Chapter 11: Justice, Even the Hokage Must Be Killed

"Seizui… Mother…"

Tsukikage Shinku stood motionless, staring blankly at his younger brother’s lifeless body cradled in his arms.

The death of his brother. The final words he had whispered. All of it swirled in his mind like a storm, leaving him dazed, his thoughts reduced to a hollow silence.

He slowly lifted his head, meeting the cold gaze of Uchiha Iizumi, who had just sheathed his blade.

Tears—unseen until now—had long since streaked down his cheeks.

"Your mother’s body has already been taken by the Investigation Corps. They’ll be bringing in a Yamanaka clan ninja for a joint investigation." Uchiha Iizumi spoke without emotion. "If you wish to see her… you’ll have to wait. It should be resolved in a day or two."

Mother…

She’s dead…

Those words shattered the last remnants of denial. The cruel mockery of Tsukikage Seizui’s final breath had become reality. The pain in Shinku’s chest was unbearable—each heartbeat felt like a blade piercing his heart.

Two years ago, his father had died—killed by Uchiha Iizumi.

Two years later, his mother was murdered—by his own brother.

Now, his brother was dead too. Another victim of Uchiha Iizumi’s hand.

The entire Tsukikage line—the direct bloodline of his branch—was now reduced to just one man: Tsukikage Shinku.

He felt numb.

He didn’t know if he should seek revenge.

This man—Uchiha Iizumi—was a demon. He had killed his father. He had killed his brother.

But he had done so in the name of Justice.

In fact, he had avenged Shinku’s mother.

And yet…

A mother had been murdered.

A crime so monstrous it defied the very laws of nature.

"Iizumi-san… he looks like he’s breaking down," Izumi whispered softly, her voice laced with concern. "Do you think he’ll be alright?"

Uchiha Iizumi turned away. "Let him be alone for now."

"O-oh." Izumi quickly followed, her steps cautious.

…

Uchiha Iizumi had slaughtered two mid-level Tsukikage clan ninja, then marched into the Tsukikage estate and executed the former clan head’s second son—Tsukikage Seizui.

The news spread like wildfire through the Leaf Village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, cigarette dangling from his lips, froze mid-cough as the report reached him.

The shock was so intense it sent him into a violent fit of coughing.

After regaining his breath, he gulped down a glass of water, his mind still reeling. Then, in a low, measured tone, he asked the ANBU agent, "What was the reason?"

Before the agent could respond, a knock sounded at the door.

Hiruzen suddenly knew.

"Enter."

Sure enough—Uchiha Iizumi stepped in, as calm and composed as if nothing had happened. Behind him trailed Izumi, her steps hesitant, her eyes downcast.

"Reason: the suspect, Tsukikage Seizui, resisted arrest." Uchiha Iizumi spoke before Hiruzen could even ask. "Anyone who resists arrest is no longer just a criminal. They must be dealt with decisively—eliminated on the spot—to deter others from similar acts."

Hiruzen’s expression darkened slightly.

Uchiha Iizumi had never once addressed him as "Hokage-sama."

He never flinched, never hesitated.

He spoke to the Third Hokage as if he were just another suspect.

It unsettled Hiruzen—though he kept his composure. The tension in his face eased. He studied the young Uchiha.

"Crime suspect?"

"Uchiha Iizumi."

"Yes, Senior!" Izumi took a deep breath—she’d prepared for this moment. "Hokage-sama, Iizumi Senior and I… this morning—"

Her report was precise, clear, and concise. She recounted every detail without omission.

Hiruzen’s brows furrowed deeper with each word.

"Tsukikage Seizui…" He exhaled slowly. "I used to hold him as a child. But I never thought… he’d become so consumed by jealousy. So twisted… that he’d turn on his own family…"

Hiruzen believed her.

He didn’t fully understand Uchiha Iizumi’s methods—but one thing was certain: when it came to Justice and guilt, the boy never erred.

He was a natural judge.

His judgment was flawless—100% accurate.

Years ago, Hiruzen had questioned whether Uchiha Iizumi was merely using “Justice” as a cover for murder—whether he took pleasure in killing.

But after investigating dozens of cases, finding no pattern, no deviation…

He realized there truly were people like this.

The Uchiha clan—truly, a wellspring of geniuses.

But…

"Iizumi!" Hiruzen slammed his palm on the desk, his voice sharp. "A man who murdered his own mother resisted arrest. You killed him with force. I’ll overlook it. But why did you kill two innocent Tsukikage clan members?"

"Their ages were twenty-one and twenty-six. They stood in your way. You killed them? How is that Justice?!"

Izumi felt the shift in the air—thick, suffocating.

Uchiha Iizumi met Hiruzen’s gaze.

"I warned them. They chose to obstruct justice. That makes their choice clear."

He paused.

"Unfortunate for them. They stood on the side of evil. They blocked Justice. They allowed crime to flourish. They are no longer innocent."

A beat.

"Whether it’s a Tsukikage ninja… or even you, Hokage-sama… if you stand in the way of Justice, I will eliminate you without hesitation."

"Without mercy."

Hiruzen stared at him—deeply, silently.

Finally, he sighed.

"Iizumi… how long has this kind of confrontation—this defiance—been going on?"

"Five years."

"Five years…"

Hiruzen rose, hands clasped behind his back. He paced slowly, then stopped.

"Iizumi… you must feel it, too. The village is changing. Things are stirring beneath the surface. Though there’s no large-scale war, the peace within the Leaf is… fragile."

He turned back.

"As a member of the Uchiha clan, you should sense it more than anyone. Tell me—what is Justice? Does it stand with the majority? Or with the few?"

"And if one day… you were forced to act against Justice… would you still do it?"

Izumi stood frozen, the air around her so thick it felt like it might freeze solid.

"Justice stands with the innocent people," Uchiha Iizumi answered, his voice unwavering. "My loyalty is to Justice. I will never betray it. I will never violate my own sense of Justice."

Hiruzen considered this.

"Good people…" He smiled faintly. "You and Itachi differ in words—but not in heart. You’re both devoted to the village."

"Sir, calling people names is inappropriate," Uchiha Iizumi frowned, correcting him.

Hiruzen blinked.

"...What?"

…

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end