Chapter 135: Iizumi's Deterrence! Disobey, and I'll Kill You On The Spot! (10,000-Word Epic Chapter)

The next day.

Dawn.

As more and more corpses—each draped in white shrouds—were carried out from the Hyūga Menji Clan, the Tsunade Konoha Clan, the Uchiha Investigation Corps, and the Hiruzen Clan in rapid succession, the people of Leaf Village began to sense something unprecedented had occurred the night before.

"Hyūga, Tsunade, Waterfall Gate, Uchiha!"

A low-ranked Leaf ninja stared in disbelief. "What kind of situation is this? Almost half the major clans in the village were hit! Could it be a violent internal conflict? Each of these clan grounds delivered at least twenty or thirty bodies!"

"Rumor has it this whole thing started with Uchiha Iizumi," replied a mid-ranked Leaf ninja, idly chewing on a Root needle, his face grim. "A friend of mine is from the Hiruzen Clan. He says Uchiha Iizumi broke into their compound last night... and took four people with him."

"Which means the four corpses the Uchiha Clan just delivered weren’t Uchiha ninjas at all—those were Hiruzen Clan members."

A gasp rippled through the crowd. "Wait... Hiruzen Clan? That’s the clan of the Hokage-sama! How could the Hokage allow Uchiha Iizumi to just walk off with people like that?"

The mid-ranked ninja tapped the needle between his fingers. "My friend says Iizumi had the high ground. Not only did the Hokage not stop him, but no one from the Hiruzen Clan tried to intervene either."

"He also said... the four victims—two of whom died in an internal clan feud—were all guilty as sin. The Hokage has already expelled them from the Hiruzen Clan."

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances. The truth behind last night’s events was far darker than anyone had imagined.

And the news spread like wildfire across Leaf Village.

Details of the victims’ crimes began leaking out—especially the horrific tale of the Hiruzen couple who had murdered each other. The sheer depravity of their actions left listeners stunned, even physically nauseated.

---

Meanwhile, in a quiet inn on the edge of the village.

"…Huh…" Kushina, still half-asleep, slumped on the floor, her eyes drooping. Dark circles clung beneath her eyes—she hadn’t slept more than a few minutes since last night.

She glanced at the small girl sleeping peacefully on the tatami mat. Then, barefoot, she kicked lightly at the side of Shizune, who was snoring softly beside her.

The kick landed perfectly.

Shizune’s eyes snapped open. She leapt to her feet, clutching her behind, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Kushina-sama! Could you please stop waking me up like that?!"

Her voice trembled with indignation.

That’s so vulgar… like some delinquent!

The thought flashed in her mind, but she dared not say it aloud.

Kushina ignored her protest. Mumbling around the toothbrush in her mouth: "Check the girl’s injuries. See if there’s any improvement."

"O-oh!"

Shizune tiptoed over to the child, carefully examining her. Then, with a soft sigh, she pulled back.

Kushina yanked open the sliding door barefoot and stepped outside. Her gaze drifted slightly to the right.

"You kept watch all night?" she asked.

Uchiha Iizumi, leaning against the wall, slowly opened his eyes. "I stepped out for half an hour to clear my head. But my luck was terrible—ran into two people who only made my mood worse."

"Who?"

"Uchiha Fugaku."

"Uchiha Itachi."

Kushina’s eyes widened.

She’d heard whispers about the “Night of the Massacre” prophecy in the village. And she knew Uchiha Itachi—just a kid, but dangerously unstable.

"So if you knew this kid was going to do something like that in the future… why didn’t you just kill him right away? You preach Absolute Justice, don’t you?"

She spat out toothpaste foam as she spoke.

Uchiha Iizumi remained calm. "Suppose I see a baby who will one day kill someone. If I kill the baby now to save the future victim… is that justice?"

Kushina paused. Then, after a long silence: "So… you judge by actions, not intentions? But you’re waiting until he’s already fully corrupted and ready to act before you strike? Then… isn’t your Absolute Justice just delayed?"

