"Decline?"
A member of the Sarutobi Police Force following Genya frowned angrily at his words. "Genya, you heir of the Uchiha clan, if you don't know the facts, don't speak recklessly. The Sarutobi Police Force has done nothing wrong!"
The Police Force member reacted strongly to Genya's statement. They outright denied any notion of decline, considering it a slanderous accusation. Even if it were true, they would never admit it.
"Heh." Genya didn't continue. The truth was there, but if they refused to acknowledge it, there was nothing he could do. Still… has the Sarutobi clan not woken up yet? How laughable.
He wondered how the Sarutobi clan would handle this situation.
Kurenai's eyes narrowed sharply. The difference in status was obvious. The Sarutobi still refused to reflect on themselves and even carried themselves proudly. Clearly, the Hokage had given them far too many privileges.
Because the Sarutobi Police Force members were following behind, ordinary villagers kept their distance. Some even closed their doors immediately upon seeing them.
To these villagers, the Sarutobi were nothing short of harbingers of trouble.
"Hmph, it seems people don't like you all," Genya remarked, noticing those who stayed far away.
Here, the Sarutobi were like grim reapers in the streets. Villagers avoided them, afraid of drawing any trouble.
"They fear you!" a Sarutobi clan member snorted.
Yet, as they glanced at the villagers keeping their distance, a cold gleam flickered in their proud eyes. These people had embarrassed them in front of Genya. Once the Uchiha were sent away, they would teach these villagers a lesson.
The group continued forward. Genya occasionally teased the Sarutobi Police Force members behind him, each remark sharp and biting.
There was no helping it. Genya was deeply dissatisfied with Sarutobi's behavior. At the core, the Sarutobi had never truly seen the villagers as human.
Eventually, they arrived in front of a residential building. This was the home of one of the missing people. But unable to withstand the oppression of the Sarutobi clan, they had abandoned their house. This visit was only to collect some belongings—but once they left, they never returned.
Their family had searched the area, but there was no trace of them.
Genya and his companions entered and examined the place. Still, there was nothing. They then visited the homes of the other missing people, but again, found no sign of them.
Of course, this was all within Genya's expectations.
After all, for a ninja to abduct a civilian without any ninja skills was as easy as flipping one's hand.
Naturally, it left no traces, no evidence!
"Genya… there's no trace at all!" Kurenai Yuhi shook her head. She couldn't detect any signs, not even the slightest mark of a struggle.
Kurenai Yuhi felt somewhat frustrated.
Genya nodded. Even if there had been traces, they would have long been cleaned up.
"How's the investigation going, everyone? If there's nothing to find, I suggest you leave!" A member of the Sarutobi Police Force trailing behind Genya grew impatient and began urging him.
"Why the rush? Since there's nothing in their home, the missing person might be somewhere nearby. We should take a proper look around!" Genya waved his hand casually, his tone playful.
"What… you want to keep wandering around here?" The Sarutobi Police Force members were furious. They had been following Genya for so long, expecting the mission to be straightforward, but Genya kept pushing his limits!
"What's the matter? Do you have a problem with that? I was sent by Konoha to investigate the missing person!" Genya glanced at them with a constant smile. "If you're impatient, then leave. We can investigate on our own!"
"You…" The Sarutobi clan members were enraged, but they gritted their teeth and spoke, "We're following you!"
They had been sent by Eisuke Sarutobi specifically to monitor Genya. They couldn't leave so easily, though looking at Genya now only fueled their anger.
If he weren't the Uchiha clan heir, they would have dealt with this insolent fool long ago.
"Then let's continue!"
Genya clapped his hands and continued wandering through the area under the Sarutobi Police Force's jurisdiction, occasionally glancing at the surroundings with a serious expression.
But the Sarutobi members all knew that Genya was just toying with them.
Their expressions darkened further.
They had come to despise Genya, and the Uchiha clan. Just wait—they thought. When Konoha finally moved against the Uchiha, they would make sure this worthless fool paid.
Genya wandered through the area while they trailed behind.
Suddenly, Genya stopped in his tracks, staring at a somewhat shadowy building ahead. He began stepping toward it.
"Where do you think you're going?" The Sarutobi Police Force members rushed forward to block him, noticing his intention to enter the building.
This was the Root base. Eisuke Sarutobi had explicitly ordered that no Uchiha could approach this place.
"Of course, I just find this place a bit strange, and I want to take a look. Maybe it has something to do with the missing people!" Genya replied casually.
"You can't go… this is Root territory. You're not allowed!" the Police Force member said gravely.
"Root belongs to Konoha, right? So why can't I go?" Genya challenged, stepping forward.
Swish—swish—swish—
At that moment, several masked ninjas flew in from all directions, blocking Genya's path.
Their short blades pointed directly at him.
Cold voices rang out from the masked Root ninjas: "This is Root's stronghold. Advance any further, and you die!"
On the dagger, a cold, menacing gleam flickered, warning Genya that if he dared force his way in, they wouldn't hesitate to kill a few people.
At the same time, Hinata and Shino assumed vigilant stances.
Hinata's eyes were fixed firmly on the Root member in front of her. The moment any of them showed a move against Genya, she would freeze the space immediately.
Shino placed his hand near the exit point of the insects in his body. The Giant Devourer Insect swirled in his palm, ready to fly out and devour anyone from the ANBU who acted suspiciously.
Kurenai kept a constant watch on the few Sarutobi clan members behind them.
"Oh~ you won't let me go? In that case… I won't go then!"
Genya patted Hinata and Shino beside him and spoke with a playful tone.
As he spoke, he began leading the group backward.
But his eyes, through his companions, were fixed on the building ahead and the massive underground chamber below.
Inside, many people were conducting experiments. Some of them were clearly new test subjects.
The layout and structure of the place were all engraved into his mind.
Heh, now wasn't the time to uncover the secrets of the Root and Hiruzen Sarutobi. But tonight, he could make a visit of his own.
Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi shouldn't be sitting so comfortably.
****
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