Chikage stood in the middle of the wrecked street.
The shopkeepers around him all looked at him differently now.
Before, whenever they saw anyone from the Konoha Military Police Force, they stayed as far away as possible.
Today, this deputy captain had beaten up the Hokage's aide's own nephew for their sake.
"Deputy Captain Chikage, thank you so much for today."
The woman selling fruit nearby worked up the courage to approach him, carrying a basket of freshly washed apples.
"If it weren't for you, they would've stolen everything we'd worked so hard to earn these past few months."
"Try an apple. They're really sweet."
Chikage accepted without fuss, picking up an apple and taking a bite.
It was crisp and juicy, and tasted quite good.
As he chewed, he looked at the growing crowd of villagers and shopkeepers around him.
"There's no need to make such a fuss."
"The village pays our salaries. Keeping the peace is our job."
"There may have been some misunderstandings before that made you think we Uchiha were difficult to deal with."
"But let me make this clear today."
Chikage raised his voice, making sure everyone on the street could hear him.
"Konoha is a place governed by law."
"Anyone who dares cause trouble on South Street or bully ordinary villagers..."
"Even if they're related to the Hokage, I'll arrest them all the same!"
"Our Konoha Military Police Force will never tolerate crime!"
His words rang out with conviction, every sentence brimming with righteousness.
The shopkeepers around him felt their blood stir.
Someone in the crowd started clapping.
Soon, thunderous applause and cheers filled all of South Street.
"Well said, Deputy Captain Chikage!"
"That's the Konoha Military Police Force for you!"
"Let's see who dares come to South Street demanding protection money now!"
Chikage basked in their cheers.
This reputation boost had been a resounding success.
Public safety on South Street was bound to improve considerably now.
When something happened, people would know to seek justice from the Konoha Military Police Force instead of settling things with private brawls.
That would leave him, the deputy captain, with far fewer headaches to deal with and a much better chance of getting off work on time every day.
Just as Chikage was losing himself in the blissful prospect of never having to work overtime, Uchiha Hikari returned.
She had escorted Shimura Ken away earlier and now came running back.
She pushed through the crowd and approached Chikage, panting.
"Deputy Captain, we've taken him back."
"We've arranged a private cell, too. I guarantee nobody will disturb him."
Chikage nodded in satisfaction.
"Good work."
"Write up a report when you get back. I'll put you in for a bonus."
Uchiha Hikari didn't look happy, however. Instead, her face was full of anxiety.
"Deputy Captain, we've arrested Shimura Ken, but what about Captain Yashiro?"
"It's been almost an hour since Root took him away."
"You know what Root is like. Anyone who goes in there is lucky to come out alive."
"With Captain Yashiro's temper, he's bound to suffer if he clashes with them."
At her words, several Uchiha officers nearby gathered around as well.
They all looked grim, seething with anger but at a loss for what to do.
Root had always held a special position in Konoha.
It was Danzo's private armed force, and it never played by the rules.
The Konoha Military Police Force might usually throw its weight around, but even its members could only steer clear when they encountered Root.
"Deputy Captain, we have to find a way to save the squad captain."
"That's right. We can't leave him to suffer in Root's hands."
"How about we find Clan Leader Fugaku and ask him to go to the Hokage Building to demand his release?"
The officers clamored with suggestions.
Chikage tossed his apple core into a nearby trash can.
The lazy expression vanished from his face.
His gaze sharpened.
"Why involve the clan leader?"
"If we have to trouble him over something like this, how can our Second Squad show its face?"
Chikage's voice turned cold.
"One of our officers was enforcing the law on our own turf."
"And Root actually arrested him."
"If word gets out, how are we supposed to hold our heads up in Konoha?"
"What will people think of us Uchiha?"
He turned to Uchiha Hikari, his tone growing stern.
"One of our own has been arrested. Of course we'll go get him ourselves."
"We absolutely cannot leave Squad Captain Yashiro sitting in Root's dungeon."
"We're getting an explanation for this today."
Uchiha Hikari was stunned by Chikage's imposing presence.
It was the first time she had seen that expression on the face of the deputy captain, who usually wore an easy smile.
"Deputy Captain, you mean... we're going straight to Root to demand his release?"
Uchiha Hikari's voice trembled, whether from fear or excitement, she couldn't tell.
"Why would we go to Root?"
Chikage rolled his eyes.
"Their base is underground. We don't even know where the entrance is."
"We're going straight to the Hokage Building."
"Root answers to the Hokage's aide. Naturally, we'll demand the Hokage return our man."
"They can run, but they can't hide."
Chikage picked up his solid steel police baton again.
The few drops of dark red blood on its tip had already dried.
"Hikari, go back to the Konoha Military Police Force right now."
"Get me Shimura Ken's written confession."
Uchiha Hikari froze, looking troubled.
"Deputy Captain, you beat him so badly that he couldn't even speak."
"His mouth was full of blood, and all his teeth were knocked out."
"How is he supposed to write a confession?"
Chikage gave her an exasperated look.
"You're usually pretty sharp. Why can't you think outside the box now?"
"If he can't write it, can't you write it for him?"
"Spell out how he smashed up shops on South Street and extorted the shopkeepers."
"Then take the confession to him and ask whether it's true."
"If he dares shake his head, tell him the deputy captain will be right back to give him another taste of his baton."
"If he nods, take his hand and press his fingerprint on it."
"And there you have it-a perfectly reasonable written confession."
Uchiha Hikari listened, dumbfounded.
You could do that?
This was even more shamelessly self-righteous than beating a confession out of someone.
"Understood?" Chikage urged.
"Understood!" Uchiha Hikari answered loudly.
"One more thing." Chikage pointed at the damaged stalls around them.
"Take a few people and collect all the evidence of the vandalism here."
"Make a detailed list of what each shopkeeper lost and calculate its value in silver."
"All of that will give us legitimate leverage when we negotiate at the Hokage Building."
"With those things in hand, we'll have justice on our side."
"Even if the Third Hokage steps in, he won't be able to fault us."
Uchiha Hikari nodded repeatedly, committing all of Chikage's instructions to memory.
She was now completely convinced of her deputy captain's ability.
He wasn't just ruthless. He was exceptionally sharp, too.
He had worked out every step, using the rules themselves to beat the system.
Chikage raised his wrist and glanced at his watch.
It was eleven fifteen in the morning.
Forty-five minutes remained until his lunch break.
If they moved quickly, he could go to the Hokage Building, get their man back, and still return to the office in time for an afternoon nap.
Then he could get up, drink some tea, and read the newspaper. A perfect day.
"All right, stop dragging your feet."
Chikage rested his baton on his shoulder and turned to the elite officers behind him.
"Everyone in the Second Squad, listen up."
"Go back to the Konoha Military Police Force, muster everyone, and bring your weapons."
"You're coming with me to the Hokage Building."
"If we don't bring Squad Captain Yashiro back today, none of us gets lunch."
The officers straightened in unison.
"Yes, sir!"
Their unified reply echoed over South Street.
Every face shone with excitement and fighting spirit.
Before, when they followed Squad Captain Yashiro, all they could do in situations like this was stew in silence.
Now, under Deputy Captain Chikage, they were going straight to the Hokage Building to demand their man's release.
Just thinking about it made their blood boil with excitement.
Before you continue