Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Corpse Theft Case

"Li, what happened? Please explain yourself first."
Seeing the sudden change in Uchiha Li's expression, Shikaku Nara no longer cared about blaming Uchiha Misato and the others for their disrespectful behavior outside the door earlier.

Beside him, Suzaku Nara and Sito Akimichi hurried forward as well, speaking words of reassurance.

After spending some time together, though they could not claim to know Uchiha Li intimately, both of them were well aware that he was not someone who acted recklessly or capriciously.

Something momentous must have transpired, and he must have sufficient evidence—otherwise, Uchiha Li would not be this furious.

With a cold snort, Uchiha Li handed over the slip of paper in his hand, saying,
"Just now, Uchiha Misato led some people to retrieve the bodies of our clansmen who fell on the battlefield, but they were stopped..."

In a few brief sentences, he summarized the situation, then fell silent, standing his ground while the sharpness in his eyes grew even more intense.

The three—Shikaku Nara, Suzaku Nara, and Sito Akimichi—each wore expressions of shock and anger after a moment of silence.

It turned out that after being prevented from taking their clansmen's bodies, the Uchiha did not leave. Instead, they discovered a group of suspicious figures lurking around the mortuary camp.

These figures, masked as members of the Anbu, were secretly sealing away the corpses of fallen Uchiha into scrolls under the authority of the village, intending to spirit them away without anyone knowing.

Faced with such a scene, the Uchiha could not tolerate it and confronted the so-called Anbu, with a real conflict threatening to break out at any moment!

Naturally, this caught the attention of others, and now, a large number of Konoha shinobi had gathered near the mortuary camp, with the situation escalating rapidly.

"Is there... could this be some kind of misunderstanding?"
After a while, Sito Akimichi was the first to speak, but even he could not hide the disbelief on his face.

Suzaku Nara rubbed his forehead and quickly added, "The Anbu wouldn't do something like this—there must be some mistake."

After they spoke, the two exchanged glances, both wearing wry smiles.

Shikaku Nara felt a headache coming on. He had not expected something like this, especially not at such a time.

"A misunderstanding? You must be joking, gentlemen."
Uchiha Misato, as fiery as ever, retorted directly.

Without giving the others a chance to speak, she went on, "It's not just us Uchiha over there—other clans have people present as well. Are you saying our clan might have made a mistake, but all those others are mistaken too?"

"Well..."
Sito Akimichi wanted to explain further, but after starting, he found himself at a loss for words.

Even if the Uchiha were not the most sociable clan, they would not joke about something like this, which meant the matter could not be false.

If it was proven that the Anbu had stolen Uchiha corpses, it would bring disgrace to all of Konoha!

Especially considering that Uchiha Li had just returned as a hero, laden with military achievements.

Yet now, the village's Anbu had been caught red-handed trying to steal the corpses of a hero's fallen clansmen.

The implications of this event were immense—if not handled properly, it could spark internal strife...

And with the battlefield situation as it was, the village absolutely could not afford internal unrest!

Thinking of this, Shikaku Nara drew a deep breath, his expression grave. "Li, we can't jump to conclusions about this just yet. If what you say is true, I will see that the Uchiha receive a full explanation!"

Uchiha Li shook his head at these words, replying, "Chief Nara, it's not that I don't want to trust you, but if this is true, I'm afraid you alone cannot give the Uchiha the justice we deserve."

"Then what do you propose?"
Shikamaru Nara felt his heart sink; he knew Uchiha Li would not let this go easily.

"First, let's confirm the facts." Uchiha Li's tone was resolute. "Everyone is here now—whether or not this has happened, one look will tell us!"

Shikaku Nara would have preferred to handle things privately, but seeing Uchiha Li's attitude, he could only nod. "Very well, let's go have a look."

With Shikaku Nara's agreement, Uchiha Li said no more. He led Uchiha Misato and the others straight to the mortuary camp.

Shikaku Nara then looked to Suzaku Nara and Sito Akimichi. After seeing them shake their heads, he hurried to catch up.

Their journey was silent and the tension was palpable. Soon, they arrived at the mortuary camp.

The area was already packed with people, all whispering among themselves and pointing toward the center.

Within the camp, dozens of Uchiha had completely surrounded a group of Anbu wearing patterned masks.

Those Uchiha who had awakened their Sharingan had activated it; those who hadn't were gripping their weapons tightly.

The surrounded Anbu, for their part, had also drawn their weapons, showing no intention of backing down.

"Enough! Weapons are meant for enemies, not for your own comrades!"
Shikaku Nara quickly strode forward, shouting admonishments as he led his group into the center of the camp.

He waved his hand, intending to have the gawking shinobi driven away.

But Uchiha Li immediately objected. "Chief Nara, let everyone stay. That way, no one can later claim it was the Uchiha framing others."

Sweeping his gaze across the encircled Anbu, Uchiha Li already knew whose subordinates they were. He continued,
"If it turns out we Uchiha were mistaken, I will offer a public apology on behalf of my clan. But if we're not, then don't blame me for what comes next."

As the Uchiha leader at this outpost, there could be no hesitation or retreat—either for the sake of his clan or himself.

Shikaku Nara sighed and nodded helplessly. He understood there was no other way at this point.

He turned to the surrounded Anbu and said sternly, "Open the scrolls on your backs and show us everything inside!"

The Anbu members exchanged glances. Their leader stepped forward and replied coldly, "You have no authority to inspect us."

At this, the Uchiha grew even angrier, all taking a step forward, clearly ready to resolve things by force.

Now that they saw Uchiha Li present, they had nothing left to fear.

With a fight about to break out, Shikaku Nara gave Suzaku Nara and Sito Akimichi a knowing look, signaling them to be ready to intervene.

At the same time, Shikaku Nara lost all patience and issued a warning: "As supreme commander on this battlefield, I order you to open your scrolls now. If not, you will be deemed rogue ninja and executed on the spot!"

At these words, the encircled Anbu felt the weight of overwhelming pressure.

If they were declared rogue ninja, there would be no way out. Yet, with their superior's orders in mind, they could not disobey either.

Driven to desperation, they did not hesitate—each reached for the scrolls on their backs, intending to destroy them on the spot.

But Uchiha Li had long been prepared. In an instant, his Sharingan spun into its three-tomoe form.

"Illusion Art: Shackling Stakes!"