Chapter 80: 78: The Dark Hand In The Shadows
The Police Force added a vibrant touch to the rich color of Konoha.
Established during the era of the second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, its ranks are filled exclusively with Uchiha clan ninjas, entrusted with maintaining public order within the village.
This isn't merely a testament to the prowess of the Uchiha ninjas but also serves as a measure of prevention and surveillance.
Given that many Uchiha ninja who awaken the Sharingan tend to have unstable emotions, strict attention is devoted to their conduct.
Nevertheless, owing to the formidable might of the Police Force and the Uchiha's status as an elite kekkei genkai clan, even the Hokage often extends a certain degree of courtesy to them.
The Police Force Building serves as the hub of their operations, primarily populated by Uchiha clan members. On rare occasions, civilians or non-Uchiha ninja with criminal intentions may cross their path. In cases of severe misconduct, the perpetrators are sent to Konoha Prison for rehabilitation.
Regarding the workflow, there's typically no requirement to report to the Hokage unless significant issues arise, as the Hokage generally refrained from involvement in such matters.
However, grievances have been lodged, citing the overbearing demeanor of the Police Force and unjust detentions. Some of these claims are genuinely valid due to neglect, while others are fueled by malicious intent, aiming to defame the Uchiha clan.
Ruri encountered such mundane issues daily since joining the Police Force. After all, uncovering spies within the village or repelling attacks against Konoha were rare occurrences.
Most of their assignments revolved around resolving civil disputes. If handled successfully, it seldom garnered praise. On the other hand, if mishandled, a flood of complaints would ensue.
Furthermore, Uchiha ninjas tend to be straightforward in temperament. When provoked, they may resort to physical force, thereby attracting more accusations.
"It's so boring..."
Ruri stood on the third-floor corridor of the police building, gazing out through the windows at the bustling square below. There, two Uchiha Police Force members were forcibly escorting several individuals, sparking a heated argument.
"It's very boring, but this is what the police force has to go through every day. Especially after retiring from the front line, it is difficult to adapt to such a peaceful life." remarked an Uchiha Jonin, Fugaku, as he approached Ruri.
He understood that Ruri had recently moved from Sakumo's team to the Police Force and hadn't yet fully adapted to her new role.
Different from the exciting experiences with Team Sakumo, working in the Police Force indeed offered a less eventful routine.
Seeing the commotion outside the building, Fugaku refrained from making comments; they had grown accustomed to such occurrences.
"This thankless job should be shared with other ninja clans. Our clan alone can't shoulder the burden of these rumors," suggested Ruri.
Unlike Fugaku, Ruri didn't fear these pointless rumors. However, if exposed to them too frequently, she found them tedious, much like persistent flies.
In Konoha, few ninja or civilians viewed these matters rationally. Individuals like Sakumo were a rarity. It wasn't that the Uchiha lacked friends in Konoha, but true friends were scarce.
Some took a neutral stance, but the majority resented the Police Force's arrogant attitude.
This was a point of contention for Ruri. If the blame were shared among all ninja, it would help alleviate the pressure on the Uchiha. Additionally, involving other ninja clans would facilitate handling civil disputes.
For instance, the Inoshikacho clans or even Hyuga, another doujutsu kekkei genkai clan, given their unique jutsus and abilities they would to serve well in the Police Force.
"But this is the role exclusive to the Uchiha clan, and distributing the Police Force's authority among other clans could provoke internal discord" Fugaku replied.
As the founding clan of Konoha and the village's primary defense, the Uchiha clan was expected to retain a certain degree of privilege, transcending the status of other ninja clans.
"Allowing only one clan to wield such absolute authority won't diminish their standing within Konoha. People with discerning eyes won't underestimate us. As for the mediocre ones, Uchiha's strength isn't meant for their scrutiny," Ruri sees it that way.
Fugaku refrained from commenting further; he knew that Ruri's proposition wouldn't gain approval during clan meetings and would likely face opposition from many clan members.
"By the way, weren't you on an external mission?" Ruri inquired. She knew that Fugaku was currently part of the Hokage faction, forming a new team with other village ninjas for missions.
"I've earned a temporary place in the Police Force, but I return here after missions. It's much the same as before, not much has changed," Fugaku replied, sighing.
"I'm starting to miss being out on missions," Ruri admitted.
"Patience; every Uchiha ninja goes through this phase. That said, how much do you know about the Mangekyou Sharingan?" Fugaku redirected the conversation to another topic.
