So-called Tools

Konoha.

Inside a residential house, a Konoha ninja wearing a flak jacket stood before the washbasin. His face was deathly pale, his dark circles heavy, and his eyes bloodshot.

"Kyoko, without you in this world, what meaning is there to living..."

"What meaning is there to living!"

The pale ninja's voice was low, then suddenly erupted into a loud howl.

The ninja was dressed neatly in his flak jacket with two ninja tool pouches on his back. He drew shuriken from his pouches and flung them wildly, knocking down lamps and appliances one after another.

"Clang, bang, crash" sounds echoed through the room.

With a sorrowful expression, the ninja formed hand seals, ending with the Snake seal for Earth Style.

"Earth Style: Rock Pillar Prison!"

Within the four-story apartment building, numerous stone pillars suddenly erupted, forming a cage-like structure.

"Run! The ninja has gone mad!"

Seeing this, the residents inside the building began to flee in a panic.

The ninja, still neatly dressed, was not finished. His eyes were wild and his face pale. After casting the jutsu, he rested for a moment, feeling slightly better, but his expression suddenly shifted back to sorrow.

"Kyoko, without you, this world has no meaning!"

With another howl, the ninja began to form hand seals again, once more ending with the Snake seal.

"Earth Style: Earth Stone Dragon!"

The house was torn apart as the ground cracked open. A stone dragon, nearly thirty meters long and formed from solid rock, slowly rose up, its head soaring toward the fourth floor.

The ninja stepped onto the dragon's head, intending to flee Konoha.

"Quick! Take him down!"

The nearby patrolling Military Police Force ninjas finally arrived.

It was difficult to use Fire Style jutsu within the village, but fortunately, a red-haired ninja skilled in sealing techniques was nearby. The red-haired ninja formed hand seals, and after a moment, slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Sealing Technique: Curse of Karma!"

Dense, black, tadpole-like markings swarmed across the ground and bound the stone dragon.

"You detestable Sand ninjas! I'll kill you all!"

"I'll kill you to avenge Kyoko!"

The ninja screamed and wept, his expression growing increasingly frantic. As a Konoha elite, his combat instincts remained sharp.

Seeing the stone dragon sealed and unresponsive, he threw shuriken at the police officers and rapidly formed new hand seals, preparing to cast another jutsu.

"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"

As he was forming the seals, the ninja caught sight of a pair of scarlet Sharingan. His expression went blank, and he froze in place.

Uchiha Fugaku had been patrolling nearby and happened upon the scene. He rushed forward and subdued the ninja with a single genjutsu.

"Everyone, do not panic! The Military Police Force is here; we will ensure your safety!"

"Take him away!"

Uchiha Fugaku first comforted the surrounding residents, then ordered his men to take the ninja into custody.

"Yes!"

The patrol members responded in unison.

Military Police Building.

Uchiha Fugaku held the file. The interrogation of the ninja was complete; under the influence of genjutsu, it was confirmed he was neither a spy nor under anyone's control.

He was a reliable Chunin who had simply never recovered from his lover's death on the battlefield during the Second Great Ninja War.

He hadn't been able to move on for over a year, and this was his third episode; the previous two had occurred while he was on guard duty.

His teammates had arrived at the Military Police Building to vouch for him, pleading for the Military Police Force to release him.

"Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the building was damaged. You will need to compensate the residents for the repairs and cover their accommodation costs for these past few days," Uchiha Fugaku said to the two ninjas.

"Yes! We will pay the compensation!"

"We apologize for the trouble."

The two ninjas were a Jonin and a Chunin. The Jonin was polite, while the Chunin was respectful. Upon hearing about the fines, they paid without a word.

"Situations like this are becoming more frequent. We've handled six such incidents in the last two months alone. As his teammates and captain, I hope you can help guide him. Sigh."

Fugaku, who loved peace and was kind by nature, let out a sigh.

"Yes."

The two responded respectfully.

Then, both of them sighed as well.

Uchiha Nara walked out of the Military Police Building, having already reviewed the case files.

Nara was truly helpless when it came to matters of this nature.

Seeing the man's teammates and captain standing there, he couldn't help but speak up:

"Since the Second Great Ninja War, such cases have occurred frequently. Many ninjas have had their minds shattered on the battlefield; the loss of friends, family, and lovers has dealt them heavy blows, yet they are still forced to carry out high-pressure missions."

Nara sighed and continued:

"I am Uchiha Nara, Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. I truly don't know how to offer comfort for incidents like this. With dozens of such cases every year, I intend to petition the Hokage to establish a mental health and recovery department, so that these heroes who participated in the war can have their wounded spirits soothed and treated after the fighting ends."

Upon hearing Nara's words, the Jonin's eyes flashed with a sharp light, his previously dejected mood lifting.

As a Konoha Jonin and part of the elite force of ninjas, he understood the importance of such a medical department the moment he heard Nara's proposal.

"I am Konoha Jonin Akita Yuya. The annual Jonin Class meeting is coming up soon! If you, Lord Nara, submit this proposal to the Hokage, my friends and I will support you with all our might!"

"Jonin Yuya, thank you for your support. Seeing so many of Konoha's heroes end up in such a state, I simply cannot bear it. They are all heroes who fought to protect Konoha; they should not be treated this way. At the Jonin Class meeting, I will solemnly present this proposal to the Third Hokage in my capacity as the Uchiha Clan Head, Captain of the Military Police Force, and a Konoha Jonin! I will be counting on you then!"

Nara's expression was solemn as he bowed slightly.

"We will definitely support you with everything we have!"

Akita Yuya was startled upon hearing Nara's words, realizing that the person before him was a major figure in Konoha.

He was moved by how approachable Nara was, and he began to harbor doubts about the rumors regarding the Uchiha's conduct.

Aren't the Uchiha supposed to be arrogant, rude, and prone to trampling on the villagers? How is this different from the rumors? Akita Yuya thought to himself.

"Many thanks," Nara replied with another slight bow before turning to leave.

"Follow me to collect your man."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and led the two men into the Military Police Building. He retrieved the prisoner from the detention cell and handed him over to them.

The ninja, who had been frantic earlier, had now regained some of his composure.

Upon seeing his teammates, he bowed slightly and whispered:

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you."

"You idiot!"

"Let's go."

After the three reunited and finished the paperwork under Fugaku's guidance, they slowly departed.

Uchiha Fugaku stood at the entrance of the Military Police Building with his arms crossed, watching the three of them leave.

Uchiha Yakumi walked out.

"Lord Fugaku, what are you thinking about?"

Uchiha Yakumi was the assistant to the Chief of the Military Police Force, while Uchiha Fugaku served as the Chief's secretary.

Together, they managed the internal and external affairs of the force, assisting Uchiha Nara.

Yakumi had been a squad leader of the Second Division during Sanzang's time and held a high position; he had always deeply respected and admired Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku replied indifferently:

"Nothing. A ninja is, after all, one who endures..."

With that, Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and turned to leave.

He left behind a bewildered Uchiha Yakumi, who blinked his eyes:

"What does that mean? So profound—truly worthy of Lord Fugaku."