Uchiha Kai's expression was calm.
Even after ordering arrests just moments ago, his face still carried a warm smile.
Clearly—
For him, a small scene like this wasn't worth caring about.
Targeting him?
Did they really think he was as stupid as the rest of the Uchiha?
Yes.
Though he hadn't investigated yet, in his heart he was certain:
These three weren't Anbu, then they had to be from Danzo's Root.
Either way, what was there to fear?
So what if he had them arrested?
They were already enemies. As long as he stayed within the rules, he didn't mind clashing with the Hokage's faction.
He didn't believe Hiruzen Sarutobi would dare rip the façade apart.
On the other side—
Perhaps it was because of Kai's calm, smiling face, but the villagers who had been panicking began to settle down.
When they turned their eyes on the three captives, discussion broke out at once.
"I don't know these people!"
"Me neither. You?"
"Never seen them before."
"…"
One after another, Konoha villagers shook their heads.
No one recognized the three who had been dragged out.
Seeing this, Kai's lips curled into a faint smile.
"You've all seen it for yourselves." His voice was quiet but firm.
"I thought it was strange from the beginning—this was just a petty theft case."
"Whether the arrest was right or wrong, it should never have blown up like this."
"When something's abnormal, there's always a reason. And these three—were the ones fanning the flames among you."
"The theft can wait."
"But these three? I suspect they're enemy spies."
"That's why I'll need to interrogate them. I hope you villagers can understand."
He spoke politely, with a smile that left people no room to feel disrespected.
Naturally, the villagers nodded.
They weren't troublemakers. In a world like this, shinobi were the privileged class.
The Uchiha, even more so, were a noble clan.
Maybe in private, with the village's protection, they'd mutter complaints.
But in public? No one dared defy them.
Especially not Uchiha Kai—Police Chief, clan high-up.
The fact that he spoke kindly at all was already more than face-saving.
"Yes, I support this."
"I knew something was off—so they're enemy spies!"
"…"
Nods and agreement spread through the crowd.
Only then did Kai turn his eyes back to the three prisoners.
His tone was calm.
"Speak. Who are you?" Kai said softly.
"If you can prove you're citizens of Konoha—"
"I, Uchiha Kai, will personally apologize to you."
But—silence.
The three said nothing.
They didn't even look nervous.
Instead, their gazes toward Kai were full of contempt and mockery.
But Kai had never expected them to confess anyway.
Watching their steady composure, their air of confidence—
He was now certain.
Not spies.
Root or Anbu.
So his guess had been right.
This whole "petty theft" incident was deliberately engineered by the Hokage's faction.
But what was the aim?
To test him? To tarnish his name?
Even if they succeeded, what did they gain?
His mind spun rapidly, analyzing.
If today blew up, who would come knocking next?
Got it.
If nothing else—Uchiha Shisui would surely be pushed to confront him.
So that was it.
The Hokage faction wanted the Uchiha to fight among themselves.
Heh.
A cold laugh left his lips, disdain flashing in his eyes.
Now that he understood, he had no patience to play along with these three.
His eyes narrowed, and he spoke lightly:
"Since you won't explain yourselves, then you must be spies."
"Tiehuo, lock them up."
"You are authorized to use any torture necessary—make them confess."
"We'll prove to the village that even without the Yamanaka's mind techniques, the Uchiha are second to none in interrogation."
"For the honor of the Uchiha!"
At his command, the Uchiha around him lit up with excitement, like blood had been pumped into their veins.
Tiehuo's expression hardened, and he waved his hand.
Seven or eight Uchiha rushed forward eagerly, dragging the three off toward the Police Force dungeons.
Their eyes shone with zeal—
They truly believed these were enemy infiltrators.
And in their simple minds, they kept cheering themselves on:
They would dig out these men's secrets.
They would prove the Uchiha could match the T&I Division.
They would uphold the clan's honor!
But meanwhile—
The three captives were completely stunned.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go!
By procedure, the Police Force had no right to handle spy cases.
That was Anbu's jurisdiction.
Normally, once transferred to Anbu, the matter would vanish quietly.
That was why they hadn't been worried even after being caught.
But this damn Uchiha Kai—
He wasn't playing by the rules!
For the sake of so-called "Uchiha honor," they were about to suffer real torment.
What now?
Cold sweat drenched their foreheads.
Finally, one of them snapped in anger.
"Uchiha Kai, I advise you to release us immediately!"
Kai raised a brow.
"Oh? So you're ready to confess?"
"Confess, my ass—we are—" the man began.
But before he could finish, his comrade snapped, cutting him off.
"Shut up, you fool!"
His face was tight with frustration, but in the end, he too fell silent.
Kai's lips curled with disdain.
He couldn't be bothered wasting words.
He waved his hand.
"If they won't talk, drag them away."
"You have my leave to use any torture. Just don't kill them."
"Beat them within an inch of their lives. Force them to reveal who they really are."
"These spies don't deserve human rights. Break them until they confess."
Hmph!
Kai's face was full of scorn.
If they wouldn't reveal their identity, then they had only themselves to blame for what came next.
Anyone who dared come after him would pay the price.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi was displeased, unless he publicly revealed who they really were, even the Hokage could only grit his teeth.
And even if he did reveal them? Kai wasn't afraid.
Why didn't you say so earlier?
How was he supposed to know?
He had assumed they were enemy spies.
At worst, it was all just a "misunderstanding."
What else could they do to him?
"Understood!"
The Uchiha roared in unison.
They had been seething all day over this farce.
And now, fortune had dropped three perfect punching bags in their laps—
And by breaking them, they could even prove Uchiha pride.
Of course they would give these "guests" the warmest welcome possible.
To read 250+ Advance chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554