"You might be asking the wrong person. I may not be as knowledgeable about the Mangekyou Sharingan as you are," Ruri responded.
Ruri shook her head. Over the past few years, her encounters with Elder Sora could be counted on one hand. Partly due to missions, and partly because she felt he was growing old.
He was no longer the wise elder who held a wealth of knowledge in her eyes, able to provide invaluable guidance.
The incident concerning the Root had especially left a mark in her heart. She felt that unless she addressed this issue, her thoughts would not be understood.
"Elder Sora's tone was quite strict. The reason he might not have disclosed it could be due to the extremely difficult conditions for unlocking the Mangekyou Sharingan."
Fugaku nodded, offering his perspective.
Presently, the available information could only support such conjectures.
For example, was it even more intense emotional stimulation?
The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan is the power that evolved in this way.
If it weren't for Elder Sora's credibility, Fugaku might have regarded the Mangekyou Sharingan as mere legend.
Ruri wasn't particularly interested in the topic. She held the belief that if the Mangekyou Sharingan couldn't be awakened, she would study Sage Mode and utilize natural energy in combat.
One shouldn't be seduced by power. True strength came from making power a part of oneself, rather than becoming a puppet controlled by it.
The more one explored the boundless possibilities of natural energy, the more one realized how insignificant human power could be in the face of this vast, boundless world.
No matter how formidable a ninja became, they remained tethered to this world. They needed this world to thrive.
People should revere the world.
"Alright, the person you were looking for is here, so I won't interrupt your meeting. Let's chat when we get the chance," Fugaku said, spotting something and wisely leaving.
On the opposite end of the corridor stood Shiraishi. He had come to seek Ruri.
In the eyes of many Uchiha ninja, Shiraishi was considered an honorary member of the Uchiha clan.
A true genius.
Although it puzzled many why their genius Uchiha girl had fallen for such an ordinary man, they simply had unique tastes. As outsiders, their role was to offer their blessings.
After all, sooner or later, they'd tie the knot.
Therefore, Shiraishi could freely enter and exit the Police Force's premises, typically off-limits to outsiders. Occasionally, Uchiha ninjas would greet him, and Shiraishi would respond with a smile.
Some Uchiha's are very irritable, their attitudes really arrogant. Others were more easy to talk to, at the very least not constantly emphasizing "our Uchiha."
On the roof of the Police Building, a gentle breeze blew by. Ruri donned a sleek, black ninja outfit and leaned lightly against the railing on the roof's edge. She spoke first, "Are you here now because you're running low on funds?"
Shiraishi was momentarily helpless, realizing this was a recurring theme when he sought Ruri's assistance.
"Is money really the first thing that comes to mind?"
Ruri had grown accustomed to this pattern.
"Though our funds are a bit tight, we still have enough to spend. This time, I have something else to discuss," Shiraishi explained.
"Go on, what's the matter?"
If it wasn't a financial matter, it must be something important.
"Bug Man and the others have found some remnants of the Uzumaki clan in the Land of Tea" Shiraishi revealed.
Instantly, Ruri's relaxed posture vanished as she locked her gaze onto Shiraishi's face.
"The Uzumaki clan?" She needed to confirm the credibility of this information.
"Yes, it's indeed the Uzumaki clan," Shiraishi confirmed.
"Isn't it ironic? It's truly interesting," Ruri remarked, unable to suppress a laugh.
Shiraishi nodded, acknowledging that he had expected this reaction from Ruri.
To a large extent, the organization's establishment was thanks to Ruri's efforts. While Shiraishi held the title of manager, there was no denying Ruri's influence within the organization.
In a sense, Ruri was the true leader of the organization, but she typically had no interest in managing its affairs.
The irony lay in the fact that the Uzumaki Clan, closely related to the Senju Clan, was now in such dire need that a member of the Uchiha Clan, which had a historically hostile relationship with the Senju Clan, was being called upon to help them.
After all, the Uchiha clan has been in a hostile relationship with the Senju clan for many years, and the relationship with the Uzumaki clan was naturally very bad.
It was indeed paradoxical. The ancestors of the Uzumaki Clan, once friends with the Senju Clan, would likely have complex reactions if they knew about this.
Ruri's thoughts briefly drifted to how the First Hokage would react upon learning of this situation.
Most of Konoha's sealing techniques, including Tailed Beast sealing jutsu, originated from the Uzumaki Clan.
However, despite the Uzumaki Clan's close relationship with the Fire Country, their country had been destroyed right under its nose.
