Chapter 162: Third Hokage's Fury! The Misfire of Absolute Justice?

The next morning.

A shockwave rippled through the entire Leaf Village—Uchiha Iizumi, along with several elite members of the Uchiha Clan, had left the village. The news spread like wildfire, catching the major clans completely off guard.

The Uchiha Clan’s stubbornness and arrogance were widely acknowledged across the Leaf Village. Combined with the Hidden Leaf’s leadership quietly spreading rumors about the Uchiha’s inherent danger, this sudden departure sent alarm bells ringing throughout the village.

Everyone was on edge, fearing the Uchiha might stir up trouble.

“Left the village?” Tsunade Konoha narrowed her eyes, her brow furrowed in concern. After a brief pause, she immediately headed for the Hokage Tower and found Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“Hiruzen,” she asked bluntly upon arrival, “did you send them on a Ninja Mission?”

She paused, then added, “You know full well the risks involved in assigning Uchiha ninja missions. Most of them are volatile by nature. After returning from their missions, they almost always commit crimes—and it’s always Iizumi who kills them.”

“No,” Hiruzen Sarutobi cut in, his own expression grim. As Hokage, he’d received the intelligence the moment it arrived.

“Iizumi is gone too. So it was him who took them.”

He exhaled heavily. “Four people in total—four Uchiha ANBU-level ninja, including Iizumi. And his Ninja Cat is missing as well. If I’m not mistaken, they’ve left to hunt down Orochimaru.”

Tsunade Konoha offered a different theory. “Could it be that Iizumi took three elite Uchiha with him to form a new branch of the clan outside the village? To preserve the Uchiha bloodline?”

Her tone carried a deep, instinctive suspicion—she assumed the worst of Iizumi.

Hiruzen looked at her. “If he were doing that, why didn’t he take Uchiha Izumi? Or Sasuke? Or Naruto? Or Neji?”

Tsunade Konoha fell silent.

“Hmph…” Hiruzen sighed, turning away. “The real danger isn’t just their departure. It’s that Iizumi’s influence within the Uchiha Clan is growing. Back in the day, no one would’ve followed him. He was isolated—almost like Itachi was once.”

At the mention of Itachi, Tsunade Konoha spoke again. “Hiruzen… I suspect Fugaku is no longer on our side.”

Hiruzen lifted his eyes. “Why do you say that?”

“Because if he truly stood with us, he would’ve done everything in his power to stop Iizumi. He pretends to be helpless, but who knows if he’s just pretending? The rise of Iizumi’s Absolute Justice… I’m beginning to wonder if Fugaku planned this all along. If he’s secretly in league with Iizumi.”

Hiruzen had no immediate defense. Lately, he’d grown increasingly disappointed in Uchiha Fugaku. The Uchiha Clan had become dangerously uncontrollable under his leadership.

“I’ll meet with him personally,” Hiruzen said quietly. “Give him a little pressure. I don’t harbor ill will toward the Uchiha—but I won’t allow them to spiral out of control. Not while Iizumi turns them into an unbreakable fortress.”

Tsunade Konoha’s expression eased slightly. At least on this matter, they were in agreement.

They both refused to tolerate the Uchiha.

After all… they were both disciples of the Second Hokage.

But just then, an ANBU Ninja barged in without knocking.

Before Hiruzen could even frown, the ANBU spoke in rapid, breathless urgency:

“Hokage-sama! Your daughter-in-law—Hiruzen Fumiko, wife of Hiruzen Shintetsu—she’s been murdered!”

The ANBU stumbled over the words, his voice cracking.

The words struck Hiruzen like lightning.

He froze. His face went rigid. His eyes glazed over, his mind blank.

The news detonated in his skull like explosive tags.

His thoughts shattered. His breath caught. His body trembled.

Only Tsunade Konoha reacted swiftly. Her face darkened with fury and horror as she snapped, “What happened? Tell me everything!”

The ANBU took a deep breath, bowing his head.

“Hiruzen Clan members delivering her meal found no response. A bloody smell seeped through the door crack. When they forced entry, they found her body—covered in blood.”

Hiruzen’s expression remained frozen as he slowly rose from his chair. He took one step forward—then staggered.

Tsunade Konoha caught him before he fell.

“Take me back to the Hiruzen Clan residence,” Hiruzen rasped, his voice thick with suppressed rage.

