Impossible to Explain

"On what grounds are the Anbu entering to conduct a search?"

"An intruder attacked an important location in the village just now. The Anbu suspect the intruder is in our Uchiha Clan’s compound, so they want to enter and search the compound thoroughly."

"What gives them the right!?"

Uchiha Tekka immediately shouted in fury. It was one thing not to trust the Military Police Force and refuse to let them investigate the situation, but now they actually suspected the Uchiha Clan of being connected to the intruder?

Searching the clan compound in the middle of the night?

The Konoha Higher-ups were truly pushing their luck. Was a clan’s territory something others could just enter and search whenever they pleased?

"Clan Head, I’ll take some men and drive the Anbu away." With that, Uchiha Tekka was about to gather the resting Military Police Force members. The Hokage’s directly controlled Anbu had no more than a hundred people, fewer than the Military Police Force. What gave them the nerve to demand a search of the Uchiha Compound?

"Tekka, wait."

Uchiha Fugaku called out to stop Uchiha Tekka, whose anger had flared. Though Fugaku was just as angry as Tekka, gathering the clansmen now might escalate the conflict and cause even greater friction.

"Go settle Yasunori Sakai and the other person first. I’ll handle the Anbu matter."

"Clan Head, are you going to let them come in and search?" Hearing Fugaku tell him to settle Yasunori Sakai, Uchiha Tekka froze briefly before asking. Settling them meant moving them out, didn’t it?

Uchiha Fugaku said solemnly, "We can’t clash with Konoha right now. We aren’t prepared for anything."

Though he understood that reasoning, Uchiha Tekka felt that allowing the Anbu to enter and search was something the Uchiha Clan absolutely could not tolerate.

He would rather fight Konoha’s Anbu barehanded and unarmed right now. Still, Uchiha Tekka knew Fugaku was considering the entire clan, so he could only nod silently and accept the matter.

If he was going to settle Yasunori-kun now, he could only send him out of Konoha in the middle of the night. The Uchiha Clan was a Ninja Clan with nearly a thousand years of history, yet they could not even protect a guest they had invited. At a single demand from Konoha Anbu, they had to send their guest away overnight.

What a humiliation!

Filled with fury, Uchiha Tekka went to carry out the clan head’s orders. Their voices had risen slightly during the conversation, so aside from Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Mikoto had long since awakened.

Uchiha Itachi had even put on his forehead protector and Ninja Tool Pouch, watching the conversation below from the room’s window.

After sending Uchiha Tekka to escort Yasunori and the other person away, Uchiha Fugaku headed to the entrance of the compound, where the Military Police Force and Anbu were confronting one another.

Not long after Fugaku appeared, the Third Hokage and Danzo arrived together.

Before coming here, Sarutobi Hiruzen had first gone to the hospital to check on Naruto. Learning from the Anbu that Naruto had not been attacked and that only Kushina had been branded with a Curse Mark, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, after seeing the shape of the Curse Mark and hearing the intruder’s identity from the Anbu, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s heart grew heavy again. It was Hyuga Mirai once more.

Jiraiya had died at the man’s hands. It seemed Jiraiya had uncovered extremely important intelligence in Sunagakure, but the other side reacted quickly and directly cornered Jiraiya together with Orochimaru. In the end, Jiraiya had not even managed to escape and died in Sunagakure.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen received that news, he was so shocked that the pipe in his mouth fell to the ground. The burning tobacco fell onto his hand and went out, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen still had not recovered from his shock.

His most promising disciple had died in Sunagakure because of a mission he had entrusted to him.

For an instant, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of the teacup Jiraiya had given him. When he came back to himself, he seemed to have aged many years in a moment.

The village’s loss of a powerful ninja like Jiraiya was another heavy blow to Konoha after the Nine-Tails’ Rampage. Although many rising young ninjas had emerged in Konoha, such as Kakashi, Shisui Uchiha, Hyuga Kiyomi, and Yuhi Kurenai.

They had not yet matured into pillars of Konoha capable of deterring the other Ninja Villages, so Jiraiya’s death was a devastating blow to both Konoha and him.

Now, Hyuga Mirai had attacked Kushina as well, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen extremely tense.

A Branch Family member who had defected from the Hyūga Clan, no one in Konoha seemed able to fathom his thoughts. Even the intelligence department, after analyzing every piece of information they possessed on Hyuga Mirai, could only conclude that he had a gentle, selfless, and perfect personality.

The intelligence department naturally knew that was false, but based on the information available, that was the only conclusion they could reach. Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his guard against Hyuga Mirai to the highest level. Against someone whose thoughts and goals could not be guessed, it was difficult for Sarutobi Hiruzen to predict what he planned to do next.

For example, in Kushina’s attack this time, he had silently infiltrated even with Anbu protection in place, then merely attacked Kushina before retreating. Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered it for a long time but still could not figure out what Hyuga Mirai was after.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not deny that Hyuga Mirai was an extremely dangerous man. It was not only because he had defected from Konoha, but also because of Jiraiya’s death and Mount Myoboku’s prophecy.

Anything related to Hyuga Mirai could not be taken lightly.

Ninjas skilled in tracking, such as those from the Inuzuka Clan and Aburame Clan, had followed the few clues outside Kushina’s home all the way to the Uchiha Clan, only to be stopped by the Uchiha Military Police Force.

After the Anbu returned to report, Danzo sternly suggested, "Hiruzen, this must be thoroughly investigated. It concerns the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. We cannot allow another Nine-Tails’ Rampage like the one years ago."