Uchiha Iizumi’s voice was quiet. "Justice will come the moment he’s beyond redemption and has made his final decision."

Kushina blinked. Then smiled. "So you’re not as extreme as everyone says?"

She frowned. "Given all the rumors against you, why don’t you come forward and clear your name?"

"Those rumors serve justice," Iizumi replied flatly. "Let them spread. Let them fear the consequences of crossing the line—whether they imagine it as monstrous or not. The more fear they feel, the better."

Kushina studied him. "This kind of pressure… must be exhausting."

"No feeling."

"Doesn’t matter."

At that moment, Shizune burst out of the room, running.

She stopped short upon seeing Iizumi, then turned to Kushina. "Kushina-sama! The girl’s recovery is going well. She just needs rest. She can go back now."

"Also…"

Shizune scratched her head awkwardly. And then, timidly, a small girl peeked out from behind her.

"I… accidentally woke her up."

The child—Hiruzen Sakuko—stepped out, eyes wide with panic. She backed away from the three strangers, her heart pounding.

If Kushina hadn’t looked so disheveled and harmless, she’d have fled in terror.

Sakuko shifted uneasily. "W-where am I? How did I get here? Where are my father and mother?"

The last question hung in the air like a blade.

Kushina looked at Iizumi.

He spoke, voice like ice. "Your questions will be answered by the Third Hokage."

"The Third Hokage… the Hokage-sama?!" Sakuko gasped.

Iizumi stared at her. "You see my uniform? I’m an Uchiha Police Force ninja. I’ll take you to the Third Hokage. Don’t ask questions on the way."

Sakuko shivered. This man was terrifying.

---

Hyūga Clan Training Grounds.

Hyūga Neji stood impassive, his expression cold as he watched Hinata charge at him with a cry, her hands forming the gentle fists of the Gentle Fist.

He took a half-step back. Her palm swept past his chest—barely grazing his robes.

Then, with a flick of his foot, he hooked her ankle.

Hinata stumbled, falling hard.

Neji looked down at her as she scrambled to rise, his mind flashing to his father’s face.

To the pain of the Caged Bird Seal.

At eight years old, his eyes flickered with something dark.

…?

A sudden shift in the air.

Hyūga Hiashi, watching from afar, froze.

His hand twitched toward the seal.

Then—mid-motion—he stopped.

Because he saw it.

The flicker of murderous intent in Neji’s eyes.

He suppressed it.

Hard.

Neji blinked, unaware of how close he’d come to crossing a line.

In that split second, he remembered Naruto Uzumaki.

Uchiha Sasuke.

And him—Uchiha Iizumi.

And his Absolute Justice.

To punish a child who knows nothing… just because her father betrayed the clan… is that justice?

The thought silenced the bloodlust.

Neji was confused.

He was only a second-year student. His intellect wasn’t on par with Uchiha Itachi—but he wasn’t as unhinged either.

He couldn’t understand.

"Neji," Hiashi’s voice cut through the silence. "Know your place. Know your rank."

Neji flinched.

He stepped back instinctively—reaching for his forehead, bracing for the pain.

But it never came.

Hiashi’s gaze pinned him to the ground.

"Once warning. No more. Don’t do anything you shouldn’t. Don’t think things you shouldn’t. Neji."

"...Yes, Clan Head."

Neji’s voice was tight.

"Time’s up." Hiashi turned. "Take Hinata to Ninja Academy. Don’t be late."

"Yes."

---

Hiruzen Clan Residence.

"Word is, four bodies were brought out this morning by the Uchiha Police Force," said a high-ranked Hiruzen ninja, arms crossed, face grim. "Hiruzen Kyouya, Sarutobi Kōno, Sarutobi Kōji, and Sarutobi Sōnai. No doubt—those are the ones."

"The Uchiha Police Force doesn’t execute people without due process. That means Iizumi must’ve uncovered something—and killed them all on the spot."

