Chapter 197. Konoha is Too Dark!

Chapter 197. Konoha is Too Dark!

---

Yuto nodded knowingly. It seemed he was right. He reached out to gently pat her head—especially under his Sharingan, there was no mistaking that immense chakra and life force.

He had absorbed so much of Kana's… chakra!

He knew this feeling too well!

"Don't be afraid," Yuto said gently. "I know other members of the Uzumaki clan. What's your name?"

"There are other Uzumaki?" The little girl's eyes widened, a flicker of excitement flashing across her face as she looked at the suddenly gentle, black-haired big brother before her.

But before long, she lowered her head again.

"I… I'm a ninja of Kusagakure."

At those words—

"That's right! She's a Kusagakure ninja! Damn brat!" The Kusa ninja, who had been kicked away earlier, stormed over furiously. "Get lost, bastard! How dare you make a move inside Konoha?!"

"…"

Yuto frowned. He glanced at the Kusa ninja but paid him no mind. Instead, he turned back to the little girl.

"It's okay. From today onwards, you're not anymore!"

At those words—

The little girl froze, unable to comprehend what had just happened. But as a member of the Uzumaki clan, she could feel the sincerity in this big brother's heart.

Something she hadn't felt since her mother died.

After her mother took her and fled, all she ever felt was malice.

All she could do was keep running and running until she ended up in Kusagakure.

Then, Kusagakure saw her mother's value—her sealing techniques—so they took them in. They forced her mother to seal the Box of Ultimate Bliss. And worse, they made her feed it with her chakra.

But soon after—

Her mother died.

And she inherited her mother's duty—feeding the Box with her chakra. As for why they let her out this time…

Apparently, they needed her sensory abilities.

"What's your name?"

"…I… Hono…ka…"

The little girl's eyes turned red as she lowered her head, whispering softly—

"Uzumaki Honoka."

At those words—

"Damn it! You stinky brat! What nonsense are you spouting?!" The Kusa ninja named Yamazo turned pale. "Do you want to die?!"

Then, as if realizing something, he charged straight at Yuto. "And you, bastard! Do you even know what you're messing with?! This is a Kusagakure affair! Even if I kill you right now, Konoha wouldn't dare say a word!"

A kunai gleamed in his hand, aiming straight for Yuto's head.

But Yuto quickly stepped forward, pulling Honoka behind him.

At that moment—

He remembered who this girl was.

Honoka…

The Ghost of Summoning Island.

Later, when Naruto—under Yamato's guidance—ventured to a place filled with mutated summoning beasts, he met a mute girl.

A girl who used her own life to seal a summoning beast.

But how did she end up in Kusagakure?!

The Kusa ninja lunged, and Yuto was about to kick him away. At the same time, Suzune rushed over, her eyes serious, stepping into a Hyuga fighting stance.

But then—

"Swoosh!"

Several shadows flashed in.

And then—

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, Yamazo was instantly pinned to the ground by three figures, unable to move.

On their backs—

A clear Uchiha fan symbol.

Konoha Police Force!

The Uchiha Clan!

"Yuto-sama, are you alright?" One of the Uchiha ninja bowed respectfully. "We spotted this man attempting to ambush Yuto-sama during our patrol. We suspect he was after Yuto-sama's wealth, so we acted immediately to stop him!"

"…"

I underestimated them! I underestimated them!

They had been watching this whole time—waiting for this guy to make a move just so they could step in at the perfect moment.

Yuto had underestimated the Konoha Police Force!

These guys might be cold-faced and arrogant, but their ability to frame someone…

Impressive.

Yuto immediately put on a serious expression and nodded. "No wonder I kept feeling like someone was following me. Turns out it was this greedy man. Thank you all for stopping him in time!"

"?!"

The pinned Kusa ninja finally understood.

Yuto-sama?

Greedy for money?

The collusion between officials and businessmen…

So this is the so-called Greatest Ninja Village in the Ninja World—Konoha?!

This bastard was obviously trying to steal one of their village's ninjas!

Yamazo's hands trembled with rage. He wanted to scream to the heavens, to curse this injustice!

But before he could—

"I suspect he's not just after money!" Yuto's expression turned grave. He stepped forward, eyes locked onto Yamazo. "This forehead protector… I suspect this is part of an organized and premeditated crime. He must have accomplices. They're hiding in the shadows—plotting to execute a terrorist attack on Konoha!"

His voice was righteous.

His words—utterly convincing!

Only…

The three Uchiha ninja—and everyone else—twitched.

A mere Kusagakure ninja? A terrorist attack on Konoha?

Wouldn't that just get their village wiped off the map?!

