Chapter 95: December 12th, Konoha Year 56 (Part 3)
"I'm Jonin Commander of the Jonin Corps—Yoshimura Ryojin."
"Why is someone from the Jonin Corps with my ANBU division commander?" Uchiha Itachi asked in a low, pressing voice. "What are you scheming? Put Moonlight Tetsuya on the line!"
"Itachi-taichō, please calm down," Yoshimura replied. "The Jonin Corps and ANBU are working together on a joint mission. Why don't you come to the Police Force HQ and we can talk things through—nice and slow."
"A joint mission? Then why wasn't I, the ANBU commander, informed?" Itachi said through gritted teeth. "And why are you people at the Police HQ? You even had the nerve to kidnap Jiraiya-sama! What are you trying to do?! Release him immediately!"
"Let me speak." Uchiha Shisui stepped forward and took the radio from Yoshimura.
He waited until Itachi's furious voice came through clearly before calmly replying, "It's me, Shisui. Calm down."
"Shisui?!" Itachi's voice cracked with disbelief. "Even you?! I chose to follow the Third and Jiraiya-sama because of you! And now you've arrested Jiraiya?!"
"I won't say much," Shisui said softly. "But we cannot release Jiraiya-sama. He's suspected of aiding enemies of the village. Until we've completed the investigation, we can't let him go. But I assure you, if he's proven innocent, we will release him immediately."
"SHISUI!" Itachi roared.
"Please, calm down," Shisui repeated.
"Calm down?! You've joined a bunch of traitors! Fine then! Wait for me—I'm coming now! I'll blast every one of you into the sky!"
Itachi ended the call with a slam.
In Uchiha Douguang's office, Shisui looked around at the others and said helplessly, "He says he's coming to blow us all sky-high."
"I heard." Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple. "Shisui, I'll leave him to you."
"Understood," Shisui nodded.
One of Aburame Shibi's bugs crawled into Shisui's ear, carrying a communication message. Shisui gave everyone a look and then left the room.
"Tsume-senpai, how's your side?" Kakashi used the bug to contact Inuzuka Tsume, who was stationed outside the Ino-Shika-Cho compound.
"They've begun to mobilize," she replied.
"Just hold them off. Prioritize protecting our own people."
"Got it."
Across from her, fully armored Akimichi Chōza emerged with a formation of Ino-Shika-Cho shinobi.
"What now, Clan Head Tsume?" asked Uchiha Haruka, his three-tomoe Sharingan gleaming.
"Block them. If they're wise, we avoid fighting," Tsume said.
Her group revealed themselves from their hiding spots, cutting off the path from the compound to the village.
The two sides quickly stood face to face.
"Clan Head Tsume," said Chōza, squinting. "Here to visit again?"
"Of course. Your clan's hospitality last time was unforgettable," Tsume said. "But I doubt you'll have time to treat us tonight, hmm?"
"I'm afraid not. The village is in turmoil. I have to act," Chōza said.
"Then I hope you're prepared for the consequences. Jiraiya is already in custody. Interfering now will only brand you as aiding a coup." Tsume waved a hand.
Ten Uchiha Jonin stepped forward, all with fully awakened Sharingan. The pressure they emitted was immense.
Chōza's face tensed. Without Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi at his side, the situation was grim. He radioed Inoichi.
At ANBU HQ, Inoichi answered. Both he and Shikaku looked grim.
"We can't break through," Chōza said. "Tsume and Shibi brought everything they had—including ten Sharingan Jonin. We're outmatched."
The line went silent for a long time.
Eventually, Shikaku sighed and took the radio. "It's fine. Take the clan back. Leave this to Inoichi and me."
"Shikaku?" Itachi couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Tell Shikamaru… he is the sixteenth generation's Nara."
"Ino will be the sixteenth generation's Yamanaka," Inoichi added.
They shut off the line.
Chōza lowered the radio. "Everyone, fall back. Our successors must live. I'll go on ahead alone."
"Clan Head?" a Jonin asked in shock.
"Make sure Shikamaru picks someone other than a Sarutobi to witness the next generation's vow."
He turned and walked toward the blockade. The Inuzuka and Aburame troops stepped aside respectfully.
Back at Police HQ, Kakashi packed up his gear. "Shibi-san, we're nearly done. I'm counting on you to hold things down here."
"Understood."
Kakashi left.
——
At ANBU HQ, Itachi began mustering what little force he had left—seventeen shinobi total. Only two weren't from the Sarutobi, Mitokado, or Koharu clans.
Just as they were about to depart, Chōza arrived.
Shikaku sighed and said, "The ear-ring box is on my desk."
The final act had begun.
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