Chapter 131: Akatsuki's Move! Justice Must Shatter the Lens of Power (10,000-Word Epic)

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Clack… clack…

The metallic echo of footsteps echoed through the damp forest near Leaf Village’s borderlands—Land of Fire.

A figure clad in a black gas mask, face obscured, stood motionless beneath a canopy of twisted trees. Biwa Jūzō sneered, his voice muffled behind the grim visage.

“Hmph… never thought I’d end up wearing a Rain Village forehead protector… and this ridiculous gas mask. What a disgrace. It’s lowering my dignity.”

He spat onto the mossy ground. The mission assigned to him—disguised as a Rain Village envoy, infiltrating Leaf Village to quietly contact Uchiha Iizumi—felt absurd. A farce, really.

He glanced sideways at the few Rain-nin standing stiffly beside him—mid-level chūnin, eyes blank, posture rigid. Not a single flicker of protest when the woman had given her orders.

They obey without question.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

This wasn’t just an organization. It was something far more dangerous—something that could command even Rain Village’s elite with absolute obedience.

And yet… why him?

Why send him—a man infamous across the Ninja World for his cruelty—into the heart of Leaf Village to investigate Uchiha Iizumi, and specifically to learn secrets about Madara Uchiha?

Madara… wasn’t he dead?

A voice echoed in his mind—Konan’s, calm and cold.

> “This is a top-secret mission. Only I, the leader, and you know of it. You are forbidden from telling anyone—even other Akatsuki members. Not a single word.”

>

> “Uchiha Iizumi holds secrets about Madara Uchiha. I need you to extract them.”

>

> “Why you? Though you’re known as a merciless killer in the Ninja World, your cruelty is confined to the battlefield. You only unleash it on enemy shinobi. To Iizumi, you aren’t truly an Evil Offender.”

>

> “Root has confirmed: Iizumi cannot tolerate true Evil Offenders. If one appears before him, he kills without hesitation.”

>

> “No one else in Akatsuki is suitable. Their sins are too deep. Their presence would instantly mark them as enemies in Iizumi’s eyes.”

>

> “Remember: silence. Absolute silence.”

>

> “Once this mission is complete, you’ll be a core member. No longer a rookie.”

The words replayed in his mind.

Biwa Jūzō’s lips curled into a bitter sneer.

So I’m not even considered a true Evil Offender?

He was the Seven Swordsmen—a name that struck fear into enemies across the land.

Yet, according to this woman… he wasn’t evil enough to be trusted by Iizumi?

Still, he had to admit—she wasn’t wrong.

His brutality was a weapon, not a flaw. He wielded it only on the battlefield. He’d never taken it beyond the war zone. Never harmed innocents. Never let his rage spill onto civilians.

So in Iizumi’s eyes… a warrior who kills for his nation isn’t evil? Or is it only evil if you hurt the innocent?

He exhaled sharply.

Absolute Justice… what a twisted doctrine. Uchiha Iizumi… a Leaf Village shinobi with a mind like a storm.

He turned to the nearest Rain chūnin.

“How much longer until we reach Leaf Village?”

“Two days,” came the monotone reply.

---

Meanwhile…

Deep within the shadowed hollows of the forest, Uchiha Obito sat atop a moss-covered boulder, his face expressionless.

His voice was ice.

“Especially if Nagato and Konan realize I’m not Madara… and if they learn about my Mangekyō Sharingan… Nagato might not care. But Konan… she’ll act.”

He paused, gaze fixed on the black-and-white Zetsu standing beside him.

“She watches me too closely. That suspicion in her eyes—like I’m hiding something. Like I’m plotting. And I suspect… Iizumi knows more than just my identity.”

His voice dropped lower.

“He might even know about you.”

Zetsu stirred.

“Then you’re right to want Akatsuki’s power to investigate him. I’ll eliminate him. Not just for my sake—because he’s a threat.”

Zetsu gave a slow nod.

“Even if you ask them to investigate, they’ll suspect you. They’ll see it as a trap. Nagato may not act, but Konan… she’ll dig. She’ll look for your motive.”

Obito’s brow twitched.

“Why would she think I have a motive?”

