Danzo Is Dead, but the Process Goes On

After Uchiha Saito led his men in escorting the troublemaking dango stall owner back to the Military Police Force, he continued leading them out on patrol.

"Hideaki, you handled today's matter well. You didn't rashly deal with the issue involving that child, but reported it to me before taking action. I'll put in a good word for you with Captain Douhuan," Uchiha Saito said, patting a young team member beside him on the shoulder.

"That's thanks to what you told us, Captain." Sakurai Hideaki let out a long breath before saying, "To be honest, seeing that child being bullied scared the hell out of me too."

These Commoner Ninja had worked in the Military Police Force for quite some time, and they naturally caught sight of Naruto now and then while patrolling the streets.

At first, unaware of Naruto's true identity, they too had been influenced by the rumors and regarded Naruto as the demon fox that brought calamity. They, or their family members, had even been among those who bullied him.

But even if the Uchiha captains in the Military Police Force did not know Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son, they understood what a Jinchuriki was.

If they provoked a Jinchuriki and he lost control and killed someone, at most he would receive some punishment. But the person killed would truly be dead.

Having already gotten along well with the commoner members, they naturally reminded their subordinates. After repeated warnings, the Commoner Ninja who had joined the Military Police Force, along with their families, came to understand that Naruto was someone they absolutely could not provoke. They might not immediately change their attitude toward Naruto, but at least they would no longer take the initiative to hurl insults at him.

"Oh, right. If you run into that child while patrolling in the future, you can look after him a little. Just don't make it too obvious, understand?" Uchiha Saito reminded them.

Before seeing Kakashi together with Naruto, the Military Police Force had basically maintained an attitude of neither provoking nor bothering Naruto. After all, both sides had rather sensitive identities. But now, Kakashi seemed to have established contact with Naruto, and Kakashi appeared to have a close relationship with their Clan Head. That was why Uchiha Saito said this.

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

"Don't ask so many questions. If I can tell you something, I'll definitely tell you," Uchiha Saito said.

"Got it, it's classified, right? Knowing wouldn't do us any good." The man who had asked was not upset at being snapped at. He merely chuckled and scratched his head.

After working together for some time, the Commoner Ninja who had joined the Military Police Force also discovered that the Uchiha Clan, who had nearly been demonized by village rumors, were not actually that hard to get along with. Aside from being a little arrogant and always talking about the Uchiha Clan's glory, there was really nothing else.

When problems arose at work, they might scold you a little, but they would still patiently help you solve them. When you asked them for guidance in ninjutsu training, they would say things like, "As expected, people without Uchiha blood simply lack talent," while still imparting, without reservation, experience that could never be learned at the Ninja Academy.

"As long as you understand." Uchiha Saito shot the man an annoyed look, then told everyone, "Stop wasting time. Finish the patrol quickly. After work, drinks are on me."

"Long live the Captain!" As soon as Uchiha Saito finished speaking, cheers rose one after another from the team members behind him.

That was another important reason. Uchiha ninja were truly generous toward their own people.

Meanwhile, after going through all that, Kakashi and Naruto no longer had any mood to go shopping.

"Um, Kakashi-nii." Naruto lowered his head beside Kakashi and said quietly, "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? This isn't your fault," Kakashi said.

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

Hearing that, Kakashi stopped walking and crouched down in front of Naruto. Looking at him, he said, "Naruto, listen to me. Anyone could be at fault in this matter, but you are the only one who is truly innocent. So there's no need for you to apologize."

After hearing Kakashi's words, Naruto's eyes reddened. Since he could remember, aside from the Third Grandpa who occasionally came to see him, Kakashi was the first person to believe in him completely.

"If something like this happens again, remember to go find the uncles from the Military Police Force. They'll stand up for you," Kakashi said.

"The Military Police Force? Those ninja uncles from earlier?" Naruto asked curiously.

"That's right." Kakashi nodded.

"They'll really help me?" Despite Kakashi's words, Naruto still had doubts.

"That's right. They'll definitely help you." As Kakashi spoke, a peculiar glint flashed through his eyes. "Come on, let's go eat ramen."

At the mention of his beloved ramen, Naruto instantly perked up. Forgetting all the unpleasantness from earlier, he laughed loudly and followed Kakashi's steps.

Inside the Hokage Office, after Sarutobi Hiruzen heard the Anbu ninja's report about what had happened on Commercial Street, he could not help letting out a heavy sigh.

Just then, the doors to the Hokage Office were suddenly pushed open, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stormed in angrily.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved for the Anbu ninja who had come to report to withdraw.

Once the Anbu ninja had left, Mitokado Homura impatiently questioned, "Hiruzen, what exactly are you thinking? How could you let someone approach the Jinchuriki so freely?"

"You are worrying too much. Kakashi is Minato's student. He is qualified to take care of his teacher's son," Sarutobi Hiruzen said patiently.

"Hiruzen, this concerns the Jinchuriki. You cannot be too merciful," Utatane Koharu said.

"So what do you intend to do? Lock Naruto up and brainwash him into a weapon of war, like Danzo proposed before?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said angrily. "Don't forget, Naruto is not only a Jinchuriki. He is also Minato's son! The Fourth Hokage's son! Minato already gave his life for the village!"

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

"Enough! This matter requires no further discussion!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said.

"Hiruzen, Danzo was right. You truly are too indecisive." Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen was determined not to listen to them, Utatane Koharu could not help saying, "One day, you will regret this!"

"I am the Hokage!" Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the desk and roared.

Seeing this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had no desire to make fools of themselves any further. After snorting coldly, they turned and left, slamming the door shut with a bang behind them.

After the Two Advisors left, Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his Pipe. Taking a deep draw, he looked out the window, an unreadable gleam flickering in his eyes.