123.Match

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"Old man, what's up? I'm busy preparing breakfast for Naruto."

"I didn't know you had a talent for being a nanny, Jiraiya." Tsunade couldn't help but tease.

Jiraiya paused, scratching his head. "Haha, well, it's just because Naruto asked me to. I'm just helping him with breakfast."

Jiraiya had been trying his best to make up for Naruto's losses, taking on both the roles of father and mother to care for him. Naruto was always cheerful, to the point where he would walk around with a runny nose from laughing so much.

Whether Jiraiya's change was for better or worse was unclear, but it was good that he was willing to stay by Naruto's side. It eased some of his guilt.

After all, he felt guilty towards Minato, for failing to keep his promise and not being able to take care of Naruto. Fortunately, Jiraiya had stepped in, allowing Naruto to feel the warmth of home and enjoy the presence of family.

"Jiraiya, I'm afraid you won't be able to help Naruto with breakfast today. There's something that needs your attention."

The Third Hokage spoke seriously:

"Just now, members of the Shimura clan reported to the Hokage office that their clan leader and two elders disappeared overnight. Even the guards saw no sign of them. Do you understand what this implies?"

"Are you saying someone took action?"

Hearing this, Jiraiya's sleepiness vanished, and his expression became serious.

This was no small matter.

For the clan leader and elders of a major clan like the Shimura to vanish overnight—such a thing had never happened in Konoha's history.

If it was just a misunderstanding, that would be one thing. But if they had truly been attacked and were missing, it would cause a major upheaval.

"I'll investigate."

Sorry, Naruto, you'll have to handle breakfast on your own!

Jiraiya mentally apologized to Naruto as he decisively left for the Shimura compound.

Not long after Jiraiya left, Fugaku arrived at the Hokage's office.

"Hokage-sama, Tsunade-hime."

After bowing, Fugaku stood before the two of them, awaiting their instructions.

Receiving a signal from her teacher, Tsunade spoke:

"Clan Leader Fugaku, which areas did the patrol teams from the Police Force cover last night? And who were the members on patrol? Please provide us with a detailed list."

A list?

Fugaku was puzzled. He had been summoned early in the morning without knowing what had happened.

The list was quickly sent over from the Police Force.

Tsunade and the Third Hokage reviewed it carefully.

"The Shimura compound wasn't included in the patrol zone?"

Tsunade noticed a problem: the Police Force's patrols didn't cover the clan compounds.

I wanted the Police Force's patrols to cover the clan compounds as well, but someone wouldn't allow it! If only the Police Force could expand their patrols to include the clan territories, it would also give us an excuse to increase the Police Force's size.

Fugaku silently complained and glanced at the Third Hokage.

Tsunade immediately understood. It wasn't that the Uchiha didn't want to, but that the Third Hokage—or the higher-ups—didn't allow it. There was certainly some issue involving the Uchiha, along with restrictions to prevent the Police Force from expanding.

Tsunade had no words for this and could only dismiss Fugaku for now.

What exactly had happened that the Hokage and Tsunade needed to check the patrol lists and question the patrol areas?

And why did they mention the Shimura clan? Could something have happened to them?

With these questions in mind, Fugaku headed straight to the Police Force and instructed his secretary: "Let me know when Kazuki arrives."

"Old man, aren't you overreacting?"

"Besides, the Police Force's powers are shrinking, which isn't good for the village. If something major happens, they might not even have the authority to handle it."

The Police Force had been stripped of so many responsibilities, limiting their involvement in various matters.

Tsunade couldn't imagine what would happen if a major event like the Nine-Tails' attack occurred, and the Police Force, hesitant and restricted, missed the opportunity for immediate support.

It was like during the Nine-Tails' attack: the Uchiha were suspected, but they still wanted to help, only to be held back by Danzo.

Danzo would rather block the Uchiha with his men from Root than let them assist in the rescue.

What was he thinking?!

"Maybe I'm overthinking."

The Third Hokage, his face showing some embarrassment, quickly moved past the topic, as it touched on some underhanded power struggles.

The future of the Police Force, and what powers it could hold, would depend on Tsunade's decisions. For now, they couldn't lift the restrictions.

The sun had just risen.

Feeling sleep-deprived, Kazuki canceled his plan to eat breakfast at the Ninja Academy and headed straight for the Police Force. He could ask his secretary to buy something for him later.

"Kazuki! The captain wants to see you in his office."

The captain's secretary informed Kazuki as soon as he arrived at the Police Force.

"Got it. I'll head there now."

Why would Fugaku want to see me so early? Did they already discover what happened to the Shimura clan?

Looks like the village is moving quickly.

I wonder if Obito has seen those three bodies yet. His face must be a sight. After all, the Uchiha were blamed for such a huge scandal.

Now, I'm giving you a small shock. Bigger ones will come later, so stay tuned, Obito.

"Clan leader, you wanted to see me?"

Entering the captain's office, Kazuki slouched into the sofa, almost lying down.

Seeing how casual Kazuki was, like he was at home, Fugaku's eye twitched.

"What did you do last night? Didn't sleep well?"

"How could I? It was impossible." Kazuki, knowing full well the cause, complained:

"Blame it on Aunt Asan. She kept talking and trying to introduce her niece to me, saying I'm not young anymore and should find a girlfriend. She insisted I find someone from within the clan and not from outside, and kept saying Izumi's still too young. It was driving me crazy."

Rumors had been spreading in the clan about Kazuki's "bloodline illness," but some people didn't believe it and still tried to match him with potential partners, Aunt Asan being one of them.

Her enthusiasm was overwhelming.

"..."

You're only fifteen!!

Fugaku suddenly remembered his younger self and cleared his throat: "Well, Asan isn't wrong. Izumi IS a bit young."

I don't believe you! Back when you were chasing after Uchiha Mikoto, the whole clan knew about it. How can you say that with a straight face? You were in your twenties, pursuing a girl much younger than you. If you weren't the clan heir, do you think she'd have chosen you?

Uchiha Mikoto was famous in the village for her gentle personality, understanding nature, and decent strength.

She was popular both within the clan and the village, with many suitors.

But Fugaku pursued her relentlessly, and in the end, his status and persistence won her over.

And now, this shameless man had the nerve to lecture him?

Kazuki gave Fugaku a knowing look and shook his head, teasing, "I've heard people say that the clan leader's wife was also quite young back then."

*Cough cough!!*

Fugaku was taken aback.

While it was normal for ninja to start relationships at a young age and marry by fifteen or sixteen, being teased about it was a different story.

"Alright, let's drop it."

Fugaku really wanted to curse Kazuki. Who gave you the guts to mock the clan leader?

But seeing Kazuki's face, full of a "let's hurt each other" attitude, Fugaku decided to move past the topic.

"I went to the Hokage's office earlier. The Hokage and Tsunade-hime were asking about patrol areas and took the list of last night's patrol team members."