Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"You flatter me, sir. I'm just trying to make a living here; I'm hardly a boss," the old woman said, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Enough with the nonsense. Judging from what you just said, you're a smart woman. You must know why we're here, right? Tell me everything you know." Uchiha Torajiro stared at the old woman with sharp, piercing eyes.

[Chapter 247. With the Horse]

The Arasaka family is considered a notorious gang of thugs in Konoha. The reason why this small gang is described as "notorious" is because the Arasaka family has a powerful backer. After Arasaka Rokuro's father, Arasaka Katsumasa, joined the Daimyo's special envoy stationed in Konoha, the Arasaka family became the envoy's lackeys, which is a semi-public secret in Konoha.

Out of respect for the special envoy dispatched by the daimyo, and because the Arasaka family also knew how to keep a low profile, relying only on the special envoy's office to do some small business in the gray area, newly arrived special envoys often needed such local bigwigs to help them get familiar with Konoha.

So as long as the Arasaka family doesn't cross the line or go too far, the police department and the ANBU have always turned a blind eye to them.

"From what you're saying, it's all because the Arasaka family forced you to do this, while you're completely shirking responsibility."

Uchiha Kojiro's expression was indifferent.

If one out of ten things this old woman says is true, that would be considered good. But the only thing that is certain is that the Arasaka family is definitely involved in this disappearance case.

"How could we dare to deceive you, Lord Ninja?" The old woman sighed heavily, a helpless and bitter smile on her face. "We weak women are like reeds by the water. Whenever a strong wind blows, we have no choice but to bow down and submit. We dare not refuse Lord Arasaka Rokuro's request, nor dare we not answer your question, Lord Ninja. Disobedience and deception will bring us annihilation. All we can do is obey."

These words,

That's very interesting.

Uchiha Torajiro raised an eyebrow. Even though he knew it was just the old woman's rhetoric, when he saw those ordinary-looking courtesans trembling like quails, yet still mustering the courage to peek cautiously out from behind the door frame at him and Yakushi Kabuto, his already weak desire to cause trouble was completely dispelled.

Making things difficult for these prostitutes who are at the very bottom of society.

I simply couldn't bring myself to do it; if word got out, I'd never be able to face anyone in the clan again.

"Take me to see this! How did you manage to make them disappear?"

Instead of bringing up the matter of responsibility, Uchiha Torajiro inquired about the details of the disappearance.

"My lords, please follow me."

The old woman was very perceptive.

During her conversation with Uchiha Torajiro, she never asked any questions, not even his or her name. She simply tried her best to answer his questions and fulfill his requests. She walked ahead, leading Uchiha Torajiro and Yakushi Kabuto to a room filled with cheap perfume and the smell of cigarettes.

The terrible environment made Uchiha Torajiro's nose feel a little uncomfortable, and his brow furrowed slightly. On the other hand, Yakushi Kabuto remained calm and seemed unaffected.

"It's right here."

The old woman walked to the bedside and easily pushed open the light and inexpensive dressing table. On the floor that was exposed was a very obvious trapdoor. She reached out and grabbed the handle, pulling open the trapdoor to reveal a dark entrance to a passage leading underground. "The Arasaka family comes from here every night to choose their targets. We put something in the tea, and once the target is unconscious, the Arasaka family takes the target away from here. That's why the number of people coming and going doesn't match up."

"Authentic... Although it's a very old-fashioned term, if I hadn't been careful, I would have been fooled."

Uchiha Torajiro walked to the entrance of the tunnel, his eyes turning bloodshot, his sharp, knife-like gaze sweeping over the tunnel's surroundings. "Where does this tunnel lead?"

"The vegetable shop across the alley."

"Vegetable shop?"

“I heard that the vegetable shop is owned by the Arasaka family. They deliver large quantities of fresh vegetables to the Arasaka mansion every day. I think that’s how the missing people are sent away.”

Uchiha Torajiro stared at the old woman for a few seconds, and the aged and faded woman met Uchiha Torajiro's gaze openly, not avoiding his crimson eyes. "You really know a lot!"

"It is my honor to be able to help you two."

The old woman spoke humbly.

Uchiha Torajiro snorted and turned to look at Yakushi Kabuto. "Kabuto, did you find anything?"

