Chapter 138: 138.Confused

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When you’re about to be interrogated, even if you’re boiling with anger inside, seeing your interrogator with a blank expression and rough movements can make your heart skip a beat, filling you with a subtle sense of unease.

Has the situation gotten worse?

Kauzki took advantage of this feeling and struck first.

As expected, Kurenai was shaken.

Even though she was holding back a belly full of anger, she could only obediently sit down and wait for Kauzki to begin the interrogation.

“Sorry, the Hokage’s office has just issued an announcement. The Hokage has admitted to the village’s involvement in human experimentation, and now everything outside is in chaos. So things are really busy right now. We’ll begin your interrogation soon. You have five minutes of personal time. The restroom is to the right when you exit.”

“…”

It feels like you’re just stalling.

After a moment’s hesitation, Kurenai stood up, said thank you, and then rushed to the restroom.

As for the announcement from the Hokage’s office, she didn’t have time to worry about it anymore.

After sitting all day, her bladder was about to burst; who had the energy to focus on anything else?

Five minutes quickly passed. After taking care of her personal needs and washing up a bit, Kurenai returned to the interrogation room.

Kauzki gestured for her to sit.

Once Kurenai sat down, Kauzki got straight to the point.

“Kurenai Yuhi, what’s your relationship with the criminal Makino?”

“My father was friends with Makino’s parents, and after my father passed away, their family took care of me a lot. So we have a good relationship.” Kurenai answered truthfully.

Kauzki quickly took notes and continued questioning.

“When I brought my people to your door, you assured me that you’d personally hand Makino over to the police department. But why did you hesitate? Do you know how serious it is to let him escape? You could get implicated yourself and might end up spending some time in Konoha’s prison. Now, the families of the victims all want Makino, this killer of fellow village ninja, severely punished. Do you understand how serious this is?”

“I didn’t mean to cover for Makino; I just hesitated.” Kurenai slumped in her chair as if the strength had left her body, speaking painfully.

“I just didn’t want to see his family disappointed. When Makino tried to flee, I was ready to capture him, but…”

“But you didn’t expect me to be waiting outside, ready to catch him first?”

“…”

Kurenai nodded, no longer speaking. She didn’t want to say anything more, nor did she want to defend herself.

“All right.” Kauzki quickly finished writing, closed the file, and put it away.

“???”

That’s it?

This was very different from what she had imagined.

Kurenai had heard many stories about those interrogated by the police department, facing endless trap-filled questions, with no rest until every detail of their lives was dug up.

In severe cases, they’d even use genjutsu to control you, making you spill all your secrets—even down to the color of your underwear.

“Come with me.”

“???”

Kurenai, utterly confused, walked out of the police department, still baffled as she followed Kauzki to the barbecue shop where she had been injured the night before.

It wasn’t until the smell of barbecue filled her nose that Kurenai, still dazed, snapped back to reality.

Shouldn’t I be locked up, then sent to Konoha prison?

Why am I sitting in a barbecue shop?!

“After being locked up all day, aren’t you hungry?”

Kauzki picked up his chopsticks and blew on the grilled meat.

“So, I’m free now?”

Being able to leave the police department meant that Makino’s case no longer involved her, but Kurenai wasn’t sure. She cautiously glanced at Kauzki.

Chewing on the grilled meat, Kauzki smiled faintly and replied.

“Depends on my mood.”

Kurenai. “…”

That’s dereliction of duty!!

Kurenai wanted to accuse Kauzki of neglecting his duty, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it because she was benefiting from it.

“…”

Clenching her fists on the table, Kurenai fell silent for a moment, then relaxed her grip and let out a heavy sigh.

“And what about Makino?”

Kauzki raised an eyebrow. “Depends on my mood.”

In fact, it really did depend on his mood. If he was in a good mood, everything would go smoothly. There’d be no chance of escape, and no chance of innocence.

At most, the punishment would be lighter, not death. He’d just be thrown into Konoha’s prison for ten years or so, then released. If it were serious… even if he didn’t die, he’d be imprisoned for life.

At that moment, Kurenai felt completely numb.

Thinking back on her past ideals, Kurenai found them somewhat laughable.

“Don’t take it too seriously. Think about Danzo Shimura, our Hokage’s advisor. He’s done so many heinous things, but because he’s the Hokage’s friend and teammate, not only is his life not in danger, but he’s also comfortably retired in Konoha prison. If you take things too seriously, the only one who’ll suffer is yourself.”

“Don’t look at me like that. If you want a drink, get it yourself.”

Why do all the women I know like to drink?

Kauzki found it incomprehensible.

Normally, Kurenai didn’t even like sake, but today she drank a lot, even more than last night. Looking at the empty bottles on the table, Kauzki was left speechless because he had drunk some too.

As the atmosphere set in, without realizing it, the two of them ended up drinking cup after cup.

In the end, Kauzki didn’t know where he was going, only that he carried a drunken woman back home to sleep.

The next day, amid the swirling public opinion in Konoha, a new announcement was issued.

In the announcement, the Third Hokage explained to the villagers that due to his old age, he felt he could no longer handle the duties of Hokage and had no face to continue in the role. Therefore, he had decided to step down, with Tsunade being the candidate for Fifth Hokage.

The announcement was short, but once made public, it sent shockwaves through Konoha.

Issuing such an announcement meant that the Third Hokage had truly decided to retire. From now on, the leader of Konoha would be the village’s princess, Tsunade.

From admitting the crimes to stepping down and retiring, this also served as an explanation to the village and the daimyo side.

Even though the daimyo was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to accept this outcome.

Fortunately, the Fifth Hokage was Tsunade, who could be considered half-aligned with him. The daimyo was happy to accept Tsunade as Hokage. He even sent an envoy to Konoha to congratulate Tsunade, bringing the long-delayed funds and even doubling them.

Staring at the scrolls sent by the daimyo’s office, the Third Hokage nearly fainted in disbelief.

He had begged and pleaded for funding for the village’s development, but the daimyo had refused no matter what, causing all kinds of trouble. But now, just after announcing his retirement and Tsunade as the Hokage candidate, the money arrived—and it was doubled!

Well, it’s too late now. Regret is useless.

The Third Hokage could only hope that after Tsunade became Hokage, she wouldn’t dig up old issues or completely oust Koharu and the others.

As for him, all he could do now was retire peacefully.

Tsunade wasn’t like Minato. She wouldn’t give him the chance to retire publicly but still run things behind the scenes.

The Third Hokage had only one choice. to retire for real.

With the Third Hokage stepping down and Tsunade about to become the Fifth Hokage, the village had a lot to arrange, and the police department’s work was about to get busier.

Additionally, the tight leash around the Uchiha was beginning to loosen. Though the leash hadn’t been removed yet, at least it wasn’t choking them as tightly as before. Allowing the Uchiha to expand their patrol areas and handle more responsibilities was the best proof.

Previously, these tasks had been handled by the Anbu, with the police department having no authority.

Tsunade had already begun delegating power.

She transferred some of the Anbu’s authority to the police department.

Day after day, hope had finally arrived.

At this moment, Fugaku was full of energy. As the police department’s authority expanded and the scope of its responsibilities increased, many adjustments had to be made.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep