Of course, Natsuki's goal didn't end there. He turned his sights toward the surrounding Anbu.
"All villagers, look around carefully—there are Anbu everywhere."
The Anbu's hearts sank. Why was it turning on them now?
"Why is it that the Anbu never deal with Jiraiya peeping? Is it because Jiraiya is some big shot?"
"They can't handle Jiraiya, so they go after the victims instead!"
"As long as no one dares testify, Jiraiya will always get away with it!"
Jiraiya couldn't take it anymore. What kind of poisonous mouth was this?! He immediately tried to force his way out.
But without ninjutsu, even though his taijutsu was stronger than Natsuki's, there was no way he could break through Natsuki's full-on defense.
Meanwhile, Natsuki kept provoking as he defended.
"Look, everyone! This criminal Jiraiya is trying to run away! If he escapes this time, the matter will just vanish into thin air again!"
"Why has he been able to get away with it for so long? Because someone's covering for him!"
"The Anbu have been here for ages—don't tell me none of them informed the Third Hokage? Of course they did!"
"That's because the Third Hokage shields his peeping pervert of a student!"
Natsuki's voice boomed like a megaphone as he jabbered nonstop, fending off blows all the while.
He even shrieked theatrically: "Ahhh! Jiraiya hit me! The Third Hokage is covering for his peeping student!"
Along the way, the gathered villagers were in an uproar, complaints boiling over before their very eyes. Jiraiya grew more desperate, his strikes heavier!
"Enough!" A raspy, aged voice barked.
Jiraiya froze mid-strike. But Natsuki wasn't done with his act.
"People of Konoha, remember this well! You must all beware of Jiraiya! Pu…"
He even spat out a mouthful of blood—bitten from the inside of his cheek for dramatic effect.
To the villagers, this Uchiha Natsuki who stood up for them was someone to be pitied and admired.
Look at him—an Uchiha Police Force officer, so dutiful.
For the sake of ordinary villagers, he'd suffered so much pain and hardship.
At that moment, the Third Hokage leapt into the fray. Jiraiya's face burned with embarrassment, his toes curling inside his clogs, practically carving patterns into the wood. His eyes pleaded: You shouldn't have come.
The Third rolled his eyes. Shouldn't come? If he didn't, his reputation as Hokage would rot away on the spot!
This Natsuki always pulled bizarre stunts, catching him off guard every time.
Just the other day he pledged eternal loyalty—and now, the moment Jiraiya returned, he was splattering filth all over him.
"Natsuki! What in the world are you playing at?! How did you even become a Police Captain?!"
Natsuki wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.
"Our Uchiha have very few members left in the Police Force. Today, I wanted to see firsthand how the unit usually works."
"In order not to disrupt my colleagues' duties, I specifically applied for an officer's position."
Seeing the Hokage had stepped down, Natsuki felt the time was ripe and raised his voice.
"Since the Third Hokage himself has come to protect his disciple Jiraiya…!"
"Then I, as just a small-time Police Captain, can do nothing about it!"
The Third's face darkened. When had he ever said he was protecting Jiraiya?!
He could already feel the villagers' suspicious gazes piercing him.
He quickly protested: "Natsuki, what nonsense are you spouting! I have no intention of shielding Jiraiya!"
"Oh?" Natsuki feigned surprise. "Then, Hokage-sama, why is it that the Anbu discovered this matter so long ago, and yet you only arrived now? Was it not because you were intentionally letting Jiraiya off the hook?"
The Third nearly wanted to drag Natsuki out and behead him—he knew, and yet he said it out loud!
"Absolutely not! I was merely occupied with official duties—I arrived a step late."
Cough cough. The Third cleared his throat. Since things had gone this far, he had no choice but to sacrifice Jiraiya.
"Although Jiraiya is my student, this is the first time I've learned of such… hobbies of his."
"Since he has done wrong, he will be punished accordingly!"
Jiraiya's face turned ashen. Never had he imagined he'd be so humiliated.
It was just peeping—normally not such a heavy crime—but the shame was unbearable.
Thick skin was one thing; being publicly judged in front of all the villagers was another.
Natsuki declared loudly: "Since that's the case, then it seems I misunderstood Hokage-sama!"
"Today we have witnesses pointing directly at Jiraiya. Hokage-sama, can you guarantee those witnesses won't be retaliated against?"
Jiraiya gritted his teeth at him. Sure, he was a lecher, but he'd never stoop to such low tricks. This brat…!
The Third's hand clenched hard inside his sleeve.
"Rest assured, Natsuki. I guarantee on my honor as Hokage—the witness will not suffer any harm. In fact, they will even receive financial compensation."
Satisfied, Natsuki turned to the crowd.
"See, everyone? Our Hokage is fair and reasonable."
"Even when it's his own student at fault, he refuses to cover for him, and he protects and compensates the witness. Truly wise, Hokage-sama!"
"Truly wise!"
"How kind!"
"Hokage-sama is so just—righteous even against his own kin!"
The cheers of praise forced the Hokage to keep up his strained smile, nodding to the crowd.
Natsuki nudged Hyūga Yuto and whispered, "Hey, Yuto, what's the punishment for peeping again?"
Hyūga Yuto was still stunned by all of Natsuki's antics. Seeing no one paying him mind, he whispered back.
"Lord Natsuki, peeping is fifteen days' detention, plus a public apology."
Natsuki nodded, cleared his throat, and announced:
"Then, thanks to the Hokage's support, today Jiraiya is charged with peeping at the women's bathhouse! In accordance with public security law, the penalty is fifteen days' detention!"
He gestured toward Jiraiya. "Jiraiya-sama, if you would please."
Jiraiya glanced back at the Hokage's thunderous expression but had no choice other than to sullenly follow Natsuki out of the crowd.
Yet before they'd gone far, Natsuki suddenly turned and handed Jiraiya over to Hyūga Yuto.
Yuto panicked. This was Jiraiya, after all.
Seeing his hesitation, Natsuki whispered, "Relax. Jiraiya won't dare run. Besides, you did well today. When you report back, Hiashi will reward you."
With Natsuki's assurance, Yuto calmed down, nodded firmly, and escorted Jiraiya toward the Police Force.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage, still mired in the villagers' scrutiny, could only keep repeating that he had no prior knowledge of Jiraiya's deeds, nor had he ever protected him.
Then Natsuki raised his voice again: "Hokage-sama!"
The Third shuddered. What now?!
Natsuki continued, "Our Police holding cells are quite shabby. I doubt they can contain someone like Jiraiya. What if he escapes in a few days? What then, hmm!?"
Once more, suspicion filled the villagers' eyes.
True enough, the Police jail could never hold such a figure. If he snuck out, none of them would know.
The Third forced a smile. "Don't worry, Natsuki. Jiraiya will accept his punishment. He will not escape!"
"If he does, then I, as Hokage, will immediately brand him a rogue ninja! Please, everyone, watch and keep me accountable!"
"Ohhh!" The villagers cheered, satisfied with his words.
"There are still many duties I must attend to, so I'll take my leave." The Third squeezed through the crowd, flustered and embarrassed.
Once again, he placed Natsuki firmly on the list of "most troublesome people"—number one with no contest.
Natsuki ignored him, instead turning his gaze on the disgraced Jiraiya. Jiraiya happened to look back.
You brat! Just wait until I'm out—I'll make you pay!
Jiraiya's reputation was ruined. How could he still become Naruto's teacher after this?
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