Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally harbored deep hatred when he thought of Uchiha Yagami's methods, especially the death of his nephew, Sarutobi Jiro.
What was even more terrifying was...
He even thought that Sarutobi Jiro's death and Uchiha Yagami's actions might, this time, actually make many villagers and shinobi see him in a different light and completely change their views...
After all, that idiotic father and son pair had caused such widespread outrage that even though Uchiha Yagami's methods were extreme, in the eyes of the so-called victims and onlookers, they would probably think he did a great job.
The subsequent hidden dangers of this incident also gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a massive headache.
But what he said to Uchiha Shisui was...
"Shisui, I can understand the people you mentioned."
"Yagami might have indeed helped them, resolved their troubles, and punished the wicked, but..."
"If everyone were like him, killing people directly without trial, and judging guilt based solely on their own so-called justice, what kind of chaos would this village, this Shinobi World, descend into?"
"Today a gambler addicted to gambling deserves to die, tomorrow should someone who steals chickens and dogs deserve to die?"
"Today someone who accidentally killed an innocent person deserves to die, tomorrow should an innocent person wrongly accused as a criminal deserve to die?"
"Do not idolize one person's justice."
"Do not idolize maverick lone heroes."
"Idolize those who execute justice using just methods..."
Uchiha Shisui looked thoughtful.
"Lord Hokage, I understand..."
"It seems my thinking is still too naive, easily swayed by the words of that man, Uchiha Yagami..."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage, for helping me correct my path and clear my confusion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled gently: "It's best that you understand."
"You and Itachi are both good children, and the best candidates to resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan."
"So..."
"I want to ask you for a favor."
Uchiha Shisui quickly said: "Please instruct me, Lord Hokage."
"I hope you can do everything in your power to suppress the rising war fervor of the Uchiha Clan!"
Uchiha Shisui's heart trembled.
This was the first time Lord Hokage had spoken so clearly.
Evidently, this showed his increasing trust in him.
Uchiha Shisui felt the great responsibility, yet also a strange sense of pride.
"Please rest assured, Lord Hokage, I will do everything I can!"
"Good, then I am relieved..."
The smoke rings Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled diffused and spread throughout the room.
The scent of decay and old age grew stronger.
...
"Captain Yagami, if..."
"One day Yamakaze and I make a mistake, will you kill us without hesitation too?"
During their patrol, Uchiha Aoki, who was following behind, suddenly asked.
"Yes."
Yagami answered indifferently.
Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamakaze exchanged glances, both showing a wry smile.
"That's really cold..."
"Is there nothing else in Captain's heart besides justice?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"The power needed to execute justice."
"..."
"Then, what about comrades? What about friends? What about clan members?"
Yagami swept over Konoha like a vulture, flying swiftly, his sharp eyes scanning the entire village. In his eyes, the sins and darkness were like carrion, his prey and sustenance.
"It doesn't matter what other clan members think."
"But you and I are first members of the Police Force responsible for enforcing the law, and only then are we members of the Uchiha Clan."
"If you talk about the Uchiha all the time, you have already planted the seed of injustice in your heart."
The two looked thoughtful.
"What Captain said makes sense, but we are human after all. It's probably impossible to completely cast aside family bonds and emotions..."
"That's why this Shinobi World needs my existence."
"Captain is practically a ruthless law enforcement machine..."
"I wonder what Captain thinks of us subordinates?"
Yagamk suddenly stopped.
Aoki and Yamakaze were startled, then also stopped just in time.
"What's wrong, Captain?"
Yagamk turned his head and looked at the two.
"Rather than subordinates, or younger brothers, I prefer to see you as..."
"Followers who can inherit and carry forward my will."
"Of course, this might just be my extravagant hope."
"After all, you were born in this Shinobi World, the soil is completely different, and many concepts are already deeply ingrained."
"But as long as I can influence you a little more, and make you understand my actions a little more, perhaps there will be a glimmer of hope."
Aoki said: "I know everything Captain does is for justice, but don't you think your methods are indeed a bit too extreme?"
Yagami said: "Of course they are extreme. To correct a wrong, one must go too far."
"Otherwise, hope will never be seen."
Yamakaze was silent for a moment: "I understand, Captain Yagamk, I am willing to follow Captain's footsteps to create a new world that cleanses evil in the name of justice!"
Aoki also said: "Me too!"
Yagami nodded.
Although his methods seemed extreme, he did have some supporters behind him after all.
And these people, just like himself, once awakened, possessed fanatic power.
In Yagami's eyes, this little bit of light was a spark that could start a prairie fire.
...
"Clan Leader, we have collected the body of Lord Jiro. What do you think..."
"When should we bury him?"
Sarutobi Hiro glanced at the body covered with a white cloth. Although the head was barely reattached to the body, a bloodline still seeped through, staining the white cloth red.
He clenched his fists tightly.
"No, no need to bury him."
"Before that, I want that beast Uchiha Yagami to be buried with Jiro!"
The members of the Sarutobi Clan were all greatly alarmed.
"Clan Leader, this... this might..."
"Lord Hokage instructed us not to act rashly. If we proceed recklessly, it might completely trigger a conflict. The Uchiha Clan is already a powderful timebomb, and once ignited, the consequences would be unimaginable..."
"Clan Leader, please think again..."
"Presumptuous!"
Sarutobi Hiro flew into a rage: "Do you think that just because Lord Hokage said he would dismiss me from my position as Clan Leader, you people can come and reprimand me, educate me?!"
"This... subordinates dare not..."
"When has our Sarutobi Clan ever been bullied by outsiders?!"
"Can you tolerate a Uchiha killing our clan member?!"
"Jiro might have indeed been wrong, but who gave Uchiha Yagami the authority to act first and report later? What right does he have to kill him directly without any trial, without Lord Hokage's decision?!"
"Today he can kill Jiro in public, tomorrow the Uchiha Clan can completely ride over our Sarutobi Clan. Are we to be left to be slaughtered?!"
His words immediately successfully ignited the hatred and anger of many clan members.
"Clan Leader is right!"
"We must teach the Uchiha Clan a lesson!"
"Exactly! They must hand over the murderer, otherwise, they will learn who is the number one great family in Konoha Village today!"
For a time, indignation filled the air, and blood boiled.
Although Sarutobi Hiro was nominally no longer the Clan Leader, the prestige and authority accumulated over the years, along with his loyal followers, were still considerable.
Now, he personally led the charge, with twenty to thirty fanatical members of the Sarutobi Clan accompanying him, heading towards the Uchiha Clan's compound.
Sarutobi Hixiong gripped the samurai sword in his hand, the image of the blade slicing through Uchiha Yagami's neck replayed in his mind countless times...
"Jiro, wait a little longer..."
"Soon, Uchiha Yagami will go to the Pure Land of the Underworld to accompany you!"
(End of the Chapter)
(Noo..)
--
Translator's Note: Another foolish decision made.