Guard Headquarters.
A deep, eerie silence filled the entire lobby.
The guards stared at Tsunade and Kushina in shock.
Did they hear it right?
Was this… an official accusation against the Hokage?
And backed with solid evidence at that?
First, the return of the so-called "Sons of Hokage" had already shaken the village.
Now, the current head of the Senju clan had ruthlessly laid down a public accusation.
What would the Captain do?
Involuntarily, the entire Guard Squad turned their excited gazes toward Bai Ye.
Yes.
It had been too long since the Guard had mobilized for a serious mission.
Under Bai Ye's iron-tight management, Konoha had seen no major crimes for years. Opportunities to act with true force had become rare.
But now…
This was it.
A real storm was brewing!
Yet Bai Ye remained calm.
He had known the outcome long before Tsunade began her investigation.
Because he had planned this from the start.
It was he who had given Tsunade the confidence to stand tall and declare the Senju's revival. He who had subtly led her toward the truth.
The end of Sarutobi Hiruzen was inevitable.
In truth, Bai Ye could've resolved everything himself.
But Tsunade had insisted on uncovering the truth alone—to prove herself, to show Bai Ye she had grown.
He had trusted her.
Because his woman wasn't some delicate ornament. She was a warrior.
At that moment—
Standing beside Tsunade and Kushina, Kakashi felt numb and conflicted.
The sight of Kushina alive had shaken him.
But before he could react, Tsunade had marched straight in.
And Kushina's words—revealing Naruto's parentage—hit him like a thunderclap.
Naruto… is Sensei's son?!
So that's the truth behind the Nine Tails' attack?
It was too much to take in all at once.
But Bai Ye's gaze had already fallen on him, sharp and expectant.
Clearly asking—
Why are you here, Kakashi?
Yes.
Three of them had entered together.
Now it was Kakashi's turn to report.
But he'd originally come to ask about the commission Bai Ye had offered.
Yet now, before this storm of revelations, such a task felt trivial.
Should he still proceed?
Gritting his teeth, Kakashi made up his mind.
"I hereby—"
"—I know already."
Just like that.
As Kakashi gathered his courage, Bai Ye interrupted him mid-sentence.
You knew?
Knew what?!
Kakashi blinked in disbelief.
"I accept your commission," Bai Ye said calmly. "Since you suspect your father's death was connected to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the case will be investigated."
Wait… WHAT?!
When did I say that?!
Kakashi scratched his head in utter confusion.
But Bai Ye offered no further explanation.
Instead, he rose from his seat and waved his hand decisively.
"Gather!"
Yes!
This is the captain we know!
The Guards' eyes lit up with excitement. Even if the accused was the Hokage, their captain would pursue justice to the end!
"Guards!"
"Emergency assembly!"
Uchiha Sanyo roared into his walkie-talkie.
Within seconds, Guard Headquarters transformed into a hive of urgent movement.
But amid the frenzy—
In a quiet corner stood Uchiha Itachi, silent and conflicted.
Ever since Nawaki had returned to the Senju and started working with Tsunade, Itachi had felt a strange sense of isolation.
He was still… undercover.
A loyal agent of Hokage Sarutobi.
Yet everything had changed.
Since joining the Guard, he'd found a strange warmth—comrades who treated him like family.
One side was loyalty.
The other—was honor.
Right now, Itachi felt like the lead in a classic undercover tragedy.
What was he supposed to do?
He should be warning the Hokage.
But…
Could he really betray these people?
Itachi looked at the Guards as they quickly fell into formation.
Even if he did warn Sarutobi, could the old man even escape?
No.
It wouldn't make a difference.
With that realization, Itachi exhaled and straightened his back.
He quietly took his place in line.
He didn't yet realize—
When emotions overrule reason, betrayal becomes inevitable.
Today, he followed his heart and chose the Guards.
And this would not be the last time.
Within three minutes—
All available Guard units had assembled at the exit.
And behind them, a row of polished police motorcycles glistened under the sunlight.
Bai Ye stood at the front.
Uchiha Cong, standing beside him, lit a cigarette for his captain with solemn reverence.
Pre-mission briefings were necessary.
But if Cong knew his captain—and he did—this one would be short.
When duty called, Bai Ye transformed from a laidback slacker into a relentless force of justice.
Even if it meant overtime.
"No long speeches," Bai Ye began coldly.
"Today's mission is simple."
"We're arresting a criminal."
"There may be resistance. Prepare for battle."
He exhaled a puff of smoke—
Then crushed the cigarette under his heel.
His gaze sharpened.
"Alright, boys…"
"Let's make a scene."
"I—Uchiha Bai Ye—"
"In the name of the Guard Captain, hereby command: Arrest Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"Criminal. Class S. Life or death!"
Boom!
Bai Ye mounted his bike, revving the engine. His white Justice Cloak fluttered dramatically in the sunlight.
"Move out!"
Boom!
As Bai Ye's chakra surged into the vehicle, the engine roared to life and shot forward like a thunderbolt.
His troops followed behind, faces lit with wild fervor.
Like captain, like squad.
That had always been the truth.
When Bai Ye got serious, the Guards were ready to drill holes through injustice itself.
"Are the Guards mobilized?"
"Wait… even Captain Bai Ye is out?"
"Who's the target? Who's so important that he moves personally?"
"…they're headed for the Hokage Building!"
The villagers buzzed with speculation.
It had been years since such an event shook the village.
Because the roads were still under repair—
Uchiha Cong, ever the loud one, began shouting as they advanced.
"Guards coming through!"
"Civilians stand clear!"
"The suspect is the—"
He abruptly stopped.
Best not to reveal the target prematurely.
Who knew what tricks Sarutobi still had up his sleeve?
But it hardly mattered.
When the entire Hokage Building was surrounded by uniformed Guards—
Even a fool could guess who the target was.
Bai Ye strode toward the entrance flanked by Sanyo and Cong.
Waiting for them—
Yuhi Mako, father of Kurenai and survivor of the Nine Tails' attack, stood watch.
"The advisors are in the Third's office."
Yuhi Mako gave Bai Ye a long look, sighed, and stepped aside.
He was Anbu's acting head.
But this was his son-in-law.
"After today, the acting title's done," Bai Ye said with a smile.
Kicked out too?
Yuhi Mako raised an eyebrow, then grinned.
No—if the acting head left, the seat would be open.
Was this brat promoting him?
Good kid!
Yuhi Mako nodded in satisfaction.
A quick nod later, the Anbu around the building also backed off.
No resistance.
And so—
Bai Ye, with Cong and Sanyo, reached the Hokage Office.
Cong, always quick on the uptake, knew what to do.
He didn't wait.
"Inside! You're surrounded! Surrender peacefully!"
Boom!
One chakra-enhanced kick later, the door exploded open.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen! You are under arrest!"
"IMPUDENT!"
Sarutobi shot up, shaking with rage.
"Traitors! The Guard dares threaten Hokage?!"
He hadn't heard the full commotion from below.
He never expected Uchiha Bai Ye to be this direct.
No warning. No diplomacy. Just an arrest.
He looked to his sides.
Consultants Homura and Koharu were still with him.
He gave them a subtle nod.
If the three of them stood together, could Bai Ye truly detain them?
But he didn't expect—
Homura Mitokado suddenly fell to one knee.
"I report!"
"Third Hokage abused his power! And forced Advisor Koharu into a personal affair!"
Stunned silence.
Sarutobi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Everyone stared at Homura.
Even Bai Ye raised a brow.
Good guy!
Another witness added to the pile.
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