Konoha: The Absolute Justice of the Uchiha

Chapter 112 Sasuke: I Want to Uphold Justice! (5000 words)
"If evildoers are punished according to the laws of the Land of Fire, then the evil that ravages the entire ninja world will never be truly judged."

A sudden voice interrupted the stubborn Koharu Utatane.

When Koharu turned around with a frown, she saw a girl from the Uchiha clan walking towards her with an unfriendly expression.

Koharu, who was turning the dorm, frowned even more deeply because she recognized Izumi.

This is Uchiha Ikezumi's sidekick.

Izumi walked up to Koharu Utatane, a high-ranking advisor to Konoha whom she had once regarded as a powerful and unapproachable figure. Even the head of the Uchiha clan had to treat Koharu with friendliness when they met her.

But as she believed in "absolute justice" and gradually came to understand what kind of people the so-called Konoha high-ranking officials really were...

Izumi's romanticized view of Koharu Utatane shattered instantly.

In her eyes, the other party was just a guy with no real skills who only knew how to point fingers at Senior Chi Quan.

"Senior Ikezumi once said that a lenient law is an aid and abetment of evil, a betrayal of innocent victims. And the laws of the Land of Fire are that kind of lenient law; they are unlikely to bring the perpetrators to justice!"

With an extremely serious expression, Quan Xiaolian said, "Smuggling and selling prohibited drugs, if judged under the laws of the Land of Fire... even if the amount is extremely large, exceeding one ton, it would probably only result in a sentence of nearly ten years or more, right?"

"If you pretend to behave well in prison, you might not even need a ten-year sentence; you can get out in five or six years."

"How many people have been killed by so many banned drugs? How many families have been destroyed? How many ordinary people have been misled?"

"This kind of lenient law is itself encouraging evil in the ninja world!"

When Xiaochun turned to her new room, her eyes widened involuntarily.

It was hard to believe that a little kid would openly challenge and argue with him, the advisor of Konoha, in front of everyone.

After all, Izumi is only twelve years old this year.

Even Fugaku, who was not far away, did not expect this to happen. The Uchiha clan members had a conflict with the high-ranking advisors of Konoha. If he did nothing, there would be a big problem.

Fugaku immediately went over and rebuked her, "Izumi, the moment the laws of the Land of Fire were perfected, everyone in the Land of Fire should have obeyed them without hesitation, instead of questioning them!"

"You and Chi Quan are both too obsessed with so-called 'absolute justice.' The law is for the order and stability of a country, for peace and stability, not for causing more killing."

Fugaku's intervention slightly eased Koharu Utatane's grim expression.

It seems that the ignorant ones in the Uchiha clan are ultimately just a bunch of brats.

Fugaku, as a leader, was still quite clear-headed.

Unexpectedly, Izumi, who had been rebuked by Fugaku, turned around and pointed the gun at Fugaku: "If it weren't for my insistence on upholding [absolute justice], Shimura Danzo would still be alive, and many other villains who committed crimes would still be alive. And one victim after another would still be unable to rest in peace in the underworld."

"Fugaku Clan Head, you haven't done anything for the innocent victims, so don't be so arrogant in your comments about 'Absolute Justice.' Our stance is different from yours; we care about the countless innocent people in the ninja world who are persecuted by evil."

"And all you care about is the Uchiha clan! No, you don't even really care about the Uchiha clan; all you care about is your so-called 'balance'!"

"If you cared about the Uchiha clan and knew that Itachi Uchiha would instigate the massacre of the clan in the future, shouldn't you have put aside your own family for the greater good?"

"And your subsequent actions clearly showed that you were protecting Itachi Uchiha! Is this what you call acting in the best interests of the Uchiha clan?"

Quan's emotional outburst and indignation stemmed entirely from the fact that this group had always disagreed with everything their predecessors had done.

The senior did absolutely nothing wrong. He was seeking justice for the innocent and constantly purging evil from the entire ninja world.

It's one thing that there are always some people who don't understand...

He also always utters nonsensical things that make Quan's blood pressure rise.

The rebellious nature of the Uchiha girl during puberty was aroused.