“This tunnel must have been created using ninjutsu.” Kabuto Yakushi, standing next to Kojiro Uchiha and peering down, immediately shared his discovery upon hearing Kojiro’s question. “Furthermore, the person who could create such a well-organized tunnel using Earth Release techniques must have been at least a Chunin.”

“That’s right, this tunnel wasn’t dug out with hoes and shovels.” Uchiha Torajiro frowned, looking displeased.

Kabuto Yakushi was able to spot the clues because of his meticulous attention to detail, while Kojiro Uchiha discovered them thanks to his keen eyesight. He noticed something amiss and realized that this not-so-short tunnel had been dug out using ninjutsu without disturbing pedestrians and residents on the surface.

Uchiha Torajiro knew perfectly well what this meant.

This discovery,

This made the disappearance case even more complicated.

Because this is Konoha, no matter how famous the Arasaka clan is, they are still just a gang of thugs. Even if the Arasaka clan offers extremely generous rewards, they still can't recruit anyone. According to Uchiha Torajiro's understanding, the Arasaka clan doesn't have any formal ninjas mixed in with them.

That is,

The person who cast the spell is likely not from the Arasaka clan.

"When did this tunnel appear?" Uchiha Torajiro rubbed his temples and continued to ask.

"Seven days ago, Lord Rokuro Arasaka came to our shop in disguise, accompanied by a man wearing a black hooded trench coat. I didn't see his face, but this tunnel was probably made by that man. As for the trapdoor, the old guy who guards the door used to learn the craft from a carpenter, so he installed a trapdoor to hide the entrance."

The old woman explained in detail.

This caused Uchiha Torajiro to ponder for two seconds, realizing that he seemed to have nothing more to ask. He glanced at Yakushi Kabuto, silently asking his subordinate if he had any other questions.

"Captain, I think it's about time we reported our findings to the department."

"It was Kabuto who said softly."

"Aren't you going down to take a look?"

"There's no need for that. As long as we confirm that we're related to the Arasaka family, that's enough. The biggest problem right now isn't verifying whether the other end of the tunnel is a vegetable shop. The real trouble is figuring out how to handle this. What do you think, Captain?"

Kabuto the Pharmacist remembered one thing,

Ten days ago,

The Fire Lord sent a new special envoy to Konoha, which caused quite a stir among the villagers, so much so that Kabuto Yakushi still remembers it vividly. And coincidentally, the Arasaka family's backing was the special envoy's office, making it hard not to connect the two.

"······well!"

Uchiha Torajiro sighed, "Then let's retreat for now! After waiting all night, we won't leave empty-handed. Let's send back the intelligence and information we've gathered so far!" As for how to deal with the Arasaka family, that's a problem for the big shots above.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The embassy is a very special place in Konoha.

Unlike the guesthouses used to entertain guests from other countries and ninja villages, the embassy located at the junction of the central area and the newly built area of ​​Konoha Village is the permanent residence of the special envoys dispatched by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Sending special envoys to Konoha, especially permanent ones, sounds strange, but once you understand it, you'll realize that it's not strange at all.

Nominally, the Fire Daimyo is the supreme leader of the Land of Fire; however, Konoha, the strongest military group in the Land of Fire, has maintained its own independent ruling structure from the very beginning.

For this,

How did the Fire Daimyo of each generation view Konoha Village?

The reporter who managed to slip up and ask that question in front of the former Fire Daimyo is probably long gone. Regardless of whether the reporter's bones have rotted or not, the former Fire Daimyo answered the reporter's question with a smile. He said that the one-country-one-village system is the foundation of peace in the ninja world, and the Daimyo's Mansion and Konoha are the best of friends. Anyone who dares to sow discord in this relationship is an enemy of the Land of Fire.

The Fire Lord's purpose in sending a special envoy to Konoha was simple: to keep a close eye on any activity in the village and have any news immediately reported to him through emergency channels. Before special envoys were dispatched, the Fire Lord could only passively wait for Konoha to contact him with intelligence.

Especially during the years when the Second Hokage was in power,

The First Shinobi World War broke out because of the death of Hashirama Senju. At that time, the Fire Daimyo had not received any news from Tobirama Senju and was still pondering what kind of waves Hashirama's death would bring to the world. Before he could figure it out, the war had already been going on for more than three days, and the Fire Daimyo only then learned that the war had broken out!

