Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv at unhinged_uchiha
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Police Station, Konohagakure
Returning to the Police Station, Kanzou immediately ordered his men to bring Sarutobi Shinnosuke to him.
After all, he had promised Hiruzen to help 'educate' his son, and Kanzou always made good on his word, especially when it came to settling scores.
"Let me go! My father is the Hokage, release me at once!"
Shinnosuke struggled frantically, restrained by two Uchiha clansmen.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn't break free.
Since his imprisonment, a specialised sealing technique had been used to suppress his Chakra. Though he was a Jōnin by rank and an elite Jōnin by strength, without access to his Chakra, even two Chūnin were enough to keep him restrained.
Watching him thrash about, the two Uchiha couldn't help but sneer. One of them even slapped Shinnosuke across the face.
They had no regard for his status.
"To hell with your status as that stupid Sarutobi Hiruzen's son, Uchihas are the true founders and rulers of this village," one of them muttered coldly, giving him another slap in the face.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke-senpai, it's been a while," Kanzou said with a cold smile.
He knew Shinnosuke from their time at the Konoha Ninja Academy; Shinnosuke had been a year senior. They'd clashed back then, and Kanzou had already taught him lessons a few times.
Now, fate had delivered Shinnosuke into his hands again.
Shinnosuke glared at Kanzou with pure hatred. Their past conflict had already been intense, and now it was about to explode.
"You dared to attack my Police Force, Senpai? You shouldn't have done that, you know," Kanzou's eyes narrowed. "That takes guts, senpai, after all, there are no academy instructors here to safeguard you here… Here, in am the instructor and I am the Principal… And you are a disobedient child… and do you know how the disobedient children are corrected? Well… I certainly know about it thanks to your credit… so let me give you a taste as well…"
"You wouldn't dare! If you lay a finger on me, my father won't let you off!" Shinnosuke tried to throw his weight around by invoking his father's name once more.
"Senpai, do you think dragging out the Daddy Hokage's name will help you now?" Kanzou scoffed and gestured toward the two Uchiha guards.
Without hesitation, the two Chūnin moved in and began pummelling Shinnosuke. His screams echoed throughout the room.
"Uchiha Kanzou! Just wait—I won't let you get away with this!" Shinnosuke roared defiantly.
"Senpai, do you know, I like people who talk tough the most because it's fun when their real cowardice is revealed," Kanzou said with a smirk. "Slap him again."
The corners of Kanzou's lips arched slightly. 'Acting stubborn, huh? Let's see how long that lasts after a few more slaps.'
As for whether this would worsen things with Sarutobi Hiruzen, heh, Kanzou didn't care. That bridge had long since burned. He and Sarutobi Hiruzen were never going to coexist peacefully.
After the beating, Kanzou picked up a red-hot iron rod and slowly walked toward Shinnosuke.
"You… what are you planning to do?" Shinnosuke's voice wavered with fear.
Ssssss—! Kanzou didn't bother answering. Instead, he pressed the glowing iron against Shinnosuke's chest.
A searing hiss filled the room, followed by a guttural scream of agony.
A mark was now scorched into his skin.
"Tsk tsk… Shame no one can see it with your shirt on," Kanzou mused. "Senpai, want me to brand another one, on your face this time?"
Kanzou waved the still-glowing iron rod, and the sight alone was enough to terrify Shinnosuke into wetting himself.
He literally peed his pants as yellow liquid dripped visibly down from his crotch.
Being branded on the chest was one thing; he could at least hide that with clothing. But if Kanzou scarred his face, how would he ever show himself in public again?
"W–Wait! Stop! Please stop!" Shinnosuke shouted in panic as the iron neared his face.
"Fifty million ryō. That's the price for your release. Interested, senpai?" Kanzou asked casually.
"Yes! I agree!" Shinnosuke didn't dare refuse. He was convinced that the moment he declined, Kanzou would slam the red-hot iron rod into his face without hesitation.
"Have someone bring the money. Once I see it, you're free to go. But if I don't get it by the end of the day…" Kanzou let the words hang, then added coldly, "This iron will leave a mark on your face for life, senpai."
With that, Kanzou tossed the hot iron rod aside and strolled out of the torture room, leaving Shinnosuke trembling behind on his own pee.
…
Back in his office, Kanzou had barely settled into his seat when a beautiful kunoichi with dark grey hair stepped forward to serve him tea. It was Hazuki.
"Kanzou-sama… how did it go with Sarutobi Hiruzen?" she asked.
"Boring," Kanzou replied flatly. He had no interest in discussing the old coot any further and simply took the tea from her hands.
Hazuki hummed softly, as though she wanted to say something more, but before she could, another presence abruptly made itself known.
The window slid open, and someone entered without knocking.
"Uchiha Kanzou," the newcomer said coldly. "Danzō-sama wishes to see you. Come with me."
