Konoha: The Absolute Justice of the Uchiha

Chapter 193 New Konoha Village
"I feel like Konoha Village is different from before."

Kakashi had a rare half-day off today, and he was holding a well-worn copy of "Make-Out Paradise." He glanced at the contents of the novel every now and then, then looked up at the Konoha civilians coming and going around him.

What phrase would you use to describe it?

Perhaps it is—more orderly and more harmonious.

Originally, some streets in Konoha Village would have many vendors setting up stalls haphazardly, almost blocking the entire road.

Now the police force has designated a specific area for these vendors to gather together so that they do not disrupt the order of the streets.

Even the cleanliness of the streets is much better than before, because if you litter and get caught by the police, you will actually be fined.

Kakashi heard that a Konoha Jonin was surrounded by two police ninjas and fined at least 1,000 ryo just for spitting out a piece of chewing gum on the ground.

and……

Kakashi also keenly noticed that no one in the village was discussing in private what kind of demon fox Naruto was.

For some reason, this bullying and isolation of a child has been effectively curbed.

And some of the conspiracy theories and rumors that Konoha civilians love most.

It seems that often, before the rumors could even spread, they were suppressed by the police ninja. All those who maliciously spread rumors were imprisoned in the Konoha jail.

At best, they'll lock you up for half a month to let you reflect; at worst, they'll put you in jail for half a year.

As for incidents involving fighting and assault resulting in injury, or even more serious cases like murder...

Then the Konoha police force showed even less mercy.

If the criminals cooperate, that's fine; if they don't, they'll probably be killed by the police ninjas in the next second!
Uchiha Izumi's forceful and drastic methods...

It has already begun to be imitated by many ninjas in the police force.

"It feels... actually not bad..." Kakashi murmured in surprise, "After Absolute Justice took control of the village, the atmosphere wasn't as oppressive as I had imagined. Uchiha Izumi is ruthless on the surface, but he's actually quite humane in some ways, he just doesn't show it."

Kakashi could see this "human touch" in the somewhat restrained law enforcement methods of the police force.

after all……

If "absolute justice" is truly the kind of bloody and extreme view that has been spread through misinformation...

Littering on the street won't just result in a fine; it could mean having your hand chopped off.

Such petty theft is not as simple as just being locked up in Konoha Prison; it means your head will be ripped off.

Just as Kakashi was feeling somewhat sentimental, he suddenly heard a rather familiar voice coming from ahead.

"I've already said it! I don't want you to be my teacher! I don't need you to teach me any ninjutsu! Teacher Chiquan is enough to make me an excellent ninja. Can you please stop following me around like this, you white-haired monster? You're like a stalker!"

That rather impatient, childish voice immediately reminded Kakashi of someone—Naruto Uzumaki!
As he unconsciously quickened his pace and walked forward.

Sure enough, a small figure could be seen in front of them.

That head of golden hair was still quite eye-catching in Konoha Village.

Kakashi also saw a rather lewd figure following Naruto from behind.

Take a closer look...

Isn't this Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin?
……

“Naruto, Uchiha Ikezumi is now the captain of the police force, and he has a lot of things to do every day. It’s unlikely that he will have time to teach you.” Jiraiya said earnestly, “Besides, with me, the Sage Jiraiya, teaching you, who knows, you might become the Hokage of Konoha in the near future?”

Jiraiya never expected that Naruto Uzumaki, the child of prophecy, would be so difficult to deal with.

He's been shamelessly sticking to Naruto for two or three days now.

Unexpectedly, Minato was completely unmoved by either soft or hard approaches.

"You're not the Hokage of Konoha. Do you think I'd believe you if you said you could train me to become the future Hokage?" Naruto said impatiently. "Even if Izumi-sensei doesn't have time to teach me, I can still become stronger by following him in upholding justice!"

Say it.

Naruto quickened his pace, trying to shake off this annoying, lecherous old man.

Watching Naruto's retreating figure, Fukasaku, the sage on Jiraiya's shoulder, said, "This kid is more troublesome than we thought. He has been severely brainwashed by absolute justice."

