Yoru Uchiha understood the fears of men like Fugaku and Shisui all too well.
They worried his extreme actions would force a premature confrontation between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's leadership—sparking outright rebellion or even civil war.
But Yoru knew better than anyone: for the Uchiha, that outcome would be far better than the fate awaiting them.
So not only did he refuse to fear it—he was subtly pushing for it.
"The Sarutobi Clan…"
"What happened?"
Two young Uchiha clansmen, Aoki and Yamakaze, exchanged uneasy glances.
"Well…"
"A Sarutobi ninja killed someone."
"A civilian, no less."
Yoru's eyes narrowed. "Who was it?"
Yamakaze's voice trembled. "The second son of the Sarutobi Clan head…"
"Sarutobi Jirō!"
Yoru's mind raced.
Officially, the Sarutobi Clan's leader was Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage. But with his duties, day-to-day affairs fell to his cousin, Sarutobi Hideo.
And this Jirō… was Hiruzen's nephew.
Without a word, Yoru quickened his pace.
"W-Wait, Captain Yoru!"
"Shouldn't we report this to Lord Fugaku first—?!"
But Yoru was already vanishing into the distance.
Sarutobi Clan Compound
A group of villagers blocked Sarutobi Jirō's path, their faces twisted in grief and rage.
"You can't leave… not after what you did!"
"Get out of my way!" Jirō snarled.
They had no strength to fight him—only the desperate courage of those with nothing left to lose.
One clung to his leg. Others formed a human barricade.
The crowd of onlookers grew, murmurs spreading like wildfire.
"Did he really kill someone?"
"A little girl… burned alive, they say."
"Why?!"
"Who knows? Monsters like him don't need a reason!"
Jirō's patience snapped.
"You're begging for death, aren't you?!"
An elderly woman—her body frail, her voice shaking—raised her cane.
"You… you monster! My granddaughter—!"
She swung weakly.
But before the cane could land, she stumbled, crashing onto the cobblestones. Blood seeped from her forehead.
"Mom!"
The man clutching Jirō's leg released him, rushing to her side.
"You bastard! First my daughter, now my mother—?!"
Jirō smirked. "She fell on her own. Serves her right for attacking me."
The crowd erupted.
"Did you hear that?!"
"He admitted to killing the girl!"
"Someone call the Hokage!"
"The ANBU already went…"
"Do you really think Lord Third will punish his own nephew?"
Then—
"Make way."
A stern-faced man strode forward, his resemblance to Hiruzen unmistakable.
Sarutobi Hideo, the clan's acting head.
"Father!" Jirō whined. "These peasants won't let me—"
SLAP!
Hideo's palm struck with such force that Jirō spun before hitting the ground.
The crowd gasped.
"Well struck, Lord Hideo!"
"Execute the bastard!"
Jirō clutched his cheek, stunned. "F-Father…?"
Hideo's chakra flared, pressing down like a mountain.
"Did you kill that girl? Answer me."
"I—I was just training!" Jirō babbled. "My men said… my Great Flame Technique could reduce a target to ash in seconds…"
"They told me to test it on 'something moving in the grass'—a rabbit, maybe…"
"But then… screams…"
"She ran at us, burning…"
"I'll never forget her cries…"
The girl's father roared, lunging—
Only for Hideo to effortlessly restrain him.
"I understand your pain. As a father myself…"
"But until the investigation concludes, I must ask for calm."
"I swear on the Sarutobi name—justice will be served."
The man sobbed. **"S-She was only eleven…"**
Hideo clasped his hand solemnly.
"I will give you justice."
Then he turned to Jirō—his expression shifting instantly.
"So… you didn't know it was a person?"
"Meaning this was an accident."
The crowd froze.
Jirō's eyes widened.
Even he wasn't stupid enough to miss the lifeline his father had just thrown.