His voice darkened. "They all had families. Now those families have lost breadwinners… mothers… It’s a tragedy."

A smaller Hiruzen ninja spoke up. "They were already expelled by the Hokage. Their deaths shouldn’t stir up emotion."

"Ah, how quick you are to cut ties!" a Sarutobi clan member sneered. "One of them was related to you, wasn’t he?"

"Are you afraid his sins will drag you down? That Iizumi will come for you too?"

The small ninja flushed. "What do you think you’d do if you could stop him? Last night—where was your voice?"

The Sarutobi ninja’s face darkened. "It wasn’t me—I was stopped by the Hokage!"

His voice cracked.

Then, silence.

His eyes widened.

He turned.

And saw him.

Standing at the entrance.

Uchiha Iizumi.

The air froze.

The Hiruzen ninja’s palms slickened with sweat.

Then—his gaze locked onto the child beside Iizumi.

His breath caught.

"Hiruzen Kazuki and Hiruzen Yozu’s daughter…?"

The poor girl…

He took a step forward, voice trembling. "What’s she doing with you? What did you do to her? She’s already suffered enough—she was—"

He couldn’t finish.

A soft cough echoed behind them.

They turned.

The Third Hokage stood there.

Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The ninjas stepped aside.

Iizumi didn’t look at him.

His voice was flat.

"Returned her to you."

"Her memory of the event has been erased. Her injuries are minor—rest will heal her. As for her parents… that’s your responsibility, Hokage. You’re the one who must tell her."

He turned and walked away.

Sakuko dashed toward the Hokage, burying her face in his robes.

Then, she glanced back at Iizumi—eyes wide with fear… and gratitude.

Hiruzen Sarutobi placed a hand on her head.

Silence.

Then:

"Iizumi… thank you for your kindness."

The crowd stared.

…Why is the Hokage thanking that Uchiha?

Then it hit them.

She doesn’t remember.

Her injuries are healing.

What kind of injury could a child have…?

A cold dread crept through the room.

That man—the Uchiha demon—had quietly, effortlessly, done something… good?

Was he… good?

---

Ninja Academy.

Seven-year-old Hyūga Hinata trailed behind Neji like a shadow.

When they entered the academy, Hinata finally mustered the courage to tug his sleeve.

"Neji-niichan… your eyes… they looked so scary at home…"

Neji stopped.

His fists clenched—then unclenched.

The clan head’s daughter afraid of a branch member?

It was absurd.

Her weakness made him feel sick.

He took a breath. "You’re weak. If you were stronger, you wouldn’t fear my gaze."

He turned to walk away—until a voice cut through.

"Hey! You’re the guy who showed up at my place last night, right? Asked all those weird questions?"

It was Naruto.

He’d spotted Neji instantly—his long hair was impossible to miss.

Naruto approached, scratching his chin. "You’re… Hyūga, right?"

"Neji," Neji said.

"Oh! Right!" Naruto grinned. "Wait—Naruto Uzumaki. If you pass down your father’s grudges to your child… is that justice?"

Naruto froze.

Great. Another weirdo with a weird question.

But it was about justice.

He couldn’t ignore it.

"No way," Naruto said, frowning. "If that were justice, there’d be no one left in the ninja world. Who can guarantee their father, grandfather, great-grandfather… never did anything wrong? If justice punished their descendants… we’d have to kill everyone to purge the world."

He shuddered.

That’s even more extreme than Iizumi’s…

"…So that’s it," Neji muttered.

My anger… my hatred… was wrong.

The real culprits were the Main House. They sacrificed my father to cover their own sins.

He glanced at Hinata.

And froze.

She was bowing her head, shoulders trembling, eyes downcast.

…What?

---

Hokage Tower.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled heavily, collapsing into his chair.

"Dealing with a ten-year-old child… is harder than handling fifty reports."

He rubbed his temples.

The girl’s trauma… the memory of her father’s betrayal…

He shuddered.

But at least… she’d forgotten.

Thanks to Iizumi’s Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu.