"Yes, I know."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke slowly. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Hyuga Mirai, and the Uchiha Clan—those involved in the night of the Nine-Tails were almost all gathered together. The Anbu had discovered it early this time. If they had not noticed anything at all, Konoha would have been finished.

He and Danzo had arrived before Uchiha Fugaku. Once Fugaku appeared, the two of them revealed themselves together.

Among the Military Police Force, only Uchiha Fugaku could negotiate with the two of them.

"Hokage-sama."

Upon seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Fugaku calmly greeted him. As for Danzo, Fugaku had not the slightest favorable impression of him and directly ignored him.

This so-called Shadow of the Ninja World had always targeted the Uchiha Clan. From relocating the clan compound after the Nine-Tails’ Rampage to later interfering with the Military Police Force’s law enforcement, Danzo’s Root had practically displayed its malice openly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a mild tone, "Fugaku, I’m truly sorry to disturb you so late at night, but something major has just happened in Konoha."

"What major matter?" Uchiha Fugaku’s expression darkened slightly as he asked, "Why are the Anbu restricting the Military Police Force’s movements and searching the Uchiha Clan? Hokage-sama, what crime has the Uchiha Clan committed?"

Danzo cut in sternly, "This concerns Konoha’s safety. The Uchiha Clan should cooperate with the Anbu’s operation!"

"Danzo!" Sarutobi Hiruzen rebuked Danzo. "As the captain of the Military Police Force, clan head Fugaku’s desire to protect Konoha is no weaker than anyone else’s. Do not doubt Fugaku."

Danzo’s words had initially made Uchiha Fugaku dissatisfied, but Sarutobi Hiruzen’s subsequent attitude soothed the small spark of anger in Fugaku’s heart.

"The Uchiha Clan bears the duty of the Military Police Force. Naturally, we will protect Konoha without hesitation."

Uchiha Fugaku made his position clear. He did not want the clansmen to clash with Konoha, so he chose to take a step back.

"However, Hokage-sama, what exactly happened that requires a search of the Uchiha Compound? Has a Rogue ninja hidden inside?"

"This matter… Fugaku, do not tell anyone else." Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated briefly, then decided to tell Uchiha Fugaku. Otherwise, searching the Uchiha Compound without any reason would not convince them.

"Kushina was attacked, and the one responsible was Hyuga Mirai. He was present during the Nine-Tails’ Rampage years ago, and according to the investigation by the Inuzuka Clan and Aburame Clan, Hyuga Mirai may have stayed within the Uchiha Clan for a long time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen altered and exaggerated the information reported by the Anbu before telling it to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Hyuga Mirai…?"

Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly. He had not expected tonight’s incident to be related to that person, nor that Hyuga Mirai had appeared within the Uchiha Clan. Had the Military Police Force truly discovered nothing?

"Please wait a moment, Hokage-sama."

After speaking, Uchiha Fugaku went over to the clansmen and called over the squad captain of the Military Police Force on duty tonight to ask for information. However, after questioning every Military Police Force member on duty, he received the same answer: they had not noticed anyone.

Uchiha Fugaku then returned to Sarutobi Hiruzen and told him that the Military Police Force had not discovered anything.

"The Uchiha Compound is relatively remote and covers a large area, so it is normal that the Military Police Force did not notice anything. At a time like this, the Inuzuka and Aburame should investigate. Hyuga Mirai is still in Konoha. Who will bear responsibility for the consequences he causes!?"

Danzo placed a heavy accusation on Uchiha Fugaku’s head. Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing beside him, fell silent. Although the Anbu had discovered that Hyuga Mirai had left in another direction, they had to determine how he had entered.

No matter what happened today, they had to search the Uchiha Compound. This was something Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo had discussed before coming here, so one played the villain while the other played the good cop to pressure Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"I understand. The Anbu may enter the Uchiha Compound to search for the Rogue ninja’s whereabouts, but they must be accompanied by the Military Police Force. I have to be responsible for the clan’s elderly, weak, women, and children. I hope Hokage-sama will agree to this request."

"Of course. Clan Head Fugaku’s request is perfectly reasonable." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement, then dispatched two squads to enter the Uchiha Compound and search under the Military Police Force’s supervision.

On the other side, after hearing Uchiha Fugaku’s words, the Military Police Force members were shocked and unable to understand. Many of them activated their Sharingan, and more than a dozen pairs of scarlet eyes suddenly appeared in the night. Uchiha Fugaku hurriedly calmed and explained things to them, and only by displaying the authority of the clan head did he get the clansmen to accept the decision.

Though they accepted it, that did not mean the Uchiha clansmen of the Military Police Force would show the Anbu any kindness.

They called it accompaniment, but a squad of Uchiha kept their Sharingan activated the entire time, staring intently at the Anbu searching their compound. If the Anbu made even the slightest improper move, the Uchiha would likely attack immediately.

Although the Anbu entering to search felt somewhat uncomfortable beneath the Sharingan’s watchful gaze, they still followed the Hokage’s orders and searched for Hyuga Mirai’s trail.

Ninjas skilled in tracking, such as those from the Inuzuka and Aburame Clans, found traces left behind by Hyuga Mirai and followed the clues deeper into the Uchiha Compound.

When the group arrived before Uchiha Fugaku’s family home, the two tracking ninjas from the Inuzuka and Aburame Clans simultaneously looked up at one another, then shook their heads in unison.

The trail of Hyuga Mirai ended here.