Everyone, I'm sorry!

Did he really think Hiruzen Sarutobi was blind?

Uchiha Kazuto, so loyal and devoted!

Not long after, Uchiha Kazuto left the Hokage's office.

Soon, Konoha once again echoed with slogans about the village and Lord Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his office, smoking a pipe, a look of enjoyment on his face as he listened to the sounds drifting in from outside.

He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hah, was the greatest Hokage! Hahaha!

A smug expression spread across his face. Everyone liked being flattered, liked hearing nice things said about them. Hiruzen Sarutobi was human too, not some god—he was merely a mediocre politician.

That evening, while studying Ninjutsu, Uchiha Kazuto gathered everyone together and stood alone before them.

He looked at these shinobi, and a hint of guilt appeared on his face at just the right moment—so much so that even in his heart, an overwhelming sense of remorse welled up.

The shinobi watched Uchiha Kazuto's expression, confused.

Had something happened?

"Everyone of the Military Police Force..."

Uchiha Kazuto looked at them, took a deep breath, and put on a face like he didn't know how to say it, as if he felt terribly sorry for them.

"Lord Kazuto, has something happened?"

Uchiha Tekka, seeing Uchiha Kazuto's demeanor, immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and looked up at him.

"Hah, that's right."

Uchiha Kazuto nodded, the guilt on his face deepening.

Then, without waiting for anyone to react, Uchiha Kazuto suddenly bent at the waist and bowed deeply.

"Everyone, I'm sorry. This is my fault. I've let down your expectations. Our duties in the Military Police Force are extremely important to the village, and also very dangerous. Because I'm not Uchiha Fugaku—I'm the head of the Military Police Force, yet I've been completely inactive. Under my leadership, everyone's work from now on will definitely be very hard. So, to make it up to you, I've been paying you very high wages, far above the previous Military Police Force standard."

"But that has already exceeded the previous budget for the Military Police Force. So today, I went to Lord Hokage to request funding. However, Lord Hokage told me that the funding we applied for was too much, and the village couldn't afford it. So, I'm sorry, everyone. I have to break my promise. The Military Police Force can no longer afford the wages I promised. I'm sorry!"

"However, as compensation, everyone's wages for this month will still be paid as usual."

Uchiha Kazuto spoke with an apologetic tone, still maintaining his bowing posture, as if he truly felt deeply guilty for failing to keep his promise.

How could this be?

Hearing Uchiha Kazuto's words, these shinobi did feel some displeasure. Anyone would be upset to learn their wages were being cut from ten thousand to three thousand. But looking at Uchiha Kazuto's demeanor, his sincere attitude...

They couldn't really blame him. After all, the problem wasn't with Uchiha Kazuto. He hadn't wanted to withhold that money—it was Lord Hokage who disagreed, who refused to approve the funds.

Damn it, my money!

Some of them began to feel resentment toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, while their goodwill toward Uchiha Kazuto grew. After all, Uchiha Kazuto was really thinking about them. He was even paying this month's wages as compensation. Where else could they find such a good leader? On the other hand, Lord Hokage was just too stingy.

If Uchiha Kazuto hadn't explained so bluntly, but had simply told these shinobi that their original wages would be cut, they would definitely have blamed him, called him untrustworthy.

But unfortunately, Uchiha Kazuto was too straightforward, too honest. After all, he was exactly that kind of straightforward, honest, good man who couldn't lie.

A good man like him—it was hard to survive in this treacherous Ninja World. Ah, how pitiful!

Did honest people deserve to die?

Was speaking the truth necessarily wrong?

"Commander, don't blame yourself. You've done your best!"

"Yeah, Commander, you've tried your hardest. Even with the cut, the wages you're giving us are still more than what I used to earn doing various missions!"

"That's right, Commander, please don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault. It's all the Hokage's..."

These shinobi, seeing Uchiha Kazuto's expression, began to console and comfort him. It was all that evil Hiruzen Sarutobi's fault. If not for him, their tough commander would never have shown such weakness.

Lord Kazuto had them in his heart. If it were anyone else, they would never apologize to their subordinates like this. Benevolent, so benevolent. No wonder he was Lord Kazuto, possessing the Will of Fire. Some even instinctively wanted to shift the blame onto Hiruzen Sarutobi, to make the guilt-ridden Uchiha Kazuto feel better.

But just as someone started to say, "It's all because of Lord Hokage," Uchiha Kazuto lifted his head, his face filled with utmost loyalty and anger.

"Shut up! Don't slander the great Lord Hokage! This matter is my fault. It has nothing to do with Lord Hokage. Lord Hokage is thinking of the village too!"

Uchiha Kazuto clenched his fists, looking utterly devoted to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As expected of Lord Kazuto, so loyal to the village!

Even though it was Lord Hokage's problem, he took it upon himself. So loyal!

"Who said that? Step forward!"

Uchiha Kazuto said sternly.

Soon, a shinobi lowered his head and walked out.

"You. Stand over there and do six thousand push-ups. No Chakra allowed. Don't stop until you're done!"

Uchiha Kazuto barked.

"Remember this: Lord Hokage is sacred and cannot be insulted. Anyone who dares to insult Lord Hokage is disloyal to the village and is sabotaging unity. From now on, whenever you see anyone slandering or insulting the great Lord Hokage, beat them up and lock them away. People like that are probably spies!"

Uchiha Kazuto declared.

That ninja lowered his head and walked past on his own. For some reason, he felt a sudden surge of immense rage burning in his heart, especially after hearing Uchiha Kazuto's words—it made him feel even more unbearable.

That flame wasn't burning toward Uchiha Kazuto... but toward...

No, he didn't know either!

He just felt stifled! He hadn't done anything wrong, damn it!

Uchiha Kazuto remained silent, watching these ninjas as if lost in thought.

Then, as though he had made up his mind.