Chapter 121 I Suspect Root Has Weapons of Mass Destruction (Combined Chapter)

Konoha, Police Department.

A group led by Fugaku was having a heated discussion about their recent training insights. The desk nearby was piled high with various texts, with no trace of any crime files in sight.

"In my opinion, there's no need to train in Fire Release. Even if you master it, it's hard to kill an enemy directly. Lightning Release is faster and more effective..." Fugaku said arrogantly, crossing his arms.

"Don't talk nonsense! Fire Release is the legacy of the Uchiha clan. How can we disregard it? Innovation shouldn't come at the expense of our ancestors' foundation!" Elder Uchiha Jin coldly refuted with a stern glare.

"From a practical standpoint, Uchiha's Fire Release does need an upgrade. The clan's texts only document B-level Fire Release jutsus, which are hardly sufficient for high-level battles," said Tekkai, the voice of reason, logically analyzing the current shortcomings of Uchiha's Fire Release.

Their discussion about training gave this normally solemn place a scholarly atmosphere, creating an odd sense of dissonance.

If it weren't for the Uchiha clan emblem hanging high and the bold "Konoha Police Department" written on the building, it would almost resemble an office for ninja school teachers...

"Busy, everyone?"

Hanma walked in slowly, hands behind his back and wearing slippers, interrupting the group's discussion.

"Good day, Clan Leader!" x50

At the sound of Hanma's voice, every Uchiha present halted their debate, stood straight, and saluted him reverently in unison.

Hanma nodded and cleared his throat before speaking slowly:

"I just came to check on you all and share a few thoughts..."

"Your dedication to training is commendable, but it shouldn't be superficial. Training must be combined with practical combat. Mere theory will trap you in a blind spot."

"I know opportunities for real combat here in the Police Department are scarce, so many of you end up delving into jutsu texts instead."

"I have a suggestion. We can reduce the personnel stationed within the Police Department. Aside from ensuring the security of the Uchiha residential area and commercial street, and patrolling the village's defensive barriers, we won't be responsible for other matters. This way, the free members can go to the training grounds to train freely."

"Let's completely relinquish village security to civilians so they can create their own order. The Police Department can make small adjustments later. Avoid getting bogged down with trivial matters that waste our time."

The Police Department is unique in the ninja world; no other hidden villages large or small have a counterpart. 

Function-wise, it's redundant with the ANBU, making a separate department unnecessary. Officially responsible for security and counter-espionage, the Police Department often ended up managing minor tasks, which are beneath the caliber of Uchiha's elite.

Ninjas have their own order, and strict ninja ranks and clan status prevent most conflicts without the need for special oversight. And civilians certainly don't need Uchiha's power for governance. Being able to safely do business is a huge blessing.

Therefore, it's better to foster some civilian forces for self-management. The Police Department can then liaise with their leaders.

Originally given to the Uchiha by Tobirama Senju as a slow-acting poison, under Hanma's leadership, the Police Department was poised to play the role of Konoha's bully.

With financial independence, abundant martial prowess, and a structure bestowed by the Second Hokage, it essentially became more authoritative than Root.

Fugaku took out a notebook and meticulously noted down the requirements. With a goal of becoming the Uchiha clan leader, he obsessively followed Hanma's every word.

He then straightened up, touched the badge symbolizing his position as Deputy Head of the Police Department, and solemnly said, "We will follow your requirements. The changes will be in place within two days!"

Hanma nodded in satisfaction, glanced at everyone, and said slowly:

"Today, we have an urgent mission. We've received reports from the public that there are spies in Root suspected of possessing weapons of mass destruction. We need to handle this."

The Uchiha of the Police Department grew serious, sensing a crisis. This was likely a major event.

"Even our strong Clan Leader is using terms like weapons of mass destruction? This looks like it's going to be a tough fight. I wonder which hidden village sent the tough guys..."

But the next moment, a fragrant aroma filled the room, making many look perplexed, especially the middle-aged with wives. 

"This smell... Isn't it the most popular Green Leaf brand laundry powder in the Land of Fire? I heard there was a buy-one-get-one-free promotion in the commercial street recently. My wife bought so much we can't store it at home..."

Hanma smiled, shaking the laundry powder in his hand, and said softly:

"This powder, just a small scoop can remove all stains from clothes, making it extremely dangerous. It must be sealed. For the assistant of the Hokage's safety, we need to eliminate the spies in Root and thoroughly check for potential dangers..."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Fugaku blinked, a momentary confusion giving way to a fierce smile. 