This allowed her to pour out all her innermost thoughts without reservation.

Even Fugaku was momentarily stunned.

The leader of the Uchiha clan was actually rebuked by a twelve-year-old?!

Fugaku's brows furrowed in displeasure. He felt that Uchiha Izumi had been around Ike Izumi for too long and had been too influenced by her, to the point that she no longer respected him, the head of the Uchiha clan.

If Sasuke were to hang out with Ike Izumi, he simply couldn't imagine what kind of person his second son would become.
Just as Fugaku was about to say something, he suddenly noticed that everyone present was looking at a sea of ​​fire in front of them. Fugaku vaguely sensed something and looked over as well, as did Koharu Utatane next to him.

"...Uchiha Ikezumi!!!"

Suddenly, Koharu's voice rang out from the dormitory.

Before everyone's eyes, a person emerged from the Shimura clan's residence, which had been transformed into a sea of ​​lava and fire.

Whether it's the raging flames all around or the rolling lava beneath your feet.

None of them could harm its body in the slightest!

"Even if the Shimura clan were all together, they couldn't put any pressure on him..." Fugaku muttered to himself, even though he knew the Shimura clan couldn't stop Ikezumi, Ikezumi was still too relaxed.

"but……"

A hint of worry flashed in Fugaku's eyes. Having witnessed a member of the Uchiha clan annihilate an entire ninja clan, how should the higher-ups of Konoha view the Uchiha clan?

His gaze couldn't help but drift towards Xiaochun, who was sitting next to him in the dormitory.

When Fugaku noticed that Koharu Utatane's old face was gradually becoming increasingly gloomy and hostile, his heart sank.

Oops!

Ikezumi's actions ultimately affected the Uchiha clan.

This has further lowered the higher-ups' opinion of the Uchiha clan!

Has all our efforts come to naught once again?
Fugaku clenched his fist, then relaxed it. A sense of helplessness mixed with deep disappointment lingered within him. Why… couldn't Izumi consider the hardships and difficulties he, as the clan leader, faced?

"Senior Ikezumi!!!" Ikezumi shouted loudly, raising one hand high, which was particularly eye-catching in this situation.

Tachibana Jiro, with his cat tail held high, strolled leisurely to the girl's side.

"Meow, without that old dog Danzo, the Shimura clan is nothing!" Tachibana Jiro scoffed. "They think they can assassinate Lord Ikezumi? They think they can challenge [Absolute Justice]? The moment they harbored evil thoughts towards [Justice], their fate was sealed: they would be wiped out by Justice!"

Tachibana Jiro's words made Fugaku glance at him slightly. Even a ninja cat could be affected like this by Izumi's [Absolute Justice].

How come I never realized before how powerful the brainwashing effect of the extreme justice concept of "absolute justice," which is black and white, is?

Fugaku increasingly felt that something was amiss.

If other members of the Uchiha clan were also influenced by Izumi, how dangerous would the Uchiha clan become?
and……

In Itachi's eyes, the Uchiha who uphold "absolute justice" are probably the kind of Uchiha who pose a great threat to Konoha, right? At that time, Itachi might cause a future tragedy to unfold!
Fugaku felt a heavy weight in his heart.

……

As Yamanaka Inoichi watched Uchiha Ikezumi emerge, he unexpectedly stepped forward to greet him, much to Nara Shikaku's astonishment.

Yamanaka Inoichi, whose face was usually serious and expressionless, managed a perfectly normal smile: "Ikezumi, should I have the Yamanaka clan's ninjas go in and collect the corpses?"

Uchiha Ikezumi nodded slightly and said, "We've lost a bit too many villains today, over thirty in total. Thank you for your help."

Nara Shikaku stroked his short beard, then looked thoughtfully at the "Three Giants of Konoha" not far away.

Yamanaka Inoichi's initiative to greet them was indeed unexpected by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.

Nara Shikaku keenly noticed the look of astonishment on their faces.

"Haiyi...aren't you being a little too blatant? Honestly, these three high-ranking officials probably won't be able to sleep tonight."