On the other side, Master Shima said, "Jiraiya, stop using these roundabout methods. If you really want to raise the Child of Prophecy into a savior, you may need to use some drastic measures."

"For example..."

"Knock him out and take him to Mount Myōboku. Then we can use sealing techniques to seal his memories of believing in absolute justice, and then carefully teach and nurture him."

The immortal Fukasaku hesitated and said, "Isn't this a bit too intense?"

Master Shima said earnestly, "Honey, if we don't take this approach under these circumstances... it will be too late when the Child of Prophecy is truly brainwashed by absolute justice. Jiraiya, there's no need to hesitate any longer."

Jiraiya: "..."

Jiraiya was indeed hesitant because Shima's suggestion had always made him doubtful.

Such extreme measures, what if Naruto's memory seal is broken one day... wouldn't he hate himself to death?
It could even have negative effects.

If the Child of Prophecy were to turn to the dark side... Jiraiya would become a sinner to the entire ninja world.

"Lord Jiraiya, what's going on?" Suddenly, a voice from behind almost startled Jiraiya.

When I looked back...

Jiraiya immediately recognized the person who was speaking to him.

"Kakashi?"

Jiraiya remembered the names of almost all the outstanding ninjas in the village, not to mention Kakashi, who was among the best of the best.

Kakashi asked suspiciously, "You seemed to be following behind Naruto the whole time, right? That kid seemed quite impatient. Do you and Naruto have some kind of conflict?"

"Cough! No!"

Jiraiya coughed awkwardly and said, "I just wanted to take this kid as my apprentice, but Naruto seems a bit too stubborn and has been refusing to agree."

Kakashi was stunned.

The legendary Sannin actually want to take on a disciple, and they've set their sights on Naruto Uzumaki?
Is it...

Is it because of Minato-sensei? After all, Minato-sensei was Jiraiya-sama's disciple, and Naruto Uzumaki is Minato-sensei's child.

……

Meanwhile, in Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village).

"Lord Raikage, the mission to instigate internal conflict within Konoha has failed."

A Cloud Village Anbu ninja knelt on one knee and said to the Raikage, "Although our people successfully turned the Sarutobi clan ninjas against us, thanks to the Konoha Hokage's manipulation... the Konoha Hokage's faction did not have a fierce conflict with the faction represented by Izumi, but instead, the matter was minimized."

"The indecisiveness of the Hokage of Konoha was also beyond our expectations. We did not expect him to be so patient. The deaths of his two sons and daughter-in-law did not make him completely lose his mind, but only made him lose control of his emotions."

Hear this.

The Fourth Raikage, A, remained largely calm. He said in a deep voice, "Since the mission has failed, let's withdraw our people first. Anyway, this was just a test of Konoha, and also a test of the Third Hokage who once dominated the ninja world."

At this point, the Fourth Raikage's tone was tinged with emotion: "Actually, the mission wasn't a complete failure. At least it gave me a glimpse into what the Third Hokage of Konoha has become now."

"It seems he has finally grown old."

After a pause, the Fourth Raikage continued, "We can arrange for some of the village's ninjas to infiltrate the Land of Fire. Since the Third Hokage has become weak, there's no need for the Hidden Cloud Village to be polite."

The ANBU ninja felt a chill run down their spines, and could roughly guess that the Raikage was preparing to take over the resources of the Land of Fire.

Sending out ninjas from the village is definitely an attempt to plunder resources from the Land of Fire through force and robbery.

It just didn't lead to a war.

but……

If this behavior provokes Konoha, it could very well escalate into a war.

Of course, this is not something a lowly ANBU ninja should be thinking about.

"Yes, Raikage-sama!"

……

"Lord Hokage, are you really not going to step in and put an end to those strange rumors circulating in the village? Although the police force has been cracking down on 'rumors' lately, the police ninjas don't seem to care about the 'rumors' about Lord Hokage."

"Perhaps... perhaps it's because in their eyes, the rumors circulating in the village about the Hokage are actually very likely true."

"Therefore, the police force, which upholds the belief in absolute justice, did not suppress the rumors about the Hokage."

