Uchiha Yagami clearly understood the concerns in the hearts of people like Uchiha Fugaku and Shisui.
It was nothing more than the fear that his extreme actions would prematurely ignite the conflict between Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha Clan, completely tearing off the facade, or even triggering rebellion and civil war.
But no one understood better than Yagamk that for the Uchiha Clan, that outcome would be far better than their original fate.
Therefore, not only was he not afraid of such consequences, but he even subtly planned to push for them.
"Sarutobi Clan…"
"What exactly happened?"
Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamakaze, the two young men, exchanged glances.
"This…"
"A ninja from the Sarutobi Clan killed someone…"
"And, the person killed was a civilian from the village…"
"Who did it?"
Uchiha Yamakaze trembled and said, "It was the second son of the Sarutobi Clan..."
"Leader…"
"Sarutobi Jiro!"
Yagami's heart stirred slightly.
The Clan Leader of the Sarutobi Clan should, by rights, be Sarutobi Hiruzen, but since he is the Lord Hokage of Konoha Village, he doesn't have the time to handle many matters, so he entrusted family affairs to others.
The current Clan Leader of the Sarutobi Clan is named Sarutobi Hiro, a clan relative by blood to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And this Sarutobi Jiro is naturally Sarutobi Hiruzen's nephew.
He didn't show any emotion, only quickened his pace.
"Ca-Captain Qianyu, wait for us!"
"Shouldn't we report this to the Clan Leader first before…"
However, Yagami's figure was already almost out of sight.
...
Sarutobi Clan compound.
"You can't leave… you can't leave…"
"Get lost!"
Several villagers from Konoha Village were huddled together, preventing Sarutobi Jiro from leaving.
They naturally had no power, but they were willing to risk death to seek justice, completely disregarding their lives at this moment.
Some clung to Sarutobi Jiro's legs, while others formed a human wall to block him.
More and more ninjas and villagers gathered to watch, and Sarutobi Jiro's anger grew even more intense.
"Are you really tired of living?!"
"Do you really think I wouldn't dare to act?!"
An old woman's tears streamed down her wrinkled face incessantly.
She was trembling, her legs were already frail, but she still propped herself up with her cane and blocked Sarutobi Jiro's path.
"You, you beast killed my granddaughter…"
"I… I'll fight you to the death!"
She swung her cane towards Sarutobi Jiro.
However, before she could even touch him, her frail body stumbled and fell to the ground, hitting her forehead on a hard stone, bleeding profusely…
"Mom!"
Seeing this, the man clutching Sarutobi Jiro's leg cried out in alarm, quickly released his leg, and rushed forward to check on his mother's injuries.
"Mom, you, you're bleeding…"
The man quickly covered his mother's forehead with his hand, then fumbled to tear off his own clothes to make a bandage and help stop the bleeding.
"I… I'm fine, don't… don't let that beast get away…"
"Bastard! Sarutobi Jiro, you killed my daughter, and now you want to kill my mother?!"
Sarutobi Jiro sneered, "She fell because she couldn't stand steady, what does that have to do with me?"
"Besides, she tried to hit me with her cane, even if she fell and died, it's her own fault!"
"You… you…"
For a moment, the surrounding ninjas and villagers were in an uproar, discussing amongst themselves.
"What happened, that guy killed his daughter?"
"I heard she was burned alive…"
"Ah? Why?"
"I don't know, humph, these arrogant and overbearing guys don't treat us like humans at all, who knows how they offended him?!"
"Shh, keep it down, that's the Sarutobi Clan Leader's son, are you tired of living?!"
Even the ninjas didn't dare to act rashly.
"Isn't this going too far?"
"Should we report it to Lord Hokage?"
"Anbu has already gone to report it…"
"Sigh, we can only hope Lord Hokage handles it justly…"
"I doubt it, he's a member of the Sarutobi Clan after all, and Lord Hokage's nephew…"
"…What are you saying, how could Lord Hokage possibly show favoritism and protect such a scumbag?"
"…Indeed, Lord Hokage probably wouldn't…"
Just then.
"Move, everyone move."
A dignified figure pushed back the crowd and strode forward. Aside from being slightly younger, his appearance bore some resemblance to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Clan Leader!"
