Chapter 4: The One Who Hurt Her Was the Father She Loved

“Hokage-sama, the Uchiha Police Force must be brought under control!”

Inside the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi—just finishing half of his morning paperwork—listened patiently to a ninja’s complaint.

“Today, members of the Uchiha Police Force attacked a civilian in broad daylight! They severed the man’s leg and dragged him through the streets like a puppet—blood trails stretched for hundreds of meters. So many villagers saw it. Children saw it too. Hokage-sama, this isn’t law enforcement anymore—it’s terror. Such actions only deepen the fear in our village.”

The ninja wasn’t a powerful figure, nor did he hold a prominent position in the village. His only claim to standing was his surname—Sarutobi. He was a distant cousin of the Hokage himself.

Hiruzen’s brow furrowed. “How is the injured man? What’s his condition?”

The ninja shook his head. “I saw the Uchiha’s arrogance and couldn’t stay silent—I ran straight here to report. I didn’t even check on the victim. But… if a man loses a leg and isn’t treated immediately, he won’t survive more than a few minutes.”

Hiruzen’s expression darkened.

Then, a thought struck him. He narrowed his eyes. “Who else was present? Which Uchiha were involved?”

The ninja hesitated. “It was Uchiha Iizumi… and another unfamiliar Uchiha girl.”

“Iizumi?” Hiruzen’s expression softened slightly. “If it’s him… then there must be a reason.”

The young Sarutobi stared in shock.

Hiruzen turned, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke softly, almost wistfully. “If it’s Iizumi, then he did this for a reason. His methods may be extreme—but he’s always acted with purpose.”

“But, Hokage-sama—”

Hiruzen cut him off sharply. “You ran here so fast, not out of concern for justice… but because you feared your bathhouse business would suffer, didn’t you?”

The ninja flinched.

“Go back. This is a matter for the police force. I trust Iizumi will explain himself soon. After all, he’s always been… unique.”

Hiruzen paused, then added, “Iizumi’s methods are harsh. But over the years, he’s never broken a principle.”

“…Yes, Hokage-sama.”

The young Sarutobi slumped, defeated, and left.

“Iizumi…” Hiruzen walked to the window, gazing out at the village. “Are you more loyal to the Fire’s Will… or your own Absolute Justice? I’ve always thought you and Itachi were alike—both deeply devoted to this village, in your own way.”

He murmured to himself.

…

Meanwhile, deep in a secluded courtyard on the edge of Leaf Village, Izumi panted softly, releasing the charred corpse she had been dragging.

She had intended to leave the body where it lay. But without orders from her superior…

She feared that discarding a criminal’s corpse without permission might anger him.

So, with a silent apology in her heart, she forced herself forward, dragging the body along behind her—her hands raw, her skin torn.

Until they reached the small man’s home.

She dared not look back.

She didn’t need to. She already knew—what lay behind her was a nightmare.

“Do you pity him?” Uchiha Iizumi’s voice cut through the silence. He had seen her expression. Her guilt was written on her face.

“The child in the well,” he said quietly, eyes fixed on the sealed, concrete-covered well, “was far worse off.”

He gestured. “Retrieve the body from the well.”

Izumi flinched at the tone.

“Yes, Senior!” She sprinted forward—and immediately gagged.

That smell…

That was death.

She braced herself, then carefully pried open the heavy cement slab.

The stench exploded outward—overpowering, thick, rotten. She instinctively held her breath, but her eyes burned.

She took a breath and leapt.

Just before landing in the well, she activated chakra to her feet—planting her soles firmly against the damp stone walls, avoiding the risk of crushing the child’s body.

Through the faint light filtering down, she saw a bundle wrapped in a tattered blanket—shaped like a ball.

Her stomach twisted.

Soon, she emerged, dragging the stinking bundle with her. She placed it gently on the ground, trembling.

“Feel like vomiting?” Iizumi asked, glancing at her pale, strained face. “It’s natural. Even hardened killers can’t fight their bodies’ reactions the first time they smell death.”

Izumi’s voice was calm, detached.

Izumi shook her head weakly. She couldn’t speak. She didn’t know why—but she couldn’t bring herself to vomit in front of the child. Not even now, not even though the child was already dead.

Then Iizumi stepped forward.

He knelt, slowly unrolled the blanket.

Izumi’s breath caught.

She turned away—then retched violently.

She couldn’t stop it. Her body rebelled. The bile rose, and she emptied her stomach—her breakfast, her fear, her sorrow—all spilled onto the dirt.

“Look at her,” Iizumi said. “Don’t look away.”

She wiped her mouth, trembling, and forced her eyes back.

Iizumi stood. “Multiple blunt-force injuries—over a dozen. Hands and feet broken multiple times. Flesh torn, exposed bone. Blood from the nose, ears, mouth. Internal organs—severely damaged.”

He paused.

“The fatal wound was around the neck—strangulation. She suffered for at least an hour before dying. Painful. Terrifying.”

Izumi’s voice was flat.

Izumi whispered, “An hour… If she had screamed… someone would have heard. Neighbors are close by. Why didn’t anyone come?”

Izumi looked at her, eyes cold.

“Because the one who hurt her… was her own father. To her, he was the one she loved most.”

Izumi froze.

“Uchiha Izumi!” she snapped, startled, standing straight.

“Hai!” she cried out.

Izumi stared into her eyes, each word deliberate.

“Now… do you still think he was the one who suffered?”

She bit her lip, head bowed.

“Senior… I was wrong.”

Izumi turned, voice low and firm. “Our duty as the Uchiha Police Force is to eliminate this kind of evil—utterly, completely. Only through absolute, merciless justice can we purge the corruption that festers in this ninja world.”

“Take both bodies back to the force. Your performance today was subpar. But you’re not dead yet. Tomorrow—meet me at Ichiraku Ramen.”

Izumi shivered.

“Yes, Senior.”

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end