One of the few remaining ANBU ninjas who remained utterly loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi offered him advice and warnings.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "Some conspiracy theories have been deeply ingrained in the minds of many people... Even if I were to step in and stop the spread of these rumors, it would probably be to no avail."

"They may not discuss it face-to-face, or they may not discuss it privately, but they will think about it in their hearts, and I cannot suppress their thoughts."

"But……"

After a moment's hesitation, the ANBU ninja finally reminded him, "These rumors have caused a very bad influence, leading some people in the village to believe that you, Hokage-sama, are no longer suitable to be the Hokage of Konoha."

"There's even a popular argument among the public—the Third Hokage has been in that position for so many years. Logically, after the Fourth Hokage's death, the Fifth Hokage should have taken over. Why is the Third Hokage continuing to rule Konoha? When will Konoha's Fifth Hokage be chosen?"

The ANBU ninja took a deep breath and boldly said, "Hokage-sama, if this continues... perhaps some people in the village might actually start an election for the Fifth Hokage."

The phrase "certain people" seems to have a hidden meaning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time, then shook his head and said in a hoarse voice, "Being the Fifth Hokage is not an easy job. There is no one in the police force who is suitable."

He added, "Even Izumi is not suitable to serve as Hokage, let alone anyone else."

But at this moment...

Another ANBU ninja knocked and entered, reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Hokage, Lady Tsunade has had her disciple Shizune spread a message throughout the village. In less than two hours, the news has spread like wildfire across half the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed the complexity and shock in the ANBU ninja's tone.

This gave Hiruzen Sarutobi an even worse feeling.

"Tsunade..." Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Isn't she going to set up some new medical team? What news has she released?"

The ANBU ninja said in a complicated tone, "Lady Tsunade's disciple said that Lady Tsunade has decided to inherit the Fourth Hokage's will and wants to become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha. She even said that she wants to wipe out everything in the old Konoha and build a new Konoha."

click-

The ANBU ninja vaguely heard something being crushed.

He could sense that the Hokage's emotions had fluctuated intensely in that brief moment.

"Tsunade... wants to become the Fifth Hokage? And even openly announces this news to the entire Hidden Leaf Village... That's really like her style of doing things, carefree and not bound by any rules."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly took a deep breath.

In the past, if Tsunade had volunteered to take his place, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have been quite pleased. He would have been happy to train Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

after all.

The village eventually needs a young person to take charge, and I'm getting a bit too old.

The problem is... that was the Tsunade of the past. The current Tsunade is no longer someone I can trust.

Because Tsunade is now standing on the side of absolute justice!
If she becomes the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, what's the difference between her becoming the Fifth Hokage and Uchiha Izumi becoming the Fifth Hokage?
She's the kind of disciple who completely sides with outsiders!
"...Have many people in the village heard about the news Tsunade released?" Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples and asked.

“Yes.” The ANBU ninja nodded and said, “At least, all the ninja clans in the village know about it, and most of the Konoha ninjas have also heard about it. It’s probably just that ordinary civilians don’t know about it.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a strong sense of urgency.

The immense pressure made it hard for him to breathe.

……

Somewhere in Konoha.

"Lady Tsunade stated directly that she wanted to inherit the Fourth Hokage's will," Yamanaka Inoichi said slowly. "She didn't mention the Third Hokage, which means that in her eyes, the Third Hokage wasn't exactly a Hokage in the strict sense."

Nara Shikaku interjected, "To be precise, it's Tsunade-sama who's going to target the Third Hokage this time. She must have spoken with Izumi about it; she wants to dedicate herself to justice in this way."

Choza Akimichi exclaimed, "This is clearly a move to force the Third Hokage to step down! Lady Tsunade's approach is far too simplistic and brutal."

Nara Shikaku's lips curled into a smile: "Perhaps it's precisely this simple and brutal method that catches the Hokage off guard. Didn't Izumi also use this method to make the Hokage retreat step by step?"

"Sometimes, there's no need to use any tricks."

……

……

(End of this chapter)