Chapter 130: The Price of Distortion (2/5)

"Filthy traitor!"

When Uchiha Shisui returned to the Uchiha clan's residential area after a long day's work, this was the greeting he received: endless contempt and more than one curse hurled his way.

Shisui managed to remain calm. He could even turn the other cheek, but only he truly knew the psychological impact of falling from the clan's most brilliant prodigy to a reviled pariah.

The new Security Force, "Meibu," had already begun its operations. Although the Uchiha Police Force still existed, everyone knew that Meibu was Konoha's official organization. The Uchiha Police Force could only play a subordinate role, and as time went on, its authority would undoubtedly be gradually reduced until it was eventually disbanded.

Uchiha Seishin, a step behind Shisui, looked at his back and felt as if the entire fate of the Uchiha clan now rested on Shisui's shoulders.

He quietly took a few steps forward and whispered in Shisui's ear, "Shisui, let them say what they will. We are doing what is right. The hope of the Uchiha rests with you."

"Hope…"

To be honest, Shisui hadn't thought that far ahead. He simply felt that for the continuation of the clan and the stability of Konoha, he had to shoulder the necessary responsibility.

"We can only continue to work hard."

But the Uchiha clan members clearly blamed Shisui for the serious injuries suffered by those dozen or so ninja two days prior. As a result, their situation within the clan had become increasingly precarious.

Those injured ninja were still lying in Konoha Hospital.

If the Uchiha truly had any backbone, they should have had those ninja leave Konoha Hospital immediately. Hmph, the Uchiha have no need for Konoha's medical resources… However, that didn't happen. The injured remained hospitalized.

When Uchiha Shisui returned home, another Uchiha ninja immediately greeted him with a smile. "Shisui, good news."

"What is it?" Shisui asked.

"Today, more of our clansmen expressed their support for us," the ninja said.

Shisui and Seishin exchanged a glance, then smiled in unison… Hope, it seemed they were actually seeing a glimmer of hope.

"Have their names been recorded?"

"Yes."

Because of the current "politically correct" atmosphere within the Uchiha clan, many people didn't dare to openly join the new Security Force or publicly support Shisui's actions. But they felt that actively integrating into Konoha was the right thing to do… Not everyone believed that the Uchiha's glory was something to be held above all else. The Uchiha who integrated into Konoha hadn't lost their glory.

It could be said that a considerable number of Uchiha were willing to integrate into Konoha. After all, some Uchiha clansmen weren't even ninja; the Uchiha also had "civilian" members. However, Konoha wouldn't accept a dominant Uchiha clan; Konoha would only accept a Uchiha clan willing to submit.

What Uchiha Shisui was doing now was trying to build that bridge. And after he took the first step, some clansmen were already willing to follow in his footsteps. This was, of course, a good thing, and therefore cause for celebration.

Integrating into Konoha, being re-accepted by the village, was the only way out for the Uchiha clan in this era.

At this moment, Uchiha Shisui truly felt that the slander and curses were insignificant. He believed that as long as he and his comrades continued to work diligently, and the clansmen were willing to submit to Konoha's highest will, and the Third Hokage was willing to accept the Uchiha clan, then, combining these three factors, things would surely have a positive outcome.

...

As night fell, while Uchiha Shisui was resting, some Uchiha ninja were still holding a secret meeting in a basement.

Due to the tense atmosphere in the village, the Uchiha ninja had spontaneously increased security and patrols within their residential area. Every night, they arranged for patrol members to make rounds within the clan compound. Uchiha Fugaku's explanation was that this was to prevent any more Uchiha ninja from being attacked and to avoid another disappearance. But anyone with eyes could see that this was simply a precaution against a sudden attack from Konoha.

Anbu ninja were monitoring the area from outside the residential district, so the Uchiha clan naturally had to have corresponding defensive measures.

...

In another corner of the village, some Konoha ninja were still hard at work.

Given the village's serious concern about the disappearance, the Konoha ninja tasked with the investigation were working day and night to gather clues.

Two Konoha ninja were searching an uninhabited house when they discovered a hidden underground passage beneath a collapsed section of the building.

"Tsuchimon, look here."

"This is… Kamakiri, you've got a good eye. Shall we go down and take a look?"

The two exchanged a glance, then entered the complex underground space of Konoha through this passage. Of course, they hadn't found any valuable clues yet; they were just going to do a routine search of the area below.

However, after exploring underground for a while, the two did indeed find some scratch marks.

"These look like fingernail scratches, probably made about twenty days ago."

"And here, some hair… It's black hair."

