Chapter 286. Taking Action
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Konoha.
Tonight.
It was destined to be an uneasy night.
After work hours, most of the Konoha Police Force members who were supposed to change shifts did not leave on time. Instead, they gathered in the Konoha Police Force's conference room.
"Fugaku-sama!"
"Mm." With full authority and his usual stoic expression, Uchiha Fugaku nodded to the on-duty members of the police force, then walked to the front screen and said coolly, "How's the investigation going?"
"Based on our week-long investigation, there have indeed been many people racing at night recently to practice their driving skills," one of the high-ranking officers nodded seriously, then turned on the screen. A complete map of Konoha appeared in front of them, and he said, "It's mostly happening in areas where supervision is weak or coverage hasn't reached yet." As he spoke, he circled an area with the pointer stick in his hand. "They're racing in this zone, but due to illegal modifications and failure to comply with the Konoha Traffic Management Regulations, the noise is extremely loud and has caused serious disturbances to residents."
The location was too remote from the village center, so if no one had reported it a few days ago, they wouldn't have known about it.
Moreover, with the increase in cars over the past few years, regulations had gradually improved—one of them being the prohibition of illegally modified cars from operating within Konoha Village.
Of course—
If they were outside the village, that wasn't their concern.
Nothing they could do.
Konoha had too many people and too little space. Illegally modified vehicles posed a serious safety hazard!
Hearing that—
Uchiha Fugaku furrowed his brows as he stared at the map, especially the red circle that had been clearly marked. Looks like… everyone really hadn't been slacking off during this time.
He nodded in satisfaction, then fell into thought again.
After a moment—
He pondered and asked, "Have we arrested anyone yet?"
This group…
According to the Konoha Traffic Management Regulations, they should have their licenses revoked, be re-tested, and their vehicles impounded with illegal modifications dismantled.
Of course—
He understood why this group had been racing so frequently at night lately.
Most likely, it was to prepare for the upcoming Ninja Grand Prix.
If their licenses were revoked and vehicles seized now, then in the coming days… they'd all have to go back and retake the driving test.
Thing is—
When cars weren't common a few years ago, there were no licenses. So most people who owned cars in the village got licensed without any examination. If they were forced to take the test now… people would go mad!
"Reporting to Fugaku-sama!" The officer explaining things gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "These guys are way too cunning. Every time they race, they arrange lookouts on rooftops. As soon as someone suspicious from the Konoha Police Force approaches, they scatter immediately."
Their counter-surveillance skills were too good—it was almost impossible to catch them!
Nothing they could do.
After all… everyone's a ninja, right?
Especially in Konoha… who doesn't know everyone else's information?
He even suspected—
That there might be a mole inside the Konoha Police Force.
But everyone here was a colleague now, so it wasn't something he could say outright.
Noticing Fugaku-sama's displeased expression, he quickly pulled up another screen and said, "Of course, it's not like we didn't gain anything. Judging from this level of counter-surveillance… I suspect there are Anbu members among the racers."
Saying that, he pointed with his stick at a figure on the screen.
That silver, spiky hair, dead-fish eyes, and masked lower face staring straight ahead—the image instantly drew everyone's attention.
"Among them, Ninja Registration No: 009720, Three-Tails Jinchuriki, Hatake Kakashi… is the prime suspect. There were eyewitness reports of a vehicle glowing silver that night! Plus, he's served in Anbu before, so… I suspect he was part of that group!"
"Hatake… Kakashi?" Uchiha Fugaku's face grew even more serious. He hadn't expected… even the Fourth Hokage's student would disregard the Konoha Traffic Management Regulations and race illegally!
This matter had suddenly become more complicated.
After all, no matter what, that guy was still the Fourth Hokage's student.
Frowning, he thought for a moment. "Have you spoken to Hokage-sama?"
"Not yet!" The officer gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "We don't have solid evidence, so it's hard to say anything. Besides…"
He hesitated, then pulled up another image.
Immediately.
Everyone went silent as they stared at the newly appeared profile on the screen.
Grayish-white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a kind smile—he instantly reminded them of that old ad: "If you're a brother, come fight me!"
Wait, that's actually the Third Hokage?!
Well, makes sense~
They had heard that Root Studio had also formed a racing team, and the team leader… was the Third Hokage.
So this was… training driving skills~
"Ahem!" Uchiha Fugaku let out a fake cough and said with a serious face, "Next one!"
"Yes!"
Next.
Another silver, spiky-haired man appeared on the screen—this time with face paint and a pervy grin stretched across his face.
"…"
What is this chaos!
Teacher, student, and student's student all racing at night?!
Uchiha Fugaku's mouth twitched. He glanced at the other police officers, who were now all staring at the ceiling, pretending they hadn't seen anything just now. Then he turned back to the officer at the screen—who also had a bitter smile—and gave a fake cough again.
"That one… I already know about. Any other information?"
Don't tell him—
These were the only suspects they'd found?
Right after he spoke—
The officer quickly regained his serious demeanor, nodded, and said, "Yes!" Then he brought up the screen again, showing a full map of Konoha.
"Our covert investigation has already been discovered by them, so now their level of alertness has increased significantly, seriously obstructing our efforts."
After all, this had been going on for quite some time. Even though they had been cautious, others were bound to catch on eventually.
Also—
He suspected there was a mole!
"But… it's not like we came back empty-handed. Fugaku-sama, please look." As he spoke, he pointed at the screen again. "There are rumors that… due to the Konoha Police Force's frequent investigations, they're planning to change the [track], and no longer race in this remote area. Instead, they're moving to…"
Clack!
With a snap, he pointed to the area behind Hokage Rock, eyes narrowing, and said slowly and clearly, "The back mountain behind the Hokage Rock." Once he got everyone's attention, he continued, "They'll secretly have Earth Release ninjas temporarily reconstruct the terrain there. The mountain roads are rugged and filled with obstacles, making them perfect for practicing driving skills. But so far, we haven't received any authorization from the Fourth Hokage for any racing there, which means… this is still illegal racing. So they'll be extra cautious."
As he finished, Uchiha Fugaku frowned again. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Tonight?"
"It's indeed tonight! Right after 10:00 PM!"
"10:00 sharp? That's almost now!" Fugaku pulled out his phone, checked the time, then looked up, eyes gleaming sharply. "Begin the operation—now!"
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