Chapter 16: Four Asumas' Worth
"Whether it's a defamation or not, neither you nor I can decide. Evidence is the final word." Makoto's expression turned cold. "By the way, you came at the right time. According to your accomplice, Shimura Reito, you were also involved in Shimura Danzo's attempt to steal the bloodline of a fellow ninja. Arrest the suspect Shimura Hiroshi!"
As soon as Makoto finished speaking, several Uchiha clan ninjas rushed out from behind him, moving to capture Hiroshi on the spot.
"Uchiha Makoto!" Koharu, accustomed to holding a position of power, shouted indignantly. Seeing that Makoto showed her no respect and intended to arrest someone right in front of her, she was furious.
"I'm listening." Makoto stood tall, looking down at her.
"How dare you? Who gave you the authority to arrest people?" Koharu demanded.
"Good question!" Makoto bellowed, drawing his long sword from his waist. Two lightning-infused blade beams shot past the advisors, landing at Hiroshi's feet. The explosion of lightning chakra forced back the Shimura clan ninjas who had tried to advance and sent Hiroshi crashing to the ground. In the next instant, Uchiha security members rushed forward, restraining him effortlessly.
"You ask who gave me the authority? Then let me tell you," Makoto slowly approached, stopping before the two advisors. "That day, when faced with the undeniable evidence of Danzo's crimes, Lord Third granted the Police Force full authority to investigate. Is that reason enough?"
"The Second Hokage established the Police Force and entrusted the Uchiha clan with this duty to protect the village and eliminate those who, like Shimura Danzo, would harm their fellow villagers for personal gain! Is that reason enough?"
Makoto took a step closer to Koharu, then turned and bowed toward Hokage Rock. Fixing his gaze back on her, he continued, "If that still isn't enough, then how about the oath made by the First Hokage at this village's founding—to protect every companion within Konoha?"
"Today, I am not the one arresting him. It is the 24,000 ninjas and 69,000 civilians of Konohagakure who refuse to tolerate such a cancer!"
"Uchiha Makoto, you—!" Homura started, but seeing the Shodaime's name invoked, he hesitated, realizing he had no argument left.
Two days had passed since the Police Force posted notices recruiting civilian ninjas. Many had come to apply, curious about the opportunity. This spectacle now drew a sizable crowd of onlookers.
"So the Uchiha clan does have a sense of justice? I guess the rumors in the village weren't true after all," murmured several civilian ninjas.
"The Shimura clan deserves this. They throw their weight around, acting arrogant in the village. Looks like they finally hit a wall."
The Shimura clan's reputation wasn't much better than the Uchiha's. Seeing them suffer misfortune, the civilians couldn't help but gloat.
Makoto turned his scrutinizing gaze back to the two advisors, his eyes narrowing. "You arrived with such a large force. Are you trying to cover something up? I've heard the two of you have a close relationship with Danzo."
"Shut up, Uchiha Makoto! Don't spout nonsense!" Homura snapped, his voice laced with anger. "I will report today's events to the Hokage personally."
"By all means!" Makoto scoffed before turning away and walking into the Police Force without another glance.
Fugaku then stepped forward, addressing the two remaining advisors. "Why are you still here? Do you want us to escort you back?"
"Hmph." The advisors, realizing they had gained nothing from this confrontation, could only snort in frustration and leave, their retreat watched by the gathered civilians.
Inside the interrogation room, the five captured Shimura clan members sat pale-faced. They had assumed their clan leader and the advisors had come to save them, only to find themselves trapped even further.
"Take good care of our esteemed Shimura clan head," Makoto ordered, throwing Hiroshi into the room like a discarded rag. "Be careful not to get blood on your hands—we wouldn't want to offend our clan elders' spirits during tonight's funeral."
"Yes!" the security department members responded in unison.
With everything arranged, Makoto left the Police Force to escort the desecrated Sharingan, stolen by Danzo, back to the Uchiha clan shrine. That night, the Uchiha held a solemn family funeral.
"Clan Leader, every clan except the Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clans has sent funeral gifts." Inabi hurried over to report.
"Hmm. Have Fugaku come over," Uchiha Makoto instructed.
"Right away." Inabi nodded and departed.
Shortly after, Makoto arrived at the funeral site but did not act immediately. He waited for Fugaku to arrive before opening the offerings.
The first layer of offerings contained ordinary items. Beneath them, however, lay glistening gold and two land deeds in the village.
Fugaku's eyes gleamed. "Is this the payment you secured?"
Makoto nodded, carefully counting the assets. His brows furrowed. "This isn't enough."
He proceeded to open the funerary offerings from the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans. Their contents were eerily similar.
"This is a warning," Uchiha Makoto remarked, counting the total value. Exactly 140 million ryo or four Asumas. The Yamanaka clan had paid this amount as a protection fee to the Uchiha in exchange for leniency in the Danzo affair.
Yet, the unified offerings from the three clans carried a clear message—they stood together. As long as they remained united, they would not fear the Uchiha.
"Hmph. Ino-Shika-Cho?" Fugaku scoffed.
"It doesn't matter. These three clans were never worth recruiting in the first place. Getting money from them is already an unexpected bonus." Makoto remained unfazed.