Village Entrance
The standoff continued.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, remained composed despite Uchiha Bai Ye's blatant disdain.
Instead of reacting, he glanced back at his advisors and proceeded with his plan.
Mitokado Homura, who had accompanied the Third Hokage, grinned and stepped forward.
Ever since his fellow Konoha Councilor, Danzo Shimura, had been imprisoned, Homura's influence in the village had plummeted. He had been suppressed by those above him, stripped of the power he once held.
To make matters worse, his confessions had reached Hiruzen's hands. Clearly, the price he had paid to cover up his past misdeeds had been steep.
Now, with his political standing finally stabilizing, Homura had no intention of letting Uchiha Bai Ye remain unchallenged.
The grudge between them was already set in stone.
"Uchiha Bai Ye!" Homura barked.
"Because of your selfish ambitions, the village has been thrown into chaos! A man guilty of such crimes has no right to continue serving as Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force!"
So this was their plan.
Bai Ye suddenly understood.
No wonder the Third Hokage was being so aggressive.
Did he think that by removing Bai Ye from his position as Captain of the Military Police, he could then deal with him more easily?
What a ridiculous thought process.
Bai Ye found himself at a loss for words.
Did Hiruzen believe that his authority came solely from his title?
How naive.
Bai Ye's strength wasn't dependent on his role. It was the opposite—the Guard was powerful because of him.
Wherever he stood, he was destined to shine the brightest.
"That's right," another voice interjected.
"As an advisor to the Hokage, I too believe that Uchiha Bai Ye should step down and take responsibility for the war that looms over Konoha."
It was Utatane Koharu, the other village elder.
Perhaps due to Bai Ye's knowledge from another life, he was aware of Koharu and Homura's concealed relationship.
Although both had their own families, Bai Ye had evidence suggesting that their relationship extended beyond mere colleagues.
One telling sign?
Every time Homura met with Koharu, he conveniently visited a medical store afterward—to purchase a certain "performance-enhancing" pill.
And now, this clandestine lover was following Homura's lead, calling for Bai Ye's removal.
Impeachment had begun.
The surrounding shinobi and villagers exchanged uncertain glances.
They didn't know who was in the right.
They didn't want to see Bai Ye punished, nor did they wish for war.
What should be done?
It didn't matter.
Despite the accusations being thrown at him, Bai Ye remained composed.
With an air of nonchalance, he reached out—
And patted Hiruzen's head.
Bang, bang.
A casual slap.
"Must be filled with water," Bai Ye chuckled, his sarcasm cutting deep.
Hiruzen's face darkened.
He wanted to retaliate, to strike Bai Ye and remind him of the hierarchy he was defying.
But he hesitated.
The hand that toyed with his hair so freely—he felt as if it could crush his life just as easily.
He was truly worried.
If Bai Ye were to lose his temper, the consequences would be catastrophic.
But he was no coward.
If pushed to the brink, he was prepared to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, the Reaper Death Seal—if necessary, he would take Bai Ye down with him.
Still, Bai Ye showed no signs of anger.
Only mockery.
"I don't need to explain anything," Bai Ye said, his voice sharp.
"Someone else will provide the answer."
Someone else?
Hiruzen frowned.
Before he could question further, another voice rang out.
"Uchiha Itachi!"
What could be more humiliating than being betrayed by one's own ally?
Bai Ye had no interest in wasting time arguing with Hiruzen.
But he needed to clarify one thing—
Not for the Hokage.
For the doubtful gazes around him.
And for the unconscious Raikage lying at his feet.
"Present."
Itachi stepped forward, his expression serious and unreadable.
What did the Captain mean?
A sense of unease crept over him.
"It's often said that young minds align with the Hokage's ideals," Bai Ye mused aloud.
"Tell me, after hearing Lord Third's accusations, how do you feel?"
"The more detailed, the better."
"If you answer well, I'll promote you to deputy sub-commander of the third squad."
A deputy sub-commander?
Uchiha Cong, who had been recovering on the ground, was stunned.
Since when did such a position exist?
He wasn't the only one confused.
Most members of the Military Police Force were aware that Bai Ye never structured his squads that way.
But Hiruzen and his undercover agent, Itachi, didn't know that.
An opportunity to climb the ranks?
Would this allow Itachi to infiltrate deeper into Bai Ye's operations?
Hiruzen's expression lit up with anticipation.
He gestured at Itachi, silently urging him.
Speak.
The more details, the better.
Itachi let out a deep sigh.
Lord Hokage...
You've truly been played.
But what could he do?
Both the Captain and the Hokage wanted him to speak.
As an undercover operative with no room for defiance, he had no choice but to comply.
"Hokage-sama," Itachi said, his tone solemn.
"You need not worry about war."
"In fact, the war you fear does not exist at all—it's an unfounded concern."
A curse?
Hiruzen's face darkened.
His smirk vanished.
Then, as if in response, Raikage twitched on the ground—
And suddenly, realization struck Hiruzen.
He had made a critical miscalculation.
It was over.
No, he couldn't let Itachi continue!
"Go on."
Bai Ye's voice interrupted his thoughts.
His tone was calm, almost gentle—yet it carried an undeniable weight of authority.
Hiruzen could do nothing.
He could only watch as Itachi continued.
"In truth, Hokage-sama…" Itachi hesitated for a moment, then sighed.
"The issue you should be considering is not war."
His next words sealed the outcome of the day's confrontation.
"Raikage was beaten and captured alive…"
"As Hokage, your priority should be—"
Itachi met Hiruzen's eyes, speaking with complete sincerity.
"—negotiating Cloud's ransom fee."
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