? That's practically half of Konoha's major clans! Did they have some kind of violent internal conflict last night? There's got to be twenty or thirty bodies hauled out from those clans, right?"
"I heard it's tied to Uchiha Akainu," a Konoha chunin nearby said, a senbon dangling from his mouth, his expression grim. "A friend of mine from the Sarutobi Clan said Uchiha Akainu stormed their grounds last night."
"And he took four people from the Sarutobi Clan. So, the four bodies carted out by the Uchiha today weren't Uchiha ninjas—they were Sarutobi clansmen."
Someone gasped, wide-eyed. "Wait a sec... the Sarutobi Clan? That's the Hokage's clan! The Hokage just let Uchiha Akainu take them?"
The chunin pinched the senbon between his fingers. "My friend said Akainu had the moral high ground. Not only did the Hokage not stop him, but the other Sarutobi ninjas didn't either."
"He also said the four taken, plus the two who died in a fight among themselves, all deserved it. The Hokage's already expelled them from the Sarutobi Clan."
The crowd exchanged looks. Last night's events seemed far more dramatic than they'd imagined.
The news spread through Konoha like a hurricane.
The crimes of some of those killed also leaked out.
Especially the Sarutobi couple who'd killed each other.
Their shocking, morally reprehensible deeds left countless people dumbfounded, even physically repulsed.
...
Meanwhile, at a Konoha inn.
"...Phew!" Tsunade, toothbrush in mouth, eyelids drooping, looked pale with dark circles under her eyes—she clearly hadn't slept more than an hour since last night.
She glanced at the little girl sleeping soundly on the tatami.
Barefoot, she kicked Shizune, who was lightly snoring nearby.
Maybe she hit a sensitive spot, because Shizune's eyes snapped open, her face flushed as she jumped up, clutching her backside.
Tears of grievance welled in Shizune's eyes. "Lady Tsunade, can you not wake me up like that next time?!"
—It's like something a sleazy thug would do!
The thought flashed through Shizune's mind, but she didn't dare say it.
Tsunade ignored Shizune's complaints, mumbling through her toothbrush, "Check the kid's injuries. See if she's improving."
"...Okay!"
As Shizune carefully checked, Tsunade, still brushing, slid open the shoji door.
Stepping out barefoot, she glanced to her right.
"Guarded her all night, huh?" Tsunade asked.
Uchiha Akainu, leaning against the wall for a nap, slowly opened his eyes. "Went out for a half-hour walk to clear my head. Bad luck—ran into two people who made my mood worse."
"Who?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"Uchiha Fugaku."
"Uchiha Itachi."
Tsunade nodded in realization. In her few days back in the village, she'd heard of the "Uchiha Clan Annihilation Night" prophecy. She also knew that kid Uchiha Itachi was a dangerous, unhinged character.
"Since you know that kid's gonna do something like that in the future, why not just kill him now? Isn't your 'absolute justice' supposed to be extreme?" Toothpaste foam dribbled from her mouth as she spoke.
Akainu said, "Suppose I see an infant who'll kill someone someday. If I kill that infant to save the future victim, is that just?"
Tsunade paused, then mused, "Got it. Absolute justice judges actions, not intentions? But are you really gonna wait until that kid wipes out the clan before you act? Doesn't that mean your absolute justice comes too late?"
Akainu replied, "The moment he's beyond saving and decides to act, absolute justice will judge him."
Tsunade's eyes lit up with interest. "So you're not as extreme as they say!"
She frowned. "With all the rumors against you in the village, why not clear things up?"
"Those rumors benefit justice," Akainu said indifferently. "They make people realize, through exaggeration, what happens when you cross justice's line—even if the consequences are demonized."
"Handling that kind of public pressure..." Tsunade pondered. "That's gotta be tough, right?"
"No feeling."
"Don't care."
At that moment, Shizune rushed out of the room. Seeing Akainu, she froze, then reported to Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, the girl's recovering well. She just needs rest now and can be sent back."