Zetsu sighed.

“Because she already believes you’re hiding something. And you, Obito—despite your efforts—still act too impulsively. To her, every move you make is calculated. Every word, a lie.”

He paused.

“You’re only twenty-something. In my eyes, you’re a child. A reckless one.”

Obito stiffened.

So even now… I’m just a puppet? A substitute for the real Madara?

Zetsu continued.

“But… it won’t matter. Konan won’t find anything. Not now. We don’t even know why Iizumi knows so much. By the time she realizes what we’re after… it’ll be too late.”

Obito exhaled, his shoulders relaxing.

Zetsu added, “If you want to eliminate Iizumi… it’s not easy. He’s strong. But… he has a subordinate. The boy who opened his third tomoe Sharingan at the youngest age in Uchiha history.”

Obito’s eyes narrowed.

“Uchiha Iizumi…”

---

Back in Leaf Village…

Hyūga Compound.

Iizumi was gone. Hiruzen Sarutobi had left. The Anbu had vanished.

Only silence remained.

And a corpse.

A young Hyūga branch member, his body torn open, blood pooling on the stone path.

Hyūga Hiashi stood over the body, his face impassive.

“Take him inside. Arrange a proper burial.”

“Hiashi-sama…,” one of the elders began, voice trembling.

“Enough,” Hiashi cut in coldly. “This ends here. Pretend it never happened. If we press this… it will only bring war.”

He turned, eyes sharp.

“Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Hokage-sama. Uchiha Iizumi. The Uchiha clan. All of them would turn against us.”

The thought chilled him.

The Hyūga had long called themselves Leaf Village’s strongest clan—only because the Uchiha had been pushed to the margins.

But once, the Uchiha had been the true first clan.

If the Hyūga were to suffer the same fate… what would remain?

He remembered the Cloud Village incident. They’d endured it. They’d buried their pain.

This was just another death.

A child. A minor branch member. Nothing more.

“Take him home,” Hiashi said, voice colder now.

“Yes, sir.”

Outside, the news spread like wildfire.

The Hyūga—Leaf Village’s most prestigious clan—had a child murdered at their own gate.

And yet… their clan head had said nothing.

No outrage. No demand for justice.

No one could stay silent.

“Even if Naruto Uzumaki is the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki… even if that Uchiha boy is Fugaku’s second son… can they just kill a child in broad daylight?”

A Hyūga ninja clenched his teeth.

“They break the law. They defy the Village’s rules. And we? We’re supposed to just… tolerate it?”

He spat.

“He was just a boy! If he made a mistake… that’s no reason to kill him!”

Another elder, cold-faced, crossed his arms.

“Hokage-sama sees the Hyūga as tools.”

“Exactly,” another snapped. “He won’t stand up to Uchiha Iizumi. But he does stand over us.”

“He’s afraid of strength.”

“Then if we had that strength… we’d be the true first clan. The Hokage would respect us.”

Silence.

Then, from the edge of the compound, a voice cut through the murmurs.

“Father…”

Hyūga Neji stood at the edge of the courtyard, fists clenched. His eyes burned.

He remembered Naruto’s path.

He remembered Sasuke’s words.

“Justice… is the only truth.”

And he remembered his own thoughts—not curiosity, but longing.

He hadn’t come to seek revenge.

He’d come because he wanted to know.

Because the idea of Justice—Absolute Justice—resonated with his own soul.

He turned, walking away.

He didn’t go to Uchiha Iizumi.

Not because he was afraid.

But because… he didn’t know why.

---

Uchiha Compound.

Yamada Ryosin had dropped Naruto home. Then he delivered Sasuke to the Uchiha estate.

Night had fallen.

Sasuke watched the Anbu ninja—Shun—disappear into the shadows.

His eyes flickered.

That level of skill… I’ll surpass him. I’ll surpass all of them.

His goal wasn’t Yamada Ryosin.

It was Itachi.

“The dead-last was right,” he whispered. “Justice… does grant Absolute Justice.”

He remembered the moment he plunged his kunai into the Hyūga’s back.

The man had died.

And in that instant—a surge.

Not his chakra. Not his strength.

