That won't require Uchiha Clan Leader's concern, Shimura Hiro replied through clenched teeth.
With that, there was nothing more to say. Uchiha Douhuan led the three captured Shimura elders away, returning along the path they came.
These three arrested members were all high-ranking figures within the Shimura clan—otherwise, they wouldn't have been handling contact with Danzō. Under Douhuan's intentional arrangement, the escort team marched straight through the busiest commercial district of Konoha. Naturally, news of Uchiha Douhuan arresting Shimura clan members spread quickly throughout the village.
After returning to the Police Force headquarters, Douhuan immediately ordered the three to be sent to interrogation. Once the clan members heard that Shimura clansmen were being questioned, many of the more seasoned Uchiha instantly perked up. For the three Shimura captives, the coming night would not be pleasant.
Of course, Douhuan did not expect that these people would confess anything. The Shimura clan—especially those intertwined with Danzō—were all stubborn loyalists. Even if you killed them, they would never betray Danzō.
But Douhuan didn't need the truth from them.
All he needed was to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.
He had already butchered the "chicken."
Now he needed to go get something real from the "monkeys."
Uchiha Douhuan stayed in his office until late evening. Then he changed clothes and headed alone toward the village streets.
It was already deep into the night. The bustling commercial district of Konoha had started to quiet down. Shops closed their doors one after another.
In front of the Yamanaka Flower Shop, a small blonde girl was huffing and puffing as she carried the flower displays from outside back into the store. Although still very young and still with a trace of baby fat, one could already tell she would become quite the beauty.
Uchiha Douhuan approached the flower shop. The little girl noticed him and turned around with a sweet smile.
"Big brother, we're closed already!"
"Looks like I came too late," Douhuan chuckled. "But could the little shop owner make an exception for me? I want to buy some flowers to honor my fallen clansmen."
The little girl was clearly a hardcore face-connoisseur. Once she saw Douhuan's face clearly, her eyes immediately lit up with tiny stars.
"That's fine! For honoring your clan, how about cornflowers? I'll get fresh ones from the cooler!"
Yamanaka Ino ran over energetically.
"Then I'll trouble you," Douhuan replied with a smile.
At that moment, a tall man stepped out from inside the shop.
"Ino, go on upstairs. I'll take care of this customer."
Yamanaka Haiichi spoke as he walked out.
"Huh…?"
Ino glanced at Douhuan, then at her father, clearly reluctant, but eventually she put down what she was holding and trotted upstairs.
"Uchiha Clan Leader, coming so late to our humble flower shop… just for a few bouquets?" Yamanaka Haiichi finally asked once Ino had left.
"Of course. Yesterday, we reclaimed several Sharingan from Danzō's place. Although we can no longer determine exactly which fallen clansmen they belonged to, we still have to give them a proper funeral," Douhuan replied.
"My condolences."
Yamanaka Haiichi retrieved a few bundles of cornflowers from the refrigerator, wrapped them carefully, and handed them to Douhuan.
"Consider these as the Yamanaka clan's respect for the heroic spirits of the Uchiha."
"Then I thank the Yamanaka Clan Leader for his generosity."
Douhuan accepted the flowers with a polite nod.
"That little girl earlier… she's your daughter, isn't she? She's an adorable one."
Douhuan took a light sniff of the bouquet and continued casually,
"She seems to be in the same class as Elder Fugaku's second son. I heard she likes clinging to him quite a lot."
Yamanaka Haiichi's eyes froze for a moment, but he kept his expression calm.
"Just childish play."
"That's not necessarily so. Childhood sweethearts—what a charming phrase." Douhuan smiled.
"Why don't our two clans settle a marriage agreement? What does Clan Leader Haiichi think?"
"The children are too young. We can talk about that when they grow up."
Haiichi rejected the proposal without hesitation.
Douhuan didn't mind.
After all, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio of clans had always been staunch loyalists to the Hokage, and naturally avoided getting entangled with the Uchiha.
"That's true."
Douhuan nodded.
"You've been the clan leader for quite a few years now. The Yamanaka clan has prospered under your leadership. When it comes to managing a clan, I should learn from you."
"It's merely because the clan elders have supported me," Haiichi replied.
"Sounds like you're quite well-respected within your clan." Douhuan smiled faintly.
"Though every clan has a few ungrateful ones… wouldn't you agree?"
Yamanaka Haiichi narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not sure what Uchiha Clan Leader means by that."
"Today, we captured one of Danzō's diehard loyalists from Root. He happens to be from your Yamanaka clan. This puts me in a difficult position. After all, we all serve under Hokage-sama. It would be unfortunate if something like this caused friction between our two clans," Douhuan said.
"Was it Kaze?"
Haiichi's gaze flickered.
"That man forgot the honor of the clan the moment he joined Root. So, the Uchiha Clan Leader need not show mercy for my sake. Do as you should. If necessary, I can personally help clean up our clan."
"I see."
Douhuan nodded slightly.
"So he forgot his clan's grace? No wonder he's been attempting nonsense accusations."
"Accusations?" Haiichi frowned.
"Yes. He claims that during his time in Root, he used his position to funnel a total of 140 million ryō to the Yamanaka clan." Douhuan smiled mildly as he looked into Haiichi's eyes.
"Of course, I know the Yamanaka clan would never make such a fundamental mistake, nor do I doubt you, Clan Leader Haiichi. However… when we checked Root's financial records, there was over a hundred million ryō unaccounted for. If possible, I'd like you to visit the Police Force sometime. With such a large sum missing, I can't report to Hokage-sama without explanation."
"…I understand. I will visit the Police Force soon," Haiichi responded, eyes shifting slightly.
"Then I won't disturb Clan Leader Haiichi's family dinner any longer."
Douhuan lifted the bouquet slightly.
And on behalf of our departed clansmen, I thank you for your generosity.