The Next Morning
As dawn broke, the people of Konoha slowly began to realize something massive must've happened the night before—something the public hadn't been told.
One by one, bodies covered in white sheets were carried out from the Mitokado, Utatane, Uchiha Police, and Sarutobi clan compounds.
"Sarutobi, Utatane, Mitokado, Uchiha?!"
A young genin couldn't believe his eyes.
"That's like half the major clans in Konoha! What the hell happened? There must be at least thirty bodies—did they all turn on each other overnight?!"
"It's got something to do with Uchiha Chizumi," a nearby chunin muttered, chewing on a senbon with a dark look in his eyes.
"A friend in the Sarutobi clan told me Chizumi broke into their compound last night."
"And took four people with him. Which means… those four corpses coming from the Uchiha compound? They're not even Uchiha. They're Sarutobi."
Another bystander gawked.
"Wait—Sarutobi? That's the Hokage's clan! You're telling me Hokage-sama just let Chizumi drag his own people away?"
The chunin pinched the senbon between his fingers.
"Apparently, Chizumi had the moral high ground. Not only did the Hokage stand down, the rest of the Sarutobi clan didn't stop him either."
"And those four—two of them died in an internal fight. All of them were deemed unforgivable. The Hokage even kicked them out of the clan."
People looked at each other in stunned silence.
Clearly, what had gone down last night was way more intense than anyone had imagined.
And the news exploded across the village like a storm.
Soon, rumors about the crimes committed by the dead started spreading—none more shocking than the Sarutobi couple who killed each other.
Their depravity shattered every moral line, leaving even hardened shinobi sick to their stomachs.
…
At a Local Inn
"Ughh…" Tsunade groaned, toothbrush still in her mouth, eyelids drooping from exhaustion.
She looked like she hadn't slept a single hour.
Dark circles clung to her eyes.
She glanced at the small girl sleeping peacefully on the tatami mat… then nudged Shizune—who was softly snoring—right in the butt with her foot.
Bullseye.
Shizune jolted awake, face beet red, yelping as she rubbed the spot.
"T-Tsunade-sama, seriously?! Can you not wake me up like that?!"
"That's totally something a perv would do!" she thought, but wisely didn't say.
Tsunade just muttered through her toothpaste,
"Check on the girl. See how she's healing."
"O-Okay…"
While Shizune carefully checked the child's condition, Tsunade stepped outside barefoot and looked to the right.
"You were up all night?" she asked casually.
Chizumi leaned against the wall, eyes still closed.
"Took a short walk to clear my head. Ended up running into two people who made it worse."
"Who?"
"Fugaku. Itachi."
Tsunade immediately got the picture. She'd already heard whispers about the "Uchiha Massacre Prophecy," and she knew Itachi was dangerous—and unstable.
"If you knew that kid was gonna slaughter his clan someday… why didn't you just take him out? Isn't 'Absolute Justice' your thing?"
Tsunade's words were muffled with toothpaste foam.
Chizumi replied calmly.
"Let's say I see a baby who'll grow up to kill someone. So I kill the baby first… to 'save' a life. Does that sound like justice to you?"
Tsunade paused, eyebrows furrowing.
"…So your version of 'Absolute Justice' only judges what's already been done—not what might happen."
"But if you wait until after the massacre to deal with him, doesn't that make your justice… late?"
Chizumi answered without emotion.
"Judgment comes the moment a person crosses the line—when they've truly gone past saving."
Tsunade gave a half-smile, almost impressed.
"So you're not quite the cold-blooded monster everyone says you are."
"Still, why not clear your name? All those nasty rumors flying around..."
"Let them talk," he replied flatly.
"Even exaggerated stories keep people from crossing the line. If they fear the consequences—even a made-up version of me—then justice is working."
Tsunade studied him.
"You're seriously okay living under that kind of pressure?"
"I don't feel anything."
"It's irrelevant."
At that moment, Shizune came rushing out of the room. She paused when she saw Chizumi, then turned to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, the girl's recovering well. She just needs rest. We can send her home soon."
"…Also…"
A little head peeked out from behind Shizune.
Sakurako looked scared out of her mind.
"I-I accidentally woke her up."
"W-Who are you people?" Sakurako asked, inching away from the three strangers. If Tsunade didn't look like such a mess, she probably would've sprinted out of there.
Sakurako shuffled in place, uncomfortable. Her body didn't feel right, though she couldn't tell what was off.
