Naruto: I am Uchiha Seiryu

After Obito was shattered into pieces, Kakashi, who had only dared to approach with his men once things had calmed down, finally arrived, albeit late.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Seiryu standing proudly at the center of the battlefield.

"How did it go?" Kakashi came up behind Seiryu and asked.

"The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident, the villain who assassinated the Fourth Hokage—he's been executed," Seiryu replied, turning to look at the crowd that had gathered.

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

Although tonight's events had been somewhat complicated, at this moment, they could finally declare their plan a complete success.

Amidst the cheers, Kakashi looked thoughtfully at the shattered stones before Seiryu.

When the celebration behind him faded a bit, Seiryu turned to the crowd and said, "Everyone, head back. There's still some cleanup work to do tonight."

"Yes, sir!"

"Let's go." Seiryu patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "Come on. Let Genma and the others know later, and have them send the border troops home. You come back with us for now. As for your transfer order back to the village, we'll take care of that tomorrow."

"Alright." Kakashi nodded, took one last look at the stone fragments, and followed Seiryu.

…

In the Hokage's office, upon receiving the signal, Fugaku stood up slowly and looked coldly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage, you'll have to stay in the Hokage building for a few days. Your safety will be handled entirely by the Police Force."

Hiruzen didn't respond. He no longer held the initiative. Now, he needed to consider what he could offer Seiryu in exchange for a dignified retirement. After the masked man appeared and attacked the Police Force, the blame for the Nine-Tails incident from six years ago hung over him like mud on his pants—he couldn't shake it off. The person who had been shouldering the blame for him was now gone.

…

On the way back to the Police Force, Seiryu learned of Itachi's fate.

"Clan leader Seiryu, what do you think we should do about Itachi?" At this moment, Elder Uchiha Tsuru, responsible for the clan's rites, approached Seiryu.

Deceased Uchiha clan members were usually buried in the family cemetery after their Sharingan was removed, which was then enshrined in the clan's shrine. Uchiha Obito being buried in the village's cemetery was a rare exception. But Itachi's situation was unique, and the decision was now up to the clan leader.

Seiryu shook his head regretfully, thought for a moment, and then replied, "Let him be buried in the family cemetery, but the funeral should be kept simple."

"I understand," Tsuru nodded.

Jiraiya, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza were politely escorted by Uchiha Inaho and others into the new prison by the Naka River.

As they passed the cell holding the two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stared in disbelief.

"Jiraiya? Shikaku? Even you've been arrested?" Homura shouted in disbelief from behind the bars.

"Has Uchiha Seiryu already rebelled?" Koharu banged on the bars and asked.

Jiraiya was too dejected to reply, while Shikaku and the others wisely pretended not to notice.

Inaho frowned at the two advisors' cell and said coldly, "Looks like the former advisors are quite lively tonight. Are there more crimes you'd like to confess? Guards, make sure to take good care of our former advisors!"

…

When Seiryu arrived at the Naka River Grand Hotel and entered the interrogation area, he was greeted by the screams of the two advisors.

Seiryu rubbed his ears and frowned. Immediately, a Police Force squad leader left to handle it, and within minutes, the advisors' mouths were gagged and the screams stopped.

Seiryu and Kakashi first entered the room where Shikaku and the others were held.

Since they had once saved Kakashi, the Police Force did not make things difficult for the three of them. After they entered the room, tea was even served.

Seeing Seiryu and Kakashi enter, Shikaku and his friends composed themselves.

"Advisor Nara, thank you for your help earlier," Kakashi nodded.

"We're all comrades from the same village—it's only right," Shikaku replied.

Seiryu smiled, sat down, and said, "The three of you contributed to the battle against the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident tonight. However, you and your clansmen also openly violated the village's lockdown orders. That's an indisputable fact."

"So, how does Deputy Seiryu intend to handle it?" Shikaku asked.

"That can wait. For now, Advisor Nara, could you clear up a question for me?" Seiryu said. "You're a smart man; you must realize Jiraiya isn't a natural leader. Why did you and your clans still get involved?"

"A debt owed to our ancestors—we had no choice," Shikaku replied.

"I see." Seiryu nodded.

"Then, Deputy Seiryu, please tell us how you plan to deal with us now," said Yamanaka Inoichi.

"Since that's the case, I'll be direct," Seiryu said. "How the Police Force handles you three depends on your choices."

"Please explain, Deputy Seiryu," said Shikaku.

"The three of you received intel that the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident planned to infiltrate the village tonight, so you brought your clans to help. For secrecy, you didn't inform the Police Force beforehand, which led to some misunderstandings. However, rules are rules. Balancing merit and fault, Advisor Nara will be demoted two ranks to lead a Jonin squad, and Clan Leaders Yamanaka and Akimichi will each be demoted one rank."

"Deputy Seiryu, I recall the village has no rule about balancing merit and fault," Shikaku said. The first option sounded lenient, but Shikaku understood that if they agreed, they'd be stuck in demoted positions until retirement, and their clans would lose advancement opportunities. Seiryu's supporters were waiting for promotions—there'd be no seat at the table for them. The Ino-Shika-Cho clans thrived on the Hokage's trust and support. If they left the core circle, their influence would fade.

So Shikaku wanted to hear the other option.

"There's no such rule?" Seiryu nodded. "That's my oversight, then."

"In that case, the three of you, as clan leaders, led the violation of lockdown orders and should be treated as criminals. Although your actions didn't cause severe consequences, you must resign and retire from the ninja ranks, as accountability to the village."

"Understood. We'll resign tomorrow," Shikaku said. "Now, can we discuss our merits?"

"Your merit was saving Kakashi; that has nothing to do with me," Seiryu said, turning to Kakashi.

Kakashi then spoke, "I heard every generation's Ino-Shika-Cho team swears an oath with earrings when they become teammates. Would I have the honor of witnessing this ceremony?"

Hearing this, Shikaku finally smiled. Even though their clans' power would diminish after retirement, they'd secured a promise for the future.

After leaving Shikaku's group, Seiryu and Kakashi visited Jiraiya.

The room was the same as last time, but Jiraiya's mood was utterly different.

They entered one after another, and Seiryu removed the seal from Jiraiya.

"Lord Jiraiya, please bring Naruto back. He has school tomorrow," Kakashi said.

Jiraiya stared blankly at them, said nothing, and summoned a Myoboku toad, which left with his request.

Soon, the toad returned with a sleeping Naruto.

"Lord Jiraiya, I suppose you're not in the mood to talk right now. Why not stay here for a while? You know the place," Kakashi said.

With that, Kakashi and Seiryu left.

Seiryu looked at Naruto on Kakashi's back. "Take him home, then come to the Hokage building. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can rest."