The Sarutobi Clan members immediately bowed respectfully.
The person who arrived was naturally Sarutobi Hiro.
"Father, you're finally here!"
"Hmph, these troublesome civilians are clinging to me like leeches, quickly capture them all!"
However…
Sarutobi Hiro stepped forward and slapped Sarutobi Jiro hard across the face!
Slap!
Sarutobi Jiro was directly knocked to the ground, a handprint instantly appeared on his face, and it quickly swelled up.
"Father, you…"
"You brat! Don't think I don't know, you killed their daughter, didn't you?!"
The onlookers hadn't expected such a scene and were both shocked and somewhat pleased.
"Well done, Sarutobi Hiro!"
"Such a little beast should be eliminated for the greater good!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
Sarutobi Jiro covered his face, his eyes wide, his face full of panic and fear, as if he didn't recognize his father anymore.
"Father, I, I didn't mean to…"
"You didn't mean to? Then why did you kill their daughter?!"
"Speak!"
Sarutobi Hiro's oppressive aura erupted. Not only Sarutobi Jiro, but everyone felt the terrifying presence wash over them, like a mountain pressing down, a fierce wind blowing, making it hard to breathe.
"I, I was just practicing…"
"N-no, that's right, I was just practicing the family's Fire Style Ninjutsu, Hōen no Jutsu (Great Flame Technique)…"
"My subordinates all said that the legendary Hōen no Jutsu (Great Flame Technique), when trained to its peak, can unleash flames of extremely high temperature, even capable of instantly burning a person to ash. They also said that my Hōen no Jutsu (Great Flame Technique) was already perfected and could definitely do it…"
The onlookers seemed to understand something, and couldn't help but show expressions of grief and indignation, their fists clenching involuntarily.
Sarutobi Hiro's face also changed drastically: "So, you used their daughter as a test subject for your Ninjutsu?!"
"N-no!"
"My subordinates said there seemed to be something moving in the bushes, maybe a wild rabbit or a deer, and told this young master… told me to just try out the power of the Hōen no Jutsu (Great Flame Technique)…"
"A-and the result…"
"A scream came, and I, I only then knew it was a person…"
"And, my Hōen no Jutsu (Great Flame Technique) wasn't as powerful as they boasted, it couldn't instantly burn a person to ash at all. I could only watch as that girl screamed heartbreakingly from being burned by the fire, in unbearable pain. She roared and shrieked as she ran towards us. I, I will never forget that scene…"
Hearing him admit it himself and describe the tragic scene at the time, the victim's family couldn't bear it.
"Beast! I'll fight you to the death!"
The man who was taking care of his mother roared, his eyes bloodshot, and he charged towards Sarutobi Jiro.
However…
Sarutobi Hiro easily stopped him.
"…I can understand your feelings, after all, I am a father too, but…"
"Before this matter is thoroughly investigated, please calm down and don't be too impulsive. I guarantee, in the name of the Sarutobi Clan Leader, that I will handle this justly. Please believe me, okay?"
"I, I…"
How could that father possibly calm down, but he also knew that he was no match for these people. He could only say with tears streaming down his face, full of hatred,
"Sarutobi Hiro, please, you must give us an explanation, otherwise my daughter, she, she died too tragically…"
"She was only eleven years old!"
Sarutobi Hiro righteously clasped his hand.
"Don't worry! I will definitely give you justice!"
"Good… good… Thank you…"
Sarutobi Hiro turned around and faced his son, but suddenly changed his expression.
"According to what you just said…"
"You didn't know there was a person in the bushes?"
"In other words, you accidentally injured her?"
Sarutobi Jiro's face changed!
Although he was arrogant and overbearing, he wasn't a fool. How could he not hear that his father's words were saving his life?!
Everyone around was also stunned simultaneously, instantly understanding that everything Sarutobi Hixiong had just done was merely putting on a show…
He, in the end, was still going to protect his son!
(End of the Chapter)
(No need to read the Translator's Note it's my thought)
--
Translator's Note: F thank you for that resounding slap, now burn him. If you ever make a detour for him I will leave it to MC.