Chapter 138: Hiruzen Sarutobi: “Old Man did not question the Fire Nation Will!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi soon learned the aftermath at the Ninja Academy. Upon realizing that three young members of the Hiruzen Clan, along with a senior Academy instructor, had been slain, he found himself not enraged—nor did he question Iizumi’s extreme actions.

Perhaps, he thought, it was now he who harbored the tolerance for Iizumi’s extremism.

He had, in fact, tacitly allowed Iizumi to carry out his Absolute Justice.

Had the Third Hokage wished to stop it, he could have summoned an entire unit of Anbu Ninja and arrived at the Academy in time—just as he had in the past.

But he hadn’t moved. He remained seated in his Hokage office, silent and still.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pinched a small amount of tobacco, tucked it into his pipe, and lit it with a match. He took a slow, deliberate drag. As he exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice dropped low, heavy with sorrow:

“Send word to the Hiruzen Clan—ask them to send more people to retrieve the bodies from the Academy. And inform Izumi Kaede’s family—they must come and claim her remains.”

He paused, then added quietly:

“And tell the Hiruzen Clan… make sure Hiruzen Sakuko’s body is treated with dignity. Take part of her ashes and place them in the family shrine. Erect a memorial tablet in her name.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama!” An Anbu Ninja bowed slightly before vanishing in a blur of motion.

“Hmph…” Hiruzen exhaled another plume of smoke, the haze curling around the weathered, lined half of his face.

“Kushina… has finally chosen her side.”

He could barely begrudge the Yamanaka Clan, Nara Clan, and Akimichi Clan for their shifting loyalties. Though they’d often stood by him, they were not blood, nor were they his students. The distance between them was natural. Their eventual departure was understandable.

But Kushina—she was one of his own.

More than that, her status was unparalleled. To call her the Princess of the Leaf Village would not be an exaggeration. Her grandfather was the First Hokage, the founder of Konoha. She was no mere mascot—she was a Zetsu-level ninja, respected and revered throughout the village.

When Kushina stood before everyone and openly declared her support for Uchiha Iizumi, there was no ambiguity. She had made her choice—bold, unapologetic, and public.

“Hiruzen!”

The office door burst open with a violent shove.

Hiruzen lifted his gaze. Tsunade Konoha strode in, her face tight with anger.

Hiruzen brushed aside his melancholy. “Little Spring, you were supposed to be hosting the Rain Village envoys.”

Tsunade snapped, “The Rain Village envoys are irrelevant! How could you allow Uchiha Iizumi to run wild at the Academy? If the children see such bloodshed—such brutality—they’ll carry scars for life!”

“This is the Ninja Academy! It’s where the next generation of Leaf shinobi are nurtured. Every student is vital. One of them might become the village’s next pillar. How can you—”

“Little Spring!” Hiruzen cut her off, shaking his head. “I did not allow Iizumi to act. I ordered him to go. I sent him there myself.”

Tsunade froze.

Her expression faltered. The fire in her eyes dimmed. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Words stuck in her throat.

After a long silence, she looked at him—deeply, searching.

“Hiruzen… you may be clouded by grief. Have you considered that you’ll regret this decision?”

“You, the Third Hokage, named Uchiha Iizumi to execute Absolute Justice at the Academy. You tolerated him killing three Hiruzen Clan children.”

“This will shatter your authority. People will wonder—has your stance changed? Are you now backing Absolute Justice?”

“And those who hesitate? They might shift their allegiance to that ideology because of your actions.”

Hiruzen felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Especially when she said regret.

The words nearly slipped out—“Old man, I am the Hokage.”

But unlike Danzō, whose words were always sharp, Tsunade’s concern was genuine. She was still thinking of him as the Third Hokage.

“Regret… is for the future,” Hiruzen sighed. “The decision is made. Can it be undone? Can I swallow a pill and rewind time?”

Tsunade fell silent.

After a long pause, she exhaled, drawing in secondhand smoke. Her voice was soft, weary.

“Hiruzen… as Hokage of the Leaf, you must not question the Fire Nation Will.”

“Nor should you harbor even the slightest inclination toward anything that defies it—like Absolute Justice.”

“Sakuko’s death… it’s shaken you.”

Hiruzen narrowed his brows. “I simply believe Iizumi was the best choice for this task. I did not question the Fire Nation Will. I did not endorse his justice.”

