Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Younger Generation is Truly Remarkable

The scene had spiraled completely out of control, with righteous indignation in the air and even the faint signs of an impending riot.

“Quiet, everyone calm down and listen to me!”

Seeing the situation, Shikaku Nara hurriedly stepped forward and released his chakra.

The sudden pressure silenced the crowd, and all eyes turned to Shikaku, waiting for his next words.

Though the people still trusted Shikaku Nara as the battlefield commander, what had just occurred was hard to accept, so there was a trace of doubt in their gaze.

Shikaku looked over the crowd and sighed inwardly once again; he had lost count of how many sighs he’d uttered today. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Uchiha Li, suppressing his mounting headache as he spoke solemnly:

“This matter—I and the village will give everyone a satisfactory explanation. Please, everyone, think carefully: how could the village do something so foolish? There must be some misunderstanding here!”

Hearing these words, the crowd gradually calmed down from their agitation.

Shikaku’s words made sense—how could the village do something so self-destructive?

“Could it be there really is a misunderstanding, and the actions of the Anbu weren’t ordered by the village?”

This thought flashed through many minds, and whispers of speculation began to ripple through the crowd.

On Uchiha Li’s side, seeing Shikaku Nara quell the chaos with just a few words, he couldn’t help but feel a measure of admiration.

“No wonder the Third Hokage entrusted him to command the whole battlefield. Exceptional wisdom is the greatest strength of Shikaku Nara—and indeed, of the entire Nara clan.”

He sighed inwardly, but though Li respected Shikaku, there were things he simply could not yield on.

A mere “misunderstanding” was not enough to appease the Uchiha or himself—a greater price must be paid.

With this in mind, Uchiha Li spoke up: “Clan Leader Nara, since you believe all this was a misunderstanding, are you saying those who tried to steal the bodies and Sharingan of my clan were not the village’s Anbu?”

At his words, the crowd’s expressions shifted again, and the situation that had just cooled threatened to erupt anew.

After all, the Anbu represented the Hokage; only the Hokage had the authority to command them.

And the acting Hokage was the Third—no one else could have issued those orders!

Watching the fragile calm he had worked so hard to create begin to unravel, Shikaku felt a mix of anger and helplessness toward Uchiha Li.

He was angry at Li’s disregard for the bigger picture, yet he could not blame him—today’s incident could not be so easily swept aside, especially with Uchiha Li present.

After all, this man could not be judged by ordinary standards—even the Third Hokage himself had suffered losses at his hands.

Now, the situation was precarious: the village’s inner ranks were weak, and Kumogakure’s shinobi watched hungrily from outside.

No matter what, Uchiha Li—and the rest of the Uchiha—had to be appeased.

Sweeping his gaze across the crowd, Shikaku made his decision and said,

“That’s right. Though these people appeared to be Anbu, their actions make it clear they couldn’t possibly be. Most likely, they are spies from another village!”

At this point, it was all he could say—he had to lay the blame on “traitors.”

“Very well. If that’s the case, it’s barely plausible,” Uchiha Li’s tone shifted. “But this cannot be the end of the matter. If there are traitors within the Anbu, the village must give the Uchiha—and everyone else—a full account!”

Shikaku nodded slowly. “Rest assured, Li. The village will give everyone a satisfactory explanation.”

In his mind, as long as the Uchiha and the others were calmed for now, there would be ways to deal with the rest later. Besides, the real mastermind was likely Danzo; it would be up to the Third to resolve this.

“I trust your word, Clan Leader Nara, but...”

Li nodded, then strode to the so-called “traitors” still under genjutsu’s grip.

Retrieving the eyes taken from his clansmen, his hands flew through a series of seals.

Shikaku’s heart dropped, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He tried to intervene, but it was already too late.

“Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!”

As Li finished the hand seals, a massive ball of fire erupted, and agonized screams rang out wherever the flames touched.

Those newly labeled “traitors,” still locked in illusion, could not escape and were burned alive.

“Li, what are you doing?!”

Shikaku was truly angry now, demanding in a cold voice.

Li’s face was calm as he replied, “Since these people are traitors and dared desecrate the bodies of the Uchiha, they fully deserved to die.”

“That may be so, but you shouldn’t have taken matters into your own hands—”

“Clan Leader Nara,” Li cut him off before he could finish, “let me make this clear: this is only part of what the Uchiha require as an explanation.”

With those words, he turned to Uchiha Meiri, saying, “Take our clansmen’s bodies. We’re leaving.”

“Yes, Lord Li!”

Meiri and the other Uchiha snapped to attention, shaken from their reverie.

Just moments ago, they had been stunned by Li’s words and actions.

Now, coming back to their senses, they realized that, almost without notice, Li had managed to resolve everything. All that remained was the village’s explanation.

Their eyes filled with deep respect and admiration for Uchiha Li.

This was true, heartfelt submission—so different from their passive obedience to Fugaku’s appointment.

Li, seeing his family’s reaction, nodded inwardly, then led the Uchiha out of the morgue camp.

But just before leaving for good, Li turned back and said, “Clan Leader Nara, please be sure to report this to the village as soon as possible, and ensure that both the Uchiha and everyone else receive an explanation.”

He paused, the corners of his mouth twitching as if reluctantly, and continued,

“Of course, even if the village refuses to provide an explanation, neither I nor the Uchiha will hold any resentment. We will still put the greater good first and fight alongside our comrades!”

With that, Li and his group disappeared from sight.

The crowd watched the Uchiha leave, and silence fell again.

Especially for Shikaku’s companions, Suzaku Nara and Sito Akimichi, who only now realized something crucial.

Though Uchiha Li did not seem as arrogant as the rest of his clan—indeed, his willingness to cover the retreat and protect his comrades was praiseworthy—

To assume he was easy to deal with would be a grave mistake.

“Still willing to fight for his comrades, is he? Truly, the younger generation is remarkable; the Uchiha have produced an extraordinary man.”

Shikaku felt this deeply. With Li’s last words, the Uchiha had claimed the moral high ground.

Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the scene, watching as the crowd dispersed and striding quickly toward the main camp.

What had happened today was far from over—even he could not resolve it.

He had to send word to the Third Hokage immediately and let him handle matters from here.