"Where am I? Why am I here? Where are my mom and dad?"
The air went dead silent.
Tsunade turned to Chizumi.
He answered coldly.
"The Third Hokage will explain everything."
"T-The Hokage?!"
"You see this uniform?" Chizumi said, voice flat.
"I'm with the Uchiha Police. I'll take you to him. Don't ask questions on the way."
Sakurako didn't dare respond.
This guy's terrifying.
…
Hyuga Compound
Neji stood with a cold, blank expression as Hinata charged at him with a shout, hands raised in her Gentle Fist stance. He barely moved—a small backward step—and her strike missed him entirely, not even grazing his robes.
In a flash, Neji slid forward, hooked her ankle with his foot, and yanked.
Hinata cried out as she tumbled to the ground.
He looked down at her struggling to get back up.
For a second, the image of his father flashed in his mind.
Then—pain. The moment the Caged Bird Seal had been branded into his forehead.
He was only eight, but for a heartbeat, killing intent flickered in his eyes.
"Huh?"
Across the courtyard, Hiashi Hyuga frowned as he watched Hinata's clumsy movements.
But then he sensed it—that brief moment of bloodlust in Neji.
Hiashi's face darkened. He quickly formed a hand seal, ready to activate the curse mark.
But before he could finish it, he noticed the intent in Neji's eyes… vanish.
Hiashi's hand froze.
Neji hadn't realized how close he'd come to being punished. But in that instant—when his anger boiled over—he thought of Naruto. Of Sasuke.
And of that man—Uchiha Chizumi.
Of his words.
Of Absolute Justice.
"If I take my father's death and dump all that hatred onto an innocent girl who knows nothing—how is that justice?"
That single thought crushed the rage inside him.
And suddenly… he felt lost.
Conflicted.
After all, he was just a second-year academy student. He wasn't a genius like Itachi. He wasn't even half as twisted.
He didn't know how to process what he was feeling.
"Neji, remember your status. Know your place."
Hiashi's cold voice snapped him back.
Neji flinched, stepping back instinctively and reaching toward his forehead—
But the pain never came.
Hiashi's sharp gaze bore into him.
"This is just a warning. Don't act on thoughts you shouldn't have. Don't even think thoughts you shouldn't think. There won't be a second chance."
"...Yes, Clan Head."
Neji clenched his teeth and lowered his head.
"It's getting late. Take Hinata to the Academy. Don't be late."
"Yes."
…
Sarutobi Clan Grounds
"They pulled out four bodies from the Uchiha Police HQ before sunrise," one of the special jōnin said grimly.
"Koya, Kano, Rina, Mitsuru. Sounds like them."
"Normally, the Police Force doesn't do secret executions," he added.
"Chizumi must've found something damning and killed them on the spot."
His expression grew darker.
"Each of those four had families. Some just lost their only parent. What a shit day…"
Another, shorter Sarutobi ninja spoke up.
"They were exiled by the Hokage. No need to get worked up over their deaths."
"Wow. That was fast," another snorted.
"Weren't you related to one of them? Afraid their crimes might stain your name and bring Chizumi to your door?"
The short ninja flushed.
"Like you were brave enough to speak up last night when Chizumi showed up!"
The other snapped back.
"That's because Hokage-sama held me back! If he hadn't—wait…"
He stopped talking mid-sentence. His eyes locked onto the entrance of the compound.
The others followed his gaze.
And instantly—they all froze.
Tension clamped down like a vice.
Muscles locked. Breaths caught.
"...Uchiha Chizumi!"
The special jōnin felt sweat pour into his palms.
"Wait—who's that with him?!"
They all saw the small girl walking beside him.
"That's… that's Sakurako! Kazuki and Mayuki's daughter!"
"She's just a kid… poor thing…"
The special jōnin stepped forward, summoning all his courage.
"Chizumi! Why is that girl with you?! What did you do to her?! She's already been through enough—she's—"
He choked on the words.
She was abused…
Before anyone could react, a soft cough came from behind.
They turned.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood behind them.
"Hokage-sama!"
Everyone scrambled to make way.
Chizumi barely looked at them.
He focused on Hiruzen.
"I've brought her back," he said flatly.
"She doesn't remember what happened. Her injuries will heal with rest. As for what happened to her parents—you're the one who has to tell her. That's your job, Third."
Sakurako immediately ran to Hiruzen's side, clutching his robes.
She glanced at Chizumi—terrified, yet oddly curious.