Nara Shikaku chuckled helplessly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was indeed shocked by this scene. Although he knew that Izumi Uchiha and the Yamanaka clan had a good relationship, since they had almost daily work-related interactions.

Throughout these years of cooperation, not a single member of the mountain tribe has been executed by Chi Quan in the name of justice.

This shows that the Yamanaka clan was a very orderly ninja clan in Ikezumi's eyes.

But he never expected that the relationship between the two sides could be this good.

At the critical juncture of the Shimura clan's massacre, Yamanaka Inoichi, the clan head, stepped forward in full view of everyone to make direct contact with Uchiha Ikezumi. The message behind this is self-evident.

Haiyi is clearly and blatantly supporting Uchiha Ikezumi!

The Yamanaka clan isn't a bloodline limit ninja clan, so why do they have such a strong grudge against Danzo and the Shimura clan? — When this question popped into Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, he suddenly fell silent, because he remembered the Yamanaka clan's encampment, now reduced to ruins.

The Yamanaka clan was almost wiped out by Danzo!
In this situation, how could one not hate Danzo? How could one not take out one's anger on the Shimura clan?

So, why would Haiyi openly side with Chiquan?
And this happened right in front of me, the Hokage?

A complex expression flickered across Hiruzen Sarutobi's unpredictable face.

at this time.

He suddenly saw Fugaku's youngest son and suddenly walked towards Uchiha Ikezumi.

……

Sasuke didn't know where he got the courage, but he stood in front of Uchiha Ikezumi as if by some strange impulse.

Although the abrasions and bruises on his body have healed considerably after being treated by the medical ninja, they are still somewhat painful.

Sasuke looked somewhat uneasy, but he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and boldly raised his head to say, "I think I understand what [justice] is now. [Justice] is about protecting innocent people from being maliciously harmed by others, and it's about using strong means to deter those evildoers, right?"

“Maybe…” Sasuke gripped the torn hem of his clothes tightly with his small hands. He noticed that Uchiha Izumi had lowered her eyes to look at him, and that cold gaze made him even more nervous.

"Perhaps... what my brother Itachi Uchiha did in the future falls into the category of 'villain.' In other words, once he did that, you would kill him, right?"

Sasuke asked each question with great care.

It even carries a sense of humility, as if one doesn't expect the other person to answer.

Sasuke, who has always been held to the highest and most demanding expectations by Fugaku, and who has always been compared to Itachi Uchiha by Fugaku, is not as strong and independent as he once was.

Although he was already the top genius in the class, the inferiority complex of not being as good as Itachi Uchiha always lingered in his heart.

“Yes.” Uchiha Ikezumi did not ignore him just because he was a seven-year-old kid.

But his answer was also very concise.

“To be precise, I will kill him before he even makes a move.” Uchiha Izumi added coldly, “When justice is not stopped in time when evil is realized to be happening, it will eventually become justice delayed. In the eyes of many people, justice delayed is not always justice.”

"So... Uchiha Sasuke," Uchiha Ikezumi asked, "are you trying to stop me from killing your brother? Even if you see in the genjutsu how he will treat innocent Uchiha clan members in the future, will you still consider the bond of blood ties?"

Sasuke hurriedly shook his head, gritting his teeth as he said, "I've already said I won't forgive him for what he did! But I don't want to watch a crisis approach my mother."

He added, "And Father..."

Sasuke vaguely recalled how powerless he felt when he saw Itachi Uchiha slaughtering the Uchiha clan during a genjutsu.

He hated himself for being so powerless.

"So, I want to stop him too!" Sasuke's tone grew increasingly firm, casting aside his cautious sense of inferiority. He said earnestly, "I can't let him fall into the abyss. What he did was wrong, and his thoughts were wrong. He's very ill, and I want to wake him up! I want him to know that family and clan are just as important!"

Sasuke thought of Uchiha Izumi, a former friend of Uchiha Itachi, who wasn't a very strong ninja before.

But ever since she followed Uchiha Ikezumi, she seems to have undergone a complete transformation and has become incredibly powerful!
That night, she was even able to stand alone in front of Itachi Uchiha.

Today, she can even fight three Uchiha alone!

Sasuke believed this must be related to Uchiha Ikezumi.

