Chapter 11: Addressing Titles While on Duty

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“Lord Hokage, Uchiha Douhuan is leading a team of Military Police members toward the Shimura clan compound.”

“What?” Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyelids twitched. For the moment, however, he could not determine what Uchiha Douhuan was really planning.

“Lord Hokage, let me go. I’ll try to stop him.” At that moment, Uchiha Itachi, who was on duty that day, suddenly emerged from the shadows and dropped to one knee, asking for permission to act.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Uchiha Itachi for a long while before letting out a heavy sigh.

“I’m counting on you, Itachi. The village can no longer afford internal strife.”

Having received his orders, Uchiha Itachi departed. He raced across Konoha, leaping over rooftops, and before long reached the outskirts of the Shimura clan compound. The slow-moving party led by Uchiha Douhuan happened to arrive at the same time.

Inside the Shimura compound, everything was draped in mourning white, and the distant sound of funeral music could be heard.

Though the person blocking their path wore a mask, everyone in the village knew who he was. After all, there was only one minor serving in the Anbu.

“Itachi, we’ve come to summon the relevant suspects from the Shimura clan and bring them back to the Military Police for questioning. Did Lord Hokage send you to assist us?” Uchiha Douhuan asked.

Since his identity had been exposed, Uchiha Itachi simply removed his mask.

“Brother Douhuan, go back. The village can no longer withstand internal strife,” Uchiha Itachi said.

“So you’re here to stop me?” Uchiha Douhuan’s gaze turned cold. “Is this your own decision, or Lord Hokage’s?”

At this point, the purpose behind Uchiha Douhuan’s deliberately leisurely procession through the village became apparent. With such a large force on the move, there were bound to be villagers curious enough to come and watch. Moreover, the Shimura compound was located in one of the village’s busiest districts. By now, quite a crowd had gathered around them.

“The evidence is conclusive. Shimura Danzo desecrated the remains of the First Hokage and attacked fellow villagers. The Shimura clan had financial ties with him, so we’ve merely come to bring them back for questioning. But now you’ve stepped forward to stop us. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?” Uchiha Douhuan continued once enough people had gathered.

“Brother Douhuan…” Faced with the eyes of the crowd, Uchiha Itachi felt somewhat uneasy.

“Use my official title while we’re working!” Uchiha Douhuan interrupted him without mercy. “If this is Lord Hokage’s order, I’ll turn around and leave at once.”

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Uchiha Itachi turned to look at the spectators around them, who were practically stretching their necks twice as far to catch every detail. Could he really claim that this was Lord Hokage’s order?

What had happened at the village entrance the previous day had spread to every corner of Konoha overnight.

“Clan Head…” Under the strange looks of everyone present, Uchiha Itachi could only lower his head.

Uchiha Douhuan, meanwhile, led his men straight past him.

It was not long before the Shimura clan learned what had happened outside their compound. The current clan head, Shimura Hiro, led his people out and blocked Uchiha Douhuan’s path within the compound.

“Apologies, but the Shimura clan is not receiving visitors at the moment,” said Shimura Hiro coldly. He was dressed in a completely black kimono.

“Then it seems we’ve come at an unfortunate time.” Uchiha Douhuan nodded. “Judging by appearances, the Shimura clan is holding a funeral?”

“You Uchiha still have the nerve to come here!” An agitated young shinobi of the Shimura clan suddenly lunged at Uchiha Douhuan. The Military Police members behind Douhuan were about to react, but Douhuan raised a hand and stopped them.

The furious Shimura shinobi was quickly dragged back by his companions.

“The younger generation is ignorant of proper conduct. Please forgive him,” Shimura Hiro said.

“Understandable, understandable.” Uchiha Douhuan smiled. “However, I’m not here as a guest today.”

His smile faded.

“Clan Head Shimura, please have Shimura Retsuto, Shimura Ran, Shimura Yusuke, and the others come with us to assist in the investigation.”

Behind Uchiha Douhuan, the Military Police members, who had already been simmering with anger, prepared to advance. The Shimura shinobi present naturally refused to stand idly by.

“I’m afraid that would not be in accordance with procedure,” Shimura Hiro said in a low voice.

“We’re only asking them to cooperate with an investigation. After all, the account book the Military Police found at the Root base shows that the Shimura clan had extensive financial dealings with Root. Personally, I believe in your innocence, Clan Head Shimura.”

As he spoke, Uchiha Douhuan removed from a sealing scroll the account book, most of which had been burned away.

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“Clan Head, what more is there to say? The Uchiha are harboring treacherous ambitions, and Elder Danzo died at their hands! Avenge Elder Danzo!” the restrained Shimura shinobi shouted.

“It seems the Shimura clan truly colluded with Shimura Danzo and intends to betray the village.” Uchiha Douhuan’s expression turned grim. The three-tomoe in his eyes transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Shimura Hiro wanted to erupt in anger, but when he saw the Mangekyo Sharingan gleaming in Uchiha Douhuan’s eyes, he could only suppress his impulse. Forcing down his fury, he said, “Enough! I’ll have them go with you.”

As Danzo’s cousin, Shimura Hiro had personally witnessed the battle between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha years ago. He knew exactly how terrifying the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan was. Otherwise, how could the vast expanse of the Valley of the End have come into being?

And now, within the Shimura compound, if Uchiha Douhuan unleashed his full strength, the final outcome might be difficult to predict—but not a single member of the Shimura clan would escape.

At the same time, Uchiha Douhuan had arrived under the banner of justice. If a conflict broke out between the two sides, the Shimura clan would truly be unable to clear its name, even if it leaped into the Naka River.

“Wouldn’t it have been easier to cooperate from the beginning?” Uchiha Douhuan said with a soft laugh, waving for Uchiha Enba to lead men forward and make the arrests.

“Clan Head!” The young members of the Shimura clan immediately protested. Accustomed to throwing their weight around in the village, they could hardly bear such humiliation.

“Clan Head Shimura, don’t make this difficult for me.” Uchiha Douhuan stepped before Shimura Hiro and whispered into his ear.

The corner of Shimura Hiro’s mouth twitched, but in the end he said nothing more. He could only step forward and signal his clansmen not to act rashly.

The arrests did not take long. The few people Uchiha Douhuan had named were all present, and once Uchiha Enba had shackled them, he returned to report to Douhuan.

“Clan Head Shimura, thank you for your cooperation.” With the suspects secured, Uchiha Douhuan finally relaxed. “However, I must still offer you a word of advice. At a time like this, holding a funeral for traitors who betrayed the village may not be entirely appropriate.”

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