Chapter 48: Danzo is dead, but the paperwork still goes on

After Uchiha Saitou led his men to escort the troublemaking dango stall owner back to the Military Police Force headquarters, he resumed his routine patrol of the streets.

"Hideaki, you handled today's matter very well. Instead of acting rashly regarding that child, you reported it to me before taking action. I will make sure to recommend you for a commendation to Captain Douhwan," Uchiha Saitou said, patting the shoulder of a young team member beside him.

"This is all thanks to what you told us, Captain," Sakurai Hideaki said with a long sigh of relief. "To be honest, I was startled myself when I saw that child being picked on."

These civilian ninja had been working in the Military Police Force for quite some time, and during their daily street patrols, they naturally crossed paths with Naruto occasionally.

At first, unaware of Naruto's true identity, these people had been influenced by rumors, viewing Naruto as a demon fox that brought disaster. Some of them, or even members of their families, had even participated in bullying Naruto.

However, even if the Uchiha captains in the Military Police Force did not know Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son, they were certainly well aware of what a jinchuriki entailed.

Provoking a jinchuriki—even if the jinchuriki lost control and killed someone—would at most result in a disciplinary reprimand, but the person killed would genuinely be dead.

Having grown close to their civilian subordinates, these captains naturally warned their men. Through repeated reminders, the civilian ninja who joined the Military Police Force and their families came to understand that Naruto was an absolute existence not to be trifled with. While this didn't immediately change their attitudes toward Naruto, at least they no longer actively hurled malicious words at him.

"By the way, if you encounter that child while on patrol in the future, you can look after him appropriately, but don't make it too obvious. Understood?" Uchiha Saitou reminded them.

Before seeing Kakashi spending time with Naruto, the Military Police Force had generally maintained an attitude of avoidance and indifference toward Naruto, as both sides' identities were rather sensitive. But now, Kakashi seemed to have established a connection with Naruto, and Kakashi appeared to be on very close terms with their own clan head. That was why Uchiha Saitou gave this instruction.

"Captain, why?" someone in the patrol squad asked curiously.

"Don't ask so many whys. Whatever I can tell you, I certainly will," Uchiha Saitou replied.

"Understood, classified information right? Knowing wouldn't do us any good," the questioner said, scratching his head with a grin, completely unperturbed by the retort.

After working together for this period, these civilian ninja who joined the Military Police Force discovered that the members of the Uchiha clan, who had been nearly demonized by the village's rumors, were actually not that difficult to get along with. Aside from being a bit arrogant and always having the glory of the Uchiha clan on their lips, there was really nothing wrong with them.

If a problem arose during work, they might scold you a couple of times, but they would still patiently help you solve it. When asked for advice on ninjutsu training, they would make remarks like "As expected, those without Uchiha blood lack any talent," while simultaneously pouring out a wealth of experience completely unlearnable at the Ninja Academy.

"Just as long as you know," Uchiha Saitou gave the man a feigned glare before saying to everyone, "Don't waste time. Finish the patrol quickly, and when we're off duty, I'll treat everyone to drinks."

"Long live the captain!" As Uchiha Saitou's voice trailed off, cheers erupted successively from the team members behind him.

This was also an important reason: Uchiha ninja were truly generous to their own people.

On the other side, after going through such an ordeal, Kakashi and Naruto no longer had the mood to stroll around.

"Um, Brother Kakashi," Naruto, walking beside Kakashi, lowered his head and said softly, "I'm sorry."

"Why apologize? This wasn't your fault," Kakashi said.

"But if it weren't for me, Brother Kakashi wouldn't have run into something like this," Naruto said.

Hearing this, Kakashi stopped in his tracks, crouched down to Naruto's eye level, and said, "Naruto, listen to me. Anyone else might be at fault here, but you are the only one who is truly innocent. Therefore, you don't need to apologize."

Hearing Kakashi's words, Naruto's eyes reddened. As far back as he could remember, aside from the Third Generation Grandpa who occasionally came to check on him, Kakashi was the very first person to completely believe in him.

"From now on, if something like this happens again, remember to look for the uncles of the Military Police Force. They will uphold justice for you," Kakashi said.

"The Military Police Force? Are those the ninja uncles from just now?" Naruto asked curiously.

"That's right," Kakashi nodded.

"Will they really help me?" Even though Kakashi said so, Naruto still harbored doubts.

"Yes, they will definitely help you," Kakashi said, a flicker of a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes. "Let's go, we're going to get ramen."

At the mention of his favorite ramen, Naruto instantly perged up, casting away all the unpleasantness from moments before, and burst into laughter as he followed closely behind Kakashi.

Inside the Hokage's office, after listening to the Anbu ninja's report about the incident in the commercial district, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help letting out a heavy sigh.

Just at that moment, the door to the Hokage's office was pushed open abruptly, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura walked in looking furious.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand to signal the reporting Anbu ninja to withdraw.

As soon as the Anbu ninja departed, Mitokado Homura impatiently demanded, "Hiruzen, what on earth are you thinking? How could you let someone approach the jinchuriki so casually?"

"You're worrying too much. Kakashi is Minato's student; he has the qualifications to look after his teacher's son," Sarutobi Hiruzen said patiently.

"Hiruzen, this concerns the jinchuriki. You cannot afford to be too lenient," Utatane Koharu said.

"And so? What do you plan to do? Lock Naruto away just like Danzo proposed before, and brainwash him into a weapon of war?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said with rising anger. "Don't forget, Naruto isn't just the jinchuriki—he is Minato's son! The son of the Fourth Hokage! Minato already gave his life for this village!"

"Hiruzen, that's not what we meant," Mitokado Homura said. "It's just that Kakashi possesses the Sharingan after all. Don't forget what happened six years ago!"

"Stop talking! This matter is not open for further discussion!" Sarutobi Hiruzen declared.

"Hiruzen, Danzo is right. You are truly too indecisive," Utatane Koharu said, seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen was firmly resolved not to listen to their opinions. "You will regret this one day!"

"I am the Hokage!" Sarutobi Hiruzen roared, slamming his hand down on the desk.

Realizing there was no point in humiliating themselves further, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu let out cold snorts, turned around, and left, slamming the door heavily behind them on their way out.

After the two advisors departed, Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, took a deep puff, and gazed out the window, his eyes gleaming with an obscure and inscrutable light.