Chapter 52: Arrests
Uchiha Douhuan noticed Nara Shikaku's subtle movement and smiled knowingly. He asked calmly, "Advisor Nara, do you agree with what I said?"
Realizing he had been put on the spot, Nara Shikaku knew he couldn't avoid the question anymore. Gritting his teeth, he replied, "What Lord Douhuan said makes sense."
What else could he say? Could he possibly deny the Will of Fire right in front of the Third Hokage?
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, smoking his pipe. Normally, he was the one constantly preaching about the Will of Fire, but Douhuan's passionate and righteous speech had completely boxed him in. After all, the Will of Fire was his foundation, something he had to maintain at all costs. If he couldn't even uphold that, his time as the Third Hokage would be numbered.
If no one else were present, he might have been able to negotiate a bit. However, with the looming threat of Kotoamatsukami, Hiruzen couldn't risk facing Uchiha Douhuan alone. He always made sure to have someone with him during these meetings.
After a long silence, Hiruzen finally put down his pipe and conceded, "Very well, proceed as outlined. But, Douhuan, be mindful when enforcing it. After all, they are villagers."
"I understand," Douhuan nodded. "The Police Department will ensure strict adherence to the principle of smiling enforcement."
---
That afternoon, the Police Department posted the new legislation throughout the village in prominent locations. The Konohagakure Public Security Management and Punishment Law Supplementary Provisions immediately sparked heated debates.
Some villagers restrained themselves, but most didn't take it seriously. After all, the last time the Police Department enacted a law was during the Second Hokage's era, and it dealt mostly with trivial matters. Moreover, the Police Department's reputation had declined over the years, so most villagers dismissed the new legislation as mere posturing.
In fact, some even began mocking the Police Department, incorporating it into their gossip.
"Now the Police Department is backing that murderous maniac who's hanging around with the demon fox brat?"
"Hmph, who cares? We still have Lord Hokage to support us. I bet they wouldn't dare actually arrest people."
---
In the following days, Kakashi finally understood what his father had experienced years ago. Every time he left the house, he faced hostile stares from villagers. Some even vandalized the Hatake clan residence, painting graffiti and throwing trash, just like when his father was alive.
Naruto, living with Kakashi, was furious, wanting to confront the villagers every time he heard them bad-mouthing Kakashi. But whenever he approached, the villagers would glare at him like he was a plague.
Kakashi now understood why his father chose not to react back then. Once rumors reached a critical mass, any defense seemed pointless. But his passive approach only made Naruto even more agitated, unable to comprehend why Kakashi wouldn't fight back.
However, unlike during the White Fang incident, the Police Department made their move on the third day after the legislation was announced.
---
That morning, Uchiha Douhuan personally summoned the entire Police Department for a meeting.
"Recently, many rumors have been circulating about former ANBU Captain Hatake Kakashi," Douhuan addressed the assembly, his expression stern. "Kakashi is a hero of our village. He achieved great merit during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge against Iwagakure, but now he's being slandered by baseless rumors!"
Douhuan slammed his hand on the podium. "Despite the legislation we implemented, these rumors haven't ceased—instead, they're spreading even more! I have reason to believe that this is no longer just simple gossip but an act of external forces attempting to incite the villagers and smear the Will of Fire!"
"We were established by the Second Hokage to uphold the Will of Fire! Can we stand by while our village's honor is trampled on?"
"NO!" The gathered officers roared in unison, their morale blazing.
"From the day of our founding, the Police Department has remained a staunch defender of the Will of Fire! Today, as the Vice Captain of the Police Department, I swear under the emblem of Konohagakure that we will uncover the truth and make those who seek to undermine the Will of Fire pay the price!"
"ALL UNITS, ATTENTION!"
Douhuan's powerful shout made everyone stand at attention.
"SALUTE TO THE VILLAGE EMBLEM!"
"LOYALTY!" The entire Police Department shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.
"LOYALTY!" Douhuan returned the salute. "Today, all routine work is suspended. Your new mission is to conduct a thorough investigation. Every individual involved in spreading rumors will be brought to justice according to the law!"
---
Nearly 600 Police Department members were mobilized. Even Uchiha Fugaku, who usually handled administrative tasks, took charge of a patrol unit himself.
The villagers, still chatting casually about the latest rumors and treating them as entertainment, hadn't yet realized the gravity of the situation.
However, as soon as they began gossiping about the "demon fox brat" and the "murderous maniac," Police Department members appeared out of nowhere and arrested them on the spot.
Within just one morning, the Police Department had detained over 2,000 villagers. Although most were released after a simple fine and verbal education, about dozens of individuals, whose actions were deemed severe, were immediately sent to the detention center.
Only then did the villagers realize that the Police Department was serious this time.
During the investigations, the officers found that nearly all the captured villagers traced the source of the rumors back to businesses and shops owned by the Koharu and Homura families. It was now clear that those locations were the epicenters of the slander campaign.
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)