After the petrified Obito shattered into pieces, Kakashi, who only dared to approach
after the commotion subsided, finally arrived belatedly. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Uchiha Touhuan standing proudly in the center of the battlefield.
"How was it?" Kakashi asked, approaching Uchiha Touhuan from behind.
"The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage, the villain who assassinated the Fourth Hokage, has been executed," Uchiha Touhuan said, turning to the arriving crowd.
As soon as he finished speaking, the arriving crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Although the process tonight had been somewhat convoluted, at this moment, they could finally announce that their plan had been a complete success.
Amidst the cheers, Kakashi looked thoughtfully at the shattered stones before Uchiha Touhuan.
After the cheers behind him subsided slightly, Uchiha Touhuan turned to the crowd and said, "Go back now, there's still some work to finish tonight."
"Yes!"
"Let's go." Uchiha Touhuan patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "Let's go. Tell Genma and the others later that it was kind of them to send the border troops back. You come back with us first. As for the transfer order to bring you back to the village, we'll issue it tomorrow."
"Okay." Kakashi nodded, glanced at the stone statue fragments on the ground, and followed Uchiha Touhuan.
Inside the Hokage's office, after receiving the signal, Fugaku Uchiha slowly rose and coldly looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Third Hokage, I'm sorry to trouble you to stay in the Hokage Building these next few days. As for your safety, I'll leave it entirely to the Security Department."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't reply. The initiative was no longer in his hands. What he needed to consider now was what to offer in exchange for a dignified retirement from Touhuan Uchiha. After that masked man appeared and attacked the Security Department, he was already in deep trouble—even if he wasn't in the worst situation, he was in serious trouble. The blame for the Nine-Tails' attack six years ago was hanging over his head, but the person who was supposed to take the fall for him was no longer there.
On the way back to the Security Department, Touhuan Uchiha learned of Itachi Uchiha's fate.
"Clan Head Touhuan, what do you think we should do about Itachi's situation?" At this moment, Elder Tsuru Uchiha, who was in charge of coordinating the clan's rituals, came to Touhuan Uchiha's side and asked.
Most deceased Uchiha clan members are buried in the clan's private cemetery after their Sharingan is removed, while the Sharingan is enshrined in the clan's shrine. Obito Uchiha's situation of being buried in the village's cemetery is an exception. However, Itachi Uchiha's situation is special, and only the clan head, Touhuan Uchiha, can make the decision.
Upon hearing the news, Uchiha Touhuan shook his head regretfully. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Bury him in the clan's cemetery, but keep the funeral simple."
"I understand," Uchiha Tsuru nodded.
...
Jiraiya, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza were politely invited into the new prison by the Naka River by Uchiha Inahi and the others.
As the group passed the cell where the two advisors were being held, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stared in disbelief at the scene.
"Jiraiya? Shikaku? Even you've been arrested?" Mitokado Homura shouted incredulously through the iron bars.
"Has Uchiha Touhuan rebelled?" Utatane Koharu also asked, banging on the iron bars. Jiraiya was currently withdrawn and had no mood to reply, while Nara Shikaku and the other two wisely pretended not to see what was happening.
Uchiha Inahisa frowned as she glanced at the two men's cells and coldly said, "Looks like the two former advisors are in high spirits tonight? Have more evidence to confess? Men! Give these two former advisors a good beating!"
...
Upon arriving at the Nakagawa Grand Hotel, Uchiha Touhuan had barely entered the interrogation area when he heard the screams of the two advisors.
Uchiha Touhuan picked at his ear and frowned. A captain from the security department behind him immediately left the group. Within two minutes, the screams ceased abruptly as the mouths of the two advisors were gagged.
Uchiha Touhuan and Kakashi first entered the room where Nara Shikaku and the other two were being held.
Considering they had previously saved Kakashi, the security department didn't make things difficult for them. After escorting them to their room, tea was quickly served.
Seeing Uchiha Touhuan and Kakashi enter the room, Nara Shikaku and the other two composed themselves.
"Suke Nara, thank you for your help earlier." Kakashi nodded to Nara Shikaku.
"We're all from the same village, it's only right," Nara Shikaku said.
Uchiha Touhuan then chuckled and sat down opposite the three, saying, "The three of you contributed to the battle against the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage tonight, but it's also an undeniable fact that you and your clansmen openly defied the village's martial law order."
"So, Captain Touhuan, how do you plan to handle this?" Nara Shikaku asked.
"We'll discuss that later, but could Nara-suke answer a question for me first?" Uchiha Touhuan said, "Nara-suke is a smart man; he should be able to see that you're not exactly wise rulers, so why did you three still involve your clansmen in this?"
"We must repay the debt of our ancestors," Nara Shikaku said.
"I understand," Uchiha Touhuan nodded.
"Captain Touhuan, please tell us how you plan to deal with the three of us," Yamanaka Inoichi said.
"Since that's the case, I won't hold back anymore," Uchiha Touhuan said. "How the Security Department handles the three of you is up to you to decide."
"Captain Touhuan, please speak," Nara Shikaku said.
"The three clan leaders received intelligence today that the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' attack plans to invade the village tonight, so they intend to bring their clansmen to help. For the sake of secrecy, they did not notify the Security Department beforehand, which led to the misunderstanding. However, village rules are rules. Considering both merits and demerits, Nara, the assistant, will be demoted two ranks and return to the Jonin class as a captain. Clan leaders Inoichi and Choza will each be demoted one rank," Uchiha Touhuan said.
"Captain Touhuan, I remember there's no rule in the village about offsetting merits and demerits," Nara Shikaku said.
"Isn't there a rule in the village that merits and demerits cannot offset each other?" Uchiha Touhuan nodded. "Then that's something I didn't consider."
"Well, the three clan leaders led the way in violating the village's martial law order, and according to the law, they should be treated as rioters. Although the actions of the three clans did not cause particularly serious consequences, the three of you should still resign and retire, leaving the village's ninja ranks. Only in this way can we give the village an explanation, right?"
"Clan Leader Touhuan, I understand. The three of us will resign tomorrow." Nara Shikaku said.
...
(End of Chapter)