Shadow of the Uchiha Guard

Konoha – Hokage's Office

Everything happened too fast.

From the moment Bai Ye stepped into the office with an air of indifference to the instant the Cloud Shinobi Village envoy brazenly attacked—only to end up at Bai Ye's mercy, his throat clenched in an iron grip.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was furious, his words catching in his throat.

Meanwhile, Samui, still in Bai Ye's grasp, had already fallen unconscious due to a lack of oxygen.

Without any unnecessary words, Bai Ye casually hoisted Samui over his shoulder, his gaze landing gently on the Hokage.

> "According to the Konoha Public Security Administration Regulations, Article 9, Clause 3—"

"An assault on a police officer grants said officer the authority to detain the assailant for a period of 10 to 30 days."

His voice was calm, almost lazy.

> "Lord Hokage, kindly inform the rest of the Cloud Shinobi delegation that I will be awaiting their payment for her release."

Silence filled the room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen studied the man before him, his emotions a storm beneath his carefully controlled expression.

Was his intelligence truly reliable? Had he been right to label Uchiha Bai Ye as a potential threat?

Or was this man just a complete and utter fool?

That was a Cloud Shinobi envoy. A representative of their village.

And yet, Bai Ye had knocked her out and kidnapped her.

Sarutobi's voice was tense as he asked, "Do you have any idea what you've just done?"

His disbelief was palpable, as if questioning not just Bai Ye's sanity, but his own for even engaging in this conversation.

The Uchiha—pathologically unhinged.

The Second Hokage had often warned about this.

And now, staring at Bai Ye, Sarutobi was beginning to believe those warnings more than ever.

Using Konoha's own regulations to justify detaining a foreign shinobi?

Where did he even find the audacity?

Could he at least pretend to show some restraint?

Bai Ye tilted his head, considering the question. Then, with the same unshakable calm, he replied,

> "Arresting a criminal."

Then, almost as if it were an afterthought, he added,

> "And about the intelligence issue—don't worry, Lord Hokage. My cognitive abilities surpass even Hatake Kakashi's by a margin of 160+. My IQ is perfectly fine, and I have no history of Uchiha psychosis."

A vein throbbed in Sarutobi's forehead.

Boom!

His palm slammed against the desk as he shot to his feet, eyes burning with barely restrained anger.

Kakashi, stationed at the office door, blinked.

Why did he feel vaguely insulted?

"Do you have any idea what kind of disaster your actions could bring upon the village?!"

Sarutobi's voice was thunderous. "That is a Cloud Shinobi representative!"

His anger swelled further.

"Uchiha Bai Ye! Are you truly so blinded by personal gain that you would endanger Konoha?!"

"Do you think you alone can bear the consequences of your recklessness?!"

Bai Ye's gaze swept over Sarutobi from head to toe before he suddenly spoke again.

> "You certainly seem very proactive when it comes to scolding your own people, Lord Third."

Sarutobi's face darkened instantly.

There was venom in those words.

Bai Ye was mocking him.

> "However—" Bai Ye continued, shrugging. "I don't quite agree with your assessment."

> "Disaster? What disaster?"

He looked around, feigning confusion before giving Samui's shoulder a light pat.

Still unconscious, the woman stirred slightly, as if responding to some passive reflex.

Bai Ye spread his hands. "Where exactly is the loss?"

Then, with a sympathetic shake of his head, he added,

> "Lord Third, I'd advise you to eat more walnuts. Good for brain function."

Sarutobi nearly choked on his rage.

"Uchiha Bai Ye—! What the old man is talking about is war! Don't try to play dumb!"

His tone was sharp and accusing.

> "Because of your reckless actions, Cloud Shinobi Village may see this as an act of hostility! If this leads to war, do you think you alone can shoulder the consequences?! You're just a Guard Captain! Do not overstep your place!"

Bai Ye only smiled.

Then, almost casually, he muttered, "You're getting old, Third."

Sarutobi stiffened. "…What did you say?"

Bai Ye waved it off. "Nothing important."

Then he chuckled.

> "War, huh? If they really do show up at Konoha's gates…"

His smirk widened. "…I wouldn't mind having some fun."

He turned, already heading for the door—still carrying Samui, showing no intention of letting her go.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he paused.

"Oh, right."

He turned his head slightly, looking at the Hokage over his shoulder.

> "Don't forget to remind them—ransom must be paid in cash."

With that, he left.

Sarutobi stood motionless, his expression unreadable.

One undeniable truth settled in his mind:

Bai Ye wasn't playing by anyone else's rules.

---

Outside the Hokage Building

As Bai Ye stepped out, still carrying Samui like a sack of rice, a familiar voice rang out.

"Yo~ Big haul today. So, this is your type?"

Purple hair. A teasing smirk.

Uzuki Yugao leaned against a post, her arms crossed.

Bai Ye grinned. "Don't start. She's a prisoner."

His free hand reached out, tugging Yugao's mask down slightly, revealing her unimpressed expression. Then, without hesitation, he pulled her close, an arm sliding around her waist.

Yugao arched a brow. "…You're not taking her to the interrogation room?"

Bai Ye sighed. "She's a special prisoner."

Yugao scoffed. "Tch. Skipping the pleasure districts and just stealing women now?"

Bai Ye responded with absolute sincerity, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not a good person. I just want her body."

Yugao twitched. "…Excuse me?"

Bai Ye nodded. "As Konoha's Guard Captain, I must ensure that dangerous entities are contained. This is my duty."

Yugao's lips parted—then she exhaled sharply.

"…You really have no shame."

Bai Ye only grinned as he sauntered off toward his residence, Samui still slung over his shoulder and Yugao beside him.

Meanwhile, back in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi still hadn't moved.

Because the truth was, in that crucial moment when Bai Ye acted—Sarutobi hadn't moved to stop him.

Had his reflexes dulled with age?

Or had something deep inside him hesitated?

If he had stopped Bai Ye, would he have just ended up being labeled as a Hokage interfering with lawful police operations?

Would Bai Ye have turned his own logic against him?

And, perhaps more concerningly…

Would he have won?

One undeniable fact gnawed at Sarutobi's mind:

Bai Ye didn't care for schemes or politics.

Because in the end—

Fists spoke louder than words.

And today, Sarutobi had let him walk away.