Chapter 41: Loyalty or Betrayal (Part 1)
Since he had already decided to take Uchiha Sasuke as his disciple, Uchiha Douhuan naturally intended to teach him well.
Choosing Confucian classics as Sasuke's introductory texts was not a random decision. After all, Sasuke was not even seven years old, and given his brother's tendency to overthink from a young age, it was crucial to establish a simple yet solid moral foundation first. This would help Sasuke understand what qualities are good and what traits are unacceptable. In other words, it was essential to build a respectable facade first.
When Sasuke eventually realizes that these teachings are inadequate to explain the world around him, he will naturally feel lost. That will be the right moment to teach him real knowledge and fill that facade with true substance.
In this era, the master-disciple relationship is no less significant than that of a parent and child. Since he had accepted Sasuke as his disciple, Douhuan intended to groom him not just as a warrior but as someone who could inherit his political resources in the future. He would never turn Sasuke into a pedantic, book-quoting Confucianist.
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After sending Sasuke home, Douhuan grabbed his sword Jirai and headed out.
Before long, the Aburame Clan's compound received reports from their surveillance insects, informing them that Uchiha Douhuan was heading toward their territory. The current clan head, Aburame Shibi, was immediately alerted and hastily gathered the clan's senior members, preparing for what felt like an impending crisis.
Compared to the Uchiha Clan's territory, which had been relocated after the Nine-Tails Incident, the Aburame Clan's compound was even more remote. Douhuan, with Jirai at his side, strolled leisurely along the poorly lit path, guided only by the faint moonlight.
The subtle chakra fluctuations from the surrounding bushes were effortlessly detected by Douhuan's Sharingan, but he paid them no mind.
After a while, he arrived at the entrance of the Aburame Clan's compound and addressed the guard, a young shinobi wearing the clan's signature dark sunglasses.
"Please inform the clan head that Uchiha Douhuan has come to visit."
The guard nodded respectfully. "Yes, please wait a moment." He hurried inside to pass on the message.
Douhuan stood at ease, patiently waiting. Before long, Aburame Shibi appeared with two senior members of the clan to personally greet him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Douhuan-sama," Shibi said, bowing politely.
"No need to be so formal, Clan Head Shibi," Douhuan replied with a gentle smile. "It is I who am intruding at such a late hour."
"Please come in." Shibi gestured with his hand, leading Douhuan inside.
The Aburame compound's reception hall was far from luxurious, showcasing a certain austerity that hinted at the clan's struggles in recent years. Despite being a prominent clan, it was evident that they were not flourishing.
"Our humble abode pales in comparison to the Uchiha Clan's estate," Shibi commented apologetically.
Douhuan sat down and waved off the concern with a smile. "Modesty is a virtue, Clan Head Shibi."
After some small talk, Shibi finally broached the main topic. "May I ask what brings you here at this hour, Douhuan-sama?"
Douhuan took a sip of the tea served and set the cup down slowly. "The Police Force, under the orders of Third Hokage-sama, has been tasked with thoroughly investigating the traitor Shimura Danzo and his criminal organization. We've made significant progress recently."
"However," Douhuan continued, "Danzo's influence runs deep, and in the course of our investigation, we inevitably found connections to several village clans. Given the potential impact on village stability, the Hokage has instructed us to proceed cautiously."
Shibi's expression grew grave as he took in Douhuan's words. He let out a long sigh. "Are you referring to Ryoma? From a young age, he was taken by Danzo to Root. Since then, we have had little to no contact with him."
"I understand," Douhuan nodded, his tone calm. "It's no secret that Danzo forcibly recruited talented shinobi from the village, often using coercive methods. The Uchiha Clan has also heard of such cases."
Shibi felt a slight relief, seeing that Douhuan at least acknowledged the clan's lack of involvement. "It is good that you understand, Douhuan-sama."
"But..." Douhuan's tone abruptly changed, causing Shibi's heart to tighten.
"Ryoma held a high-ranking position within Root—likely second or third in command, only beneath Danzo himself. According to our investigation, he played a key role in many of Danzo's criminal operations, including assassinations of fellow Konoha shinobi and the abduction of children from bloodline limit clans."
"Furthermore, he resisted arrest and attempted to destroy vital evidence during our raid on Root. This alone is a grave offense."
Sweat beaded on Shibi's forehead as he nervously replied, "Ryoma's actions do not reflect the will of the Aburame Clan. We truly had no knowledge of his deeds."
Douhuan leaned back, giving Shibi a thoughtful look. "I completely understand the clan's predicament. No one can fully guarantee that their clan will never produce a black sheep. And given that Ryoma was practically raised and brainwashed by Danzo, it's understandable that his moral compass became twisted."
"But understanding alone is not enough." Douhuan's voice hardened. "The village needs to see that understanding as well."
Shibi frowned, not quite grasping Douhuan's point. "What do you mean, Douhuan-sama?"
"The people of Konoha... you know their nature as well as I do," Douhuan said, pulling out a file and placing it on the table.
Shibi picked it up and his hands trembled as he skimmed through the contents. The file meticulously documented Ryoma's crimes, including aiding Danzo in assassinations and child abductions. The evidence was irrefutable.
"If this becomes public," Douhuan explained, "the villagers will not bother with nuance or fairness. To them, Ryoma's actions will automatically reflect on your entire clan. Remember how the villagers once pushed White Fang to suicide? Now imagine that same public sentiment aimed at your clan."
Shibi's face turned pale. He knew all too well that the village's commoners would not hesitate to direct their hatred toward the entire Aburame Clan.
Seeing Shibi's distress, Douhuan spoke calmly. "I believe in your clan's innocence, but that's not enough. You must prove your loyalty to the village. Only then will people be willing to look past this incident."
"What should we do to prove that loyalty?" Shibi asked, his tone laced with desperation.
Douhuan smiled faintly. "A public declaration of loyalty, coupled with an official collaboration with the Police Force, will make it clear that the Aburame Clan stands firmly with Konoha and the Hokage. It will show that you are willing to cooperate with the authorities to eradicate the remnants of Root and clean up the village's dark past."
"Furthermore," Douhuan added, "I suggest assigning a portion of your clan to assist the Police Force. Your unique bug-based tracking skills would be invaluable, and it would demonstrate your willingness to support the village's stability."
Shibi took a deep breath, contemplating the offer. This might be the only way to preserve the clan's reputation and future.
Finally, he looked up with determination. "The Aburame Clan will fully cooperate with the Police Force and support the village's efforts to root out all remnants of Danzo's influence."
"Wise decision," Douhuan said, giving a satisfied nod. "Let us work together for the betterment of Konoha."