Hiruzen placed a hand on her head, face full of complicated emotions.
"Chizumi… thank you for your kindness."
The Sarutobi shinobi around them were stunned.
The Hokage is thanking him?
And then it hit them.
Chizumi had said: She doesn't remember. Her injuries will heal.
"That incident"… was he talking about the abuse?
"Those injuries"… could he have meant…
The room went silent.
Everyone had the same thought:
This man—this so-called Plague of the Uchiha—silently helped a broken child, without making a scene. Isn't that something only a good person would do?
Was Chizumi… actually a good guy?
…
Ninja Academy
Seven-year-old Hinata trailed behind Neji like a shadow.
As they stepped into the school, she gathered her courage and tugged his sleeve.
"Neji-nii… back home… the way you looked at me—it really scared me…"
Neji paused.
His fists clenched… then relaxed.
The fact that a main branch heiress feared the gaze of a branch member—it was absurd. Pathetic.
But somehow, that fear hurt him more than he expected.
He sighed, face unreadable.
"You're just too weak. If you were stronger, my stare wouldn't scare you."
He started to walk away—
"Hey! Aren't you the weirdo who showed up at my house last night?" Naruto's voice cut in.
He walked over, eyeing Neji's long hair.
"You asked a bunch of creepy questions. I don't even know your name."
"Hyuga Neji," Neji said.
"Oh, right!" Naruto grinned.
But Neji cut him off.
"Uzumaki Naruto. If someone takes their parents' hatred and dumps it on the child of the person they hate… is that justice?"
Naruto blinked.
Great. Another weird kid with a weird question.
Still… it was about justice. He couldn't ignore it.
Naruto scratched his head.
"Of course not! If that's justice, no one in the world would be safe. Who can guarantee their dad or grandpa didn't screw up at some point? If we punished people for their family's sins, we'd have to kill everyone just to 'purify' the world."
Just saying that gave him chills.
"That's even crazier than Chizumi-sensei!"
"...I see."
Neji exhaled.
So all the resentment he'd thrown at Hinata… it really was misplaced.
The ones who ruined his father weren't Hinata or the kids of the main family—it was the elders. The decision-makers. The ones who made his dad a scapegoat.
He looked sideways at Hinata.
And was stunned.
She was hanging her head so low, she looked like she wanted to disappear.
"...???"
…
Hokage Tower
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a long, tired sigh as he sank into his chair.
"Comforting a traumatized ten-year-old is more exhausting than dealing with a full day's worth of paperwork…"
He rubbed his temples. The shadow in his eyes lingered.
Sakurako… what she had been through—what she had witnessed—it was enough to crush any child.
Thank goodness Chizumi used the Mangekyō Sharingan to seal away her memories...
Maybe someday she'd remember on her own, but by then, she'd be older. Maybe strong enough to handle it without breaking.
Knock knock.
He straightened up and forced his expression back to neutral.
"Come in."
An Anbu stepped inside and bowed.
"Hokage-sama, the Rain Village envoy has arrived."
Hiruzen blinked, needing a moment to remember.
Right—Amegakure had requested an official visit. A diplomatic gesture from the Rain Daimyō. Homura had already approved it. Hiruzen hadn't thought much of it.
"They're just standard envoys. Why report directly to me?" he asked.
The Anbu explained:
"The leader's wearing a gas mask and concealing his face. But his weapon gave him away."
"He's carrying the Executioner's Blade from Kirigakure. Based on his size and weapon alone, there's a 90% chance he's one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—Biwa Jūzō."
Hiruzen's brows shot up.
"Biwa Jūzō… I remember him. A missing-nin from the Mist."
"If he's part of a Rain envoy, does that mean he joined Amegakure?"
"Should we report this to Kirigakure?"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"We don't need a 'Blood Mist Alliance' right now—and we definitely don't want to piss off the Rain Village."
The Anbu nodded and left.
…
Meanwhile — Konoha's Main Gate
In the shadows of the trees beyond the gate, a strange pale figure peered through the leaves.
White Zetsu.
He watched the Amegakure shinobi closely, especially the man in the gas mask carrying the massive sword—Biwa Jūzō.
His tree-like arms reached down, merging with the soil and root system, tapping into Konoha's surrounding ecosystem. Within seconds, the information was transmitted far across the countryside.
In some unknown, distant place—another Zetsu narrowed his eyes.
He slowed his pace slightly.
Uchiha Obito, beside him, noticed.
"Why'd you stop?" he asked, annoyed.
Zetsu replied calmly,
"I was right. Konan's suspicious. She sent one of the new Akatsuki recruits to Konoha."
"She wants to investigate Uchiha Chizumi… or more specifically, dig into our connection to him."
Obito frowned.
"How the hell does she know Chizumi has anything to do with us?"
"The moment you used Akatsuki to probe him, she started putting it together."
Zetsu sighed.
"I already explained this to you once. You're slipping."
"We need to focus on three things now:
One—stick to the original plan and eliminate Uchiha Izumi.
Two—if the Akatsuki recruit finds anything useful, try to recruit him. If not, take him out.
Three—find a way to kill Chizumi."
He looked toward the horizon.
"Another twenty kilometers and we're inside the Land of Fire. Don't use Akatsuki again—it's getting too risky."
Obito scoffed.
"Tch. That woman just got lucky. Nothing more."
Zetsu shook his head.
You're not Madara. Not even close.
…
Inside the Village — Biwa Jūzō
Jūzō's eyes narrowed.
He could feel it—someone was watching.
"Konoha's Anbu...?"
He tensed slightly.
This wasn't his home turf. If things went sideways, not even his elite Mist background would help him escape.
This is the village that produced him.
He still remembered that terrifying genin from the Third Shinobi War—who nearly wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alone.
Jūzō took a deep breath and cleared his head.
Focus. There was a mission to complete.
"Uchiha Chizumi…"
Just then, a voice caught his attention.
"Should we have Chizumi handle this case?"
Jūzō's ears perked up.
He turned his head discreetly and spotted two Konoha kunoichi talking nearby. One of them had the Uchiha clan crest on her back.
"We can take care of it," she said. "If we run to Chizumi-senpai for everything, how will our justice grow?"
"Still, we'll send a ninja cat to update him. This case involves a ninja clan—it needs his approval."
Jūzō squinted thoughtfully.
He turned to the Rain-nin beside him.
"You guys go report to the Hokage. I'll catch up."
"But…"
Jūzō cut him off.
"If the Hokage asks, just say I'm sightseeing. If he's suspicious, let him send Anbu to tail me."
The Rain-nin paled and nodded.
"Y-Yes, Jūzō-sama!"
…
Chizumi, having just left the Sarutobi district, was intercepted by a calico ninja cat sprinting toward him.
"Chizumi-sama! Jujiro-sama! Uchiha Izumi and Mitarashi Anko discovered something!"
The cat was panting but spoke clearly.
"They found evidence that an Aburame clan member was using non-Aburame humans to cultivate special insects. And someone died because of it."
Jujiro, the large orange tabby cat, scratched his chin.
"The Aburame are usually cautious. If one of them did something shady, there's probably zero evidence."
"Izumi must've sent this cat not just to inform us… but to ask for your guidance, Chizumi."
"Tch. She still needs her mentor," Jujiro muttered.
Chizumi ignored his commentary.
"Tell her: If the suspect cooperates, follow procedure. If not—kill them. Take the body to the Yamanaka for memory extraction."
"Understood!"
The ninja cat bolted back.
…
The calico cat returned in record time.
It repeated Chizumi's instructions word-for-word.
Anko's eyes widened slightly.
"He really said that?"
Izumi didn't even blink.
"Of course he did."
"Let's go. Time to arrest a killer."
Anko hesitated.
But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
Soft laws and gentle hands let monsters thrive. Chizumi's way… might be the only way to purge them.
Her unease slowly faded.
…
Inside the Aburame Compound.
The air was heavy.
Most of the clan had gathered, seated formally.
At the head of the room sat Clan Head Aburame Shibi, his emotionless face hidden behind dark glasses.
Next to him sat several elders.
Kneeling before them was a single elite chunin: Aburame Kazuhiko.
He was clearly depressed—and terrified.
"Kazuhiko," one elder rasped.
"You committed a crime. Then came crawling to us, hoping the clan would shield you. Why didn't you just not commit the crime in the first place?"
"You hid your actions. You used someone else's body for an experiment. When that person died, you begged for protection. Do you think this clan exists to cover your sins?"
Kazuhiko bowed his head.
"I know I screwed up! Please, just let me leave the village. Exile me—disown me—I won't bring shame to the clan."
"My parents died honorably in the Third War! Please, for their sake—"
It was obvious to everyone:
Kazuhiko was terrified of Chizumi.
Of Absolute Justice.
One elder sighed.