But something else.

A power that flowed through him—then became his own.

His chakra reserves had grown.

More than a month of training… in one kill.

This… is Absolute Justice?

He stepped into his home.

Then froze.

Blood.

His hands were stained.

He looked down.

Oh…

Before he could react, a voice rang out.

“Sasuke… why are you home so late? Did you go see Iizumi?”

A pause.

“…Sasuke? Why are you covered in blood? Did you get hurt?”

---

The dining room.

Sasuke sat stiffly, now clean, dressed in fresh clothes.

To his left—his mother’s anxious gaze.

To his right—his father’s cold, piercing stare.

He swallowed.

He knew this couldn’t be hidden.

He spoke.

“I… killed a Hyūga. He was an Evil Offender. I acted in Justice.”

Fugaku’s face darkened.

“You killed a Hyūga child?!”

Sasuke lowered his head.

“He was harming others. He was corrupt. Justice demanded it.”

Fugaku closed his eyes.

“Hokage-sama was there? And Naruto Uzumaki? You both killed him?”

Sasuke nodded.

Fugaku opened his eyes—hurt, betrayed.

Now my son… too?

He turned to Mikoto.

“You’re defending him? After this?”

Mikoto stood.

“Fugaku… you knew this would happen. When Sasuke chose Iizumi’s path… you should’ve expected this.”

She stepped forward.

“You once said you were proud of Itachi—even when he did what Iizumi foretold. Because of the power he showed.”

She looked at Sasuke.

“Sasuke may not have Itachi’s strength. But he has his own power. When he chose Justice… when he stood for it… shouldn’t you be proud?”

Fugaku growled.

“He’s not fighting for the Village. He’s fighting for Iizumi.”

Mikoto’s voice softened.

“But Iizumi fights for the Ninja World. Sasuke’s path… is still for peace. Isn’t that enough?”

Fugaku’s face hardened.

“You’re always on his side.”

Mikoto’s tone turned sharp.

“And you? You’ve always spoiled Itachi. You let him walk the path of prophecy. But you never gave Sasuke the same chance.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened.

They’re arguing… over me.

The air between them was thick with unspoken anger.

But they held back.

For now.

---

Elsewhere…

Naruto’s house.

Neji stood before the simple wooden door, worn by time.

He’d followed clues. Asked strangers. Traveled far.

And now… he stood here.

Why am I here?

He thought back.

He’d left the compound because he couldn’t stand the weak leadership of the Hyūga elders.

He’d been stirred by anger.

And then… Sasuke’s words.

“Justice isn’t about power. It’s about truth.”

And Naruto’s.

“The world is full of evil. But evil must be punished.”

He stared at the door.

No… it’s not just curiosity. I… want to understand.

He took a breath.

And pressed the bell.

Clack… clack…

The sound was old, worn.

Inside, a crash.

“Wait—what?!”

A flurry of noise—shouting, stumbling, furniture falling.

Then silence.

The door creaked open.

Naruto stood there—pale, confused, one hand clutching his side.

His eyes locked onto Neji’s.

Byakugan.

“…You’re from the Hyūga clan.”

Naruto stepped back.

“Are you here to kill me?”

Neji shook his head.

“He was evil. He deserved it. He was weak. His fate was sealed.”

A pause.

“He was a bird in a cage. To die at the hands of strangers… is better than dying at the hands of his own people. At least his soul is free.”

Naruto blinked.

“What…?”

Neji’s voice was calm.

“How do you decide if someone is evil? How do you judge an act as evil?”

He paused.

“Is it evil to mark your own kin with a cursed seal? If it causes pain… if it kills innocents… is that not punishment worthy of death?”

Naruto frowned.

“Of course it is! Anyone who harms others—especially innocents—is evil. If they do it with malice… then it’s a crime.”

He hesitated.

“But only if the truth is known. If you’re hiding things… then I can’t judge.”

He added quickly.

“Let Iizumi see it. He can see past evil… and future evil.”

Neji’s eyes flickered.

“…Iizumi?”

“Yeah! The Uchiha Iizumi! The man even the Daimyō of Fire Country respects!”

Neji’s voice dropped.