"Also..." Shizune scratched her head awkwardly. Behind her, a panicked little girl peeked out cautiously.
Shizune lowered her head apologetically. "I accidentally woke her."
"Who... are you?" Sarutobi Sakura stepped out, quickly backing away from the three strangers. If Tsunade didn't look so disheveled and non-threatening, she might've bolted already.
Sakura fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling something off with her body but unable to pinpoint it.
She swallowed hard. "Where am I? Why am I here? Where are my mom and dad?"
Her last question silenced the room.
Tsunade looked at Akainu, who said, "The Third Hokage will answer your questions."
"The Third Hokage... Lord Hokage?!" Sakura blinked.
Akainu said coldly, "See my outfit? I'm with the Uchiha Police Force. I'll take you to the Third Hokage. Don't ask questions on the way."
Sakura didn't dare speak—she found this man terrifying!
...
Hyuga Clan.
Hyuga Neji watched coldly as Hinata let out a soft cry, charging at him with a Gentle Fist stance. He merely stepped back half a pace, and her palm strike missed, not even grazing his clothes.
Neji surged forward, his foot hooking Hinata's ankle. With a light pull, she yelped and fell.
Looking down at Hinata scrambling to get up, Neji's mind flashed to his father's face.
And the excruciating pain of the Caged Bird seal.
A flicker of killing intent glinted in the eight-year-old's eyes.
"Hm?"
At that moment, Hyuga Hiashi, watching Hinata's poor performance with disappointment, sensed something. His face darkened, and he formed a hand sign to activate the Caged Bird seal—but then noticed Neji forcibly suppress his killing intent.
Hiashi's movement paused.
"..." Unaware he'd just danced on the edge of agony, Neji's eyes flickered with complexity.
The moment his killing intent rose, he thought of Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke.
And that man, Uchiha Akainu.
And...
That man's absolute justice!
'Taking my father's death as a scapegoat and directing that hatred onto an innocent, clueless young lady—is that an act of justice?' That was why Neji suppressed his killing intent.
In that moment, he felt a bit lost. After all, he was just a second-year ninja academy student, not as sharp as Itachi, just less unhinged.
Neji couldn't figure it out.
"Neji, know your place and respect hierarchy." Hiashi's cold warning suddenly rang out.
Neji jolted, instinctively touching his forehead, expecting searing pain that never came.
Hiashi's stare chilled him to the bone.
"Consider this a verbal warning—there won't be another. Don't let me see you act out of line or harbor thoughts you shouldn't, Neji."
"...Yes, Lord Clan Head."
Neji lowered his head, forcing the words through gritted teeth.
"It's getting late," Hiashi continued. "Take Hinata to the ninja academy. Don't be late."
"Yes."
...
Sarutobi Clan Grounds.
"I heard four bodies were carried out from the Uchiha Police Force before dawn," a Sarutobi special jonin said, arms crossed, expression grim. "Sarutobi Kyoya, Sarutobi Tsuneyoshi, Sarutobi Koji, Sarutobi Rena. If I'm right, those were them."
"The Uchiha Police Force doesn't usually execute people privately—at least not without proper death penalty procedures. It's gotta be Uchiha Akainu. He found something and killed all four without hesitation."
His grimness turned to gloom.
"Those four had families in the Sarutobi Clan. Their families lost either a breadwinner or a mother. Phew... what a lousy day!"
Nearby, a short Sarutobi ninja said, "They were already expelled by the Hokage. No need to get worked up over their deaths."
"...Heh, you're quick to cut ties!" another clansman sneered. "If I recall, one of those taken was your blood relative, right?"
"You're scared their crimes'll drag you down, and that Uchiha plague god'll come for you next?"
The short ninja flushed, protesting, "Like you'd dare do anything to Uchiha Akainu! Why didn't you say a word last night?"
The clansman snapped, red-faced, "That's because the Hokage stopped us! If he hadn't, I'd—"
He cut off, his voice catching.
