Naruto: I Beat The Villagers And Made Them Scream

"Please, Clan Head Kuragami, I seek your guidance." Shibi Aburame spoke with respect.

"I wouldn't call it guidance." 

Kuragami Uchiha replied with a casual smile. "After all, when it comes to managing a clan, I'm still a newcomer compared to an experienced clan head like yourself."

Shibi remained silent as Kuragami continued. "However, if I put myself in your shoes, I do have a suggestion."

"I'm listening."

"What the village and its people want to see, more than anything, is a clear stance." 

Kuragami stated. "Even if the Aburame Clan presents undeniable proof that they had no connection to Danzo's criminal activities, the villagers still wouldn't believe it."

After a pause, Kuragami's gaze sharpened as he said with a smirk: "And what better way to prove your innocence than by personally taking part in crushing Danzo Shimura's criminal organization?"

Silence filled the room. Shibi fell in deep thought for a long moment before finally exhaling a weary sigh. "I understand."

Turning to a nearby Shino Aburame, he instructed: "Bring Torigen here."

Inside, Shibi felt helpless.

The Aburame Clan's insect-controlling Hidden Jutsus had always made them highly valuable for reconnaissance and assassinations. Since the Warring States Period, they had been hounded by the ambitions of power-hungry men. 

If not for their unique Kekkei Genkai, which allowed only those of their lineage to communicate with the insects, they might have been wiped out long ago. That was why when Senju Hashirama proposed the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village, the Aburame Clan was among the first to pledge allegiance.

But peace was short-lived. After the deaths of the first and second Hokage, men like Danzo had emerged from the shadows, setting their sights on the Aburame clan.

Now, Danzo is gone. And yet, Kuragami Uchiha stood before him, and Shibi suspected he had the same intentions.

Over the years, the Aburame clan had developed a survival tactic; whenever they faced an offer they couldn't refuse, they would offer up a promising young clan member in exchange for a period of peace and protection.

Soon, a young boy, no more than eight or nine years old, was led into the room. He wore dark sunglasses and a face covering, making his expression unreadable.

Kuragami frowned. "Clan Head Shibi, what is the meaning of this?"

"Torigen possesses a rare Kekkei Genkai mutation, giving him an exceptional affinity with Nano-sized Venomous Beetles. He will represent the Aburame by joining the Konoha Military Police Force. What do you think?"

Kuragami sighed, shaking his head. "I believe there's been a misunderstanding. I invited your clan's ninja to serve in the Konoha Military Police Force, not a child who hasn't even finished the academy. The Konoha Military Police Force does not employ child labor."

Shibi blinked in surprise.

What? Weren't ambitious leaders like Danzo supposed to cultivate subordinates from childhood?

Kuragami's expression darkened. "Clan Head Shibi... Do you take me for someone like Danzo?" 

The air in the room grew heavy.

Shibi immediately bowed his head. "I overstepped. Please forgive me, Clan Head Kuragami." 

He gestured for the boy to leave.

Kuragami exhaled. "You know, the Konoha Military Police Force's role requires frequent direct interaction with the villagers. During law enforcement, misunderstandings are inevitable, and rumors will always exist. However, our guiding principle has always been to serve the village under the will of fire, and thus, we have never concerned ourselves with baseless gossip. I did not expect, however, that such rumors would cause you to misjudge my intentions."

"You are a model ninja of the Konoha, upholding the will of fire." 

Shibi quickly responded. "I was too small-minded to think otherwise."

Kuragami waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. It's not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's the wretched Danzo, who once forced the Aburame clan to surrender their most talented clan members. No wonder you mistook my intentions." 

Kuragami casually pinned all the blame on Danzo.

Shibi immediately nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes! Damn that bastard Danzo Shimura!"

Kuragami chuckled. "Now then, Clan Head Shibi, consider my proposal. The Konoha Military Police Force offers generous benefits to talented ninjas. And in light of the current circumstances, what could be more effective in dispelling the villagers' doubts than a leader from the Aburame clan leading the charge to dismantle Danzo's criminal gang?"

Shibi hesitated but ultimately relented. "I understand. I will assign a Jonin from my clan, along with some skilled special Jonin and Chunin, to serve in the Konoha Military Police Force."

The terms were indeed favorable. Shibi had heard of the benefits given to the Konoha Military Police Force, and Kuragami's sincerity was undeniable.

More importantly, at this moment, they had no other choice.

Just as Shibi was about to close the discussion, Kuragami added with a smirk: "However, appointing a leader outright, without any accomplishments to their name, may lead to some resistance from within the force. The Konoha Military Police Force isn't run by my orders alone, after all."

Shibi understood immediately. "The Aburame will ensure our clan members prove themselves worthy of the position."

Kuragami waved off the suggestion. "No need to go through all that trouble. In the interest of stability, and as fellow ninja clans, we Uchiha wouldn't want to see the Aburame suffer any unnecessary hardships. That's why I've already prepared a suitable accomplishment, one that will earn them the respect they need. It's also the reason I came here personally rather than through official channels."

As he spoke, Kuragami placed a stack of documents before Shibi.

Shibi's hand trembled as he flipped through them. His covered face revealed nothing, but the slight quiver in his hand betrayed his emotions.

The evidence before him contained not only further damning crimes committed by Danzo but also implicating ties to the Mitokado and Utatane clans, making cold sweat dripped down Shibi's back.

If the evidence had only concerned the fallen Shimura Clan, he wouldn't have hesitated; Danzo's faction had already been destroyed, reduced to nothing more than stray dogs. But with the involvement of the other two other clans…

Shibi realized that if the Aburame clan wanted to clear their name, they would have to offer something substantial in return.

And this, he finally understood, was Kuragami Uchiha's true purpose.