Both ANBU and Tsunade Konoha could hear the killing intent beneath his words. The Hokage was furious—angrier than they’d ever seen. His fury had crossed into the realm of bloodlust.

“Yes, Hokage-sama!”

…

When Tsunade Konoha arrived with Hiruzen Sarutobi at the Hiruzen Clan residence, she found the entire clan in an uproar. Every face was etched with fury and grief.

“Hokage-sama!” The clan’s ninja surged forward, surrounding him, shouting over one another in a chaotic storm of anger.

“I found her body!” a female Hiruzen ninja growled, teeth clenched. “Besides the blood… I smelled something strange. At first I couldn’t place it. But later… it hit me. Sulfur.”

Another clan member’s eyes were red with rage. “Hokage-sama, it was Iizumi! Only the Lava Monster—when using his Bloodline Limit—leaves behind that same eerie Sulfur scent! Another one of us is dead at his hands!”

Sulfur? Iizumi?

Tsunade Konoha narrowed her eyes, silent but attentive, absorbing every detail.

“Hokage-sama! I heard Iizumi left today with three Uchiha! He must’ve fled because he did something he can’t face!”

“He preaches Absolute Justice, yet Fumiko was known for never doing wrong. If she’d committed any evil, Justice would’ve killed her long ago!”

“But she hasn’t left her home in days! How could she possibly be an Evil Offender?”

“The only explanation… is that Iizumi misjudged her. Mistakenly killed an innocent. Then fled in shame.”

Tsunade Konoha raised an eyebrow. Could it really be that simple?

But upon reflection… it wasn’t impossible.

No ninja ability is flawless. Even Iizumi’s eyes—capable of seeing evil—could err. If they never failed, he’d be a god.

And Iizumi had a fanatical obsession with purity. Once his Absolute Justice was tainted, his extreme nature would make him unable to forgive himself.

That was why he left.

Yes… it made sense.

Assuming we ignore the Orochimaru lead.

“Hokage-sama, we can’t back down!” a clan ninja shouted, veins bulging in his neck. “If we let this Lava monster run wild, you’ll be the last of your line—only Hiruzen Konoha Maru remains!”

“…We haven’t told him yet. He still doesn’t know. But one day… he’ll learn his parents were murdered by Iizumi.”

“And what will happen then? A three-year-old child hunting a monster like Iizumi? The only outcome is death!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes. He stood there in silence for a long time.

Then, his voice trembled: “Take me… to see the body.”

Surrounded by his clan, Hiruzen entered the house—his eldest son Shintetsu’s residence.

Inside, a woman lay sprawled on the floor, her clothes half-dressed. She’d clearly been bathing, about to get dressed. But someone had attacked her mid-undress, leaving her in a pool of blood.

Hiruzen Fumiko had once been an elite ANBU, and before Shintetsu’s tragedy, she’d been Hiruzen Sarutobi’s closest ally.

Only a high-level ANBU—possibly even a “Shadow”-rank ninja—could have killed her so swiftly. And even then, it would require surprise.

Unless… the killer was someone with Shadow-level power. And Iizumi had that kind of strength.

“Hiruzen,” Tsunade Konoha finally spoke. “Yes. I smell sulfur. Strongly.”

She stepped forward. “And look—some wooden furniture is scorched, as if exposed to extreme heat.”

She knelt, picked up a small black fragment from the floor, and handed it to Hiruzen.

“Cooled lava rock,” she said, her tone measured. “The sulfur comes from this. And there are more fragments near the body.”

She paused. “I may be the only one here thinking clearly. Let me offer my assessment.”

“Eighty percent chance that Iizumi killed Fumiko. But his departure today has nothing to do with it.”

She looked at Hiruzen. “Because he wouldn’t feel guilt. Not unless he truly realized he was wrong. And he won’t admit it.”

She paused, then offered a harsh metaphor.

“To him, killing Fumiko was just a minor task of Absolute Justice. Nothing worth his attention. Hunting Orochimaru—that’s the real mission. The real prize.”

“So after killing her, he left without hesitation. To pursue his true target.”

Her analysis was blunt, chaotic in delivery—but clear in intent.

—Iizumi is almost certainly the killer.

—But there’s a tiny chance… someone else did it.

The entire Hiruzen Clan leaned toward the first possibility.

Absolute Justice had already devastated them. Iizumi had blood on his hands—many clan heirs, many promising genin, all erased by his judgment.