It was a messenger from the Root organization.
The Root agents were even colder and more emotionless than ANBU. They were nothing more than tools, thoroughly conditioned and completely under Danzō's control.
"Shimura Danzō wants to see me?" Kanzou scoffed. He shrugged, took a leisurely sip of his tea, and added dismissively, "Tell him that I am not interested."
The Root operative stiffened, clearly stunned by the blatant disrespect. He tried to recover by pressing back, his tone sharpening. "Are you certain you wish to refuse Danzō-sama's order?"
"Oh?" Kanzou blinked, feigning surprise. Amusement flickered in his eyes as he leaned back. "And what exactly is Danzō going to do if I refuse? Run to his gay buddy and complain that Uchiha Kanzou is a threat to Konoha, and that the entire Uchiha clan must be dealt with?"
Kanzou didn't take Shimura Danzō seriously in the slightest. Even at his peak, armed with stolen Sharingan as well as Mangekyō Sharingan that allowed him to use Izanagi and forbidden enhancements with the implantation of Hashirama Cells, Danzō had been easily dealt with by Sasuke.
And it was Sasuke who had already been through a fight against the Yondaime Raikage.
If that Sasuke could easily toy with Danzō at his peak… why, then, would Kanzou fear him now?
At present, Danzō was nothing more than a bitter schemer hiding behind Hiruzen's authority, resentful of living in another man's shadow, yet unwilling to step out of it because that shadow still granted him protection and influence he couldn't obtain on his own.
In the end, Danzō was just a rat scurrying beneath Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk, and Kanzou had no doubt he would remain that way for the rest of his miserable life.
Chuckling, he added casually, "If Danzō truly wishes to see me, then tell him to crawl out of his hole and come himself. I might consider hearing him out then."
The Root operative bristled at the repeated disrespect. "Uchiha Kanzou… how dare—" he began, trying to press his intimidation further.
He never finished.
A cold flash of steel cut through the air behind him. His head separated cleanly from his body and struck the floor with a dull thud.
"Didn't Kanzou-sama already make it clear that he isn't interested in seeing Shimura Danzō?" Hazuki said coolly, wiping the blood from her short sword with a handkerchief. "Why did you feel the need to repeat yourself?"
"Very good, Hazuki," Kanzou murmured in approval. "Your speed this time was satisfactory."
The poor fool hadn't even realized when Hazuki, who had been standing quietly beside Kanzou, vanished and reappeared behind him to deliver the killing blow.
Her speed was indeed improved.
"Of course, it's all thanks to your teachings, Kanzou-sama," she said with a respectful bow.
"Hmm…" Kanzou hummed with a smile.
"I'll get this trash cleaned up," Hazuki said flatly.
Kanzou nodded and added, "Also… bring me the one who allowed this trash inside."
"As you command, Kanzou-sama," she replied with a bow before leaving the office.
…
"Kanzou-sama," Satoru rushed in from outside, dropped to one knee, and glanced at the headless corpse.
"My apologies, Kanzou-sama. I failed to guard the door and let him break in."
"I'll let it go this time. But I don't want to see it happen again. No matter who it is, unless they are permitted to meet me, they must not be allowed inside. Even if it's the Hokage, they must not be allowed inside, understood?"
"Yes, Kanzou-sama, I understand," nodded Satoru.
"I'm quite optimistic about you, Satoru, don't disappoint me," said Kanzou, adding.
"Yes, I am grateful for that, I swear I won't let you down again," said Satoru.
In Uchiha Satoru's heart, he wanted nothing more than to whip the corpse of the intruder who had broken in; he had nearly caused Kanzou-sama to lose interest in him.
"Anyway… help Hazuki clean up the trash. The official report will state that a spy infiltrated the Police Force building with the intent to assassinate Sarutobi Shinnosuke and steal sensitive information, but was executed before he could succeed."
The accusation was delivered without the slightest hesitation. After all, the dead couldn't defend themselves, especially the dead of Root.
Not to mention, Kanzou also deliberately included Sarutobi Shinnosuke's name.
With Shinnosuke in the mix, even if Danzō wanted to pursue the matter or attempt to involve Hiruzen, the Hokage would not be able to say anything at all.
And what, then, could the Hokage possibly say?
"Understood," Satoru swiftly got to work. His movements were sharp and efficient, proof that he was indeed worth training.
As a Jōnin on the verge of reaching Elite Jōnin, Satoru stood out as one of the most promising leaders among the current ranks.
To Kanzou, the Root operative was nothing more than a minor annoyance. These rats lurking in the gutters of Konoha, barely managing to gnaw on their roots, weren't even worthy of his attention.
After the corpse was cleared away, Kanzou turned to Hazuki and said, "What do you think… isn't it about time I officially claimed the title of Patriarch?"
