The Daimyo pointed straight at Hiruzen's nose and roared.
Hiruzen's face alternated between pale and livid under the tirade.
The heads of the major clans were watching, as were the envoys from other villages.
If he refused to sign, he would be branded an accomplice in the plot to murder the Daimyo.
Grinding his back teeth, Hiruzen snatched the brush from Chikage's hand.
With a few swift strokes, Hiruzen signed his name on the application and forcefully stamped it with the Hokage's seal.
"Collect it from the Finance Department!"
Hiruzen tossed the scroll back to Chikage, unwilling to say another word.
Chikage caught the scroll, blew on the wet ink, carefully folded it, and tucked it into his inner pocket.
"Thank you for looking after the rank-and-file police officers, Lord Third."
"Rest assured, once we receive the money, we'll spare no effort."
Smiling, Chikage put away the authorization.
Hiruzen snorted and turned to leave with the Anbu behind him, without so much as looking at Chikage.
His gray figure vanished swiftly over the rooftops at the street corner in a few bounds.
In the stands, Minister Asano accompanied the Daimyo back to his seat.
The more the Daimyo looked at Chikage, the more he liked him.
"Deputy Captain Chikage, well done!"
"From now on, your Second Squad of the Konoha Military Police Force is the only unit I trust with South Street's security!"
Chikage bowed in thanks.
"It is our duty to serve Your Highness."
After speaking, Chikage lowered his head to check his watch.
The hands pointed to precisely five in the afternoon.
A relaxed smile spread across Chikage's lips.
Before everyone in and around the stands, he took a small attendance booklet from his pocket.
Click.
Chikage stamped a red clock-out mark in that day's box.
The system's