She’d never remember—until she was older, stronger.

Maybe then, she’d survive.

A knock.

He straightened. "Enter."

An Anbu ninja slid in, bowing.

"Hokage-sama. Rain Village’s envoy has arrived."

Sarutobi frowned.

He had remembered—Rain Village was supposed to send representatives for diplomatic talks. Hyūga Menji had approved. He’d assumed it was routine.

"Ordinary envoys don’t require Anbu reporting," Sarutobi said.

The Anbu nodded. "The leader wears a gas mask and disguises his face… but his weapon betrays him."

"Kirigakure’s execution blade. Based on his height and build, there’s a 90% chance he’s one of the Seven Swordsmen."

"Biwa Jūzō."

Sarutobi’s brows shot up.

"Biwa Jūzō… the rogue swordsman? He defected from Kirigakure years ago."

"He’s leading the Rain Village delegation… meaning he’s now a Rain ninja?"

The Anbu asked, "Should we inform Kirigakure?"

Sarutobi shook his head. "No. We don’t need Rain Village’s enmity. Not yet."

The Anbu bowed and left.

---

Outside Leaf Village Gate.

A strange white Zetsu emerged from beneath a leafy tree. One eye peered through the leaves, fixed on the Rain Village envoys—especially the masked man.

Its arm stretched like a root, sinking into the soil.

Connecting with the underground network of roots and water.

In less than ten seconds, far beyond the village, another Zetsu blinked.

It slowed its charge.

Uchiha Obito stopped beside it, scowling.

"Why’d we stop?"

"Obito," the Zetsu said. "I was right. Konan did suspect us. She sent a new Akatsuki member to Leaf Village—trying to uncover secrets about Iizumi… or rather, us."

Obito blinked. "How did she know about us?"

Zetsu sighed. "You tried to use Akatsuki to investigate Iizumi. She saw that. She knew."

"And," Zetsu added, "I already explained this once."

"Three tasks," the Zetsu continued. "First: proceed with the original plan. We still take down Iizumi. Second: if the Akatsuki recruit uncovers anything, try to recruit him. If not… kill him. Third: eliminate Iizumi."

"We’re twenty kilometers from the Land of Fire border," Zetsu warned. "Stop using Akatsuki to investigate Iizumi. It risks exposing too much."

"…Hmph." Obito sneered. "Just a lucky guess by that woman."

Zetsu sighed again.

If it were Madara… he wouldn’t act like this.

---

Near the forest edge.

Biwa Jūzō narrowed his eyes.

Something was watching him.

He glanced at the tree.

Anbu?

He tightened his grip on his blade.

Leaf Village was dangerous. Even a former Seven Swordsman couldn’t guarantee escape.

He remembered the Third Ninja War… the Leaf ninja who nearly wiped out the Seven Swordsmen.

A chill ran through him.

Then—another voice.

"Need Iizumi to handle this case?"

Iizumi?

He turned.

Two Leaf ninja women stood nearby.

One in an Uchiha clan symbol on her back replied:

"This is our job. If we call Iizumi for every case, Justice won’t grow.

But yes—send a Ninja Cat to report. And ask for Iizumi’s guidance. This involves a clan."

Biwa Jūzō frowned.

Then turned to his Rain ninja. "You go meet the Hokage. I’ll join you later."

"But—"

"Tell the Hokage I’m… interested in Leaf Village. I’d like to explore. If he’s worried, let him send Anbu to follow me."

The Rain ninja paled.

He bowed and left.

---

Back at the Uchiha Clan.

A tortoiseshell Ninja Cat spoke in human voice.

"Iizumi-sama! Tachibana Jiro-sama! Iizumi and Mitarashi Anko discovered a Yoneda Clan ninja using non-Yoneda bodies to breed rare insects. One of the victims died."

"Yoneda Clan?" Tachibana Jiro mused. "They’re known for their precision. If someone did this, they’d leave no trace."

He smirked. "She sent a cat to report—not just to inform. She wants guidance."