The rest of the Police Department members also shared the sentiment, their Sharingan turning crimson as they responded in unison:

"Understood!"

"Good… Go to the Police Department's jail and take two death-row inmates, kill them and obscure their faces. We'll hand them over as spies. This way, the Third Hokage won't complain, and it'll save him some face."

The incident with Byakuhou trying to infiltrate the Uchiha had infuriated Hanma. And at that time, because Hanma was absent, it was temporarily set aside, reluctantly accepting the Third Hokage's appeasement.

But now, the backbone of the Uchiha had returned, and it was time to reclaim their due.

Leading the charge, Hanma walked slowly towards Root, flanked by rows of Police Department members armed with swords, exuding a murderous aura.

Onlookers were curious. The Uchiha, who had been idle for a long time, hadn't handled a village conflict in ages.

The sight of the Police Department patrolling, once common, had now become a rare spectacle.

Many villagers were chattering, and some even followed from a distance, seemingly curious to see the excitement.

The observing ANBU were frightened. Those in the know had a good idea of what was happening.

"This is bad… This could escalate to something huge!"

"I'll notify the Hokage. You contact Shouma-san. This is beyond our ability to handle!"

Two ANBU split up, rushing in different directions.

…

Hanma stood before Root's iron gate, knocking ceremoniously and speaking quietly:

"Open up. The Police Department received reports of hidden spies here..."

The next second, Hanma kicked the door open, sending the thick iron plate flying like a cannonball, stirring up dust.

"Resisting inspection, so I had to force entry. Police Department, search the place!"

The Uchihas grinned menacingly as they rushed into Root. In the dim basement, the crimson light of their Sharingan made them look like a pack of ravenous wolves.

"Stop! This is Root, the unit under the Hokage's assistant. Does the Uchiha clan intend to rebel?" barked a team of Root members with stiff expressions.

"Too much talk..."

Fugaku snorted coldly, his Sharingan spinning rapidly, immobilizing them before kicking one away.

Tekkai chuckled softly, internally thinking:

"What an impatient guy, using Golden Bind right away…"

He raised his sword, viciously severing a Root member's left arm, blood splattering the ground as he shouted:

"Stop resisting! Cooperation will lead to leniency. This is all for the sake of Konoha's security!"

Suddenly, multiple wind bullets whizzed through the air, emitting sharp screeches, targeting Fugaku and Tekkai.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Hanma instantly stepped in front of Fugaku and Tekkai, emanating murky black streams, with an evil, obscure aura. They transformed into tigers, swallowing the wind bullets whole.

"Great Joy Gurge: Devour..."

By merging with the Great Joy Box, Hanma inherited its chakra-consuming trait. Such basic elemental techniques were mere snacks for him.

Danzo's face changed. Hanma's speed, comparable to a Wind Release jutsu, and his chakra-devouring technique were unlike anything he'd seen in his decades in the ninja world.

"Damn, has he gotten stronger again…"

Fugaku and Tekkai, meanwhile, broke into a cold sweat, realizing they had been oblivious to the perilous situation amid their violent enthusiasm.

"If Big Brother Hanma hadn't blocked that just now, we could've been in serious danger. Damn you, Danzo..."

Despite Danzo's deplorable character, his Wind Release mastery remained unrivaled in the ninja world.

In the original timeline, he could still disperse Sasuke's Second Stage Susano'o using summoning and Wind Release, demonstrating his power.

At just over twenty, Fugaku and Tekkai, facing Danzo in his prime, were slightly outclassed.

Hanma casually pressed Danzo down with one hand, using a polite tone:

"The rogue ninja Byakuhou who attacked the Uchiha clan territory recently seems to be harbored by Root. According to village regulations, he should be handed over to the Police Department."

Danzo stiffened, discreetly scanning the Root members around, internally cursing:

"These good-for-nothing failures!"

Since parting ways with Orochimaru, his dealings in Hashirama Cells had stirred quite the uproar in the village, forcing him to halt his Wood Release research.

Coincidentally, he met Byakuhou, newly promoted to Jonin, and they formed an alliance due to his decent research skills.

Unfortunately, Byakuhou lacked Orochimaru's power and solid background. Disrespecting him, Danzo treated him like a dog towards the end.

This led Byakuhou to rebel, skimming off funds from Danzo's research project, and intended to visit additional ninja clans for rare goods before losing a hand to Minato and being rescued by Root.

