Strong Fists, Respectful Villagers

A few minutes earlier.

Shikimi-kyo.

As a small restaurant famed for the taste of its food, Shikimi-kyo was immensely popular among Konoha's many eateries.

Though the place was not large, diners came and went in an endless stream every day.

Rumor had it that the owner of Shikimi-kyo—

Yuriko Uchiha had combined the Sharingan's powerful, meticulous observational abilities with cooking to create such delicious dishes.

That was also why Shikimi-kyo only opened in the evenings.

It was mealtime, and the tiny restaurant was already packed.

Amid the lively noise, a loud bang suddenly rang out as someone slammed a hand onto the table.

Everyone turned to look, only to see two men reeking of alcohol shouting, "Boss! Boss! Boss!"

Before long, Yuriko Uchiha emerged from the kitchen, wearing a white scarf.

"How may I help you?"

Though she had just come out of the kitchen, Yuriko Uchiha was spotlessly clean.

Her hair was tied in a bun beneath a white cap. Though she was middle-aged, her lovely face and curvaceous figure always drew men's eyes.

The two troublemakers exchanged glances, lewd smiles appearing on their faces.

One of them pointed at the empty sake cup on the table and said unhappily, "Boss, do you think the booze is going to pour itself into my cup?"

Yuriko Uchiha's expression turned cold, but she still bent down and refilled his cup.

"The restaurant is busy. We haven't attended to you properly, so please forgive us."

"Hold it!"

Seeing Yuriko Uchiha preparing to leave, the man who had spoken pushed his luck. "I can drink a lot. One cup isn't enough for me. Why don't you stay and drink with us before you leave?"

His companion chimed in, "That's right. Come on, come on, sit next to me!"

"Hahahahaha..." The two men's words set off a burst of laughter.

Yuriko Uchiha's expression gradually darkened as she stared silently at the two men before her.

Just as she was about to act, a voice came from behind her.

"Yuriko, do you need any help?"

"Captain Rika?"

Upon seeing Rika Uchiha, Yuriko Uchiha immediately explained everything that had happened.

Rika Uchiha snorted and said to his two subordinates behind him, "Take these two troublemakers to the Konoha Military Police Force."

"You dare?!"

Rika Uchiha sneered. "Today, I'll show you whether I dare or not."

"Wait."

Two Anbu ninja wearing masks suddenly appeared. "The Anbu will take over this matter. You can leave."

Rika Uchiha was displeased. "This is merely an ordinary public disturbance. The Konoha Military Police Force is more than capable of handling it."

The Anbu said coldly, "We don't need to explain our actions to you. You only need to know that these two will be taken away by us."

"You...!"

The Anbu's domineering attitude infuriated Rika Uchiha, but there was nothing he could do.

As the Hokage's direct force, the Anbu had always been an untouchable presence in Konoha.

Seeing Rika Uchiha fall silent, smug smiles appeared on the faces of the two troublemakers.

"What great ninja clan? Never heard of it. The puny Uchiha, a bunch of people who specialize in handling petty matters, actually want to meddle in the Anbu's business? Keep dreaming!"

Rika Uchiha's expression darkened at the man's words.

Those bastards had trampled the dignity of the Uchiha Clan and the Konoha Military Police Force beneath their feet in public!

But he could not bear the responsibility of openly clashing with the Anbu.

"Who would've thought the Uchiha Clan's ninja would have a day like this? They go soft the moment they run into the Anbu."

"This is how it should be. It'll keep those people from acting so high and mighty all day."

"A bunch of posers. I've been sick of them for a long time!"

Listening to the crowd's quiet murmurs, Uchiha Fugaku, who had just arrived, heaved with anger.

The Uchiha Clan had always worked wholeheartedly to maintain order in the village. How could they say such things?!

"Fugaku, do you see now? What is there worth protecting about people like them?"

After saying that, Uchiha Yuzuru pushed through the crowd and walked inside.

His Crimson Red three-tomoe Sharingan radiated terrifying pressure, and the previously noisy crowd immediately fell silent.

The two domineering Anbu exchanged glances before speaking in low voices. "Uchiha Yuzuru, what are you planning to do?"

Uchiha Yuzuru said calmly, "I'm going to exercise the authority of the Konoha Military Police Force."

"If you interfere, I won't mind arresting you as well."

One Anbu could not help saying, "Other than the Hokage, no one can judge us."

"That is between me and the Hokage. Before then..." Uchiha Yuzuru took a step forward. "Are you leaving, or not?"

Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru's forceful stance, the two Anbu exchanged looks. In the end, they vanished from the spot without a word.

Intervening for acquaintances was already the limit of what they could do.

If this matter truly blew up, they would certainly face severe punishment.

Besides, if they fought, they had no confidence in defeating the two men before them with their three-tomoe Sharingan activated.

Watching their Anbu teammates leave, the two troublemaking ninja immediately said, "Wait, we know..."

Before they could finish, Uchiha Yuzuru had already punched their jaws out of place.

Then he kicked out twice, breaking one leg each.

"Take them away!"

"Yes!"

The two troublemakers' screams gradually faded away, and every diner in Shikimi-kyo fell silent.

Uchiha Yuzuru smiled. "See that? This is called strong fists, respectful villagers."

"Hit their mouths first to stop them from begging, then hit their legs to stop them from running."

"This is the method you should use when dealing with scoundrels in the future."

Uchiha Fugaku and the others could only laugh helplessly.

Then Rika Uchiha heavily patted Uchiha Yuzuru on the shoulder. "Good kid. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

He had nearly been angered to death by those bastards just now. He had not expected Yuzuru to have such guts, not giving the Anbu any face at all.

Though this fellow often made him angry as well, he now looked more pleasing the more Rika looked at him.

Uchiha Yuzuru smiled. "Then, about Mikoto..."

"I still need to patrol." Rika Uchiha immediately turned and left.

"A father-in-law isn't so easy to win over." Yuriko Uchiha covered her mouth and laughed. "Yuzuru, I've caused you trouble."

Uchiha Yuzuru waved his hand. "We're friends. Aunt Yuriko has always taken good care of me too."

"You brat, what nonsense are you talking about?" Yuriko Uchiha chided him, then said, "I need to get back to work. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time."

After Yuriko Uchiha left, Uchiha Fugaku lowered his voice. "Yuzuru, those two troublemakers must have been Anbu ninja too. Otherwise, they would never have dared to be so arrogant."

"The Hokage's faction is becoming more and more excessive. What exactly are you planning to do?"

Seeing that Uchiha Fugaku was at the end of his patience, Uchiha Yuzuru asked, "How is the list I had you gather some time ago?"

"The radicals and conservatives have basically all been sorted out."

"Good." Uchiha Yuzuru swept out his hand. "Tonight, notify every Squad Leader in the Konoha Military Police Force to gather at Naka Shrine. We'll hold a secret Clan Meeting!"