The Third Hokage fixed his gaze on Izumi, his voice calm but firm as he spoke, "Uchiha Izumi, although you are enforcing the law, remember this — you are a ninja of Konoha, and all the ninjas in this village answer to me. As long as you serve Konoha, you must obey my commands. Is there something wrong with that?"
Izumi's lips curled into a faint, almost teasing smile. "It's true that Konoha's ninjas obey you, Hokage-sama. But... you are old now. It might be more accurate to say that the current level of ninjas in Konoha is simply too poor. They can't even tell when someone is suspicious or dangerous."
Her words hung in the air like a sharp blade. Gasps erupted immediately from the crowd that had gathered.
"Did she just... talk back to Hokage-sama like that?"
"Is she trying to get herself killed?"
Uchiha Cang Kong's body went limp with fear, almost collapsing backward. Fortunately, some clan members and bystanders quickly steadied him before he could hit the ground.
The ninja guards standing silently beside the Third Hokage were equally stunned. They had witnessed many respectful conversations around their lord, but none as brazen as this. A young woman openly questioning the wisdom of the venerable Third Hokage? It was almost unimaginable.
For a tense moment, no one spoke.
Then, the Third Hokage drew in a deep breath, his voice restrained but cutting. "Uchiha Izumi, though I may be old, I have not lost my mind. On the contrary, I am disappointed in you. You, a member of the Uchiha Clan and the Police Force, have enforced the law with excessive brutality and bullied innocent civilians. This behavior is unacceptable. I misjudged you before — I never imagined you would be this person."
Izumi smiled, unbothered by his reproach. "Hokage-sama, why don't you have the ninja beside you check this woman's head? He knows Ninjutsu for searching, right? I'm sure he can tell if she's suspicious."
The Third Hokage's chest rose and fell with restrained anger. She was so arrogant she was practically ordering him around.
The crowd whispered, barely able to contain their surprise.
"Did she really just talk to Hokage-sama like that?"
"I wonder if the Third Hokage will actually order a check."
With a slight nod, the Third Hokage commanded, "You, go examine her."
The ninja beside him stepped forward and quickly approached the woman Izumi had been holding. As Izumi released her grip, the woman collapsed onto the ground.
The ninja wasted no time, weaving hand signs and casting a Genjutsu that gently lulled the woman into a deep sleep. He placed his palm firmly on her forehead, beginning a detailed examination.
Moments later, his eyes widened in disbelief.
The woman's head was layered with complex sealing Jutsu designed to prevent any form of detection or intrusion. The seals were expertly crafted, and the ninja immediately realized this woman was no ordinary suspect — she was almost certainly a spy. Nearly ninety percent of her brain was covered by these counter-detection seals.
Yet, he dared not speak the truth outright. To admit such a failure would embarrass the Hokage, and more importantly, cast doubt on Konoha's security.
The Third Hokage noticed the ninja's troubled expression and narrowed his eyes. Could it be...?
The ninja forced the words out reluctantly, "She is not..."
Before he could finish, Izumi snapped her fingers once again, signaling the Genjutsu to break.
To everyone's astonishment, the woman suddenly opened her eyes. Sensing the ninja's hand on her head and knowing she couldn't escape, she bit down hard on a small vial concealed in her mouth—a hidden poison.
Blood bubbled from her lips as the toxin took swift effect. With a final breath, she stared at Izumi, hatred burning in her eyes. Yet, behind that hatred was a flicker of sorrow — thoughts of her family and her homeland lingered in her mind. She had to protect the honor of her village.
Summoning her last strength, she shouted, "Hidden Cloud Village will avenge me! Konoha ninja, you will pay for this... Ugh!" Her voice trailed off as she collapsed, dead before she hit the ground.
Gasps and cries of shock rippled through the crowd.
"No way!"
"Could she really be a spy? From Kumogakure?"
The whispers turned to chatter and speculation.
Izumi stepped forward, eyes sharp and cold. "She committed suicide using poison, confirming she was indeed a spy."
She then turned to the ninja who had conducted the search. "And you... Is your skill so poor that you allowed her to wake up? Or are you colluding with her? Did you intentionally let her regain consciousness so she could kill herself?"
The crowd stared in shock at Izumi's accusations.
"I—I didn't... I was just doing my duty!" the ninja stammered, unable to explain how the woman could have resisted the Genjutsu.
The Third Hokage's face darkened as realization dawned. Izumi had set a trap and caught him completely off guard. She had been fishing for information and had landed the biggest catch.
"I'm not yet convinced she was under Genjutsu," the Hokage said gravely. "A normal spy would never cry out for vengeance before dying. It's likely someone else cast a Genjutsu on her. We must conduct a thorough search."
He looked at Izumi with a newfound respect. "Search her and the people around her thoroughly. Izumi, once the investigation concludes, I will personally commend you."
As he turned to leave, Izumi's voice rang out sharply. "Hokage-sama! Those few individuals who were the loudest in defending this woman just now—those are the ones who must be her accomplices! I'm taking them for questioning."
One man panicked, "No, no! I'm innocent! I was only watching!"
But Izumi grabbed him by the collar and pulled him forward.
Others who protested were quickly seized as well, their protests echoing through the street. "Hokage-sama, help! We were just spectators!"
One of the nearby ninja guards, Zecun, shouted angrily, "Uchiha Izumi! What are you doing? The Hokage said we should investigate carefully. You can step back now!"
The Third Hokage cursed silently. "Foolish girl. I already promised to reward her, yet she says nothing of it. If I linger here, this will only grow more complicated."
Izumi grinned. "I only wanted to establish my authority. I didn't expect them to dare shout at me openly. If they invite their own demise, I cannot be blamed."
She licked her lips and looked at Zecun. "Hokage-sama, your subordinates are truly pathetic. They can't catch spies, and now they try to steal my credit. Enforcing the law is hard—scolded by the public, reprimanded by you, and now having our accomplishments stolen. We Uchiha work hard, Hokage-sama. Maybe you should re-examine the caliber of the ninja under your command."
Zecun's face flushed bright red. "What are you implying? Do you think anyone can become the Hokage's guard?"
Izumi narrowed her eyes. "Judging by your handling of this spy, your skills are lacking. And Hokage-sama, you seem old and poor at judging people. Perhaps it's time to consider abdicating and allowing a worthy successor to lead."
Once again, shocked gasps echoed through the crowd.
This young girl was too brazen—too unrestrained.
---
Izumi stood tall, unwavering in her defiance. In a world where power and politics intertwined like the roots of an ancient tree, she was not one to bow down easily.
She was unbridled.
And she would change Konoha's future, whether they liked it or not.
---
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