Chapter 112: Sasuke: I Want To Uphold Justice!
“If villains are punished according to the Land of Fire’s laws, then the sins rampant throughout the Ninja World will never receive true judgment.”
A sudden voice interrupted the stubborn Koharu Utatane.
When Koharu Utatane frowned and turned her head, she saw a Uchiha girl walking toward them with an unfriendly expression on her face.
Koharu Utatane’s brows furrowed even tighter because she recognized Senior Izumi.
This was the little follower by Uchiha Ikeizumi’s side.
Senior Izumi walked up to Koharu Utatane. This Konoha high-level advisor had once been a lofty figure in her eyes. Even the Uchiha Clan Head had to show a friendly attitude toward Koharu Utatane when meeting her.
But when she believed in 「Absolute Justice」 and gradually understood what the so-called Konoha high-level figures really were.
Senior Izumi’s rose-tinted glasses toward Koharu Utatane shattered in an instant.
In her eyes, the other was just a person with no real ability who only pointed fingers at Senior Ikeizumi.
“Senior Ikeizumi once said that mild laws are aiding and abetting evil, a betrayal of innocent victims. And the Land of Fire’s laws are exactly those mild laws, which cannot properly punish the perpetrators!”
Senior Izumi said with an extremely serious little face: “Smuggling, trafficking of prohibited drugs—if judged by Land of Fire law… even if the amount is extremely large, over a ton. It would probably only result in a prison sentence of nearly ten years or so, right?”
“If they put on a good show in prison, they might not even need ten years of imprisonment; five or six years and they’d be out.”
“So many contraband drugs—how many people have they killed? How many families have they destroyed? How many civilians have they corrupted?”
“Such mild laws themselves are fueling the evil of the Ninja World!”
Koharu Utatane’s eyes involuntarily widened a bit.
It was somewhat unbelievable that a little kid would openly challenge and argue with her, a Konoha Advisor, in front of everyone.
After all, Senior Izumi was only twelve years old this year.
Even Fugaku nearby hadn’t expected this to happen. If Uchiha Clan members clashed with a Konoha high-level advisor and he remained unmoved, that would be a big problem.
Fugaku immediately walked over and scolded: “Senior Izumi, from the moment the Land of Fire’s laws were perfectly established, all people of the Land of Fire should rest assured in complying with them, not questioning them!”
“Both you and Ikeizumi are too obsessed with so-called 「Absolute Justice」. Laws are for a country’s order and stability, for peace and stability, not to cause more killing.”
Fugaku’s intervention slightly eased Koharu Utatane’s unpleasant expression.
It seemed the Uchiha Clan’s immature ones were just some kids after all.
Fugaku, as a person in power, was still quite clear-headed.
But unexpectedly, Senior Izumi, who had been scolded by Fugaku, turned her gun on him instead: “If Senior and I hadn’t persisted in upholding 「Absolute Justice」, Shimura Danzo would still be alive, and many villains who committed sins would still be alive. And one victim after another would never be able to rest in peace in the Underworld.”
“Uchiha Clan Head Fugaku, you who have done nothing for innocent victims, don’t arrogantly critique 「Absolute Justice」. Our stance is different from yours; we care about the countless innocent people persecuted by sin in the Ninja World.”
“While you only care about the Uchiha Clan! No, you don’t even care much about the Uchiha Clan; what you care about is your so-called ‘balance’!”
“If you truly cared about the Uchiha Clan, knowing that Uchiha Itachi would bring about the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall in the future, shouldn’t you have righteously eliminated your own kin?”
“And your subsequent behavior was clearly shielding Uchiha Itachi! Is that behavior really for the good of the Uchiha Clan?”
The reason Senior Izumi was so emotional and indignant was entirely because of everything Senior had done, which this group had always disapproved of.
Senior had clearly done nothing wrong; Senior was clearly seeking justice for the innocent and constantly purging the evil in the entire Ninja World.
Yet there were always people who didn’t understand…
And they always spouted nonsense that made Senior Izumi’s blood pressure rise.
