Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Perform Your Duties at Work
"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Miyuki, along with a team of the Police Force, is heading toward the Uchiha clan's compound."
"What?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyelids twitched, but he couldn't quite figure out what Uchiha Miyuki was planning.
"Lord Hokage, let me go, I will try to stop him," said Uchiha Itachi, who suddenly emerged from the shadows, kneeling with one knee, and asking for permission.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Uchiha Itachi for a long time before sighing and saying, "I am counting on you, Itachi. The village can no longer afford internal conflict."
Uchiha Itachi accepted the command and left, quickly weaving through the houses of Konoha. Before long, he arrived at the outskirts of the Shimura clan's compound, just as Uchiha Miyuki's group arrived as well.
At that moment, the Shimura clan's compound was filled with mourning attire, and distant sounds of mournful music drifted in the air.
As they reached their destination, Uchiha Miyuki and his group were stopped by a figure. Although wearing a mask, the villagers easily recognized this figure as the only minor in the village's Anbu.
"Itachi, we're here to summon the relevant suspects from the Shimura clan for investigation at the Police Force. Did the Hokage send you to assist us?" Uchiha Miyuki asked.
Upon being recognized, Uchiha Itachi no longer hid his identity and took off his mask.
"Miyuki, please go back. The village can't bear any more internal conflict," said Uchiha Itachi.
"So, you're here to stop me?" Uchiha Miyuki's eyes turned cold. "Is this your decision, or the Hokage's?"
At this point, Uchiha Miyuki's deliberate slow pace through the village had already attracted a lot of curious onlookers. The Shimura clan's compound was located in a busy part of the village. There were now many villagers gathering around, eager to watch the scene unfold.
"Evidence of Danzo Shimura desecrating the First Hokage's remains and attacking fellow villagers is irrefutable, and the Uchiha clan has clear ties to him. We're only here to bring them in for questioning. Now you're standing here blocking us. What is your true intention?" Uchiha Miyuki continued, once the onlookers had gathered enough.
"Miyuki, please..." Uchiha Itachi felt uncomfortable under the intense gaze of the onlookers.
"Perform your duties at work!" Uchiha Miyuki sharply interrupted, "If this is the Hokage's order, I'll turn around and leave right now."
Uchiha Itachi turned to look at the crowd, their necks stretched long to see the scene unfold. Could he claim this was the Hokage's order?
What happened at the village entrance yesterday, after a night of rumors, had already spread to every corner of the village.
"Clan Leader..." Uchiha Itachi could only lower his head under the unusual gazes of everyone.
Uchiha Miyuki, however, led his team and walked right past him.
Soon, the Shimura clan became aware of what had occurred at the entrance, and the current Shimura clan leader, Shimura Hiroshi, stood with his people at the Shimura clan's compound, blocking Uchiha Miyuki's path.
"Apologies, the Shimura clan is not accepting visitors at the moment," said Shimura Hiroshi coldly, dressed in a black kimono.
"Then it seems we came at an inopportune time," Uchiha Miyuki nodded. "Looks like the Shimura clan is holding a funeral?"
"You Uchiha have the nerve to come here!" At that moment, an agitated young ninja suddenly jumped out, charging toward Uchiha Miyuki. The members of the Police Force behind him were about to take action, but Uchiha Miyuki raised his hand, signaling them to stop.
The young Shimura ninja was quickly pulled back by other Uchiha clan members.
"One of our younger clan members lacks manners. I apologize for the inconvenience," Shimura Hiroshi said.
"No problem, no problem," Uchiha Miyuki smiled, "But today, I'm not here as a guest."
Uchiha Miyuki's smile faded as he continued, "I request that Shimura Hiroshi call for Shiruma Reto, Shimura Ran, and Shimura Yūkei to come with us for questioning."
Behind Uchiha Miyuki, the members of the Police Force, who were already brimming with frustration, began to move, and the Shimura clan's ninjas naturally couldn't stay idle either.
"That may not be in accordance with the rules," Shimura Hiroshi murmured.
"We're only here to assist in an investigation," Uchiha Miyuki explained. "After all, the ledger found at the Root base clearly indicates that the Shimura clan has deep ties with Root. Personally, I believe in your innocence, Shimura Hiroshi." As he spoke, Uchiha Miyuki took out the nearly burned ledger from a sealing scroll.
"Clan Leader, what is there to say? The Uchiha clan has wolfish ambitions. Elder Danzo was killed by his hands. Take revenge for Elder Danzo!" The previously restrained Shimura ninja shouted.
"It seems that the Shimura clan really has colluded with Danzo Shimura and is planning to betray the village," Uchiha Miyuki's expression turned cold, and the three-tomoe Sharingan in his eyes transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shimura Hiroshi was about to lash out, but seeing the Mangekyō Sharingan flashing in Uchiha Miyuki's eyes, he could only suppress his emotions, fighting the anger in his chest, and said, "Stop! I'll let them come with you."
As Danzo Shimura's cousin, Shimura Hiroshi had witnessed the battle between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara firsthand. He knew all too well the incredible power of the Mangekyō Sharingan. If Uchiha Miyuki unleashed his full power here, the result would be disastrous, and none of their Shimura clan would escape.
At the same time, Uchiha Miyuki came with righteous intentions. If a conflict erupted, there would be no way to clear their names, not even by jumping into the Nanka River.
"Isn't it better to cooperate like this from the start?" Uchiha Miyuki chuckled lightly and gestured for Uchiha Enyu to take the suspects.
"Clan Leader!" The younger Shimura ninjas were immediately upset. Used to bullying others in the village, they could hardly tolerate this.
"Shimura Clan Leader, please don't make this difficult for me," Uchiha Miyuki approached Shimura Hiroshi, whispering in his ear.
Shimura Hiroshi twitched his lips but said nothing more. He gestured for his people to calm down.
The process of capturing the suspects didn't last long. After all, the individuals Miyuki had singled out were all present. Uchiha Enyu quickly handcuffed them and reported back to Uchiha Miyuki.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Clan Leader," Uchiha Miyuki said, relaxing now that the suspects were in hand. "But I still advise you, at this crucial moment, hosting a funeral for a defector is probably not the most appropriate thing, don't you think?"