Tsunade said nothing. Just a quiet, “I hope so.”

…

“Akatsuki Organization… what is that?”

Mitarashi Anko stiffened at the unfamiliar name. Her eyes darted to Biwa Jūzō, whose reaction was even more extreme—his body tensed, his gaze flickering with alarm.

Konoha Rin’s pulse quickened.

If Biwa Jūzō reacted this way… then Akatsuki was real.

She narrowed her eyes. “Hey, you—were you sent here by that ‘Akatsuki’ group? Pretending to be a Rain Village envoy to infiltrate the Leaf?”

A soft hiss echoed from her sleeve—her hidden snakes stirring.

Biwa Jūzō ignored her. His eyes remained locked on the young Uchiha girl. He let out a cold chuckle.

“What are you talking about? I’m a Rain Village envoy. No doubt about it.”

“Akatsuki? Never heard of it.”

He denied it without hesitation.

Izumi’s face remained stone-cold.

“I possess the ability granted by Iizumi-sama—to see the Past Evil and Future Evil in others. Your secrets are no secret to me. Root-level intelligence is already exposed.”

She spoke slowly, deliberately:

“Why are you here in the Leaf? What is your true purpose in seeking out Iizumi-sama?”

“And,” she added, “what connection do you have with Uchiha Obito?”

Izumi had learned from Iizumi-sama that Obito—the man posing as Madara—was now part of a group called Akatsuki.

Now, seeing Biwa Jūzō’s reaction, she instinctively assumed the two were allies.

And in her mind, Obito was no good.

So this man couldn’t be either.

At best—his intentions were far from pure.

This wasn’t about peace. It wasn’t about diplomacy.

Biwa Jūzō blinked.

Obito? Who is that?

And seeing past and future evil? What kind of ability was that?

No such power existed in the Ninja World. The Sharingan didn’t grant foresight—let alone time manipulation.

“Hmph. I don’t understand you.” Biwa Jūzō’s voice hardened. A child, a Uchiha, daring to question him like this? He was not pleased.

Izumi said, “Understanding isn’t important. What matters is that you must come with me—to the Investigation Corps.”

She stepped forward. “As a member of the Corps, I have the right and duty to detain any foreign ninja suspected of being a spy.”

“And if I refuse?” Biwa Jūzō’s eyes darkened. He felt the mission slipping from his grasp.

“You have no choice.”

A sudden voice cut through the silence.

All three turned.

A grizzled old man with wild white hair—Jiraiya—strode in, his expression grave, radiating a presence that commanded respect.

“I heard ‘Akatsuki’,” he said, staring straight at Biwa Jūzō. “I’m very interested in that organization.”

He stood before Izumi and Anko, his eyes locked on the former Kirigakure swordsman.

“You may not respect two young girls… but will you deny me, Jiraiya?”

“Because I’ve been searching for one man—someone I believe is a core member of Akatsuki.”

The wind stirred his cloak.

“I think you’d be wise not to act rashly here in the Leaf.”

Biwa Jūzō’s face paled. His hand twitched toward his blade.

“Sannin of the Leaf…”

“Jiraiya.”

…

“This is bad…”

A grotesque, malformed Shiro Zetsu slithered into the trunk of a roadside tree.

The man has touched a secret he shouldn’t have.

Must report immediately.

The transmission was instantaneous.

Within seconds, the information surged through the neural network to the waiting Zetsu—now far beyond the border.

Zetsu’s eyes narrowed.

“Obito! The plan has changed!”

“Iizumi’s subordinate just named you in front of Biwa Jūzō. If they exchange information, he might learn your secrets.”

“And if he tells Konan… Nagato might learn the truth.”

Zetsu paused.

“But… it wouldn’t matter much. Even if they know, it won’t change the outcome.”

“Shut up!” Obito snapped, his voice tight with fury. “No one must know that Uchiha Obito is Madara!”

“What if they look at me differently? What if they treat me like a fraud? I need the name Madara—to rule Akatsuki from the shadows!”

“…The plan is altered.”

Obito took a deep breath, his voice steady again.

“Biwa Jūzō must die. Regardless of whether he knows. He cannot return.”

“Destroy his body. No trace. No evidence.”

Zetsu nodded. “No inside help in the Leaf—it’ll be hard.”

