Chapter 41: Eating Loyal Oranges or Scallions (Part I)

Since he had already decided to take Uchiha Sasuke as his disciple, Uchiha Toukan naturally intended to guide him properly.

Choosing Confucian classics as Sasuke's introductory texts was a decision Toukan had carefully deliberated upon. First of all, Sasuke was not even seven years old yet, and given his older brother's notorious history since childhood of overthinking bizarre and impractical notions, it was crucial to first instill a simple and sound moral framework. The child needed to understand which virtues were admirable and which were unacceptable—in other words, to establish his character and outward dignity first.

Later on, when Sasuke discovered that this set of teachings was insufficient to explain the world before his eyes, he would naturally fall into confusion. That would be the precise moment to teach him the profound truths, filling the outward framework with true substance.

In this era, the master-disciple relationship was in no way inferior to that of a biological father and son. Since he had accepted Sasuke as his disciple, Sasuke would naturally be qualified to inherit Toukan's political resources in the future. Toukan certainly had no intention of cultivating Sasuke into a pedantic cynic who spoke only in archaic jargon.

After Sasuke left, Toukan took up the Thunder Blade and headed out.

Not long after, within the compound of the Aburame clan, Aburame Shibi, the head of the current generation, received the reports transmitted by the scouting insects stationed around the clan's perimeter. Learning that Uchiha Toukan was heading directly toward their territory, Shibi instantly treated the matter as a formidable crisis and hurriedly summoned the jounin of his clan.

The Aburame clan's compound was even more remote than the area the Uchiha clan had relocated to after the Nine-Tails' Catastrophe. With the Thunder Blade slung at his waist, Toukan walked unhurriedly along a narrow path devoid of even streetlights, where the surroundings could only be faintly discerned by the light of the moon.

The minute fluctuations of chakra in the surrounding bushes naturally could not escape Toukan's eyes, but he paid them little heed.

Before long, Toukan arrived at the gates of the Aburame clan's compound. Looking at a genin standing guard at the entrance wearing the Aburame family's signature sunglasses, he said amiably, "Please go inside and announce that Uchiha Toukan has come to visit."

"Understood, please wait a moment." The genin guarding the gate nodded, then turned and headed inside the compound.

Toukan waited patiently. Soon enough, Aburame Shibi personally came out to greet him, accompanied by two jounin from the clan.

"Forgive me for keeping the Uchiha Clan Head waiting so long. Please bear with it," Shibi said as he stepped outside and offered a respectful bow with cupped hands.

"Aburame Clan Head, there is no need to say such things. Coming at such a late hour, I should be the one apologizing for the intrusion," Toukan said with a smile. "Moreover, the Clan Head need not be so excessively courteous. Today, I am merely visiting in a personal capacity."

"Please come in, Clan Head Toukan," Shibi said, extending a hand in invitation.

Following them into the Aburame clan's compound, Toukan was led to the reception room. Glancing around as he raised his head, he could tell that the Aburame clan's current circumstances were indeed not very favorable; even the reception room, which served as the clan's public facade, looked somewhat crude and simple.

"Our clan is humble and cannot compare to the Uchiha clan. I fear I am making Clan Head Toukan laugh at our inadequacies," Shibi said.

After everyone took their seats, Shibi waved his hand to signal a female attendant to bring in tea. After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, Shibi finally asked, "I wonder what important business brings Clan Head Toukan here so late at night?"

"Aburame Clan Head, our Military Police Force was entrusted by the Third Hokage to thoroughly investigate the village-traitor Shimura Danzo and his criminal syndicate. We have recently made breakthrough progress," Toukan stated. "However, Danzo, this malignant tumor within our village, has operated for many years, and his influence is deeply rooted. In the course of the investigation, it is inevitable that some of the ninja clans within the village have become involved. Out of consideration for the current stability of the village, the Third Hokage repeatedly urged our Police Force to exercise the utmost caution when dealing with this aspect of the problem," Toukan continued. "This is precisely why I am here."

Upon the mention of serious business, Shibi's expression grew stern.

He let out a long sigh and said with a helpless expression, "Is it because of Torame? He was taken away by Danzo to the Root when he was very young, and ever since then, our clan has severed all contact with him."

"I understand," Toukan nodded. "The Uchiha clan has also heard rumors of how Shimura Danzo used coercion to forcibly conscript talented ninjas from within the village back then."

Hearing Toukan's words, Shibi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"However—" Toukan's tone shifted, causing Shibi's heart to leap back into his throat.

"—Aburame Torame's position in the Root is by no means low. A conservative estimate would place him as the second or third-in-command of the organization, subordinate only to Danzo himself. Furthermore, according to the Police Force's investigation, he played a crucial role in the criminal activities planned and executed by Shimura Danzo. On top of that, he offered violent resistance during his arrest and attempted to destroy the Root's criminal evidence, which only adds crime to crime."

"This—" Cold sweat beaded on Shibi's forehead. After a long silence, he spoke again, "The Aburame clan knows nothing of the actions Torame has taken. I earnestly ask Clan Head Toukan to discern the truth."

"Standing from the perspective of a ninja clan, I can completely understand the Aburame Clan Head," Toukan said unhurriedly, picking up his teacup and taking a sip before continuing. "After all, which family dares guarantee that their clan won't produce a few ungrateful wretches? Especially since Aburame Torame was taken away and brainwashed by an inherently evil old ghost like Danzo since childhood, leading to the outcome we see today."

"However—" Toukan set down his teacup and looked directly into Shibi's eyes. "My understanding is useless. The Aburame clan must make the village understand."

"What does Clan Head Toukan mean by this?" Shibi asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I trust the Aburame Clan Head understands the general temperament of most villagers in our village," Toukan said, producing a file and placing it before Shibi.

Shibi merely picked up the document, and the pupils beneath his sunglasses instantly constricted.

The file detailed Aburame Torame's crimes within the Root one by one, including but not limited to assisting Danzo in assassinating fellow villagers and kidnapping young children from Bloodline Limit clans.

Once these charges were made public, the villagers of Konoha would pay no heed to the underlying context; they would simply pin the blame entirely on the Aburame clan. As the head of a moderately sized ninja clan, he knew all too well what kind of temperament the villagers possessed. Back then, even the White Fang, whose prestige shook the entire ninja world, could be driven to suicide by public opinion within the village. Could their small Aburame clan withstand such pressure?

"Clan Head Toukan, what should the Aburame clan do? Please give us your guidance," Shibi said.

"Aburame Clan Head, did I not just say that I personally believe in the innocence of the Aburame clan?" Toukan smiled lightly. "However, if you want to make the village believe this as well, the Aburame clan must demonstrate a proper attitude."