Chapter 112: The Villain Strikes First

The sky was clear as the distant figure of Shimon Hiruko faded into a mere speck.

"Did Hiruko just run away?"

Shuichi and the others felt their world crumbling. Could it be true that the legendary Shimon Hiruko had simply fled?

Aozora nodded in bewilderment, equally surprised himself.

Wait a minute—shouldn't the villain fight the hero to the bitter end?

Why would he just take off like that?

Could it be… because Shimon Hiruko also messes around with snakes?

Genya raised an eyebrow. "Captain, what the heck did you do to Hiruko? Why's he stark naked and riding a two-headed snake?"

Aozora looked baffled—if he didn't know Genya had gone off the rails, he'd suspect the guy was messing with him.

As they were talking, several ninja had already surrounded the group in the courtyard.

Roughly seven or eight in total, their eyes were lifeless and their bodies hunched over.

Aozora warned, "No time for chat! Quickly deal with these ninja! They're mindless—watch out for suicide attacks!"

The three replied in unison, "Got it!"

Before the words even finished, they eagerly rushed forward.

Now that the big boss was gone, they weren't about to let any loot slip away.

Though Aozora still needed more Golden Droplets, he wasn't interested in hogging kills at this moment.

He stood at the back, scanning the area and overseeing the battlefield to ensure their safety.

Controlled by puppet techniques, the enemy ninja appeared normal but moved purely on instinct.

These minions under Shimon Hiruko's control weren't particularly strong nor numerous, so they posed little threat to Shuichi and the rest.

Not long after, all of Hiruko's subordinates lay defeated on the ground.

Aozora gave them a thumbs-up. "Now search every corner—look for survivors or intel!"

The four combed through the area but found neither clues nor living enemies. [Goryoka] had already turned the house where Hiruko lived into ashes.

Luckily, since the monster summoned by Hiruko had come from underground, the basement structure was damaged and easily discovered by Aozora's team.

Considering carefully, Aozora said, "Shuichi, Kagenbi—you two stay above ground on watch duty, handle the city lord's inquiries. Genya, you're coming with me to explore below."

Nobody in the team knew much about seals or barriers.

Therefore, for safety reasons, Aozora and Genya, who could use Earth Release techniques, were best suited for exploring the underground chamber.

After assigning tasks, Aozora and Genya descended into the underground laboratory.

The underground laboratory wasn't large, consisting mainly of a corridor and three rooms.

First, Aozora and Genya entered the first room, which contained various incomprehensible experiment data and documents. Aozora promptly sealed everything into scrolls.

Next, they proceeded to the second room.

The room was empty except for a dozen upright racks—and one black-haired ninja in the corner.

"It's Yingtai!"

Genya excitedly stepped forward, ready to untie him.

But Aozora stopped him, "Don't rush—he might have traps on him."

So saying, Aozora activated his Sharingan and circled around the rack where Yingtai was strapped down, examining him twice.

"There's an unknown technique formula on his forehead, but otherwise everything looks fine. For safety, we should keep him bound."

Thinking for a moment, Genya agreed with Aozora's assessment.

Aozora said, "Take him down and let Kagenbi treat his wounds. I'll do a quick sweep and be right up."

"Alright!"

With that, Genya hoisted Yingtai along with the wooden frame onto his back and carried him away.

Then Aozora entered the lab alone.

The entire laboratory was divided into two distinct worlds by the boundary of the examination table.

One side had pristine white walls and clean workbenches. Under the bright white lights, it looked like a sacred place dedicated to revealing the truth—a pristine operating table meant for treating the wounded and the sick.

In stark contrast was the other side—a deep pit packed with piles of bones, hideous masses of malignant tumors, and thick, clotted blood that gave off a suffocating stench.

"One success built on ten thousand graves... How many lives were lost in the research to create the Guluoya?"

Once again, he witnessed the darkness lurking in the Ninja World—and now understood just how much destruction an unrestrained ninja could bring forth.

Aozora wanted nothing more than to set this place ablaze and burn all the sins away, yet reason told him those bones and tumors still held great value.

Shortly after, Aozora exited the lab, his face pale.

Without delay, he rented a wagon and returned to Konoha with Yingtai and Sogami Daisora.

A day later, an Anbu arrived at the battlefield ruins, followed shortly by a hawk soaring into the sky.

...

Konoha, the Hokage Tower rooftop.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, gazed across the entirety of Konoha stretched out before him.

Every time like this brought him memories of youth, as though once again the whole village lay beneath his feet.

"Clack! Clack! Clack!"—the sound of a cane striking stone.

Without turning around, Sarutobi already knew his old friend had arrived.

Danzo walked up beside him, shoulder to shoulder.

He too enjoyed overlooking Konoha—not for the scenery, but simply because he liked that particular spot.

Sarutobi mused, "Whenever I see Konoha thriving and full of vitality, I feel as if I've turned back the clock and can keep giving to Konoha for a few more years."

Looking at Sarutobi's head of white hair, Danzo thought privately: You're already so old; why still cling to the Hokage title?

But he didn't show it outwardly, instead offering a nod of agreement.

After a moment of silence, Sarutobi asked, "Danzo, what did you need to talk about?"

Danzo answered, "An Anbu report came in—the Uchiha destroyed the intelligence outpost in Dahe City and took the station leader captive."

At Danzo's words, Sarutobi's face darkened. "You're telling me this is real?"

Danzo met Sarutobi's gaze. "Hiruzen… you don't trust me anymore?"

Sarutobi steered the conversation elsewhere. "This is a grave matter—I must confirm it."

Danzo huffed coldly. Just then, a sharp cry rang from the sky. A proud messenger hawk from Konoha descended toward the Hokage Tower.

Sarutobi raised his hand and the bird landed neatly on his arm.

He removed a small scroll tied to its leg and unrolled it quickly.

"The Dahe City Intelligence Outpost has been wiped out!"

After reading, Sarutobi spoke icily, "Kentou!"

In the next instant, a middle-aged ninja wearing a standard flak vest bowed respectfully on the rooftop.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Summon Police Force Chief Fugaku. I need to ask him something."

Kentou acknowledged and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.

The wind was fierce on the rooftop, rustling Hiruzen's Sacred Robe of Office.

"Danzo, how have the Uchiha been lately?"

"Very quiet," Danzo murmured. "The Uchiha have been surprisingly calm recently—it's not like the Uchiha we know. Also, the Uchiha Second Elder has left the Village and his whereabouts are unknown."

Hiruzen drew deeply on his pipe. "So what exactly are you getting at?"

"The fact that they haven't caused any trouble even after relocating to the Uchiha Compound is highly suspicious. What could they be planning?"

Danzo hesitated for a moment before speaking. "He paused. 'I suspect… they're plotting to betray the Village.'"

"Enough!" Hiruzen snapped. "The Uchiha will *always* be part of Konoha!"

...

[Police Force Chief's Office]

Kentou was stopped at the door by Kyudai.

Kentou stepped forward, voice icy. "The Hokage has summoned Chief Fugaku. Don't try to stop me."

Kyudai didn't budge. "Chief Fugaku is occupied with urgent matters. Wait your turn!"

Kentou glared. "What matter could possibly be more urgent than a meeting with the Hokage?"

Kyudai scoffed but gave no reply.

As Kentou began to lose his temper, the office doors suddenly swung open.

Staring at what lay beyond, Kentou seemed to witness something unbelievable—his mouth fell open in shock.

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