A Cloud of Suspicion

Watching over the Uchiha clan was naturally not a task left to only two teams, Aizen's and Minato Namikaze's. They were merely responsible for the area around the Uchiha compound's gate.

At this time, the ANBU team arriving at the scene was the one specifically assigned to this area.

"What is this?"

The ANBU captain, wearing a fox mask, was immediately stunned when he saw the traces of ninjutsu and the dozens of charred corpses in the deep crater.

It was extremely rare for such large-scale ninjutsu and so many casualties to occur within Konoha! Fox ANBU suddenly felt that something significant was about to happen.

"Quick, confirm the identities of the deceased, and then quickly conduct an autopsy to find out the specific cause of death!" Fox ANBU hurriedly ordered.

"Yes, Captain!" The other three ANBU acknowledged.

After speaking, they jumped into the deep pit and began their investigation.

These ANBU were highly professional, and it didn't take long for them to return to Fox ANBU's side.

"Captain, we have basically confirmed the identities and cause of death of the deceased."

The ANBU looked at each other, and then, one of them, finally mustered the courage to step forward and report.

"What's the matter? Why are you hesitating? What did you find out? Hurry up!" Seeing his subordinates' hesitation, Fox ANBU became impatient.

"Captain, those who died are all young elites of the Uchiha clan. One of them, you may have heard of him, is Uchiha Kai!" The masked ANBU said cautiously.

"What? Say that again! Are you sure you're not mistaken!"

Upon hearing this news, Fox ANBU nearly jumped up and shouted in disbelief. These individuals were all young elites of the Uchiha clan! Each one possessed at least the strength of an elite Chunin!

Especially when paired with their Sharingan, each had a fighting power no less than that of a special Jonin! Particularly Uchiha Kai, who was the most renowned Jonin within the Uchiha clan, the most powerful Jonin!

How could they have been killed in Konoha Village without even a chance to escape?!

"It's absolutely true, Captain! Although their bodies have been disfigured, some of the items left on them can completely confirm their identities!" The masked ANBU assured him.

Hearing his subordinate's words, Fox ANBU was stunned. He knew that this matter was far more complicated than he had initially imagined.

"Then what about their cause of death? Have you ascertained it?" Suddenly, Fox ANBU snapped out of his daze and asked eagerly. The deaths of Uchiha Kai and the others were a major incident! He had to try to uncover the truth.

However, when the masked ANBU heard this question, his body trembled, and his entire being tensed up. It seemed as if he was afraid of something!

"What's going on? Tell me quickly!" Seeing his subordinate's reaction, Fox ANBU was growing increasingly frustrated. The masked ANBU glanced at his captain, swallowed hard, and then approached Fox ANBU with a panicked expression, lowering his voice to a whisper:

"These individuals were killed by a single strike. The fatal wounds were all on the neck, and they were all attacked by powerful Lightning Release ninjutsu. This kind of powerful Lightning Release is far beyond ordinary Lightning Release ninjutsu!"

When the masked ANBU finished speaking, Fox ANBU was also dumbfounded. Skills that are powerful enough to kill these Uchiha elites with one blow, and Lightning Release ninjutsu far exceeding the ordinary.

This, this. Even in the entire Konoha Village, not many people met these criteria!

For the ANBU, such characteristics instantly brought to mind two very familiar individuals. After a moment, Fox ANBU steadied his frantically beating heart and ordered with a look of horror, "Remember, none of you are to speak of this matter. Immediately report this to the deputy commander, hurry!"

However, the commotion caused by Aizen was so great that it had attracted more attention than just this ANBU team!

Could the Uchiha clan's loss of so many young elites be easily covered up?

Soon, this major case, enough to shock the entire Konoha, caused an uproar among the major forces within the village...

In the Uchiha clan's core territory.

When the charred corpses of Uchiha Kai and the others were brought back to the Uchiha compound, the family members of the deceased immediately went to the residence of Uchiha Fugaku, the current clan head.

"Clan Head! You must get justice for us! That bastard, Mitarashi Zashi, is so arrogant, he has blatantly killed our children! If we don't speak up, where will our Uchiha clan's honor be?"

The leader of the group was a man in his forties, tears streaming down his face. He was one of the elders of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Inabi. He was also the biological father of Uchiha Kai.

"Elder Inabi, you must remain calm about this matter. As for whether Zashi is responsible, further investigation is needed," Fugaku father frowned and consoled him.

Uchiha Tajima, in his fifties, was not only the only Kage-level powerhouse in the clan but also the chief elder of the Council of Elders. His strength and prestige within the Uchiha clan were undisputed. However, under the grief of losing a child, Uchiha Inabi was not easily placated.

"How could it not be him? In all of Konoha, who else possesses the swordsmanship to kill them with one blow? Who else can use that level of Lightning Release?

What's more, we have already inquired about the matter! Just today, Zashi sent people to incite trouble between them and the Hokage! As a result, those Hokage people finally reconciled with Kai and the others, and Kai told them all about Zashi's instigation! It must be that bastard Zashi, who was afraid that Kai would leak information about those Hokage ANBU and incriminate him, so he killed them to silence them!"

Uchiha Inabi burst into tears and cried out to Uchiha Tajima.

"Oh! If the situation is truly as you say, then Zashi is indeed highly suspicious!" Listening to Uchiha Inabi's words, even the cunning Uchiha Tajima found them plausible.

Just as the blame was being firmly placed on Zashi.

Zashi, who learned about this for the first time, was utterly dismayed. When the ANBU deputy captain, trembling, relayed the news to him,

He clearly saw a complex look in the eyes of the squad leader. That was his own direct subordinate! Now, even they were beginning to doubt him! Not to mention the other forces.