Perhaps this is why the bottom-ranked student follows Uchiha Ikezumi around and eagerly calls him "Ikezumi-sensei"!

Sasuke quickly continued, "I also want to follow you and uphold justice, just like the bottom of the class! Because I'm sure I can learn a lot from you that I couldn't learn at the Ninja Academy, and I'm sure I can get powerful strength from you that I couldn't get at the Ninja Academy!"

Sasuke's voice, roused by courage, was so loud that it made Naruto's eyes widen and caused Izumi's face to show surprise...

This almost made Fugaku Uchiha, who was not far away, gasp for breath.

What did you hear?
In front of so many important figures, Sasuke openly declared that he wanted to follow Uchiha Ikezumi, who had just wiped out the Shimura clan.
Fugaku felt an itch to use his hands, and his gaze instinctively wandered around, trying to find a suitable tool.

Until he heard Uchiha Ikezumi say indifferently, "I refuse."

The unexpected reply left Sasuke speechless.

Naruto exclaimed "Hey!" and looked around helplessly, unsure of what to do.

Quan paused for a moment, then began to ponder.

Fugaku breathed a sigh of relief... At that moment, he actually felt a little grateful to Ikezumi!

Unexpectedly, the overly unconventional Ikezumi finally considered the well-being of Uchiha Sasuke.

after all……

Sasuke, as his second son, chose to follow Uchiha Ikezumi, who destroyed the Shimura clan. Perhaps this was indeed just Sasuke's own will and had little to do with him, Uchiha Fugaku.

But Fugaku believes that others wouldn't think that way, especially someone as suspicious as Koharu Utatane.

They would only assume that Sasuke's actions stemmed from their own instructions.

That would be troublesome!

"Why...why..." Sasuke's voice trembled slightly. His neck was stiff and rigid. He felt that if he were even slightly more vulnerable, he might burst into tears.

Uchiha Izumi asked, "Do you uphold 'justice' to stop Uchiha Itachi? Or to fulfill the duty and obligation of 'justice'? Have you asked yourself these two questions?"

"If you successfully stop Uchiha Itachi, what will you do next? Will you peacefully wait to graduate and become an excellent Konoha ninja? Or will you take over your father's mantle and inherit the position of clan leader? Or perhaps you aspire to become the future Hokage of Konoha?"

One question after another plunged Sasuke into a mental storm.

Sasuke tried to imagine what he would do after stopping his brother.
To become an outstanding Konoha ninja? To inherit his father's mantle? To become the Hokage of Konoha?
In the past, Sasuke would have thought all three of them were pretty good.

but……

The pungent smell of sulfur in the air gradually brought Sasuke back to his senses.

Sasuke looked at the Shimura clan's residence, which had been razed to the ground.

He recalled the three Uchiha ninjas bathed in lava.

I recall the drug dealer who died at the hands of Uchiha Ikezumi.

Thinking of Itachi Uchiha's outrageous and extremely evil deeds in the future, and his stubborn and extreme personality.

Then I recalled the tearful, disappointed look in my mother's eyes.

His face was pale and his lips were tightly pursed. Although the courage he had mustered had completely dissipated, he still insisted on saying, "Even if I become an excellent ninja, even if I become the head of the Uchiha clan, even if I become the Hokage of Konoha, I still can't fundamentally change all of this, right?"

"what……"

Sasuke's chaotic thoughts were suddenly straightened out, and a glimmer of light gradually appeared in his confused and lost eyes.

"I actually want to change the current situation! If there were no more 'evil' in the ninja world as you described, wouldn't everything be better? Wouldn't there be no Uchiha massacre? Wouldn't innocent people no longer be maliciously killed?"

Sasuke finally said what he had been wanting to say but had been struggling to find the words to express.

"Would this... be considered... [justice]?"

Sasuke was starting to lose confidence.

"It's settled." Uchiha Ikezumi's single word turned Sasuke's face from disappointment to joy, but it made Fugaku's face freeze instantly.

Oops!

How did his youngest son, whom he had the least faith in, suddenly become so intelligent?
……

……

(End of this chapter)