His eyes widened, staring at the Sarutobi Clan gate.
His reaction drew the others' attention, and they followed his gaze.
Instantly!
Everyone sucked in a cold breath, muscles tensing instinctively, staring warily at the man in their sights.
"...Uchiha Akainu!"
The Sarutobi special jonin's palms sweated.
"Wait! That kid!" He suddenly noticed the young child beside Akainu, recognizing her instantly, his eyes widening. "The daughter of Sarutobi Kazunori and Sarutobi Mayuki..."
That poor kid...
"Uchiha Akainu!" Gritting his teeth, he mustered courage from somewhere and demanded, "Why's that kid with you? What'd you do to her? She's already suffered enough, and she was—"
He stopped short, unable to continue.
Cough, cough...
A light cough came from behind the Sarutobi ninjas, making them turn in shock to see Konoha's Third Hokage standing there.
"Lord Hokage!"
The Sarutobi ninjas quickly cleared a path.
Akainu looked coldly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who instinctively avoided his eyes.
"I've brought her back," Akainu said, ignoring the special jonin's questions. "She doesn't remember that incident. Her injuries will heal with a few days' rest. As for her parents, you'll have to tell her. That's your responsibility as Konoha's Third Hokage."
With that, Sarutobi Sakura hurriedly ran to Hiruzen.
She glanced timidly at Akainu.
"..." Hiruzen touched the girl's head, his expression complex. After two seconds of silence, he said to Akainu, "Thank you... for your kindness to her."
The Sarutobi ninjas were stunned.
Why was the Hokage thanking Uchiha Akainu?
Wait!
They recalled Akainu's words—she doesn't remember; her injuries will heal.
"That incident"—did it mean her father's harm to her?
And "injuries"... what injuries could a child have?
Could it be...?
The Sarutobi ninjas fell silent.
They all realized something.
This "Uchiha plague god" had quietly, without fanfare, helped a child like that? Wasn't that something a good person would do?
Was he...
A good person?
...
Ninja Academy.
Seven-year-old Hyuga Hinata trailed behind Neji like a shadow.
As the cousins entered the academy, Hinata mustered a bit of courage, tugging Neji's sleeve and whispering, "Neji-nii... back at home, the way you looked at me was so scary..."
Neji's steps halted.
His fist clenched.
Then relaxed.
The main family's young lady, scared of a branch member's gaze—how absurd.
Her weakness made Neji feel even worse.
He took a deep breath, saying flatly, "You're too timid. If you were stronger, you wouldn't fear my gaze."
Ignoring Hinata, he started toward his classroom.
But a sudden voice made him pause.
"Hey! Aren't you the guy who showed up at my place last night, asking a bunch of weird questions?" It was Naruto, spotting Neji instantly—his long hair was too distinctive.
Naruto walked over, eyeing Neji, rubbing his chin. "I think your name's... Hyuga..."
He froze. "Wait, you never told me your name, did you?!"
"Hyuga Neji," Neji said.
"Oh!" Naruto nodded in realization.
Before he could say more, Neji cut him off, asking, "Uzumaki Naruto. Is it just to take a parent's grudges and vendettas out on their children?"
Naruto: "..."
He regretted calling out to this guy—more weird questions.
But since it was about justice, he couldn't brush it off.
Pondering, Naruto said, "Definitely not! If it was, would anyone in the ninja world still be alive? Who can guarantee their dad, granddad, or great-granddad never did wrong? If justice meant targeting their descendants too, you'd have to wipe out everyone in the ninja world to clean it!"
Naruto shivered just saying it.
That'd be too extreme—even more than Teacher Akainu!
"...I see." Neji exhaled, confirming his earlier thoughts were correct.
So, his past behavior of venting hatred and negativity on Hinata... was wrong?
Right!
The real culprits were the main family decision-makers.
They'd made his father a scapegoat.
His expression complex, he glanced at Hinata.
To his shock, the young lady was bowing her head deeply, as if too scared to look up.
