Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Advisors Arrive
The next morning, Uchiha Miyuki went straight to the Konoha Police Force's interrogation room.
"Clan Leader." The Uchiha clan members inside the interrogation room nodded and greeted him upon his arrival.
"How did things go with those three yesterday?" Miyuki asked.
"Huh?" Uchiha Saito, the one in charge of the interrogation, was momentarily stunned. "Big Brother, I don't think you gave any specific instructions on what to interrogate them about."
Miyuki was speechless. He then turned his gaze to the three high-ranking members of the Shimura clan, who were tied to the interrogation racks, beaten beyond recognition. It was obvious—this was all personal grudges at play.
"Apologies, the clan members were a little too enthusiastic about helping out. I couldn't stop them," Saito said awkwardly with a forced smile.
Miyuki shook his head. "It's fine. I should have been clearer in my instructions."
With that, Miyuki pulled a chair and sat down at a short distance in front of the three captives.
"Let's talk. How much do you know about Shimura Danzo's crimes?" Miyuki asked, meeting the trio's murderous glares—if looks could kill, they would have skinned him alive on the spot.
"The Uchiha clan is born evil! The Hokage will never let you get away with this!" The eldest among the three, a key figure in Danzo's faction, spat out a mouthful of blood before glaring at Miyuki with hatred.
Before Miyuki could say anything, an Uchiha standing nearby immediately swung his baton, striking the man's mouth.
"Uncle Toba?" Miyuki glanced at the attacker—a middle-aged Uchiha elite jōnin in his forties. "I thought Squad Four had the day off today."
"Well, the interrogation unit looked a little short-handed, so I came to lend a hand," Uchiha Toba replied with a grin.
Back in the Third Shinobi War, his second son had died during a mission. Normally, a shinobi should be indifferent to life and death, but out of the nine-man squad his son had been part of, only two members returned—both from the Shimura clan. That alone was enough to raise suspicion. Now that some Shimura members had finally fallen into their hands, those who had suffered similar losses weren't going to hold back. In fact, Toba had waited in line all night just to get his turn.
As Toba continued his violent "interrogation" of Shimura Retsudo, Miyuki turned his attention to another captive.
"Shimura Arashi, we have evidence that, during the war in the Land of Water, you secretly colluded with enemy shinobi, leading to the deaths of one Uchiha jōnin, two chūnin, and three genin. Afterward, you took six pairs of Sharingan from our fallen clansmen and offered them to the rogue shinobi, Shimura Danzo. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Miyuki asked calmly, resting his chin on his hand.
"Uchiha Miyuki! That's a blatant lie!" Shimura Arashi roared.
"Stay quiet!"
A swift blow forced Arashi to shut up.
Miyuki then turned to the last captive. "Shimura Yusuke."
"What do you want from me? I have never even been on a battlefield!"
"As a shinobi, is it something to be proud of that you've never set foot on the battlefield?" Miyuki sneered. "Your case has nothing to do with the Third Shinobi War. However, our investigation found that in Konoha Year 44, you spread slanderous rumors throughout the village, driving the former ANBU captain, Sakumo Hatake, to take his own life. You were also involved in silencing one of the key witnesses, Keisuke Kishida. Am I wrong?"
"You… You're slandering me! I have never done anything like that!" Yusuke's eyes flickered with panic—something that did not escape Miyuki's notice.
Miyuki leaned back in his chair, amused. He had simply picked names from the Shimura clan's registry at random, yet he had actually found someone guilty.
"There's an old saying: 'A wise man adapts to the times.' I believe the tools in this room will be more than enough to open your mouth. I suggest you cooperate," Miyuki said coldly.
Just then, the door to the interrogation room opened, and a clan member rushed over to Miyuki's side, whispering in his ear.
"Clan Leader, the head of the Shimura clan, along with two of the Hokage's advisors, have arrived. They're demanding that we hand over these three."
"Uchiha Miyuki, if you know what's good for you, you'll release us immediately! The village won't let you off otherwise!" Despite the low voice of the messenger, Shimura Retsudo had sharp ears and overheard everything. He immediately sneered.
"So noisy," Miyuki sighed, rubbing his ear. "Uncle Toba, you're not as young as you used to be—take it easy."
"Hmph, don't underestimate me, brat. Even when I'm eighty, I'll still be able to beat guys like this without breaking a sweat," Toba snorted. As he spoke, he tightened his grip on the baton, striking Retsudo even harder.
"Uncle Toba, be careful not to kill him," Miyuki reminded before turning to leave.
Then, he leisurely walked toward the entrance of the Police Force headquarters.
At this moment, Shimura Hiroshi, along with the village elders Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatan, stood at the main entrance, flanked by a group of Shimura clan shinobi.
"Elders, you must help us!" Shimura Hiroshi wailed. "Danzo dedicated his entire life to the village, yet after his death, his clan members are being treated like this. This is nothing but the Uchiha's revenge!"
"Don't worry. The village will ensure justice is served," Koharu reassured him.
Just then, Miyuki stepped out, accompanied by Uchiha Fugaku.
"Oh? What brings the two esteemed advisors here today?" Miyuki asked with a bright smile before glancing at Fugaku. "Fugaku, that's not very courteous of you. How could you let our guests wait outside? At the very least, invite them in for some tea."
"My apologies. We've been busy with official duties, and hospitality was overlooked," Fugaku replied indifferently.
"Miyuki, you arrived just in time. Release Shimura Retsudo and the others immediately! This is outrageous!" Koharu demanded the moment she saw him.
"Release them?" Miyuki chuckled. "I'm afraid that's impossible. All three of them are deeply involved in crimes committed by the rogue ninja Shimura Danzo. They are suspected of selling classified village intelligence, murdering fellow Konoha shinobi, and various other acts of treason."
"That's slander! A complete fabrication!" Shimura Hiroshi, emboldened by the presence of the advisors, pointed an accusatory finger at Miyuki.
Yesterday, he had been too afraid to confront Miyuki at the Shimura estate. But here, in a different setting, with the Hokage's advisors backing him, he felt emboldened.
Little did he know, Miyuki had no intention of playing by the village's rules.