Afterwards, someone was sent to inquire with the Second Hokage, but the messenger was met with a sarcastic remark: "What's the use of telling you? Can you revive my older brother? Or can you stop this great war from breaking out? I'm busy! I don't have time to waste with your nonsense!" With that, the messenger was kicked out.

The cold-hearted Second Hokage was the main reason why the Daimyo sent an envoy to actively gather intelligence. Unlike the First Hokage, who was mild-mannered and bold but never made people feel impolite, the Second Hokage's love for Konoha was more extreme. In his view, the importance of Konoha surpassed that of the Daimyo's mansion.

They were fed up with always finding out what major events had happened in Konoha only afterward, so they created the special embassy to let the Fire Daimyo know what had happened in Konoha sooner.

"Knock knock! Sir?"

"It's Liulang! What brings you here at this hour?"

"Sir, the goods have been delivered."

"The goods... are they already at this point?" The hoarse voice from inside seemed a little surprised. Footsteps approached from afar, and then with a "bang," the door was pushed open forcefully. The man standing at the door had already taken two steps back, avoiding being accidentally injured.

The man who came out was an elderly man who looked to be around sixty years old. His white hair was thinning, and his gray beard was messy and unkempt. The old man looked up and squinted at the rising sun, muttering, "It's so good to have a healthy body! I don't feel too tired even after staying up all night. Indeed, there is nothing more precious in this world than a healthy and strong body!"

The man standing at the door bent over and lowered his head, pretending to be a wooden figure, hearing and seeing nothing.

On the back of his neck, one could see a corner of the demon tattoo. This humble man was none other than Rokuro Arasaka, the second head of the Arasaka family, who succeeded his father, Katsumasa Arasaka, and served the important figures at the special embassy.

"Send the items to the usual place."

The old man instructed, "When you go, check if Ogasawara is there. If he is, have him come to me. If he isn't, then forget it."

"Yes, my lord."

Rokuro Arasaka replied in a deep voice.

The old man before them was named Hiramiya Nariaki, a confidant of the current Fire Daimyo and a nobleman of the long-established Hiramiya family in the Land of Fire. He had come to Konoha as a special envoy. Ogasawara was the old man's head bodyguard, a cold and fierce man.

"By the way, sir, I met Lord Kazuma on my way here."

"I spoke cautiously," said Rokuro Arasaka.

Sure enough, upon hearing the name, the old man immediately frowned. "How could you be so careless?"

"It's because my subordinates didn't do their job well."

Rokuro Arasaka didn't dare to argue; he simply bowed his head and admitted his mistake.

"Was that pretentious fake monk, Kazuma, the one who didn't notice the goods?"

"I don't think so. I met Lord Kazuma at the entrance, just greeted him, and then he went out."

"Fine, that's it! That guy... just ignore him. As long as he doesn't bother you, try to avoid that rude and vulgar fellow in the future."

"Hey! Lord Hiramiya, I'm not as bad as you say, am I?"

The sound came from the top of the wall.

The old man suddenly looked up and saw a man sitting on the wall with long white hair, carrying a tin staff, and wearing an incongruous monk's robe. The old man's expression changed instantly, and his cold gaze was fixed on the man sitting on the wall. "He Ma! When did you get here?"

"Don't worry, don't worry, Lord Hiramiya, I just came back from eating ramen. I heard you scolding me from outside the wall, so I couldn't help but climb up and say a few words in my defense. I really don't know what you've been up to lately. You've arrested almost twenty people already, haven't you?" Kazuma asked with some uncertainty.

"Kazuma! You bastard!"

The old man was both shocked and furious.

Kazuma indeed discovered his secret, and Kazuma was immediately thrown into chaos. He thought about rushing up and killing Kazuma, but reason told him that he was probably no match for Kazuma, who was one of the top two ninjas among the Daimyo's 'Twelve Guardian Ninjas'.

Although he himself possessed an unbelievable secret,

But this secret did not give him the power to defeat Kazuma.

"I told you not to worry, Lord Hiramiya. I have no interest in your secrets. I just want to remind you not to go too far. This is Konoha, not your Hiramiya family's territory. If you cause trouble and tarnish the Daimyo's reputation, I will not forgive anyone, no matter who it is."

After saying those words, Kazuma flipped over and jumped off the wall, disappearing from their sight in an instant.