Obito’s eyes glinted. “There’s always a way.”

…

Biwa Jūzō never expected to end up in the Uchiha Investigation Corps.

Not with Jiraiya watching him like a hawk.

He slouched in the chair, legs sprawled, blade leaning against the wall. His mask lay discarded on the floor.

“Hmph. This is the Leaf’s interrogation room?”

He sneered. “In Kirigakure, the walls are lined with bloody body parts. Heads hang from the ceiling. The chairs are covered in nails. The air is colder than a tomb.”

“That’s the real pressure.”

He leaned back, smiling cruelly.

“Here? It’s like sitting in my living room.”

He locked eyes with Jiraiya, Izumi, and Anko.

“Ask me anything. I won’t speak.”

“You know the Yamanaka Clan can steal memories. But before you do—I’ll detonate my brain. No way to extract anything.”

“Unless…”

He smirked. “You bring the Molten Release Beast.”

“Then… maybe I’ll slip up.”

“You keep mentioning Iizumi-sama,” Izumi said. “So your real goal was to reach him.”

Biwa Jūzō rubbed his ear, flicked out a small morsel, and let it stick to the wall.

“He’s right,” Jiraiya said. “He was one of Kirigakure’s elite—Blood Mist warriors. No torture will break him. Even if you cut him apart, he won’t cry.”

He turned to Izumi. “You need to come. This is your domain.”

Jiraiya had his doubts about Absolute Justice.

He didn’t understand Iizumi’s methods.

Even if the intent was noble, the execution was brutal.

To Jiraiya, it seemed like a man who saw the world as irredeemable—needing revolution.

But… I feel the same.

He believed change was needed.

Just not this kind.

Not through blood.

He believed in the prophecy—the one from the Great Toad Sage. The true savior.

But for now…

He’d work with Iizumi.

To learn about Orochimaru.

To uncover Akatsuki.

…

Outside the Academy, an elite Uchiha Police Force ninja spoke to Iizumi’s back.

“You just witnessed Absolute Justice in action. No mercy. Even for three Academy students and a teacher—because they committed unforgivable sins and refused to repent. They trampled justice and morality.”

“The words of Kushina-sama… I agree. She was right.”

“If you run for Clan Head, we’ll support you. When you lead the Uchiha… we’ll all follow Absolute Justice.”

Iizumi paused.

“Justice must never be compromised. Even one rotten grain can taint the whole.”

“And,” he added, turning slightly, “don’t limit Justice to the Uchiha. When you understand this… come to me.”

Behind him, Tachibana Jiro turned, eyes sharp.

“Iizumi-sama says you need bigger vision. Justice isn’t just for one clan.”

“It should be for the entire Ninja World.”

“Even if you’re Uchiha, you’re still too narrow-minded. You’re not even as mature as a twelve-year-old.”

“Come back when you’re ready.”

The three Uchiha stared, stunned.

They were being lectured by a Ninja Cat.

And they couldn’t argue.

One of them murmured, “So… this is what true Justice looks like.”

“The reason we follow him? Because he sees farther than any of us.”

“And yes… he’s right. Our vision was too small. We didn’t see the path.”

Another said, “So… what now?”

The Uchiha with his hands in his pockets smirked.

“We do Justice. He’s already accepted us. If we understand his words… we can believe.”

“We may not be the first to follow. But compared to others? We’re one hundred times better.”

…

Inside the Academy, Iruka watched the students from the doorway.

When he saw Iizumi, the Anbu, and Kushina had all left, he stepped back inside.

He cleared his throat.

“Class dismissed! Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Ino Yamana, Sakura Haruno—you’re free.”

Naruto and Sasuke didn’t cheer.

They were furious.

They’d missed the entire event.

It had happened just outside—but the walls, and Iruka’s constant gaze, had felt like prison.

“Damn it… we missed it!” Naruto raked his fingers through his hair.

“Iruka-sensei’s terrible! We’re Iizumi-sensei’s students! How could we not understand Justice?”

Sasuke stood silent, arms crossed. “He’s a new teacher. No experience. No wonder his teaching is trash.”

Iruka froze.

He almost smacked them both.

Then—

A small, clear voice cut through.

“You… don’t understand Justice. Even if you call him ‘teacher’.”

Naruto and Sasuke turned.

Sakura stared at Ino.