The Uchiha girl’s rebellious personality in her youth had been provoked.
Making her pour out all her heart without reservation.
Even leaving Fugaku stunned for a moment.
He, the leader of the Uchiha Clan, had actually been roasted by a twelve-year-old junior?!
A flash of displeasure crossed Fugaku’s brow; he felt Uchiha Izumi had stayed too long by Ikeizumi’s side, been influenced too deeply, to the point of not respecting even him, the Uchiha Clan Head.
If Sasuke mixed with Ikeizumi, he simply didn’t dare imagine what his second son would grow into.
Just as Fugaku was about to say something, he suddenly noticed everyone present simultaneously turning their gazes to the sea of fire ahead. Fugaku vaguely sensed something and looked over too, as did Koharu Utatane beside him.
“…Uchiha Ikeizumi!!!”
The voice came abruptly from Koharu Utatane.
Only to see, in front of everyone, a person emerging from the Shimura Clan headquarters turned into a sea of lava flames.
Whether the blazing flames around or the rolling lava underfoot.
None could harm his body in the slightest!
“The Shimura Clan together couldn’t give him any pressure…” Fugaku sighed in a murmur to himself. Even knowing the Shimura Clan couldn’t stop Ikeizumi, Ikeizumi was a bit too relaxed.
“But…”
A trace of worry flashed in Fugaku’s eyes. Witnessing a Uchiha Clan member annihilate a ninja clan, how would Konoha’s high-level figures view the Uchiha Clan now?
His gaze couldn’t help glancing at Koharu Utatane beside him.
When he saw her old face gradually becoming exceptionally gloomy and hostile, Fugaku’s heart sank instantly.
Bad!
Ikeizumi’s behavior had ultimately affected the Uchiha Clan.
Making the high-level figures’ impression of the Uchiha Clan drop once again!
Had all their efforts gone down the drain again?
Fugaku clenched his fist, then released it. Helplessness mixed with deep disappointment. Why… couldn’t Ikeizumi consider the hardships and difficulties of him, the clan head?
“Senior Ikeizumi!!!” Senior Izumi’s loud call, raising one hand high, was particularly eye-catching in this setting.
Kijiro sauntered over to the girl’s side, cat tail erect.
“Meow, without that old dog Danzo, the Shimura Clan doesn’t even rank!” Kijiro sneered: “With just them trying to assassinate Lord Ikeizumi? Trying to challenge 「Absolute Justice」? The moment they harbored sinful thoughts against 「Justice」, their fate was sealed to be cleansed by justice!”
Kijiro’s words made Fugaku glance sideways slightly. Even a ninja cat had been influenced by Ikeizumi’s 「Absolute Justice」 to this extent.
How had he never noticed before that 「Absolute Justice」, this black-and-white extreme justice ideology, had such strong brainwashing power?
Fugaku increasingly felt something was off.
If other Uchiha Clan members were also influenced by Ikeizumi, how dangerous would the Uchiha Clan become?
And…
In Itachi’s eyes, the Uchiha upholding 「Absolute Justice」 would probably be seen as extremely harmful to Konoha. Then Itachi would likely bring about the future tragedy!
Fugaku’s heart suddenly felt extremely heavy.
……
Yamanaka Inoichi watched the emerging Uchiha Ikeizumi and, under Nara Shikahisa’s astonished gaze, actually took the initiative to step forward and greet him.
A very normal smile squeezed onto Yamanaka Inoichi’s naturally somewhat paralyzed serious face: “Ikeizumi, do you need me to have Yamanaka Clan ninjas go in and collect the corpses?”
Uchiha Ikeizumi nodded slightly: “A bit many villains died today, totaling over thirty. Sorry to trouble you.”
Nara Shikahisa touched the short beard on his chin, then thoughtfully looked toward the “Konoha Three Elders” not far away.
Yamanaka Inoichi’s proactive greeting had indeed caught Sarutobi Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado off guard.
Nara Shikahisa keenly captured the astonishment on their faces.
“Inoichi… aren’t you being a bit too aboveboard? Really, these three high-level lords probably won’t sleep tonight.”