“Is he your teacher?”

Naruto nodded.

“He’s my teacher on the path of Justice.”

“Justice…”

Neji breathed out.

“I… understand now.”

He turned.

“Don’t thank me. I came to learn. About him.”

And with that, he walked away.

Naruto stared after him.

“…Why is everyone so damn proud? At least say thanks!”

---

Hokage Tower.

Tsunade Konoha’s face was dark.

“Naruto killed someone! A Hyūga child! And Fugaku was there! He let it happen!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

“The boy is young. His ideals… are twisted.”

Tsunade slammed her fist.

“This is what Iizumi’s Absolute Justice does! It turns even Jinchūriki into murderers!”

She leaned in.

“Is Fugaku really on our side? Or is he grooming his son to be a weapon?”

She paused.

“Was Setsuna’s death… a setup? To lull us into complacency?”

“And when the time comes… will the Uchiha launch a coup? Led by Iizumi?”

Sarutobi closed his eyes.

“Enough. These are guesses. We don’t need more chaos.”

He turned.

“I didn’t expect Naruto’s Justice to go this far.”

Hyūga Menji spoke.

“Kakashi was watching Naruto. But you were gone. In those few days… Naruto changed. And Kakashi had other duties.”

Sarutobi stiffened.

The blame… is mine.

Tsunade said, “We can’t stop Naruto from believing in Justice. But we can redirect him.”

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.

“Redirect?”

“He wants to be Hokage. That’s his dream. His life’s goal.”

Sarutobi nodded.

“Then we prepare him. We train him. Not for the future… but for now.”

Tsunade frowned.

“But he must abandon Absolute Justice. If he becomes Hokage… the Village will be destroyed.”

Sarutobi rubbed his temples.

“…We’ll try.”

But inside, he wondered.

Was I wrong to let him go? Or am I doing the same thing now?

---

Late night.

Uchiha Iizumi slept.

Then—tap tap tap.

She awoke instantly.

Her hand shot to her side—her Ninja Sword.

Three Tomoe Sharingan flared.

Her gaze locked on the window.

Outside, a small black cat sat on the sill, paw tapping the glass.

“…Tachibana Jiro?”

The cat’s voice came—sharp, annoyed.

“Tachibana Jiro? Call me Tachibana Jiro-sama! Show some respect, rookie!”

Izumi yanked open the window.

Before she could speak, the cat jumped onto her shoulder.

“Iizumi-sama sent me. Justice must be done.”

Justice.

Izumi was awake in an instant.

“Good.”

She didn’t even change out of her pajamas. She pulled on her Investigation Corps gear, slapped her face to wake up, and leapt through the window.

“One more,” Tachibana Jiro said.

“Who?”

“Mitarashi Anko.”

---

Across the village…

Anko sat on her balcony, staring at the stars.

She couldn’t sleep.

So many things had happened.

All tied to Iizumi.

And she had been part of it.

Is the world really so full of evil?

She thought of her childhood—of the peace she’d known.

But then she thought of the truth.

And the lies.

Then—movement.

A shadow on the roof.

“Who’s there?”

She turned.

“I’m here,” said a familiar voice.

Izumi stood across the way.

“Iizumi-sama has found an Evil Offender. She wants you.”

Anko blinked.

“…What kind?”

“Unknown.”

---

The meeting.

Tachibana Jiro. Izumi. Anko. The three stood together.

Izumi’s voice was quiet.

“Tsunade Konoha Clan.”

Anko froze.

“What?!”

“First stop,” said Tachibana Jiro, licking his paw. “Then Hyūga Menji Clan. Then Hiruzen Clan.”

Anko’s eyes widened.

“You’re… going to kill three clan heads?”

Izumi’s voice was calm.

“No. I’m not. But I will protect you from those who are not yet your equals.”

She looked at Anko.

“You both still see the Hokage… the elders… as untouchable. As above justice.”

She paused.

“If you can’t strike down a member of their clan… how can you ever strike them?”

“It’s the test.”

“For you, Anko. You’re the oldest. You’ve been shaped by them.”

Silence.

Then, the wind blew.

And the night fell.

End of Chapter

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end