Neji: "???"
...
"Phew!"
Meanwhile, an exhausted Hiruzen Sarutobi reached the Hokage Building, slumping into his chair and rubbing his temples. "Comforting a ten-year-old girl is more tiring than handling dozens of documents!"
Thinking of her ordeal, a shadow crossed his eyes.
Thankfully, Akainu's Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu had temporarily erased her memory of it.
She might recall it someday by chance, but by then, she'd be older, with stronger mental resilience to avoid doing anything rash.
A knock came at the door.
Hiruzen composed himself and said, "Come in." An ANBU ninja entered smoothly and reported, "Lord Hokage, envoys from the Rain Village, here for an exchange with Konoha, have arrived."
Hiruzen blinked.
He frowned, recalling that this was indeed a thing—arranged by the Rain Country's daimyo to strengthen ties between the villages. Homura Mitokado had approved it, and Hiruzen hadn't thought much of it.
He said suddenly, "If it's just regular Rain envoys, ANBU wouldn't need to report to me, right?"
The ANBU nodded. "We noticed the lead envoy, despite wearing a gas mask to hide his face, has a distinctive weapon that gave him away."
"He carries Kirigakure's Decapitating Carving Knife! Based on his height and build, there's a ninety percent chance he's one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"—Juzo Biwa!"
Hiruzen's eyebrow twitched. "Juzo Biwa, one of Kirigakure's Seven Swordsmen... if I recall, he betrayed Kirigakure and is now a rogue ninja."
"He's leading the Rain envoys, which means he's joined them?"
The ANBU asked, "Lord Hokage, should we inform Kirigakure?"
"No need," Hiruzen shook his head. "Konoha doesn't need the Blood Mist's friendship yet, and it'd offend the Rain Village."
The ANBU said no more.
...
Meanwhile.
Konoha's gate.
"Seems I caught some juicy intel." A bizarre White Zetsu emerged from a tree trunk hidden by leaves, one eye peering through the foliage at the group of Rain ninjas ahead.
Especially at Juzo Biwa in his gas mask.
White Zetsu's arm drooped like a branch, extending until it touched the soil, sinking in and connecting with the tree's roots.
Using the network of underground roots and water flow, the intel was sent far away in seconds.
Less than ten seconds later, far away, Zetsu's eyes narrowed. It had been rushing toward Konoha but slowed slightly.
Obito Uchiha, nearby, stopped too, frowning in annoyance. "Why'd you stop?"
"Obito," Zetsu said. "I was right. Konan's suspicious. She sent an Akatsuki newbie to Konoha to dig up secrets on Uchiha Akainu—or rather, on you and me."
Obito froze. "How'd she know Akainu has secrets about us?"
Zetsu paused for half a second. "Probably guessed when you tried using Akatsuki to investigate him."
"And," Zetsu sighed inwardly, exasperated, "I already explained this kind of thing to you last time."
"We need to do three things now."
Zetsu continued, "First, stick to the plan—target that Uchiha Izumi kid. Second, if Akatsuki's newbie finds something, try recruiting him. If he won't join, kill him. Third, find a way to kill Uchiha Akainu."
"Twenty more kilometers, and we're in Fire Country," Zetsu warned. "Don't use Akatsuki to investigate Akainu anymore—it'll expose more than we can afford."
"...Hmph!" Obito snorted coldly. "She just got lucky, like a blind cat stumbling on a dead rat."
Zetsu sighed again inwardly.
If it were Madara, even a mistake wouldn't lead to such stubborn denial.
Obito was no Madara.
...
"Strange stare..." Juzo Biwa narrowed his eyes, glancing at a tree's canopy not far ahead.
"Tch... Konoha ANBU?"
He grew wary. This was Konoha's turf. If something went down, even a former Kirigakure elite jonin like him might not escape.
This was the village that produced that man, after all!
Recalling the Third Ninja World War, when a Konoha genin nearly wiped out the Seven Swordsmen... Juzo's eyes flashed with unforgettable dread.
