Uchiha Akaishi Tour

Chapter Ninety-Two: The Dust Settles (End of Volume)

April 15, Konoha Year 42.

The Akaishi Squad escorted the captured Root members back to Konoha, carrying the "evidence" they had gathered from the secret research institute. Along the way, these Root ninjas were sealed away, so they naturally couldn't cause any trouble.

Moreover, on the second day, the 12th, Akaishi had already received news that Orochimaru had launched a purge of Root within the village...

By the 14th, ANBU ninjas dispatched by the village had already joined forces with Akaishi's team. However, just to be on the safe side, even though Shimura Danzo had confessed, Akaishi did not hand them over.

By the time Chishi returned to the village on April 15, the matter had already been settled.

Because Shimura Danzo fully admitted to the charges, the witnesses captured by Akaishi served no additional purpose; they were merely used to escort prisoners.

The villagers of Konoha lined the streets to greet these Root ninjas who not only tarnished Konoha's reputation but also persecuted their fellow villagers, their angry shouts echoing throughout the village.

"Are these the villains at the root?"

"That's right, it's these traitors!"

"Why didn't Konoha's Akashi kill these traitors?"

"Of course, it's because he's kind..."

"They went too easy on them. They should have been wiped out like the other Uchiha!"

"Shh, keep your voice down..."

"So what if I raised my voice? What else can they do?"

"That's right, my brother died on the battlefield. I think he was definitely betrayed by them!"

"Luckily, I adopted my nephew, otherwise he would have been ruined by them too..."

"Konoha Akashi, well done!"

At the same time, the villagers of Konoha did not hold back their praise for "Konoha Red Stone" - after all, Red Stone had never actually worked in the security department, and everyone's impression of him was that of the war hero "Konoha Red Stone", so they had a very good impression of him.

The villagers' vehement condemnation of the roots was entirely justified...

After all, in war, who doesn't have distant or close relatives who are wounded or even killed in battle?

The current characterization of Root by Konoha is to damage Konoha's reputation and undermine the results of Konoha's war!

Seeing this, Akaishi felt relieved.

He also knew about the Hokage Building's reaction...

It seems that, at least among the ordinary villagers of Konoha, public opinion about Root is widespread, and there is no dissenting voice saying "they are also doing this for Konoha."

On the one hand, it is because "it should be so," especially now that so many ninja families are suffering from the pain of war. At this time, if you say that an organization that plunders villages and persecutes the orphans of ninjas who died in battle is so difficult and is doing so much for Konoha, no one will listen.

On the other hand, there is also the factor of the Security Department and the major ninja clans doing their best to uphold justice in Konoha—even if someone tries to stir up trouble, they will be dealt a heavy blow and have no chance at all.

Akaishi looked at the captured Root members, each of them now displaying resentment, and realized even more clearly that they could no longer reintegrate into the village.

The villagers of Konoha are very petty, and the Root members are even more vengeful—they remember every insult the villagers hurl at them!

This is why Akaishi didn't resort to underhanded tactics...

Because there were too many people, Akaishi estimated that it was impossible to actually execute them all.

Only by leaving some things behind will future generations understand why the "former" era destroyed and cleansed the roots!

Otherwise, you'll end up like Madara Uchiha...

Perhaps in a few years, people will forget the pain once the wounds have healed, and amidst all the disappointments, they might even yearn for the "roots."

However, as long as some remain, especially the Root ninjas who were ostracized and humiliated by the villagers, they will prove everyone wrong in the future...

Soon, ninjas from the Anbu also stepped forward and officially handed over these "prisoners" to Akaishi.

No matter how rigorous the investigation, those who work directly in secret research institutes will inevitably be held accountable.

In addition...

"Jonin Akaishi, regarding the baby found in the Root's laboratory..." The leader of the ANBU began somewhat hesitantly.

"Hmm? We found more than one. Most of them are still at the Fire Temple, being taken care of by the monks there," Akaishi said matter-of-factly.

"I'm talking about... the one whose experiment was successful..." the Dark Division captain said, looking at the baby Jiraiya was holding—surprisingly, Jiraiya was already the best at taking care of children in the Akaishi Squad!

And this baby, of course, cannot stay in the Temple of Fire!

Otherwise it would be too dangerous!

As a suspected successor to the Wood Release experiment, he will be the subject of much attention.

But just then...

"There's no need for you all to do that."

Before Akashi could say anything, Canglan walked over with several ninjas from the Forest Street.

Upon hearing Canglan's words, the Dark Army captain hesitated only slightly before leaving with the other prisoners, without mentioning the "baby" again.

Seeing how decisively he gave up, Akaishi guessed that Hiruzen Sarutobi must have mentioned this situation in his orders!

This also shows that Hiruzen Sarutobi had anticipated, and even... tacitly approved, that the Forest City would distrust him.

Canglan originally wanted to take the child away directly, but the baby cried when separated from Jiraiya, so Jiraiya took the baby to the Forest Town.