Ino took a slow breath, eyes fixed on the bodies guarded by Academy teachers.

“You regret not being part of the execution. But you never cared about the victim. You ignored her.”

“Ino…” Sakura whispered.

She’d always thought Ino was strange lately.

But now she saw it.

Ino… didn’t like Sasuke anymore.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have said “you”—including Sasuke.

If it were her, she’d only say Naruto didn’t understand.

Sasuke was perfect.

But Ino? She was different.

Ino continued:

“You didn’t mourn her. You didn’t care. Justice without victims? That’s not justice at all.”

“So stop blaming Iruka. He may not follow Absolute Justice—but he understands it better than you.”

She remembered her father’s words.

Every sentence she’d spoken—he’d said them first.

She’d learned about Absolute Justice through Yamanaka Haiichi.

More than Naruto or Sasuke.

And that’s why she’d lost her infatuation with Sasuke.

He seemed… childish.

Iruka watched her small back, whispering:

“Her father taught her. And the recent turmoil in the Yamanaka Clan… it made her grow up too fast.”

He looked at Naruto and Sasuke.

“Fire Nation Will… Absolute Justice…”

He made a decision.

He packed his lesson notes.

As he walked out, he murmured:

“I hope you don’t blame me, Hokage-sama. Naruto and Sasuke chose this path. As their teacher… I’ll support them. Let them become the shinobi they’re meant to be.”

He didn’t believe in Absolute Justice.

But he could still teach Justice.

And Fire Nation Will.

They weren’t enemies.

They could coexist.

…

“Oh no… I said the wrong thing! Sasuke’s silent. He’s furious!”

“What do I do? Should I hint to Ino to apologize?”

“But if she gets on his bad side… that’d be better. Less competition.”

“But… she’s not that bad… before…”

Sakura’s mind raced.

Then—

A voice.

“Yamana Ino. That’s your name, right?”

Ino turned.

“Yes.”

“I think… you’re right.”

Sasuke stared at her. His cold mask cracked.

“I didn’t understand Justice. We both ignored the victim.”

Naruto grinned, extending a hand.

“Naruto Uzumaki! Future Hokage! I’ll spread Iizumi’s justice across the world!”

Sasuke followed.

“Uchiha Sasuke. Nice to meet you.”

Ino looked at them.

“Yamana Ino. Nice to meet you too.”

Sakura…

She felt suddenly like an outsider.

A wall had formed.

She couldn’t understand why Sasuke had changed.

Why he apologized.

Why he was being nice to Ino.

They’d all been so close before.

Now… everything felt distant.

…

Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Police Force HQ.

Izumi entered the interrogation room.

Jiraiya, the Ninja Cat, and a toad had come to him—reporting that Biwa Jūzō demanded to speak only to him.

So here he was.

But Iizumi wasn’t interested in intelligence.

He wasn’t after Orochimaru.

He wanted to know:

Was Biwa Jūzō a Red Mark Criminal?

A man deserving of Absolute Justice?

“…Unexpected,” Iizumi said, stepping into the room.

He didn’t even glance at Jiraiya.

The Sannin looked awkward.

Iizumi stood before Biwa Jūzō, eyes fixed on the white box hovering above the man’s head.

“Once the Blood Mist ninja of Kirigakure. The man known for cruelty in the Third War. You are… more upright than most.”

“Not a true monster.”

Biwa Jūzō smirked. “So you’re the Molten Release Beast of the Leaf? Impressive. Just standing here gives me chills.”

“You know… you should ask—”

“Release him.”

Izumi cut him off.

To the Anbu.

“There’s no point.”

Biwa Jūzō: “…?”

Jiraiya: “…?”

“Wait!” Jiraiya protested. “He’s a spy! From Akatsuki! He’s linked to Orochimaru. We can learn everything from him!”

Anko added, “He came here for you. Don’t you want to know their plans?”

Tachibana Jiro hopped onto Izumi’s shoulder.

“Mrow. This Seven Swordsman just defected from Kirigakure. He’s new in Akatsuki. Probably a rookie.”

“He doesn’t know anything. Iizumi-sama already knows more than he does.”

“Orochimaru? He doesn’t know where he is.”

“So… what’s his value?”

“Maybe just his sword. Worth selling.”

Biwa Jūzō: …

Damn it. How does this talking cat know so much?!

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end