The first wave of reinforcements was led by Uchiha Yachou, Deputy Director of the Police Department's Security Division, who brought a twenty-man combat unit. However, to the disappointment of Uchiha Itachi and Kimimaro, there were no medical ninja among them. Uchiha Yachou had prepared for a tough battle but found upon arrival that there was no fight to be had.

After surveying the scene, Yachou radioed the remaining backup, ordering a medical team to arrive ahead of the second wave. They conducted a thorough check on Kimimaro and quickly provided a report that allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

Kimimaro's injuries weren't severe. The wound on his chest hadn't reached any organs, and the medical ninja assured that with some rest, he'd be back to normal in just a couple of days.

Of course, Kimimaro's situation was minor in Yachou's view. The real problem lay before her: in the secret room under the destroyed tea house, she saw a pile of corpses arranged in what looked like an altar, alongside disturbing evidence reported by Uchiha Itachi—was this another forbidden jutsu case, similar to the Orochimaru incident?

But that wasn't all.

She ordered contact with the envoy, only to receive news of his murder.

"What? The envoy is dead? Are you certain?"

Yachou pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling the weight of the situation.

"Yes, I saw the body. I checked against his photo. If he doesn't have a twin brother, then it's him." Her subordinate responded grimly.

"The envoy…is dead."

Yachou took a deep breath, her expression darkening, as she quickly ordered, "Lock down the envoy's residence. No one gets in or out without authorization. Have the second wave hurry up. Also, contact the clan head and report this immediately…"

The Police Department agents scrambled to carry out her orders. Aside from the injured Kimimaro, Yachou also mobilized Itachi and Torajiro's squad to assist, as the envoy residence was expansive and required a large team to secure it fully.

"Deputy Director, one more thing."

The reporting officer hesitated until they were alone.

"What is it?"

"The envoy's body was first discovered by his deputy, who insists it was the envoy's bodyguard leader, Ogata Uemon, who killed him. But...the body, though decapitated, didn't look like it was cut by a blade. And the envoy's brain and heart were missing when I checked."

Today was proving to be a nightmare. One death wasn't a big deal, but the envoy sent by the daimyo to Konoha? That was huge.

"Damn it!" Yachou scowled.

She had suspected the envoy's involvement in this affair from the start. Still, given his connection to the daimyo, she hadn't rushed to apprehend him, intending instead to track his movements first. Handling this would likely require the Hokage's approval.

But now the envoy was dead.

And based on her subordinate's report, there were some strange circumstances around his death.

Guided by her team, Yachou arrived at the crime scene. The envoy's body lay face-down, motionless. The top of his head and his back each had a gaping hole where his brain and heart had been removed. The envoy's personal guards had also been killed at another location.

"Looks like the killer dealt with the guards first, who were likely left to buy time for the envoy's escape, then caught up with the fleeing envoy near the tea house, attacking from behind and decapitating him—with a hand strike."

Yachou observed the scene, easily piecing together the massacre.

Yet—

The wounds on the bodies and traces at the scene suggested a ninja, not a samurai, had been responsible. This pointed to…certain suspicions.

"Detain all necessary individuals. For now, we await the director's orders." After some thought, Yachou chose not to alter her directive. This was out of her hands, and her best course was to secure the area and wait for further instructions.

This case involved the daimyo's envoy, making it far from an ordinary case. As a mere deputy in the Police Department, Yachou couldn't handle a case of this magnitude.

"Captain, Kabuto, something big must have happened, right? Did we…get ourselves into some huge trouble?" Uchiha Izumi sensed the tension in the air as they carried out their task of securing the envoy residence.

With a growing sense of foreboding, Izumi began to worry that they might have inadvertently triggered a massive incident.

"It'll be fine," Kabuto reassured her. "Don't worry, Izumi. The director authorized us to investigate this case. We were just doing our duty. Plus, we saved survivors from that underground room. We did nothing wrong. Just relax."

"Kabuto's right." Uchiha Torajiro added, "We're just doing our job. Breaking a big case like this might even earn us a reward!"

"I'll pass on any reward—just hope we don't get in trouble." Izumi remained apprehensive. Sensitive and thoughtful, she couldn't help overthinking possible consequences.

Torajiro and Kabuto tried to comfort her, though their words didn't fully ease her worries. But she seemed only mildly distressed, and they hoped she'd return to her usual self once this incident settled down.

After all, time was a powerful healer; everything eventually passes.

After executing Uemon, Hama didn't bother with his fate. He returned leisurely to his study, spread open a sheet of paper, picked up his brush, and began writing a confidential letter—one meant for the Fire Daimyo.

