At dusk, Qingguang, Yashiro, and Inabi wore Konoha's dark green vests. Unlike ordinary Ninja Vests, theirs also bore the Uchiha Police Force's armbands.
A Shuriken formed the background, with the Uchiha Gunbai emblem embroidered in the center.
The vibrant colors, bustling crowds, and prosperous streets all spoke of Konoha's peace and stability.
This was the wealthiest village in the Shinobi World.
"Qingguang, although your approach worked quite well the other day, we've already received a complaint about you this morning."
"You don't have to keep trying to be everyone's friend. They won't understand you." Yashiro walked beside Qingguang, trying earnestly to talk some sense into him.
As a member of the Uchiha Dove Faction, he understood Qingguang's intentions. But in the Police Department, that approach didn't work with the villagers.
Inabi, standing nearby, shared his opinion and nodded repeatedly.
"It's all right. I still have room to improve, so it's only natural that someone would report me."
At that moment, Qingguang was stubborn as a mule, yet his face still wore a warm, approachable smile.
Just as Yashiro was about to continue trying to persuade him,
a commotion broke out in front of a nearby izakaya. A crowd had gathered to watch the argument.
"Yashiro, Inabi, hurry up! There's trouble over there!"
Qingguang immediately sprang into action and reached the scene first, pushing through the crowd.
"Move aside! The Police Department is on duty. Don't stand around here gawking!"
The crowd parted a little, but when they saw Qingguang smiling, they realized he was the "Smiling Executive Officer" who'd recently become the talk of the village.
His gentle manner set him apart from other Uchiha, making him a popular topic of conversation among the villagers.
Quite a few young women had even found themselves smitten, drawn to his handsome looks and graceful demeanor.
They'd moved back a little, but the crowd hadn't dispersed.
Qingguang paid them no mind. Instead, he looked at the troublemaker—a middle-aged man dressed in gray-black silk—and at Nawaki, who stood beside him, furious and visibly upset.
"Nawaki, what are you doing here?"
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had adopted him, Nawaki had once lived alone in an apartment in the village. Qingguang knew the Sannin, of course, and he'd crossed paths with Tsunade's younger brother a few times before.
Nawaki clenched his fist and pointed at the man opposite him, his face flushed with anger. "That guy was badmouthing the Senju Clan in the tavern. I told him to shut up, and then he started insulting me!"
"What did he say about you?" As Qingguang recorded Nawaki's words on a scroll, he continued questioning him.
"He said... he said I..."
Just as Nawaki struggled to repeat the insulting words, the drunk man got up from the ground, swaying as he jabbed a finger at Nawaki's face with a look of contempt. "You little brat! Don't think you're so special just because you're Hashirama's grandson. How much tax do you think I've paid to Konoha? What have you ever done for the village?"
"All I did was say a couple of things offhand. Why are you getting so worked up? Did I hit a nerve?"
"And you!" The drunk man swayed and pointed at Qingguang.
"Please calm down. You've had too much to drink. I can take your statement once you've sobered up a little." Qingguang remained as composed as before.
Behind him, Yashiro and Inabi had clenched their fists. They were itching to knock the troublemaker flat and throw him straight into a Police Department cell.
But they remembered Fugaku's warning: Qingguang had to realize his mistake on his own if he was ever going to change.
For Qingguang's sake, they both swallowed their anger.
"Once I've sobered up?"
"You're an Uchiha? Oh, I get it! You're that Smiling Executive Officer everyone's been talking about lately."
Qingguang nodded.
"Hahaha! You've got no backbone at all. You don't even seem like an Uchiha. Go on, hit me if you've got the guts. Here, hit me!"
The drunk shoved his face forward and even slapped his own cheek, grinning smugly.
"Come on, hit me! Doesn't the Police Department love using violence? Why aren't you doing it?"
Even after he'd gone that far, Qingguang didn't budge, though the onlookers were grinding their teeth in anger and cursing the man.
Only Qingguang's smile turned stiff, and his voice grew stern. "You've now violated Article 12 of the Konoha Village Public Order Management Law, public disturbance while intoxicated; Article 18, insulting a Konoha martyr; and Article 24, provoking a law enforcement officer."
"I suggest you start thinking rationally."
"Heh! So what if I broke the law? It's just a fine, isn't it? You think I can't afford it or something?"
The drunk grinned proudly, swaying as if dancing to celebrate his victory.
"And then what? Once I pay the fine, I go right back to doing whatever I want. What can you do about it? I'll go home and write a complaint about you!"
Only when the man said that did Qingguang's smile vanish completely. His expression turned icy, and the iron baton tucked behind him appeared in his hand in the blink of an eye.
Moving faster than an ordinary person could follow, he swung it hard into the drunk's back.
Whack!
The drunk didn't even have time to cry out. His eyes widened, and he dropped straight to the ground, unconscious.
Qingguang held the baton in his hand, wearing the same smile as always, as though nothing had happened.
"Everyone, this man has already been taken in by the Police Department four times. He paid his fines, served his time in detention, and was released. Now he's refused to learn from his mistakes and committed several offenses at once. He'll be imprisoned for two years of reform."
"I've maintained a gentle attitude throughout the process because I don't want to make things difficult for you. The Police Department is here to solve problems, not to punish the public."
"But when we're dealing with a lawless thug who knowingly breaks the law and refuses to change, I'll make sure he feels the force of the Police Department's baton!"
"Please don't follow his example. Let this be a warning to you."
The crowd immediately burst into cheers.
How could they not like such a kind officer, who'd done something so righteous? He was handsome, refined in his manner, and a pleasure to watch.
"That guy always thinks he can get away with anything just because he's rich. He finally got what was coming to him. He deserved it!"
The villagers around them began sharing their grievances, looking as satisfied as if they'd finally gotten revenge.
After handing the criminal over to Inabi and Yashiro, Qingguang went over to Nawaki.
"Nawaki, thanks for cooperating."
"Hehe, Brother Qingguang, so you're the Smiling Executive Officer! I was wondering who it was."
"I'm fine, but we have you to thank for this. When will you teach me Water Release Ninjutsu again? I've wanted to learn your Water Dragon Bullet for ages."
Qingguang smiled and ruffled Nawaki's hair. "I can use Water Dragon Bullet, but Fire Release Ninjutsu is what I'm best at."
"If you want to learn Water Release, go ask Big Brother Itsuki or Senior Kosuke."
The former had once been Hashirama's trusted aide and was the son of Senju Momoka. He was now the Squad Leader of Konoha's Jonin Squad. The latter had been Hiruzen's contemporary and one of the Second Hokage Tobirama's students.
Both had inherited Tobirama's Water Release Ninjutsu.
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