Tsuchimon and Kamakiri, it seemed, had actually found some useful clues.

Continuing along the passage for another half hour, they found a forehead protector that had been dropped on the ground.

"We're on the right track. All our efforts these past few days haven't been in vain."

"Yes, if we can find that missing Uchiha ninja and identify the kidnapper, we can ease the tension in the village!"

"Let's keep going."

"Yes, let's keep going."

Clearly, these two ninja weren't just mechanically carrying out their duties. They understood the importance of finding the missing ninja, which is why they were voluntarily working overtime late into the night… While some Uchiha were working hard, some Konoha ninja were also working hard. Their wishes were the same; their actions were simple and effective.

Following the complex underground passages, the two ninja became somewhat disoriented after turning several corners. By the time they finally found another exit leading to the surface, three hours had passed.

It was now deep into the night.

Tsuchimon and Kamakiri removed the obstruction covering the exit. They emerged back onto the surface, and the fresh night air swept away the stuffy feeling of being underground. The two couldn't help but take a deep breath.

And then…

A sharp whistle pierced the air.

The two Konoha ninja were startled. After carefully observing their surroundings, they realized they had made a huge mistake.

"Oh no…"

"This is Uchiha territory."

They spoke in unison.

As the whistle sounded, several Uchiha ninja had already surrounded them.

"We've found intruders in the clan compound."

"Intruders? Another kidnapping?"

"Who is it? Ninja sent by the Hokage?"

In this situation, Tsuchimon and Kamakiri didn't choose to flee. They knew that doing so would create even bigger problems. So, they simply stayed where they were, raised their hands, and indicated that they had no hostile intentions.

In a matter of moments, a large number of Uchiha ninja had surrounded them.

"We're ninja investigating the disappearance, not intruders."

"We discovered traces of the missing Uchiha ninja and followed them to this location. This wasn't a deliberate intrusion."

"Lies!"

"Those are lies!"

"Seize them! Seize them and confront the Third Hokage!"

"They're clearly intruders! Investigating? Konoha cares so much about our affairs? Investigating late at night?"

Then, someone noticed the forehead protector in Tsuchimon's hand.

"A forehead protector? A forehead protector?! It's one of our ninja's forehead protectors."

"It's the missing clansman's forehead protector!"

"Murderers!"

"Kill! Kill them!"

The situation suddenly began to spiral out of control. Facing just two Konoha ninja, the surrounding Uchiha ninja became increasingly agitated. Under the cover of night, their rationality gradually dissipated, and their actions became dominated by anger… Just by looking at a forehead protector, who could determine whose it was? Yet, the Uchiha had made their determination.

They simply wanted to vent their anger.

"Wait! Everyone, please calm down…"

Then, another voice abruptly broke through.

It was Uchiha Seishin and his two companions.

"Everyone, please don't get excited! Stay calm!"

"Traitors! You traitors, did you lead them into the clan compound!"

"Seize Uchiha Seishin and the others! Kill the Konoha ninja!"

"Kill them!"

"Kill!"

The surging killing intent could no longer be contained. Several Uchiha ninja charged directly at Tsuchimon and Kamakiri.

"Co—"

I can't let these two Konoha ninja die here, or everything will be over. In their desperation, Uchiha Seishin and his companions had no way to calm down their agitated clansmen. So, they could only spread their arms and shield the two Konoha ninja behind them.

Thud! Thud!

The sound of blades piercing flesh was exceptionally clear in the dark night. A heavy stench of blood instantly filled the air.

"Seishin!"

Uchiha Shisui, who had rushed to the scene, forced his way through the crowd and was confronted with this horrifying sight.

The flames of the torches held by the Uchiha flickered in the night breeze, their figures sometimes completely hidden in darkness, sometimes illuminated, revealing their twisted expressions.

The two Konoha ninja were still standing, but three Uchiha ninja had fallen to the ground.

After accidentally killing their own clansmen, the people here were momentarily apprehensive. But then, they started shouting again, even more fiercely than before.

"Kill! Kill them! Good riddance to the traitors!"

"Murderers, we can't let the murderers escape, keep going…"

But no matter how fiercely they shouted, when Uchiha Shisui stepped forward, they all involuntarily made way for him, forming a circle.

And when Shisui knelt down, their voices disappeared completely.

Uchiha Shisui grasped Uchiha Seishin's hand, which was rapidly losing its warmth.

Uchiha Seishin's last faint words reached everyone's ears:

"Shi…sui… don't… blame… them… we… are… right… keep…

going…"

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