Presently, the Uzumaki Land was a destroyed ruin, with a significant loss of life.
"When I was in the academy, I remember there was a red-haired transfer student in the adjacent class. Her name was Kushina Uzumaki."
After her laughter subsided, Ruri's expression returned to normal, and her words came back to her.
"That's right. Uzumaki clan members have remarkable vitality, making them ideal Jinchuriki candidates. They also possess a powerful sealing technique for tailed beasts, which they generously shared with Konoha. Their strong vitality makes them suitable Jinchuriki, and their sealing technique ensures the tailed beast can't escape."
"I see. So, after their country was destroyed, She was brought to Konoha... Is this related to being the Jinchuriki for the Nine Tails?"
Regarding the identity of Konoha's Nine Tails Jinchuriki, it was a closely guarded secret known only to the village's top brass. Even though many had already guessed the identity, Uzumaki Kushina was the most likely and suitable candidate after the passing of Uzumaki Mito—the wife of the first Hokage.
"Indeed, she is most likely the current Nine Tails Jinchuriki. According to information from surviving Uzumaki clan members, Konoha did take one of their clan's members during that time."
Shiraishi nodded in response to Ruri's question, recalling Uzumaki Kushina primarily for her striking red hair.
Nevertheless, with the information he had acquired, he could easily piece together the puzzle. Uzumaki Kushina held a significant position within Konoha's higher ups.
Otherwise it couldn't be explained, the Land of Whirlpools perished, and Konoha only brought back a little girl. Except for becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, there really wasn't any other purpose for bringing her to the village.
"Are you getting ideas about the Nine Tails?"
Ruri's focus on the Uzumaki Clan, especially considering her past interactions with tailed beasts, led her to this conclusion. Shiraishi had acquired tailed beast chakra on the battlefield and extracted valuable information from it, so his interest in other tailed beasts was not surprising.
"Though I'd love to, I'm not foolish enough to attempt such a feat"
Shiraishi replied. While he wasn't afraid of Konoha at the moment, this confidence relied on the presumption that he could safeguard his life. Challenging a large ninja village like Konoha would result in defeat.
Konoha had certain taboos, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was one of them.
"I came to you not only to tell you this information but also to discuss something more important. You need to be mentally prepared."
"What is it?" Ruri furrowed her brow.
"The village's higher ups are researching Wood Release Jutsus, and they might have made significant progress," Shiraishi revealed.
---
In the Land of Tea, within an underground hideout, Bug Man shared a room with one of the Uzumaki clan survivors for a discussion. Among the eight individuals he had rescued, this was the eldest and served as their spokesperson.
Having changed into clean attire, he had also washed away the plaster and the following odor, appearing much more rejuvenated. His gratitude towards Bug Man, their savior, was undeniable.
Over the years, he had led his family through a turbulent life in the ninja world with meager resources. Since the fall of the Land of Whirlpools, their existence had been anything but peaceful.
Ironically, life had seemed comparatively stable after they were captured by those wandering ninja. Even with their daily consumption of moldy food, it was still a form of comfort.
Recalling the Uzumaki clan's former glory and comparing it to their current situation, their eyes couldn't help but brim with sorrow.
"Regarding your arrangements, our leader has provided detailed instructions. We will assist you in integrating into the Land Of Demons, but for now, you'll need to remain discreet, out of the public eye. When the time is right, we'll arrange for you to live openly."
Considering the potential trouble caused by the Uzumaki clan's identity, the organization had no intention of drawing attention. Whether it was intelligence gathering or the establishment of strongholds, they operated covertly.
"That's not an issue. We're ready to remain anonymous," the elderly Uzumaki Clan member agreed, finding the leader's proposal in line with their current circumstances.
In the past, during the Uzumaki Clan's existence, they hadn't felt this way. However, given their experiences and the hardships they had endured over the years, ensuring the continuation of the Uzumaki clan's bloodline was their primary concern now.
"But rest assured, this period of anonymity won't be lengthy. Your presence will also relieve some of the pressure on the Uzumaki Clan. Our organization values exceptional talent."
"May I ask, what does this organization aim to achieve?" The elderly Uzumaki clan member couldn't help but ask. Now that they had decided to accept the protection of this enigmatic organization, he wanted to grasp some understanding of its objectives.
The Bug Man wore a helpless smile as he replied, "To be honest, I hold a middle man position within the organization, so my knowledge of its goals is quite limited. What I can tell you is that our leader is embarking on a monumental action. For the specifics, you'd need to ask our leader. I'm curious about the answer as well."
