At the thought of Uchiha Chiba's methods—especially the death of his nephew, Sarutobi Jiro—Hiruzen Sarutobi could not suppress the hatred rising in his chest.
What troubled him even more was another possibility.
Jiro's death… Chiba's actions…
This incident might cause many villagers and shinobi to begin looking at Chiba in a different light.
The foolish father and son had stirred public outrage. No matter how extreme Chiba's methods were, in the eyes of the victims and the bystanders, he had done something deeply satisfying.
The potential consequences made Hiruzen's head ache.
But what he said to Uchiha Shisui was something entirely different.
"Shisui, I understand those people."
"Chiba may indeed have helped them, punishing evildoers on their behalf."
"But if everyone acted as he does—killing without trial, judging solely by their own sense of justice—what would become of this village? Of this world?"
"Today a gambler deserves death."
"Tomorrow… does a petty thief deserve death as well?"
"Today someone who kills by accident deserves death."
"Tomorrow… what about an innocent person who is wrongly accused?"
"Do not worship a person's justice."
"Do not worship lone heroes who follow only their own judgment."
"Admire those who use just means to carry out justice."
Shisui fell into deep thought.
"Hokage-sama… I understand."
"My thinking was too simple. I was too easily stirred by Chiba's words."
"Thank you for clearing my confusion."
Hiruzen smiled gently.
"It is enough that you understand."
"You and Itachi are good children."
"The best hope for resolving the conflict between the village and the Uchiha."
"Therefore…"
"I have something to entrust to you."
Shisui immediately straightened.
"Please give your order."
"I want you to do everything in your power to suppress the rising battle spirit within the Uchiha clan."
Shisui's heart trembled.
This was the first time the Hokage had spoken so plainly.
It meant deeper trust.
The weight of responsibility pressed down upon him—yet he also felt a strange pride.
"Please rest assured. I will devote everything to it."
"Good… then I am relieved."
Smoke drifted slowly through the Hokage's office, thick and stale.
…
"Captain… if one day Yamafū and I commit a crime…"
"Would you kill us without hesitation?"
While on patrol, Uchiha Aoki suddenly asked from behind.
"Yes."
Chiba answered without the slightest pause.
Aoki and Yamafū exchanged wry smiles.
"Cold as ever…"
"Is there truly nothing in your heart besides justice?"
"There is."
"What?"
"The power required to enforce justice."
"…"
"And what about comrades? Friends? Clan?"
Chiba moved through Konoha like a circling vulture, his sharp eyes sweeping the streets.
To him, corruption and sin were carrion—prey and fuel.
"What other clan members think is irrelevant."
"We are Police Force officers first."
"Uchiha second."
"If you constantly put 'Uchiha' on your lips, you've already planted the seed of injustice in your heart."
They fell silent.
"It makes sense… but we're human."
"Casting aside family bonds completely isn't easy."
"That is why this world needs me."
"Captain… you really are like a machine."
"And what are we to you?"
Chiba suddenly stopped walking.
They nearly ran into him.
"What is it, Captain?"
He turned to look at them.
"Rather than subordinates… or younger brothers…"
"I would rather see you as those who might one day inherit and carry forward my will."
"Perhaps that is only my wish."
"You were born into this shinobi world. Your foundations are different. Many beliefs are deeply rooted."
"But if I can influence you even a little—if you can understand me even a little—then there is hope."
Aoki hesitated.
"We know you act for justice. But… aren't your methods too extreme?"
"They are extreme."
"To correct deviation, one must overcorrect."
"Otherwise, hope will never appear."
Yamafū spoke after a long pause.
"I understand."
"I will follow you, Captain—to create a new world that cleanses evil in the name of justice."
"Me too," Aoki added.
Chiba nodded.
His methods seemed radical.
But he did have supporters.
And those who awakened, like him, carried fierce conviction.
In Chiba's eyes—
That small light was a spark.
…
"Clan Head, Jiro-sama's body has been prepared."
"When shall we bury him?"
Sarutobi Hiyu looked at the corpse beneath the white cloth.
The head had been placed back onto the body, but a dark red line still seeped through the fabric.
His fists trembled.
"No burial."
"Not yet."
"Uchiha Chiba will be buried with him first."
The Sarutobi clan members were shocked.
"Clan Head… this is dangerous…"
"The Hokage ordered restraint. If we act rashly, it may ignite open conflict."
"The Uchiha are already a powder keg…"
"Please reconsider—"
"Silence!"
Hiyu roared.
"You think because Hiruzen removed my title, you can lecture me?"
"We dare not—"
"When have the Sarutobi ever been trampled by outsiders?"
"Will you endure an Uchiha killing one of ours?"
"Jiro may have erred—but who gave Chiba the authority to execute him without trial?"
"Without the Hokage's judgment?"
"Today he kills Jiro in public."
"Tomorrow the Uchiha will stand over us!"
"Shall we wait to be slaughtered?"
His words ignited fury.
"He's right!"
"The Uchiha must be taught a lesson!"
"Make them hand over the murderer!"
"Let them know who the foremost clan in Konoha truly is!"
Though stripped of his title, Hiyu's influence remained.
Soon, nearly thirty Sarutobi clan members gathered behind him.
Weapons drawn.
Marching toward the Uchiha district.
Hiyu gripped his blade tightly.
In his mind, he replayed the scene again and again—
Steel slicing across Uchiha Chiba's throat.
"Jiro… wait for me."
"Soon, Chiba will join you in the Pure Land."
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