Chapter 28: Turning Himself In, ANBU Interrogation
The next day, dawn appeared on the horizon. Uchiha Tonan struggled to get up. The intense genjutsu he used the day before had drained much of his chakra. A few hours of sleep were not enough to restore it. His body moved sluggishly.
The first thing he did after waking was open his diary.
Nothing important had happened in recent days. His entries were mostly filler. The Will of Fire was written repeatedly until even Tonan felt sick of it.
October 6.
Something significant happened today. I thought about writing it down, but I still cannot put it into words. Last night, Chiryo asked me to meet her at the waterfall in the forest. She said she had something to tell me.
Unexpectedly, she appeared naked. She wanted to become my woman. I ran. I have always thought of her as a little sister. Besides, I have already fallen in love with Mina.
I thought that would be the end of it, but…
I never expected to run into Mina on my way back to the village at night. Her expression was unusual, but I did not notice it at first. I gathered courage and confessed my feelings to her. I even kissed her.
She did not reject me. I felt like the happiest person in the world.
But then she told me she killed Chiryo with her own hands.
I do not know what to do. According to village rules, Mina should be executed. But I cannot accept that.
Now, only Mina and I know this secret.
On one hand, it is my village. On the other, my lover. Who should I choose?
The writing ended abruptly. A few ink dots scattered the blank page. Tonan dropped his pen on the diary and left the house with a distant expression.
He lingered on the road for over two hours before arriving at the Hokage Residence. Inside the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat calmly, smoking a pipe. Then he straightened.
Tonan knocked.
"Enter."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside. His face was pale and hesitant. He looked as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself. Eventually, he lowered his head and remained silent.
"Tonan, what happened?"
Tonan clenched his fists and immediately knelt. Tears overflowed as he sobbed, "Hokage-sama, I killed someone. Please execute me."
Hiruzen was surprised. He stepped forward and spoke firmly, "Tonan, raise your head. Look at me."
Tonan slowly lifted his head but could not hold Hiruzen's eyes. His gaze flickered with guilt.
Hiruzen frowned. He felt uncertain. His priority was to contain the situation. He immediately summoned the ANBU.
"Take Tonan to the Interrogation Department. No one is to question him without my orders."
"Yes," the ANBU responded. They grabbed Tonan and disappeared with Body Flicker Technique.
Hiruzen considered the situation. Tonan was talented and loyal. He did not want to punish him hastily. Yet in Konoha, murder was punishable without exception.
If necessary, I could assign him to Root to protect him and keep him anonymous.
Something felt wrong. If Tonan was truly ready to confess, why did he look guilty, like he was hiding something?
"ANBU."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Bring me Tonan's diary."
"Yes."
Fifteen minutes later, the ANBU returned with the diary. Hiruzen quickly scanned the final pages.
It confirmed his suspicion. Tonan had fallen in love secretly.
"You chose to become a scapegoat because of your girlfriend?"
Hiruzen closed the diary and handed it back.
"Return this. Bring Uchiha Mina to the Interrogation Department."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Once the ANBU left, Hiruzen headed toward the underground Interrogation Department. The facility was heavily guarded to prevent any gaps.
"Hokage-sama," Yamanaka Takuya greeted him.
"Takuya, Tonan hasn't been questioned yet?"
"No. Will you interrogate him yourself?"
"No, I will observe."
"The latest intelligence indicates Uchiha Mina is the culprit. She is Tonan's girlfriend."
Hiruzen nodded.
The interrogation room was divided by a one-way mirror. Hiruzen watched silently.
Takuya entered, expression calm. Tonan sat slumped, as if defeated.
Clearing his throat, Takuya said, "Uchiha Tonan. I understand your situation. I have a few questions."
Tonan's voice was low, resigned. "Ask. I will confess everything."
Takuya opened his notebook and began.
"What was your relationship with the deceased?"
"Classmates."
"Where did you last see her?"
"Under the waterfall, east of Hokage Rock."
"What was she doing?"
"Bathing."
"What is your motive for killing her?"
Tonan stiffened.
"Motive?"
"Why did you kill her?"
Tonan's eyes darted nervously. "Because she likes me."
Takuya slammed his pen down. "Is that a valid reason?"
"But I do not like her. She appeared naked, hugged me. I was angry, so I…"
Takuya crossed his arms. "Do you understand the consequences of taking the blame for someone else?"
He stopped taking notes. The answers did not align.
"I am not covering for anyone. Please believe me," Tonan pleaded, tears streaming.
Takuya sneered, "One last question. How did you kill her?"
Tonan faltered.
After a pause, he said uncertainly, "I… do not remember. I think I stabbed her with a kunai."
"Be specific. Where? Two centimeters above the heart?" Takuya tapped the table sharply.
"Yes. That's it," Tonan said.
Takuya closed his notebook.
"Enough. Investigators found the victim's head was decapitated and burned."
"Uchiha Tonan, obstructing official duties is punishable."
"Taking blame for another in the Interrogation Department is foolish."
Without another word, Takuya left the room.