Old-School Tactics

Jiraiya entered the courtyard and sat down across the Stone Table.

He studied the young man. Calm and composed, with an air of age beyond his years, Uchiha En hardly seemed like a boy at all.

"Kid."

Jiraiya got straight to the point. "I came today because there's something I want to tell you."

"Please, go ahead."

Uchiha En set down his teacup, his manner courteous. "I'm all ears."

Jiraiya cleared his throat and began laying out his case.

"I've been back in the village for a few days now, watching how things have changed."

"Your Konoha Military Police Force arrests people, hands out fines, collects management fees. You've got your hands in everything, and the villagers are up in arms."

"The merchants are on edge too. Keep this up, and sooner or later Konoha will fall apart."

Uchiha En did not argue. He merely said, "Mm."

"And?"

"And?" Jiraiya raised his voice. "And you need to rein it in!"

"You're dividing the village and destroying its unity!"

He paused. When he spoke again, his tone had softened with a trace of old nostalgia.

"Kid, Konoha wasn't like this when I was young."

"The village was peaceful back then. It was a wonderful place. We were like one big, happy family."

He sighed.

"Only when the village is at peace can everyone stand together against outside enemies."

"If Konoha's foundations rot, the village won't be far from falling apart."

Uchiha En wanted to laugh, but he held it in.

He lifted his teacup and took a slow sip, suppressing his amusement. Then he looked up at Jiraiya.

That look made Jiraiya's heart sink.

"Lord Jiraiya, let me get this straight."

"The Konoha Military Police Force is too harsh?"

"Arresting a few thugs who bully everyone around them is harsh?"

"When