He took a deep breath, shaking off the thoughts.
The priority was the mission that woman gave him.
"Uchiha Akainu..."
As Juzo pondered how to approach the infamous "Lava Release Beast," a sudden voice grabbed his attention.
—"Izumi, should we get Akainu to handle this case?"
Akainu?!
Juzo subtly turned, spotting two Konoha kunoichi talking nearby.
He heard one, with an Uchiha crest on her back, reply, "We can handle cases like this. If we bother Senior Akainu for every case, our 'justice' won't grow."
"But we should send a ninja cat to report to him. And we'll need his justice guidance, since this case involves a clan."
Juzo mused.
Expressionless, he said to a Rain ninja beside him, "You go meet the Hokage first. I'll catch up later."
The Rain ninja hesitated. "But—"
Before he could ask, Juzo cut in, "If the Hokage asks, say I'm curious about Konoha and want to look around. Tell him if he's worried I'll cause trouble, he can send ANBU to tail me."
Under Juzo's sharpening gaze, the Rain ninja sweated, not daring to ask more.
"Yes!"
...
Soon after.
Not long after leaving the Sarutobi grounds, Uchiha Akainu got word from a ninja cat sent by Uchiha Izumi about a new case they'd uncovered that morning.
"Lord Akainu! Lord Tangerine Jiro! Uchiha Izumi and Mitarashi Anko found that an Oil Girl Clan ninja's been using non-clan members to breed special bugs. And it's caused deaths."
A tortoiseshell ninja cat spoke rapidly.
"Meow? The Oil Girl Clan?" Tangerine Jiro mused. "They're known for being cautious. If someone's doing evil, they wouldn't leave evidence."
Jiro clicked its tongue. "The newbie sent a cat to report to Lord Akainu, but she's probably also asking how to handle it, right?"
"Without her 'Lord Tangerine Jiro' guiding her, she's still too green, meow."
Akainu ignored the suddenly smug cat.
He told the tortoiseshell cat, "Tell her: if the villain cooperates, follow procedure; if they don't, kill them and take them to the Yamanaka Clan for memory extraction."
"Meow! Yes, Lord Akainu!"
The cat came and went quickly, rushing back to Anko and Izumi.
Relaying Akainu's orders word-for-word, Anko was a bit stunned.
Izumi found it normal. "Let's go to the Oil Girl Clan grounds and apprehend the killer!"
Anko still struggled with the hardcore approach.
But maybe only such methods could curb the ninja world's evils.
After all, soft laws and methods only emboldened evil, letting it grow unchecked.
With that thought, Anko's unease faded.
...
Meanwhile, Oil Girl Clan Grounds.
Most of the Oil Girl Clan's ninjas were gathered, with the current clan head, Shibi Aburame, seated at the head. His sunglass-covered face hid his emotions.
On either side were several clan elders.
In front of Shibi knelt an elite chunin, Kazuhiko Aburame, radiating gloom and negativity.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
"Kazuhiko," an elder rasped. "After making such a grave mistake, you're scared Uchiha Akainu will come for you, so you want the clan head and us to cover for you. But did you ever think you didn't have to do those wrongs?"
"You hid using others' bodies to breed special bugs from the clan. When it led to deaths, only then did you tell us. Kazuhiko, do you see the Oil Girl Clan as your shield for evil?"
The elite chunin, Kazuhiko, looked up desperately.
"I know I was wrong!" he pleaded. "I won't drag the clan down. I just ask the clan head to quietly get me out of the village. Once I'm gone, you can expel me!"
"My parents died honorably in the Third Ninja War. They were Konoha's heroes—can't you help me for their sake?"
His tone dripped with fear of absolute justice.
An elder sighed helplessly, addressing Shibi. "Shibi, you're the clan head. Decide."
Another added, "Think carefully. This means opposing Uchiha Akainu."
Shibi, silent until now, was about to speak.
But then.