The captain of the Uchiha Police Team quickly lowered his voice. "Yuto-sama, no one is going to believe that!"

"Really?" Yuto sighed in regret.

"Yes!" The captain nodded seriously.

"But if it's just attempted theft, especially by a ninja from another village, I guess he won't be locked up for many days!"

"There's no problem. Once he's in our custody, how long he stays is up to us. I'll have the brothers give him a proper welcome—eighteen types of torture, one round each. He'll be begging for death!"

"Isn't abusing punishment bad? I'm not that kind of person!"

"…"

Then what do you want to do?

The captain twitched his mouth, glancing at Yuto, who wore an innocent "I'm not that kind of person" expression.

No wonder Yuto-sama got rich!

This level of shamelessness… even most Uchiha don't have it!

"Then… maybe we just don't need to?"

It made sense.

The Uchiha's reputation had only recently improved. Avoiding unnecessary abuse was better.

Just as the captain finished speaking—

Yuto shook his head and looked seriously at the restrained, gagged ninja, Yamazo. Frowning, he said, "Yesterday, my office safe was mysteriously pried open, and 100 million in cash vanished without a trace. Now, seeing this thief, I suspect he stole it! The only problem is, I don't know where he's hidden the money. I must trouble the Konoha Police Force to interrogate him thoroughly and find out where that massive sum has gone! That money is… the wages of all our hard-working laborers!"

His eyes showed sorrow.

"It's the workers' blood and sweat!"

"…"

"This wouldn't count as abuse of punishment, right?"

"…No."

"Good! Otherwise, I, a humble and ordinary businessman, would feel guilty!"

"…"

The Uchiha captain gave Yuto a strange look but nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he turned to Yamazo and angrily declared, "Stealing workers' wages? Are you looking down on the Konoha Police Force? Unforgivable! Today, we must seek justice for all the workers of Konoha!"

With that—

"Mmmph!"

Yamazo's eyes widened as he glared at these shameless people.

Nonsense!

Corrupt officials colluding with businessmen!

Does justice even exist in Konoha?!

It's dark!

Too damn dark!

However—

"Take him away!"

With righteous determination, the Konoha Police Force dragged him off.

Those who had been unhappy with him for a long time immediately applauded and cheered, not paying any further attention.

After all, this was a ninja matter…

And bullying such an adorable little girl?

If he wasn't a ninja, I would've killed him myself!

Yuto gently patted the dazed, wide-eyed little girl, Uzumaki Honoka, who was still processing everything, and smiled. "It's okay now! No need to be afraid!"

Honoka looked up at him, still confused about why he was helping her.

Just then—

"Boss, wrap up that fat Nine-Tails plush! How much?"

"Okay! No need to pay! Consider it a gift for this adorable little girl!"

"Thanks!"

Yuto smiled and took the plushie. But in his heart, he made a note—next time this shopkeeper restocks, he'll arrange for them to get a discount.

He handed the plushie to Honoka with a smile. "It's for you!"

"For me?"

Honoka looked up at the strange big brother in front of her, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in her heart.

Comfortable.

Like… a mother's embrace.

Hesitating, she accepted the plushie and squeezed it. The Nine-Tails plush let out a funny sound.

[Ying~ Ying~ Ying~]

Honoka instantly laughed—bright and cheerful, her eyes curving into crescents. "Thank you, big brother!"

Beside them, Suzune also smiled at Yuto. "Yuto is still as kind as ever!"

She thought of that day again.

She had been sitting alone beside the bushes when a boy came over…

"No need to thank me!" Yuto ruffled Honoka's hair again. Seeing her tightly hugging the plushie, he smiled. "Let's go! I'll take you home!"

Just as he spoke—

A green blur shot toward them.

Not the God of Deliveries, Might Duy, but the second in Delivery ranks and one of Yuto's best employees—Might Guy!

"Boss Yuto!" Might Guy glanced curiously at the red-haired girl before turning to Yuto. "Someone from the Land of Rain is looking for you. The leader's name is Uzumaki Kana. They're waiting at the gate!"

Hearing this, Yuto's face lit up with joy. He pulled Honoka, who was still holding the Nine-Tails plush, and said, "Let's go! Kana will be so happy to see you!"

He walked forward with Honoka, who had yet to process what was happening.

Left behind, Suzune stood there.

Kana?

That sounds like a woman's name…?

And Yuto said it so naturally?

Suzune's smiling eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Yuto's back. Ominous black lines seemed to appear around her.

"Achoo!"

"Boss Yuto, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just felt a bit chilly all of a sudden. It's the end of winter, and I still feel cold from time to time!"

===

Read upto [Chapter 240] in advance! - patreon.com/kurato6180