"Shibi. You're the clan head. You decide."
Another added,
"But be careful. Going against Chizumi… is suicide."
Shibi was about to speak—when a young clan member burst in, breathless.
"Clan Head! There's a kunoichi from the Uchiha Police at the front gate! Uchiha Izumi—Chizumi's subordinate!"
The room went completely silent.
Kazuhiko turned ghost white.
Shibi finally spoke:
"Kazuhiko. Turn yourself in."
"The Aburame clan will not be destroyed because of one man."
Kazuhiko's voice trembled.
"Just one Uchiha… can destroy the whole clan?"
Shibi closed his eyes, recalling the memory of a lava flood that had once scorched half a battlefield.
That smell of sulfur. That pressure…
"Yes," he said simply.
"He can."
…
Outside the Aburame Compound
Uchiha Izumi stood silently, one hand resting on the hilt of her ninja blade.
If no one came out in three minutes, she was prepared to barge in and handle it herself.
She'd received direct orders from Chizumi—and she wasn't about to disappoint him.
If I screw this up, Chizumi-senpai's trust in me will drop straight to zero…
Her expression hardened.
Beside her, Anko wiped sweat from her brow as the heavy wooden gates slowly creaked open.
"W-What the hell…" Anko whispered.
"That's… that's not just a squad. That's like the whole clan coming out... Don't tell me they're gonna resist?"
But at the front of the procession, Clan Leader Aburame Shibi stepped forward.
He stopped just in front of them, composed and calm as ever.
"The Aburame Clan will not shelter criminals," he said flatly.
"The suspect your Police Force seeks is here."
Izumi blinked in surprise.
A few seconds later, several Aburame members stepped forward, escorting a clearly defeated Kazuhiko—head lowered, expression hollow.
Shibi continued.
"After what he did, he's no longer considered one of us. Whatever sentence Absolute Justice delivers, the Aburame Clan won't protest."
Anko's eyes narrowed at those words.
He didn't say 'Uchiha Police Force.'
He said "Absolute Justice."
It wasn't fear of the Uchiha clan that had forced the Aburame to comply.
It was fear of Chizumi himself.
Izumi nodded seriously.
"You made the right call. We'll arrange restitution with the victim's family. Someone from the Police Force will follow up."
Shibi replied without hesitation.
"No matter the amount, we'll pay double."
Anko stood there, dumbfounded.
He didn't even have to show up in person…
Just Chizumi's name alone was enough to make an entire clan hand over one of their own.
…
Hokage Tower
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still meeting with the Rain Village delegation, his face a perfect mask of polite diplomacy.
When he heard Biwa Jūzō was still "sightseeing" around the village, he didn't react visibly.
But internally?
He was already issuing silent orders.
Anbu. Tail him. Now.
He's one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen. No way I'm letting that guy roam around Konoha unchecked.
Just as he was about to return to the meeting—
Bang bang bang!
Frantic knocking on the office door.
Hiruzen's brow twitched in irritation. He quickly apologized to the Rain delegates, assuring them he'd be right back, then stepped into the hall.
Waiting for him was a Sarutobi clansman, face pale and eyes filled with panic.
Hiruzen's gut twisted.
"What is it?" he asked quietly.
"Chizumi… he didn't come after the clan again, did he?"
The man shook his head.
But his next words hit like a kunai to the heart.
"Hokage-sama… it's Sakurako. She… she took her own life."
"She slit her throat with a kunai. By the time anyone found her, she was already gone…"
Hiruzen stood there, frozen.
His breath caught in his chest. His old face contorted in disbelief.
"But I—this morning—I personally saw her off to the Academy. I talked to her. She was smiling. And Chizumi… he erased the memories, didn't he? With his Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"There's no way she could've remembered… not this soon…"
His voice cracked.
"How… how did this happen…?"
The Hokage staggered back slightly before planting his feet, regaining composure through sheer force of will.
His voice lowered into something darker.
"Where exactly did this happen?"
The clansman answered quietly.
"At the Academy. One of the teachers found her and came to notify the family. But…"
He trailed off.
They both knew Sakurako no longer had a family to notify.
Her parents were dead.
Murdered by each other.
"Dammit…"
Hiruzen gritted his teeth, then turned sharply.
"Get Anbu. Tell the Uchiha Police Force I want an immediate investigation."
He stopped mid-command.
"Wait…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Send Chizumi."
The man blinked.
"Y-Yes, Hokage-sama!"
~~~
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