In addition...

"Come with us too! Nonou... The person who will take care of you is also in Mori no Machi." Ranma said, bringing the white-haired boy along as well.

The other children stayed at the Fire Temple, but he took the initiative to want to go back to the village with Akaishi, and even came up with a reason that he could "testify to," so Akaishi agreed.

Although he certainly couldn't keep up with the pace, he didn't complain because the raccoon was carrying him.

After handing over the "prisoner" to the Anbu, Jiraiya, Ranma, and their three uncles and four aunts returned to the Forest City, while Akaishi returned to the Uchiha clan's territory—going to the Hokage Building at this time would only make Hiruzen Sarutobi feel like he was in the way!

Upon returning to the Uchiha clan's territory, Akaishi discovered that neither Clan Chief Kensuke nor Orochimaru were present. He then went to see Elder Chiri to inquire about the current situation.

However, the elder of the Zhili clan usually didn't concern herself with these matters and wasn't fully aware of the current situation. She simply stopped Jiancheng from acting recklessly.

In the end, Akaishi learned about the current situation from other young people in the clan.

"Brother Akaishi, you don't know, if that son-in-law hadn't been so conservative, we could have killed Shimura Danzo three days ago!"

"However, the Uchiha clan didn't lose out this time; at least we're guaranteed two elder positions..."

"If you ask me, there should be at least three. I think Brother Akaishi could be considered a veteran!"

"That's right, we can choose two more. I think we Uchiha are sticking to our values..."

Chishi stopped Ajie and Ayang from their daydreaming, asking, "What's going on with the 'Elders' now? Are you sure you want to make an election?"

Akaishi and Orochimaru did discuss this matter, but Akaishi was not sure how far Konoha had progressed.

After all, only three and a half days have passed since the "root cause cleanup" began!

"That's right. Three days ago, after the emergency Jonin meeting, Hokage-ro immediately announced that the 'Elder System' was being planned, and the details were announced the next day."

"Yes, at next month's Jonin meeting, all the Jonin will hold a vote of confidence..."

From A-Jie and A-Yang's back-and-forth conversation, Akashi understood the general direction of the matter.

The system of elders in Konoha has now been established.

Going forward, eight senior members will be appointed below the Hokage, serving as organizers of the "Jonin Conference".

Besides participating in special resolutions and making on-the-spot decisions in the field, which exceeds the power of "elite Jonin" and is similar to the current "Hokage's assistant", the elders also have the most important "right to know the final outcome".

In the future, secret organizations such as Root and Anbu will not be able to completely bypass the Jonin Council—even if it is kept secret from ordinary Jonin, at least half of the "elders" must be aware of it and supervise it.

Of the eight elders, four seats do not require selection—two are directly recommended by the Hokage, while the Jonin squad leader and the head of the security department automatically receive the "elder" position.

The other four were chosen by a vote of Jonin, but it was stipulated that at least two of them must be of "commoner" origin.

This is the origin of what A-Jie and A-Yang meant by "protecting one's values ​​and beliefs"...

As the main force in the purge, the Uchiha clan naturally reaped the greatest benefits—both the "Jonin Squad Leader" and the "Security Department Chief" were from the Uchiha clan, especially the latter, who was almost inextricably linked to the Uchiha clan.

After all, this purge of the Root was almost entirely initiated by the Uchiha clan. Although Mori no Machi could also be considered a leader, he was indebted to the Uchiha and did not compete with them. Moreover, it was Orochimaru Uchiha who spoke up for everyone afterward. Naturally, when it came to dividing the cake, the Uchiha had to start eating first.

Of course, the idea of ​​"maintaining a proper worldview" is just talk.

Akaishi understood that, even setting aside the possibility of a "four," he, as the "three," had no chance of being chosen...

This isn't about whether Akaishi is young or has enough reputation; the latter might not even be a problem. But...

With two elders already in the Uchiha clan, who would choose another Uchiha?

No matter how great Akaishi's reputation is, it's useless!

"They actually created an 'elder'? Then... did Shimura Danzo not get executed?" Akaishi had already guessed it.

If they killed Shimura Danzo and then forced the Third Hokage to establish a system of elder statesmen, that old monkey would probably go on a rampage with the Uchiha clan...

"Not yet. They say it'll be decided by the Hokage and the elders after the elders confirm it," A-Jie said, adding disdainfully and resentfully, "Brother Akaishi, you didn't see it. That Shimura Danzo, even when he was about to die, he pretended to be a hero, acting like he was doing it all for Konoha!"

Akaishi shook his head upon hearing this—these two, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, are truly a pair of smiling tigers, two black sharks…

However, Akaishi was surprised and somewhat relieved that Hiruzen Sarutobi would make so many "sacrifices" for Danzo Shimura.

On one hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi had plenty of "burial goods"; on the other hand... with the Root gone, the most annoying thing in the village will become the Security Department again!