The reverence in his tone was unmistakable as he spoke. The elderly Uzumaki chose to remain silent and didn't press for further details.
Seeing that his purpose was fulfilled, the Bug Man had no intention of staying any longer.
"You should rest here for a while. In a few days, we'll arrange for someone to transport you to the Land of Demons. It's a peaceful place. Hopefully, the peace there can dispel the shadows in your hearts."
After uttering this, the Bug Man exited the room.
Outside, the four team members had been patiently awaiting his emergence.
"How did it go?" one of them inquired.
"They've already entered, and it's not easy to leave. It's no simple task to repay the organization's favor, especially when..."
The leader remained an obsessive researcher. There was no way he would relinquish such an opportunity.
His meaning was apparent to his comrades, who smiled knowingly.
"Nevertheless, these people likely have some secrets," the Bug Man mused, deep in thought.
"Secrets?" inquired another team member.
"These surviving members of the Uzumaki clan, scattered throughout the ninja world, might still possess a means of communication. Through them, we might locate more Uzumaki survivors and bring them into the organization."
"Are you suggesting we cast a wide net to catch big fish?"
"That's precisely what the leader intends. In short, we're to first gain their trust. Once they witness our sincerity, even if we don't bring the subject, they'll come to us, requesting information about the other Uzumaki survivors, allowing us to rescue their kin from their suffering."
When dealing with ordinary individuals, the Bug Man wouldn't be overly concerned. However, the remnants of the Uzumaki clan were an exceptional case.
Consequently, the trust between both parties was of utmost importance. Directly inquiring about the whereabouts of the remaining Uzumaki members could easily provoke resentment and erode the meager trust painstakingly built.
---
In a dark, damp cave, an astonishingly vast chamber spread out before the eye.
This space was entirely sealed, devoid of any discernible exits.
Seated in a wooden chair crafted from trees was a frail elderly man. His face was deeply lined, his hair gray, and even while seated, he appeared hunched.
Long, white hair covered his right eye, leaving only his closed left eye visible as he sat peacefully.
Behind him stretched a white, strip-like object. On the far end of this ribbon, it extended into an endless darkness, with huge trees and fruit shadows can be vaguely seen.
Before long, the ground in front of the old man slightly trembled, and two pale-skinned humanoid beings emerged from it.
The old man kept his eyes closed but seemed aware of their presence, asking, "Have there been any new developments?"
The old man's voice sounded ancient, yet it held a compelling presence, dominating the surrounding darkness.
"No, the White Zetsu responsible for monitoring Nagato suddenly disappeared for some reason. The other White Zetsu searched extensively but couldn't locate that zetsu," one of the white humanoid figures reported to the old man.
"Madara-sama, is it possible that Nagato detected the White Zetsu and eliminated it?" speculated the other white zetsu.
Madara responded sternly, "Fool. Based on our past intelligence analysis, Nagato's Rinnegan is still far from mature. Given Nagato's current power, he lacks the capability to sense White Zetsu."
"However, apart from Nagato, none of his other associates could. Detecting White Zetsu's presence is nearly impossible" the white zetsu said, puzzled.
Even a sensory ninja might struggle to detect White Zetsu unless using specialized sensory ninjutsu or possessing an exceptionally powerful doujutsu, such as the Byakugan. For them, White Zetsu was considerably more elusive than typical sensory ninja targets.
"Continue to monitor Nagato and have Guruguru join the operation. Furthermore, dispatch some White Zetsus to Konoha" Madara ordered.
"Konoha? Does Madara-sama suspect Konoha and those individuals?" one of the white creatures asked.
"It's not solely because of White Zetsu's disappearance. I don't have much time left. Nagato alone cannot further the 'Eye of the Moon' plan. I need an emissary who can act in my stead... Go," Madara declared.
Though his tone was dismissive, it carried an undeniable air of authority.
"Yes, Madara-sama" both white zetsu acknowledged.
Once they left, the elderly man opened his left eye, revealing a scarlet three tomoe Sharingan, which shone brightly in the dim surroundings.
"Hashirama... the future you envisioned has no place for peace... This time..., I've won this time"
In the darkness, the Madara sighed with regret.
Nonetheless, his words held no audience, for the man he had cherished throughout his life, both as an enemy and a dear friend, no longer existed in this world.
He gently raised his hand, lightly touching his chest, where the wound inflicted by that man still ached. The pain felt as though it had occurred just yesterday, tinged with a trace of nostalgia on his weathered face.
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