Chapter 48 Danzo is dead, but the process continues.
After Uchiha Zaito led his men to escort the troublemaking dumpling stall owner back to the Security Department, he continued his patrol.
"Hideaki, you did a good job today. You didn't act rashly regarding that child, but reported to me before taking action. I will recommend you to Captain Touhuan for commendation," Uchiha Zaito said, patting the shoulder of a young team member beside him.
"This is all thanks to what you told us, Captain," Sakurai Hideaki said after letting out a long sigh. "To be honest, I was quite shocked when I saw that child being bullied."
These civilian ninjas had been working in the Security Department for some time, and naturally, they would occasionally see Naruto while patrolling the streets. Initially, these people, unaware of Naruto's true identity, were influenced by rumors, regarding Naruto as the demon fox who brought disaster, and even believing that they or their families had participated in bullying Naruto.
But even if these Uchiha captains in the Security Department didn't know that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son, they knew what a Jinchuriki was.
Provoking a Jinchuriki, even if the Jinchuriki loses control and kills someone, at most they'll be punished, but the person killed is truly dead.
Having already gotten along well with the civilian members, they naturally reminded their subordinates. Under their repeated reminders, the civilian ninjas who joined the security force, along with their families, understood that Naruto was someone absolutely not to be trifled with. While they wouldn't immediately change their attitude towards Naruto, they at least wouldn't verbally abuse him.
"By the way, if you encounter that kid during patrols in the future, you can look after him appropriately, but don't be too obvious, understand?" Uchiha Zaito reminded them.
Before seeing Kakashi and Naruto together, the Security Department had generally maintained a "don't bother" attitude towards Naruto, given the sensitive nature of both their identities. However, now that Kakashi seemed to have made contact with Naruto, and Kakashi appeared to have a close relationship with his clan head, Uchiha Zaito said what he did.
"Captain, why?" someone in the patrol asked curiously.
"Don't ask so many questions. I'll tell you what I can," Uchiha Zaito said.
"I understand, it's confidential, right? Knowing it won't do us any good." The person who asked the question wasn't annoyed by the rebuke, but just chuckled and scratched his head.
After working together for a while, these civilian ninjas who had joined the Security Department also discovered that the Uchiha clan members, who had been almost demonized by rumors in the village, weren't actually that difficult to get along with. Apart from being a bit arrogant and always talking about the Uchiha clan's glory, the Uchiha clan members weren't that bad.
Although they might scold you a bit when you encounter problems at work, they'll still patiently help you solve them. When you ask them for advice while training in ninjutsu, they'll say things like, "Those without the Uchiha bloodline simply lack talent," while simultaneously sharing experiences you couldn't learn at the ninja academy.
"Just so you know," Uchiha Zaito said, giving the man a disapproving look, then addressed everyone, "Don't waste time, finish your patrol quickly, I'll treat everyone to drinks after work."
"Captain's the best!" Uchiha Zaito's words were met with cheers from his teammates.
This was also a major reason; Uchiha ninjas were truly generous to their own people.
Meanwhile, after this ordeal, Kakashi and Naruto had lost their mood for shopping.
"Um, Kakashi-nii," Naruto said softly, head bowed, "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? It wasn't your fault," Kakashi said.
"But, if it weren't for me, Kakashi-nii wouldn't have encountered this," Naruto said.
Upon hearing this, Kakashi stopped and knelt down, looking at Naruto and saying, "Naruto, listen, everyone may be at fault in this matter, but you are the only one who is truly innocent, so you don't need to apologize."
Naruto's eyes reddened upon hearing Kakashi's words. Since he could remember, aside from his Third Hokage who would occasionally visit him, Kakashi was the first person to completely trust him.
"If something like this happens again, remember to go to the ninja guards. They'll help you get justice," Kakashi said.
"The ninja guards? Those ninja guards from earlier?" Naruto asked curiously.
"That's right," Kakashi nodded.
"They really will help me?" Even though Kakashi said so, Naruto still had doubts.
"Yes, they will definitely help you," Kakashi said, a special glint in his eyes. "Let's go get some ramen."
Hearing his favorite ramen, Naruto instantly perked up, forgetting all the unpleasantness from before, and laughed as he followed Kakashi.
...
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed heavily after hearing the ANBU ninja's report on what had happened on the shopping street.
Just then, the door to the Hokage's office was suddenly pushed open, and Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stormed in, looking furious.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing this, waved for the ANBU ninja who had come to report to leave.
Once the ANBU ninja was gone, Homura Mitokado impatiently demanded, "Hiruzen, what are you thinking? How can you let anyone approach a Jinchuriki so easily?"
"You're overthinking it. Kakashi is Minato's student; he has the right to take care of his teacher's son," Hiruzen Sarutobi patiently explained.
"Hiruzen, this concerns a Jinchuriki; you can't be too merciful," Koharu Utatane said.
"So what? What are you planning to do? Like Danzo suggested before, lock Naruto up and brainwash him into a weapon of war?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said angrily. "Don't forget, Naruto isn't just a Jinchuriki, he's also Minato's son! The Fourth Hokage's son! Minato has already given his life for the village!"
"Hiruzen, that's not what we meant," Homura Mitokado said. "It's just that Kakashi has the Sharingan after all. Don't forget what happened six years ago!"
"Shut up! This matter is not worth discussing!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Hiruzen, Danzo is right, you are really too indecisive." Koharu Utatane couldn't help but say when she saw that Hiruzen Sarutobi was determined not to listen to their opinions. "You will regret this one day!"
"I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist on the table and roared.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, seeing this, didn't want to make a fool of themselves. They snorted coldly, turned around and left, slamming the door shut with a bang as they went.
After the two advisors left, Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and looked out the window, his eyes flashing with an unfathomable light.
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(End of Chapter)