Everyone, I'm Sorry!

Did he really think Hiruzen Sarutobi was blind?

Uchiha Kazuto was so loyal!

Not long afterward, Uchiha Kazuto left the Hokage's Office.

Soon, the slogans of "For the village! For Lord Hokage!" rang out through Konoha once more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his office, puffing on his pipe and listening to the voices outside with a look of pure enjoyment.

He, Hiruzen Sarutobi—puff—was the greatest Hokage of all! Hahaha!

A smug expression spread across his face. Everyone liked being flattered and hearing people say nice things about them. Hiruzen Sarutobi was only human, not some god. He was nothing more than a mediocre politician.

That evening, while they were studying Ninjutsu, Uchiha Kazuto gathered everyone together and stood alone in front of them.

He looked at the shinobi and adopted a suitably guilty expression. He even felt an overwhelming sense of guilt welling up inside him.

The shinobi looked at Uchiha Kazuto, unsure what was going on.

Had something happened?

"Everyone in the Military Police Force..."

Uchiha Kazuto looked at them, took a deep breath, and seemed unsure how to begin, as though he had truly let them all down.

"Lord Kazuto, did something happen?"

Seeing Uchiha Kazuto's expression, Uchiha Tekka immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee before him.

"Phew... That's right."

Uchiha Kazuto nodded, the guilt on his face growing even more pronounced.

Then, before anyone could react, Uchiha Kazuto suddenly bent forward in a deep bow.

"Everyone, I'm sorry. This is my fault. I've let you all down. Our duties in the Military Police Force are extremely important to the village, and they're very dangerous, too. Since I'm not Uchiha Fugaku, I haven't been doing my job as the head of the force. With me leading you, your work is sure to be difficult from now on. So, to make it up to you, I set your wages very high—far higher than the Military Police Force's previous standard."

"They also exceeded the force's previous budget. So today, I went to Lord Hokage to request funding, but he told me the Military Police Force had asked for too much and the village couldn't afford it. So, I'm sorry, everyone. I have to go back on my word. The Military Police Force can't afford the wages I promised you. I'm sorry!"

"However, as compensation, you'll still receive your full wages for this month."

Uchiha Kazuto spoke with an apologetic expression, still bent over as if he truly felt awful for failing to keep his promise.

How could this happen?

Hearing Uchiha Kazuto's words, the shinobi were understandably upset. Anyone would be unhappy to learn that their salary was being cut from ten thousand to three thousand. But seeing Uchiha Kazuto's sincere attitude, they couldn't bring themselves to blame him. The problem wasn't Uchiha Kazuto. He hadn't wanted to deny them the money; Lord Hokage was the one who had refused to approve the funding.

Damn it, my money!

Some of them began to resent Hiruzen Sarutobi, while their regard for Uchiha Kazuto grew. After all, Uchiha Kazuto really was looking out for them. He was even giving them their full wages this month to make it up to them. Where else could they find such a good leader? Lord Hokage, on the other hand, was far too stingy.

If Uchiha Kazuto hadn't explained things so bluntly, and had simply told the shinobi their wages were being cut, they would definitely have blamed him and called him a liar who couldn't keep his word.

Unfortunately, Uchiha Kazuto was just too straightforward and honest. After all, that was the kind of person he was: a good man who was honest, straightforward, and incapable of lying.

A good man like him would have a hard time surviving in a world of scheming shinobi. What a pity!

Were honest people just supposed to suffer?

Was telling the truth always wrong?

"Sir, it's not your fault. You've already done so much!"

"That's right, sir. You did everything you could. Even with the pay cut, you're still paying us more than we used to earn from all kinds of missions!"

"Exactly, sir. Please don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault. It's all because of Lord Hokage..."

Seeing Uchiha Kazuto's expression, the shinobi hurried to reassure and comfort him. It was all the fault of the evil Hiruzen Sarutobi. If not for him, how would their usually tough commander have ended up looking so vulnerable?

Lord Kazuto really did care about them. Other people would never apologize to underlings like them. He was so benevolent—truly worthy of being Lord Kazuto, a man who embodied the Will of Fire. Some of them even instinctively tried to shift the blame onto Hiruzen Sarutobi, hoping to ease Uchiha Kazuto's obvious guilt.

But the moment someone said, "It's all because of Lord Hokage," Uchiha Kazuto raised his head, his face filled with fierce loyalty and anger.

"Enough! Don't slander the great Lord Hokage. This was my mistake, and it has nothing to do with Lord Hokage. Lord Hokage was only acting for the sake of the village!"

Uchiha Kazuto clenched his fist, looking utterly loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As expected of Lord Kazuto—he was so devoted to the village!

Even though it was Lord Hokage's fault, he took the blame himself. So loyal!

"Who said that just now? Step forward!"

Uchiha Kazuto said sternly.

Soon, a shinobi walked forward with his head lowered.

"You! Go stand over there and do six thousand push-ups. No using Chakra. You can get up when you're finished!"

Uchiha Kazuto shouted sharply.

"Remember, Lord Hokage is sacred and must not be insulted. Anyone who dares to curse Lord Hokage is being disloyal to the village and undermining its unity. From now on, if you see anyone slandering or insulting the great Lord Hokage, beat them soundly and lock them up. People like that could very well be spies!"

Uchiha Kazuto said.

The shinobi kept his head lowered and walked over by himself. For some reason, he suddenly felt a blazing fury ignite inside him. Uchiha Kazuto's words only made him feel worse.

That fire wasn't directed at Uchiha Kazuto... It was...

No, he didn't know either!

He just felt wronged! He hadn't done anything wrong. Damn it!

Uchiha Kazuto fell silent, watching the shinobi as though he were thinking something over.

Then he seemed to make up his mind.