Konoha
Inside a resident's home, a Konoha Ninja wearing a flak jacket stood in front of the washbasin. His face was deathly pale, dark circles hung beneath his eyes, and bloodshot veins filled them.
"Kyoko, without you in this world, what meaning is there in living..."
"What meaning is there in living?!"
The pale-faced ninja spoke in a low voice, then suddenly let out a loud wail.
He was dressed neatly in his flak jacket, with two weapon pouches on his back. He pulled Shuriken from one of the pouches and flung them wildly around the room, knocking down lamps and appliances.
The room rang with clattering crashes.
Grief-stricken, the ninja formed Hand Seals, ending with the Snake Seal.
"Earth Style: Rock Pillar Prison!"
Suddenly, pillars of rock burst through the four-story residential building, turning it into something like a prison.
"Run! The ninja's gone mad!"
The residents in the building fled at the sight.
The neatly dressed ninja wasn't finished. His eyes were crazed, and his face was pale. After using the jutsu, he rested briefly and felt a little better. But suddenly, his expression turned sorrowful again.
"Kyoko, without you, this world has no meaning!"
The ninja let out another wail and began forming Hand Seals, once again ending with the Snake Seal.
"Earth Style: Earth Stone Dragon!"
The building was demolished and the ground split open. A stone dragon, nearly thirty meters long, slowly rose up, its head surging toward the fourth floor.
The ninja planted one foot on the dragon's head, intent on leaving Konoha.
"Quick! Take him down!"
The Police Force ninja on patrol nearby finally arrived.
They couldn't use Fire Style Ninjutsu inside the village, but fortunately, there was a red-haired ninja nearby who specialized in Fuinjutsu. He formed Hand Seals, then slapped both hands against the ground.
"Fuinjutsu: Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal!"
Countless black tadpole-like markings spread across the ground and bound the stone dragon.
"You damn Hidden Sand bastards! I'll kill you!"
"I'll kill you and avenge Kyoko!"
The ninja shouted and wept, his expression growing more and more deranged. As an elite Konoha Ninja, his combat skills were exceptional.
Seeing that the stone dragon was sealed and no longer under his control, he threw Shuriken at the Police Force members, then quickly formed Hand Seals, preparing to use another jutsu.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"
The ninja forming the seals saw a pair of scarlet Sharingan. His expression went blank, and he froze.
Uchiha Fugaku had been patrolling nearby and happened upon the scene. He hurried over and subdued the ninja with a Genjutsu.
"Everyone, don't panic! The Military Police Force is here and will keep you safe!"
"Take him away!"
Uchiha Fugaku first reassured the nearby residents, then ordered his men to take the ninja away.
"Yes, sir!"
The patrol members responded in unison.
Military Police Building
Uchiha Fugaku held the case file. The interrogation of the ninja was complete. Under Genjutsu, it had become clear that he wasn't a spy or under anyone's control.
He was a dependable Chunin, but his beloved had died on the battlefield during the Second Shinobi World War, and he often fell into frenzied episodes.
He hadn't recovered in over a year. This was already the third time it had happened. The first two times, he had suddenly gone mad while on duty during missions.
His teammates had come to the Military Police Building to vouch for him and plead for the Military Police Force to release him.
"Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the building was damaged. You'll need to compensate the residents for the repairs, as well as their accommodation and related expenses for the next few days."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke to the two ninja.
"Yes, sir! We'll pay the compensation!"
"Sorry for the trouble."
One was a Jonin and the other a Chunin. The Jonin was polite, while the Chunin was deferential. As soon as they heard they had to pay compensation, they took out the money without a word.
"Cases like this have been happening more and more often. We've handled six in the past two months alone. As his teammates and captain, I hope you can help him through this. Sigh."
Fugaku, who loved peace and was kind by nature, sighed.
"Yes, sir."
The two replied respectfully.
Then they sighed as well.
Uchiha Nara walked out of the Military Police Building. He had also read the case file.
There was nothing he could do about cases like this, either.
Seeing the man's teammates and captain there, he couldn't help saying,
"Since the Second Shinobi World War, cases like this have been frequent. Many ninja have suffered severe emotional wounds on the battlefield. The deaths of friends, family, and loved ones have devastated them, yet they still have to carry out high-pressure missions."
Nara sighed and continued,
"I'm Uchiha Nara, captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. I truly don't know how to comfort people in situations like this. There are dozens of these cases every year. I plan to ask Lord Hokage to establish a department for emotional rehabilitation, so that after the war, these heroes who fought on the battlefield can receive comfort and treatment for their wounded hearts."
At Nara's words, the Jonin's downcast eyes suddenly gleamed.
As a Konoha Jonin, part of the elite force of ninja, he immediately understood the importance of such a medical department.
"I'm Akita Yuya, a Konoha Jonin. The annual Jonin Class meeting is coming up soon! If you submit the proposal to Lord Hokage, Lord Nara, my friends and I will give you our full support!"
"Jonin Yuya, thank you for your support. Seeing so many Konoha heroes reduced to this state is unbearable. They're heroes who fought to protect Konoha. They shouldn't have to suffer like this. At the Jonin Class meeting, I'll formally propose this to the Third in my capacity as the head of the Uchiha Clan, captain of the Military Police Force, and a Konoha Jonin. I'll be counting on you then!"
Nara's expression was solemn as he bowed slightly.
"We'll give you our full support!"
At Nara's words, Akita Yuya was startled. He hadn't realized the man before him was such an important figure in Konoha.
And he was so approachable. Yuya felt moved, and began to doubt the rumors about the Uchiha.
"Weren't the Uchiha supposed to be arrogant and rude, trampling villagers underfoot whenever they pleased? Why is he so different from the rumors?" Akita Yuya wondered.
"Thank you," Nara said, bowing slightly again. Then he turned and left.
"Come with me to collect him."
Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and led the two men into the Military Police Building. He brought the ninja out of the holding cell and handed him over to them.
The ninja who had been crazed earlier had now recovered somewhat.
When he saw the two men, he bowed slightly and spoke softly.
"Sorry for the trouble."
"You little rascal!"
"Come on."
Once the three had reunited, they completed the formalities with Fugaku's help and slowly left.
Uchiha Fugaku stood at the entrance to the Military Police Building with his arms crossed, watching the three men go.
Uchiha Yakumi came out.
"Lord Fugaku, what are you thinking about?"
Uchiha Yakumi was the assistant to the Military Police Force commander, while Uchiha Fugaku was the commander's secretary.
One handled matters outside, the other inside, and together they held authority over the Police Force, assisting Uchiha Nara.
Uchiha Yakumi had been a second-squad captain back in Sanzang's time. He held a high position and had always deeply respected and admired Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku replied flatly,
"Nothing. Ninja are people who endure, after all..."
Then Uchiha Fugaku shook his head and turned to leave.
Uchiha Yakumi was left staring after him, bewildered. He blinked.
"What's that supposed to mean? So profound. As expected of Lord Fugaku."
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