And the case of Hiruzen Sakuko? In the heat of outrage, it had been buried.

“…Send ANBU,” Hiruzen said, his voice heavy. “Kakashi and Orochimaru’s Student—each lead a squad. Hunt down Iizumi and the three Uchiha ANBU. Bring them back to the village.”

He turned to Tsunade Konoha. “Root. Question Uchiha Izumi, Sasuke, Mitarashi Anko, and Hyūga Neji. Find out if they’re involved.”

He deliberately omitted Naruto.

“And bring the Ninja Cats to Root as well.”

Tsunade Konoha watched Hiruzen Sarutobi—his face twisted with rage, his chest heaving.

She saw it now. The Third Hokage had been pushed beyond his limit.

This was the real Hiruzen—the fierce, unyielding leader the village needed.

She forced down her own emotions, her face hard. “They may resist. Can Root use… stronger methods?”

Hiruzen didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Tsunade Konoha nodded. “Understood.”

She turned and left.

Hiruzen didn’t watch her go. He stared at his daughter-in-law’s body, his gaze fixed on the gash across her back.

The wound’s shape… unmistakably the Leaf’s standard Ninja Sword. The same blade Iizumi favored.

…

Not long after, the Ninja Academy.

“Ugh… so boring…” Naruto muffled his voice behind a book, his head buried in his arms, groaning softly.

Beside him, Sasuke stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought. He, too, hated these dull cultural lessons.

Every word from Iruka was ignored—filtered out before it even reached his ears.

Then—without warning—a voice cut through the air.

“Uchiha Sasuke. Is he here?”

Sasuke snapped back to reality. He turned.

A masked ninja stood at the door—already open. No one had seen him arrive.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “I’m here.”

Just as he stood, Naruto yanked him back down.

Sasuke glared. “What—?”

His eyes widened. Naruto’s face was pale, his expression grave.

“That’s not ANBU. That’s Root.”

Naruto whispered, “I’ve seen that mask before.”

Root.

Sasuke’s heart dropped.

Iruka stepped forward, trying to shield his student. “Root Ninja… is there a reason for your visit?”

“None of your concern.” The Root Ninja shoved Iruka aside.

Iruka lunged forward—then froze.

A Ninja Sword pressed against his throat.

One more move, and his head would be severed.

Cold sweat poured down Iruka’s face.

“Move aside,” the Root Ninja said, retracting the blade.

He stepped toward Sasuke, towering over the boy.

“Hokage-sama’s orders. You’re to come with me.”

“Why?” Naruto snapped.

“No reason.”

The Root Ninja grabbed Sasuke by the collar, lifting him effortlessly.

Sasuke barely had time to react.

“Wait!” Iruka shouted.

But the ninja vanished in a blur—Sasuke gone with him.

Iruka clenched his teeth. Fear gripped him.

—Something terrible happened.

“…I smell trouble,” Nara Shikamaru muttered, eyes narrowed. “Being taken by Root? That means big trouble.”

“Sasuke…?” Sakura stammered, still stunned.

Yamana Ino furrowed her brow. She stood. “Iruka-sensei, I need to go home. Please, let me leave for a while.”

Before Iruka could answer, she was already out the door.

Then—just down the hall—a loud crack echoed.

She turned.

A small figure burst through the classroom window, crashing into the wall.

“Hyūga Neji?” Ino recognized him instantly.

“Cough… cough…” Neji gasped, struggling to rise—then a hand seized his hair, yanking him up.

A cold voice: “Don’t think you’re safe just because you’re tied to Iizumi. I won’t hesitate to break you. This is a direct order from the Hokage. Even Iizumi must respect that.”

“Hmph. And you’re just a kid. You’ve been inflated by the Branch Family’s recent victories.”

Another Root Ninja.

Ino’s face paled. She fought the urge to charge in.

That would be suicide.

She watched helplessly as Neji was dragged away, powerless.

—I have to warn my father…

…

“Jiraiya… something’s wrong,” the toad sage on his shoulder murmured. “Why was Uchiha Sasuke taken? And why did they grab Neji—someone we already ruled out as the Chosen One?”

“Their methods are brutal,” Jiraiya said, crouched in a tree. His expression darkened.

He’d been watching Sasuke—trying to determine if he was the Chosen One. And while observing Sasuke, he’d also kept an eye on Naruto Uzumaki. A double-purpose mission.

But this… this was unexpected.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end