In the letter, he detailed the events leading up to the incident and the aftermath, though he omitted the part involving the masked man. He even admitted to personally killing Taira no Miyashita, explaining his reasons and asking the daimyo for forgiveness, requesting punishment.

After finishing the letter, he used the direct communication line between the embassy and the daimyo's residence. He sent the letter through the highest security measures, bypassing even the blockade order issued by Uchiha Yachou over the embassy, ensuring no one dared intercept or spy on the confidential message.

Spying on it might have provided some intelligence, but any information obtained that way couldn't be openly used, and attempting it would bring the wrath and distrust of nobles. No one likes their secrets exposed, especially by such methods.

"Is this enough?"

Uchiha Obito appeared silently in the study, hands behind his back, looking up at the famous calligraphy on the wall as he spoke to Homa. "Are you sure the village will pin all the blame on Ogawara Yemon?"

"I'm not sure, obviously. I can't read Konoha leadership's minds," Homa glanced at Obito, restraining himself from lashing out at the intruder in his study.

"Aren't you worried that Konoha will take you down?"

Obito knew it was a bit of a foolish question, but he still voiced it.

"Take me down? What grounds would they have? I haven't killed a single Konoha ninja. Even if someone were to take action against me, it wouldn't be Konoha's place. If they ignore the daimyo's will and target me, so much the better. It'll reveal Konoha's true face to the daimyo and those fooled by their false virtue. That wouldn't be a bad outcome."

"But it's unlikely Konoha would be foolish enough to make that choice," Homa sighed in mild disappointment.

Attempting to place Konoha under the daimyo's direct control isn't easy. Many influential nobles strongly oppose the idea, so even if the daimyo were willing, appeasing those nobles means maintaining the "one nation, one village" policy, which they see as the foundation of the Land of Fire.

"Naive!" Obito mocked.

"What did you say?" Homa's gaze turned icy.

"I said you're naive. Do you expect the daimyo or those nobles to actively oppose Konoha? They're fully aware Konoha is a military power outside the daimyo's control, but they also know they're no match for Konoha. As long as Konoha remains strong, the daimyo won't dare act, even if Konoha executed you."

Obito's words were like knives, exposing truths Homa preferred to ignore.

Though Homa's stare grew colder, he held back his anger, only watching Obito coolly.

"It wouldn't make a difference. Even if Taira no Miyashita, the official emissary, were killed by Konoha ninjas, the daimyo wouldn't risk a confrontation with Konoha. He couldn't bear the consequences. At most, he'd feel a grudge—but what could he do? Hurt Konoha in any way?"

"Stop deceiving yourself, Homa. Trying to bring Konoha under the daimyo's control peacefully is impossible, and you know it. For the daimyo to become the absolute ruler, military force will be required. Yet… the truth is that your strength alone isn't enough to contend with Konoha."

"So I have to cooperate with you?" Homa sneered.

"Yes, working with me is your best option," Obito replied without hesitation.

"…Then tell me your identity! I can't trust someone who hides their face."

"You've already guessed, haven't you?"

Beneath the mask, a single scarlet eye gleamed with an eerie light.

"So, you're saying you're Uchiha Madara? Then I could put on a mask and claim to be Senju Hashirama," Homa retorted skeptically.

"Let's not kid ourselves, Homa. I don't need to prove anything to you. Just because I want your cooperation doesn't mean you're indispensable. Your companions might not be as reputable as you, but if they can give Konoha any trouble, that's enough for me."

Obito spoke casually, unfazed by the sudden surge of killing intent in Homa's eyes or his attack.

As Homa threw a kunai, Obito didn't dodge; it simply passed through his mask as if through an illusion, embedding in the wall behind him.

"An illusion? Or some forbidden jutsu?" Homa tensed, unsure how his kunai was avoided. It didn't look like a space-time technique since there wasn't even a split second of disappearance—Obito stood still the whole time.

He speculated it might be some unknown forbidden technique, akin to the Hydrification Technique of the Hozuki Clan in the Mist, which lets users evade most physical attacks perfectly.

"Homa, you'll come to understand. You and your friends alone are no match for Konoha. Cooperation with me is your best course. Next time we meet… it'll be the start of our collaboration." Obito took a deep look at Homa.

For now, that was enough.

These recent exchanges were sufficient groundwork; now, Homa just needed to experience a setback. Then, convincing him would be easier. Meanwhile, Obito could focus on recruiting more allies—the Akatsuki still needed more manpower. Homa alone wouldn't suffice!

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