A low-ranking Oil Girl ninja rushed in, panting. "Lord Shibi! Outside the grounds, an Uchiha Police Force ninja's here! She's Uchiha Akainu's subordinate—Uchiha Izumi, I think!"
"..."
The room fell dead silent.
Kazuhiko's face paled instantly.
"Kazuhiko, turn yourself in," Shibi said slowly. "The Oil Girl Clan won't sacrifice its future for one person."
Kazuhiko was dazed, muttering, "Just one Uchiha Akainu... can he really destroy the Oil Girl Clan...?"
Shibi closed his eyes, recalling the terrifying torrent of lava. Those images always made him feel suffocated, as if sulfur lingered in his nose.
Uchiha Akainu...
The one ninja in Konoha you absolutely couldn't cross.
No exceptions!
"He can," Shibi said firmly.
...
Outside the Oil Girl Clan Grounds.
The girl had one hand on her sword hilt. If no one came out in three minutes, she was ready to grit her teeth and storm the grounds.
After all, Senior Akainu had given clear orders. If she botched this case...
In his eyes, she'd score a failing grade!
As Izumi's youthful face grew serious, ready for action, she heard movement from the grounds. A large group emerged.
"So many!" Anko's forehead glistened with sweat. "They're practically the whole clan! They're not planning to fight justice, are they?"
As Anko muttered nervously, Shibi Aburame stepped forward.
"The Oil Girl Clan won't shelter evildoers," he said. "The criminal you want is here."
Anko froze.
She watched as several Oil Girl ninjas escorted a dejected Kazuhiko forward.
Shibi continued, "After what he did, he's no longer one of us. Absolute justice can deal with him as it sees fit. The Oil Girl Clan has no objections."
Anko realized something.
Shibi said "absolute justice," not "Uchiha Police Force."
Meaning...
He handed over the clansman without hesitation because of Uchiha Akainu's intimidation. The Oil Girl Clan feared not the Uchiha, but Akainu's absolute justice!
Izumi snapped to. "The Oil Girl Clan's made the right choice. Compensation for the victims will be handled by the Police Force."
Shibi said, "Whatever the amount, we'll pay double."
Anko's jaw dropped.
Just Akainu's intimidation was enough to resolve so many cases.
...
Meanwhile, Hokage Building.
Hiruzen was hosting the Rain Village envoys. Learning Juzo Biwa was "strolling" in Konoha, his old face smiled politely, but he subtly signaled ANBU to track him.
A dangerous former Seven Swordsman...
Who knew what he was up to in Konoha?
But then.
Urgent knocking made Hiruzen frown, though he quickly hid his displeasure. Excusing himself to a Rain envoy, saying he'd return soon, he left the office.
He met a Sarutobi clansman.
Seeing the man's hesitant, anxious look, Hiruzen's heart sank.
A bad feeling hit.
"What happened?" he asked gravely. "Don't tell me Akainu's targeting the Sarutobi Clan again?"
The clansman shook his head, but before Hiruzen could relax, he swallowed hard and dropped a bombshell: "Lord Hokage, Sarutobi Sakura... she took her own life! She... slit her throat with a kunai! By the time she was found, it was too late..."
Hiruzen: "!!!"
He stood frozen for several seconds.
His old face was full of disbelief.
"I... comforted her this morning, didn't I? I even took her to the ninja academy myself. And Akainu handled her memories with Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu—she shouldn't have recalled that trauma so soon."
"How could this happen...?"
Hiruzen snapped out of his daze, taking a deep breath, his eyes darkening.
He demanded, "What exactly happened? She should be at the academy!"
The clansman replied quickly, "She did it at the academy! A teacher notified our clan, meaning to inform her parents, but..."
He fell silent.
Her parents had killed each other.
"Phew!"
Hiruzen summoned an ANBU, his face grim. "Have the Uchiha Police Force investigate immediately!"
"Wait!"
As the ANBU was about to leave, Hiruzen stopped him.
"Send... Akainu."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"