Even more absurdly, Danzo's containment of Byakuhou was bypassed, allowing his escape, leaving Danzo bearing the brunt of the blame.

Hanma looked at the silent Danzo, his face growing stern, and demanded:

"Danzo, you directed rogue ninja attacks on Uchiha clan territory. Do you expect to remain unaccountable? Hand over Byakuhou, and you might retain some dignity today!"

Danzo gritted his teeth, coldly retorting:

"Byakuhou has been classified as a rogue ninja by the village, having zero ties to Root. Stop causing trouble here!"

"Attacking Root and the Hokage's assistant, is Uchiha clan planning a rebellion?"

Despite his harsh words, Danzo's heart remained tense, remembering his past beating from Hanma vividly. If he could surrender Byakuhou, he would have long done so.

However, with Byakuhou's whereabouts unknown, Danzo had no choice but to brazenly assert himself, leveraging his village status to outweigh Hanma.

Hanma chuckled softly, pulling out a bag of white crystalline powder and instantly appearing before Danzo.

Prepared, Danzo had a single-handed seal, Wind Release chakra swirling around him, stimulating his cells to boost his speed for escape.

No matter how hard he tried, he could only watch as Hanma's hand approached, grabbing his head...

Danzo cursed internally, then reflexively closed his eyes, awaiting impact.

"Boom..."

Hanma once again pressed Danzo into the ground, then kicked his chest, before tearing open the plastic bag containing powder and sprinkling it on Danzo's face.

"The Third Hokage deemed Byakuhou a rogue ninja, we're satisfied with this fair handling, making no further appeals."

"But today, we are here to address external spies hiding in Root, suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction. For Konoha's safety, we ask the assistant Hokage to accommodate."

Sniffing the fragrant powder, Danzo, struggling, attempted to speak, but the tremendous pressure on his chest compressed his throat, rendering him unable to form coherent words, only producing hoarse, muffled sounds.

"Uchiha Hanma, damn you, this is laundry powder!"

Danzo's heart brimmed with rage. This unjust feeling had long eluded him, accentuating his humiliation.

Hanma's clear message was simple: "I'll beat you, and there's nothing you can do."

Looking down at Danzo, Hanma directed:

"Any further resistance from Root members will be treated as spies from other villages and executed on the spot."

"Police Department members, search Root immediately. Find any hiding criminals. Confiscate any suspicious items for evidence, temporarily stored at the Police Department!"

Fugaku's eyes gleamed, instantly grasping the implication: it was outright robbery.

"Yes!"

The resounding agreement echoed as the Police Department members swarmed into Root, akin to locusts entering a field, spreading across the interior, accompanied by sounds of commotion and even smashing.

Root members glared at Hanma but stood motionless like puppets, awaiting orders.

Hanma sighed at Danzo's feet, saying slowly:

"This scene resembles you leading Root members to demand geniuses from various clans, doesn't it? Helpless, sorrowful, and terrified..."

"From your talk of the Will of Fire, I see you only truly revere brute force. Thus, you should understand that only the strong have the right to speak. Today, being beaten should leave you convinced, right?"

Danzo gasped, struggling to respond, but Hanma's foot kept him pinned, interrupting any attempt.

"Indeed, someone like you wouldn't admit it. After all, some sacrifices are necessary, and everything is for Konoha. Today, I return that phrase to you…"

Had Danzo not repeated his blunder, Hanma wouldn't have been troubled to handle him again so soon.

Playing cat-and-mouse with Danzo granted no real benefits and required after-the-fact negotiations with the Third and Mito, a bothersome process.

Danzo, within Konoha, was like a piece of trash—interacting with him would only bring unwanted trouble.

Meanwhile, more villagers gathered around Root's perimeter, curious about the anomaly.

"What's going on? I've never seen this strange building in all my years in Konoha. Is it an enemy fortress?"

A pancake vendor peered at Root's eerie exterior, puzzled.

"Could be. The Police Department has been friendly for a year, coexisting peacefully. Their decisive action must signify something important!"

"Ah, having a Police Department is reassuring. Their presence ensures Konoha's security gets better and better," an elderly shopkeeper praised loudly while munching on sunflower seeds.

At that moment, the Third Hokage arrived with Sakumo and the ANBU, visibly enraged.

"Damn that Danzo, always causing trouble… Can't he focus on obediently becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki instead of creating more problems!"