Nara Shikahisa chuckled helplessly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed astonished by this scene. He knew Uchiha Ikeizumi and the Yamanaka Clan had a good relationship, after all, they had almost daily work-related interactions.
And in these years of cooperation, not a single Yamanaka Clan member had been executed by Ikeizumi in the name of justice.
Proving the Yamanaka Clan was very law-abiding in Ikeizumi’s eyes.
But he hadn’t expected their relationship to be this good.
At this critical moment when the Shimura Clan was wiped out, Yamanaka Inoichi, the Yamanaka Clan Head, had openly stepped forward for positive contact with Uchiha Ikeizumi in front of everyone.
The implication was self-evident.
Inoichi was clearly openly supporting Uchiha Ikeizumi!
The Yamanaka Clan wasn’t a bloodline limit ninja clan; did they have such a big grudge against Danzo and the Shimura Clan? —When this doubt arose in Sarutobi Hiruzen’s mind, he suddenly fell silent, because he remembered the Yamanaka Clan headquarters reduced to ruins.
The Yamanaka Clan had nearly been wiped out by Danzo!
In that case, how could they not hate Danzo? How could they not hold a grudge against the Shimura Clan?
So, was that why Inoichi was openly taking Ikeizumi’s side?
And right in front of this old man’s face, the Hokage?
A few traces of complexity flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen’s uncertain expression.
At that moment.
He suddenly saw Fugaku’s youngest son walking toward Uchiha Ikeizumi.
……
Sasuke didn’t know where he got the courage, but he ghosted his way to stand in front of Uchiha Ikeizumi.
The abrasions and bruises on his body, treated by medical ninjas, had improved a lot but still ached somewhat.
Sasuke’s expression was somewhat uneasy, but he took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, boldly looked up and said: “I think I understand what 「Justice」 is now. 「Justice」 is to protect innocent people from malicious harm by others, to deter those villains with strong means, right?”
“Maybe…” Sasuke’s little hands tightly gripped his torn clothes. He noticed Uchiha Ikeizumi had lowered his gaze to him; that indifferent look made him even more nervous.
“Maybe… what my brother Uchiha Itachi will do in the future falls under the category of ‘villain.’ Meaning, once he does it, you’ll kill him, right?”
Sasuke’s questions were very cautious one by one.
Even carrying a humble sense of not expecting an answer.
Sasuke, always held to the strictest expectations by Fugaku, always compared to Uchiha Itachi by Fugaku, wasn’t as strong or independent inside as he seemed.
Though already the top genius in his class, that inferiority to Uchiha Itachi lingered in his heart.
“Yes.” Uchiha Ikeizumi didn’t ignore him just because he was a seven-year-old kid.
But his answer was also very concise.
“To be precise, I’ll kill him before he acts.” Uchiha Ikeizumi added coldly: “When sin is about to happen right before one’s eyes, if justice doesn’t stop it in time beforehand, it will become delayed justice. In many people’s eyes, delayed justice isn’t justice at all.”
“Then… Uchiha Sasuke.” Uchiha Ikeizumi asked: “Do you want to stop me from killing your brother? Even after seeing in the illusion how he will treat innocent Uchiha clan members in the future, do you still prioritize blood ties?”
Sasuke hurriedly shook his head, gritted his teeth and said: “I’ve already said I won’t forgive such a him! But I don’t want to watch helplessly as crisis approaches my Mother.”
He added: “And Father…”
Sasuke vaguely recalled how powerless he had been in the illusion when Uchiha Itachi massacred the Uchiha Clan.
He hated that powerless version of himself.
“So, I want to stop him too!” Sasuke’s tone grew firmer; he cast aside that cautious inferiority, saying seriously: “I can’t let him fall into the abyss. What he’s doing is wrong, his ideas are wrong. He’s very sick; I want to knock him awake! I want him to know family and clan members are equally important!”
Sasuke thought of Uchiha Izumi, once Uchiha Itachi’s friend, who hadn’t been a very strong ninja before.
But after following Uchiha Ikeizumi, it was like she was reborn, becoming very strong!
