Rumors Arise

The next day, after arriving at work, Uchiha Toko called the several Military Police Force captains into his office one by one and instructed them to show Naruto a little more consideration in the future.

After receiving the order, the jōnin captains, including Inuzuka Fu, who had only recently joined, and Aburame Shibi, who had been sent by the Aburame Clan, each quietly passed the instructions down through the ranks.

Thus, over the next few days, whenever members of the Military Police Force encountered Naruto while on patrol, they would intentionally or unintentionally show him a little extra care. And a few ignorant villagers who happened to hurl insults at Naruto ran straight into trouble, getting hauled back to the Military Police Force headquarters by patrol officers on whatever pretext they could find.

As a result, Naruto clearly felt that there was much less hostility around him these past few days. Naturally optimistic by nature, he became much more cheerful as well.

However, during this period, some discordant voices began to emerge within the village.

"Have you heard? That Demon Fox Brat has found himself a backer recently."

"Really? No wonder that Demon Fox Brat has seemed so much more arrogant lately. Turns out he found a ninja to support him."

"Do you know who this person is?"

"I think his name is Kakashi Hatake. I heard he used to be Anbu."

"Hmph. What kind of good person could stay together with that Demon Fox Brat?"

"Exactly. I heard that guy was kicked out of Anbu by the Hokage."

"And I heard he's a murderous maniac. During the Third Shinobi World War, he even killed his own teammates."

"That happened? Doesn't the Hokage care? Why doesn't the Hokage drive him and that Demon Fox Brat out of the village together?"

"I heard that guy has connections with the Military Police Force."

"How terrifying. Looks like we really can't provoke that damned Demon Fox Brat in the future."

"Hmph! What's there to fear? Does he dare attack people inside the village? We have the Hokage backing us. If he dares lay a hand on anyone, we'll go petition at the Hokage Building together!"

"That's right! If we petition together, the Hokage will definitely help us drive them out of the village!"

Before long, their conversation caught the attention of a green-suited, bowl-cut man doing handstands nearby. After listening for a while, the bowl-cut man immediately stood up in indignation. "How can you say that? Kakashi is a hero of the village!"

Seeing a ninja approach, the villagers who had just been gathered together talking about petitioning scattered like birds and beasts.

"Hey! Don't run! Explain yourselves!" Might Guy shouted angrily.

"Forget it, Guy." At that moment, Kakashi appeared behind Might Guy and patted his old friend on the shoulder.

"Kakashi?" Guy, who had been away on missions until now, turned around and saw Kakashi's face without a mask. He suddenly felt as if he had gotten up too violently. "You..."

Kakashi knew what Guy meant. He nodded and said, "Consider it a farewell to the past."

Hearing that, Guy's eyes immediately filled with tears. "Although I have no idea what you mean, this must be the feeling of youth! Kakashi, let us begin a youthful showdown!"

"Sorry, I really don't have time these next few days." Kakashi declined Guy's challenge.

Guy was stunned at first, then remembered what had just happened. "Is it because of what those people said? Come on, let's go reason with them properly. How can they say such things about you?"

"Forget it." Kakashi shook his head. "Even if we caught up to them, what could we do? Ninja cannot attack civilians."

Similar conversations had been taking place frequently throughout every corner of the village these past few days. In just a few short days, the name Kakashi had become one that everyone in the village denounced.

Naturally, Uchiha Toko, who was in the Military Police Force, had also heard the news.

However, the results of his investigation revealed that the source of these rumors was civilian merchants operating in businesses owned by the Utatane and Mitokado families within the village.

"After all these years, I thought they might come up with something new. I never expected them to still be playing the same old tricks."

In his office, Uchiha Toko leaned back in his chair after setting down the investigation report Inaho and the others had submitted, unable to suppress a sneer.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door to Uchiha Toko's office.

"Come in." After Uchiha Toko called out, the door was pushed open and Uchiha Shisui entered.

"Vice Captain, what did you need me for?" Shisui asked after entering.

"Shisui-nii, it's just the two of us. There's no need to be so formal. Sit." Uchiha Toko said.

"You are the vice captain of the Military Police Force now. We should still observe the proper rules in that regard," Shisui said after taking a seat in front of Uchiha Toko's desk.

"Forget that. Here, take a look at this." Uchiha Toko handed Shisui the investigation report Inaho and the others had submitted regarding the rumors in the village.

After carefully reading the report from beginning to end, Uchiha Shisui looked up at Uchiha Toko with disbelief in his eyes. "This... could there be some misunderstanding?"

"What misunderstanding could there be? The people behind this are clearly targeting Kakashi, just like the rumors that were once aimed at the clan." Uchiha Toko smiled. "By the way, why don't you help me ask what the Third Hokage thinks about this?"

"This..." Uchiha Shisui hesitated, but after a moment, he still said, "I believe the Third Hokage will definitely step in and stop this from continuing."

"The Third Hokage has countless affairs to handle every day. How could he have the time to concern himself with this?" Uchiha Toko said with a smile. "Still, this cannot be ignored entirely. Kakashi is a hero who made great contributions at Kannabi Bridge. If we continue allowing these rumors and slander to spread, what ninja in the village will still believe in the Will of Fire? We must immediately stop these rumors from spreading any further!"

Seeing that Uchiha Toko seemed rather agitated, Uchiha Shisui became nervous as well and hurriedly asked, "Douhuan, what are you planning to do?"

He truly feared that Uchiha Toko would act on impulse and directly cause the situation to spiral completely out of control.

"Don't worry, Shisui. I have no intention of proactively using the Military Police Force's violent authority." Uchiha Toko signaled for Shisui to calm down before continuing, "I plan to have the Military Police Force issue a set of laws within the village regarding this matter, using the law to restrict such behavior. I intend to place you in charge of it."

"That would be for the best." Uchiha Shisui also breathed a sigh of relief. "But does the Military Police Force have the authority to enact laws?"

"Of course. I carefully reviewed the documents from when the Military Police Force was established, and I discovered that Lord Second Hokage granted the Military Police Force legislative authority within the village." Uchiha Toko said, "So, Shisui, we must draft a complete set of legal provisions for this matter. We cannot let down Lord Second Hokage's painstaking efforts."