Hazuki smiled and replied, "That position has always been yours, Kanzou-sama. It's only natural for you to take your rightful seat. We Zodiacs have always looked forward to the day we could call you Patriarch."
"Well then…" Kanzou murmured with a smile.
In the past, Kanzou had no interest in becoming the Uchiha patriarch.
Indeed, even if his zodiacs and other loyal subordinates wished for him to become the Patriarch, he still wasn't all too keen.
The position was thankless, full of responsibility but offering no real benefit, especially with the constant pressure from Konoha's leadership.
But now, things had changed. The pressure from Konoha's higher-ups no longer fazed him, and Kanzou needed the entire Uchiha clan's support to help him accumulate evil points.
"Go. Bring Mikoto here. It's time to put on a good show… I hope she won't disappoint. And bring Kaede as well, we'll need her testimony."
"I understand," she replied with a nod, then disappeared from the office.
…
Elder Tadayoshi's Mansion
Wearing a chūnin vest over her standard kunoichi gear, along with the insignia of the Konoha Military Police Force, Hazuki arrived at the elder's mansion.
She wasn't alone. Kaede, who is even younger than her, dressed in simple civilian clothes, followed closely behind.
DING-DONG!
Hazuki rang the doorbell. Moments later, the gate opened, revealing Tadayoshi, who regarded the two girls with doubt.
"Tadayoshi-sama," Both bowed respectfully before Hazuki explained the reason for their being here. "I'm here on Kanzou-sama's orders. The show is about to begin."
At those words, the elder pursed his lips but didn't turn them away. "Wait here a moment," he said calmly. "I'll call her." Mikoto had been resting in her room.
But there was no need.
"It's alright, Sofu-sama. I'm already here." Mikoto had appeared behind him.
Tadayoshi turned and studied her. Although she had changed her clothes, but her eyelids still looked dark. "Didn't you sleep?" he asked.
"Couldn't," she replied simply, her face betraying none of her exhaustion. Her gaze then shifted to the two girls. She immediately recognized Kaede, who smiled shyly and bowed.
Her eyes moved next to the dark grey–haired kunoichi. Mikoto blinked, a flicker of recognition surfacing. 'Isn't she…?' One of the photographs from Kanzou's bedroom came to mind, the photograph of him as a jōnin instructor standing behind three genin. The kunoichi before her looked strikingly similar to the young girl in that picture.
"Uchiha Hazuki," Hazuki introduced herself lightly. Her eyes lingered on Mikoto for a brief moment before she continued, her voice steady. "It's time. Kanzou-sama has asked for you."
"I know," Mikoto said with a nod as she stepped forward.
Hazuki produced a pair of handcuffs from her pocket and held them up.
Tadayoshi frowned immediately. "Why the handcuffs?" His displeasure was evident.
"She is considered a captive for now," Hazuki replied calmly, her gaze returning to Mikoto.
Mikoto didn't argue. She lifted her arms in acceptance. Hazuki cuffed her wrists without delay and gave a gentle tug, guiding her forward. Mikoto complied without resistance, bowing once more to her grandfather before leaving.
Kaede bowed as well. "Tadayoshi-sama… we'll be arriving from a different street," she said softly. "You may come separately."
"Yes," the elder replied, nodding. "I'll be heading to Fugaku's house." With that, he departed on his own.
…
As the team of police force marched through the streets of Konoha, everyone who saw them quickly stepped aside.
Over the past two days, both the Uchiha and the Police Force had made a name for themselves.
But it wasn't a good reputation; it was one of fear and infamy.
Now, whenever the villagers saw a member of the Uchiha clan, they instinctively backed away.
Walking behind Kanzou, the Uchiha Clansmen noticed the fear in the villagers' eyes and held their heads high with pride.
"So arrogant," someone muttered.
"I suggest you shut your mouth. Unless you want to be summoned by the guards for 'tea.'"
"Onii-chan, if you want to get yourself killed, don't drag me down with you."
Neither ordinary villagers nor most ninjas dared to provoke the Uchiha clan.
Rumour had it that even the Hyuga and Sarutobi clans had suffered humiliating defeats at their hands.
For civilian-born shinobi with no powerful backing, offending the Uchiha was out of the question.
Even when they talked about the Uchiha, it was always behind closed doors, or in their hearts, no one dared speak ill of them face-to-face.
Kanzou returned to the Uchiha compound with his entourage, exuding the clan's full authority.
At this time, the Uchiha district was still located at the heart of Konoha.
It was only after the Nine-Tails' attack that the higher-ups began pushing the clan further out from the village centre.
But for now, as one of the two founding families of Konoha, the Uchiha compound still sat at the village's center.
Upon returning, Kanzou didn't head home.
Instead, he led his people straight to Fugaku's residence—
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv: unhinged_uchiha