That night, she had even single-handedly stood in front of Uchiha Itachi.
Today, she had even single-handedly fought three Uchiha!
Sasuke believed this was definitely related to Uchiha Ikeizumi.
Maybe that’s also why the dead last followed Uchiha Ikeizumi, eagerly calling him “Teacher Ikeizumi”!
Sasuke hurriedly continued: “I want to follow you in upholding 「Justice」 like the dead last! Because I can definitely learn things ninja academy doesn’t teach from you, and definitely gain power from you that ninja academy can’t provide!”
Sasuke’s courageous voice was loud, loud enough to make Naruto’s eyes widen, Senior Izumi’s little face show surprise…
Loud enough to nearly choke Uchiha Fugaku nearby.
What had he just heard?
Sasuke openly saying in front of all these big shots that he wanted to follow Uchiha Ikeizumi, who had just wiped out the Shimura Clan?
Fugaku felt his hands itching; his gaze instinctively scanned around, trying to find a handy tool.
Until he heard Uchiha Ikeizumi say indifferently: “I refuse.”
The unexpected reply left Sasuke frozen in place.
Naruto loudly “Eh!”ed, looking left and right at a loss, not knowing what to do for a moment.
Senior Izumi was stunned for a moment, then became pensive.
Fugaku immediately breathed a sigh of relief… At this moment, he actually felt somewhat grateful to Ikeizumi!
Unexpectedly, the extremely independent Ikeizumi had finally considered his second son Sasuke’s well-being for once.
After all…
For his second son Sasuke to choose to follow Uchiha Ikeizumi, who wiped out the Shimura Clan, it might just be Sasuke’s stubborn whim, not much related to him, Uchiha Fugaku.
But Fugaku thought others wouldn’t see it that way, especially someone as suspicious as Koharu Utatane.
They would only think Sasuke’s behavior stemmed from his own instructions.
That would be trouble!
“Wh… why…” Sasuke’s voice trembled slightly; his body stiff, neck rigid, feeling that if he were a bit more vulnerable, he might cry.
Uchiha Ikeizumi asked: “Are you upholding 「Justice」 to stop Uchiha Itachi? Or to take on the duties and obligations of 「Justice」? Have you asked yourself these questions?”
“If you succeed in stopping Uchiha Itachi, what then? Peacefully wait to graduate and become an excellent Konoha ninja? Or inherit your father’s mantle as clan head? Or perhaps become Konoha’s future Hokage?”
One question after another plunged Sasuke into a brain storm.
Sasuke tried to imagine what he should do after stopping his brother.
Become an excellent Konoha ninja? Inherit father’s mantle? Become Konoha Hokage?
If it were before, Sasuke would have thought all three were pretty good.
But…
The pungent sulfur smell in the air gradually sobered Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at the Shimura Clan headquarters razed to the ground.
Recalled the three Uchiha ninjas bathed in lava.
Recalled the contraband drug trafficker who died at Uchiha Ikeizumi’s hands.
Recalled Uchiha Itachi’s outrageous future evil deeds and his stubborn extreme personality.
Recalled Mother’s tearful disappointed gaze.
His little face paled, lips tightly pressed; though his courage had fully dissipated, he still insisted: “Even becoming an excellent ninja, even Uchiha Clan Head, even Konoha Hokage, it wouldn’t fundamentally change all this, right?”
“Ah…”
The chaotic thoughts in Sasuke’s mind suddenly aligned; a spark gradually emerged in his lost, bewildered little eyes.
“I actually want to change this status quo! If the Ninja World has no more ‘evil’ as you say, wouldn’t everything be better? No Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall? No innocents maliciously killed?”
Sasuke finally voiced what his heart most wanted to say but could never organize properly.
“Is… this… 「Justice」?”
Sasuke was already a bit unsure.
“Yes.” Uchiha Ikeizumi’s single word turned Sasuke’s little face from dejected to joyful, but made Fugaku’s face stiffen instantly.
Bad!
How did his least favored youngest son’s brain suddenly start working?
……
……