"Too green," he added. "Needs more mentorship."

Uchiha Iizumi ignored him.

"Tell her: if the offender cooperates, follow procedure. If they refuse… kill them. Then bring the body to the Yamanaka Clan for memory extraction."

"Meow! Yes, Iizumi-sama!"

The cat vanished.

Back at the scene, Konoha Rin stared, wide-eyed.

"Izumi… that’s… harsh."

But then she thought:

Maybe this is the only way to stop evil.

Soft laws only encourage crime.

She exhaled.

The unease faded.

"Let’s go. To the Yoneda Clan."

---

Yoneda Clan Compound.

The clan gathered. Yoneda Shibi, the clan head, sat in the center, sunglasses hiding his eyes.

To his sides: elders.

And before him—Yoneda Kazuhiko, a high-ranking mid-nin, trembling.

"Kazuhiko," a clan elder said. "You knew what you did. You hid it from us. Then, when the victim died… you came to us. You used our clan as a shield."

"I’m sorry!" Kazuhiko pleaded. "I don’t want to drag the clan down! Just exile me quietly! I’ll leave the village!"

"My parents died in the Third War! They were heroes! Please, for their sake—help me!"

His voice trembled with fear of Absolute Justice.

The elder sighed. "Shibi, you decide."

Another added: "Think carefully. You’re standing against Iizumi."

Just then—footsteps.

A Yoneda ninja burst in.

"Shibi-sama! An Uchiha Police Force ninja is at the gate! She’s from Iizumi’s unit—Uchiha Iizumi!"

Silence.

Kazuhiko turned pale.

"Confess," Shibi said, eyes closed. "Yoneda Clan won’t die for one man."

Kazuhiko stammered. "Just one Iizumi… can’t destroy us?"

Shibi recalled the Lava Flood.

The sight. The smell of sulfur.

The terror.

Uchiha Iizumi… the one Leaf Village fears most.

"Can," Shibi said. "Without a doubt."

---

Outside the compound.

Izumi stood, hand on her sword.

If no one comes out in three minutes… I’ll break in.

She was still young.

She didn’t want to fail in front of Iizumi-sama.

Then—footsteps.

A crowd emerged.

"Too many!" Konoha Rin whispered, sweat on her brow. "Are they defying Justice?"

But the front figure stepped forward.

Yoneda Shibi.

"Yoneda Clan does not protect criminals. The offender is here."

Konoha Rin’s eyes widened.

Then—two Yoneda ninjas dragged out Kazuhiko.

"Since he committed this crime, he is no longer a Yoneda Clan member. Whatever Justice does… we accept."

Konoha Rin’s breath caught.

He didn’t say “Uchiha Police Force.” He said “Justice.”

They weren’t afraid of the Uchiha Clan.

They were afraid of Iizumi’s Absolute Justice.

Izumi nodded. "Good choice. The compensation will be handled by the Investigation Corps."

Shibi said: "We’ll double the amount."

Konoha Rin stared.

One man’s fear… is enough to solve a crime.

---

Hokage Tower.

Sarutobi was speaking with the Rain Village envoy.

Then—knock knock.

His smile didn’t waver.

But inside—his gut tightened.

He excused himself.

And saw a Hiruzen Clan member—pale, trembling.

"Sir… I… I have bad news."

Sarutobi’s heart stopped.

"…What?"

The man swallowed. "Hiruzen Sakuko… she… she killed herself. She cut her own throat with a kunai. By the time we found her… she was gone."

Sarutobi froze.

She was just here this morning… I comforted her… sent her to school… Iizumi erased her memory… with Mangekyō Genjutsu… she shouldn’t have remembered…

"Wha—how? She was at Ninja Academy!"

The man whispered: "She… died there. A teacher came to inform us… but… her parents are dead."

Sarutobi turned to stone.

Then—

"Anbu!"

"Send Uchiha Police Force to investigate!"

"Wait!"

He stopped himself.

"…Send Iizumi."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end