Naruto: I Beat The Villagers And Made Them Scream

"Come, Shisui, have a seat." Kuragami Uchiha gestured for Shisui to sit down and poured him a cup of tea.

Although Shisui had returned to work at the Konoha Military Police Force, it was natural that Fugaku would not fully trust him. As a result, he was only assigned to a logistics position.

"Kuragami, the complaint rate against the Konoha Military Police Force is way too high. We can't keep going like this." Shisui Uchiha looked worried.

"Shisui, I also find this situation difficult to handle." 

Kuragami Uchiha feigned a troubled expression and rubbed his forehead. "When the Uchiha Clan solely managed the Konoha Military Police Force, the villagers were dissatisfied. Now that we've recruited so many civilian ninjas, they're still unhappy. I really don't know what else we can do."

Shisui let out a long sigh. He couldn't understand why, despite the clan's efforts to integrate into the village, there had been so little progress.

"Forget it. At the very least, let's first use these red envelopes to stabilize the morale of the Konoha Military Police Force. As for the rest, we'll leave it to time." 

Kuragami Uchiha looked at Shisui. "Once the village sees our sincerity, we will definitely come to an understanding with them."

"That's right, I believe in your judgment." Shisui Uchiha said.

"Take the red envelope. Everyone in the Konoha Military Police Force gets one, and you shouldn't be an exception. You're a part of the Konoha Military Police Force, after all." 

Kuragami Uchiha pushed the red envelope toward Shisui.

"I understand." 

Shisui originally did not want to accept it, but Kuragami Uchiha's reasoning left him with no choice.

After Shisui left, Kuragami Uchiha relaxed in his chair and flipped through a copy of the incriminating evidence he had obtained from Orochimaru while thinking to himself:

At this time, he wonders, when the time comes, will Shisui stand by the will of fire, or will he stand with the village?

… … …

Time passed quickly, and soon, it was time to get off work. After sitting for an entire afternoon, Kuragami Uchiha stretched, tidied up his desk, and prepared to head home; after all, a certain little brat was coming over tonight.

At the same time, Kakashi, who had spent the day cleaning out a room for Naruto at the Hatake clan's old residence, also stepped out of his house and headed toward the ninja academy.

Right now, the academy was dismissing its students, and for Naruto, this was always the hardest part of the day.

Other kids either had family members picking them up or walked home with friends. But Naruto, having neither family nor friends, could only sit alone on the school's swing, waiting until everyone else had left before heading home. At least this way, there would be fewer judgmental stares along the way.

For Sasuke, however, dismissal time was the moment he looked forward to the most. 

Every day, he would be the first to rush out of school, hoping to see his beloved older brother waiting for him. If he saw Itachi, the rest of his day would be filled with joy.

But today, instead of his kind older brother, Sasuke was met with the serious expression of his father.

"Father?" 

Seeing Fugaku at the school gate, Sasuke was surprised.

"Let's go, Sasuke." 

Fugaku Uchiha said with a cold face, signaling with his eyes for Sasuke to follow him. 

The two walked in single file toward the Uchiha Clan district.

"Um, father, why isn't my brother here to pick me up today?" After a while, Sasuke couldn't help but ask.

"Itachi has a mission to attend to." Fugaku Uchiha replied.

"Oh... Okay." Sasuke looked disappointed upon hearing this.

"Also, I've arranged for you to have a teacher. From now on, after school, you will go to him on your own."

"A teacher?" 

Sasuke looked up curiously. "Who is it?"

"You have a natural talent for Lightning Style, so I have asked the clan's most skilled Lightning Style user, Clan Head Kuragami, to teach you. Sasuke, learn well from your teacher, and do not bring shame to our clan." Fugaku Uchiha said.

"Clan Head Kuragami?" 

Sasuke was momentarily stunned. While most clan affairs didn't concern children his age, he had heard from others that his father used to be the Clan Head, but he wasn't anymore. The one who replaced him was the very person his father was now calling his teacher.

"Yes, Sasuke. Your teacher, though only a little older than you, is a very wise person and the strongest ninja in our clan." 

Fugaku Uchiha explained patiently.

"I understand, father. I will study hard with my teacher." Sasuke nodded.

… … …

At the ninja academy, Naruto sat on the swing, watching his classmates leave one by one.

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the village. The once-bustling schoolyard was now empty.

Just as Naruto finished suppressing his sadness and was about to head home, a long shadow appeared in front of him.

Naruto looked up and saw a white-haired man with a mask covering his face and his forehead protector covering one eye. His visible eye carried a complicated expression.

"Hey, old man, who are you looking for?" Naruto asked.

"I'm looking for you." 

Kakashi replied.

"Me?" Naruto was stunned.

"If your name is Naruto Uzumaki, then I'm not mistaken."

… … …

Because Kuragami Uchiha had already informed his housekeeper in advance, when Fugaku brought Sasuke to his home, the housekeeper, Keiko, was already waiting at the entrance to welcome them inside.

"Kuragami-sama is expecting you to study."

When the two were led to the study, Kuragami Uchiha, now dressed in a haori, was writing something at his desk.

"Ah, Elder Fugaku, this must be Sasuke." Kuragami Uchiha stopped what he was doing and smiled at them.

"Sasuke, greet your teacher." Fugaku Uchiha instructed.

"Hello, teacher. My name is Uchiha Sasuke." Little Sasuke bowed timidly and then curiously studied Kuragami Uchiha.

"Kuragami, I leave Sasuke in your care." Fugaku Uchiha said.

… … …

At Ramen Ichiraku.

"I'm digging in!" 

Naruto clapped his hands together in prayer before wolfing down his food. Meanwhile, Kakashi sat quietly beside him, watching.

"Hey, white-haired old man, aren't you going to eat?" Naruto suddenly looked up from his bowl, puzzled.

"I'm not eating. Also, based on our age differences, you should call me Big Brother Kakashi."

At that moment, Teuchi, the owner of Ramen Ichiraku, poked his head out from behind the counter.

"Kakashi, you haven't been here in ages. But what's your connection to Naruto? Why are you suddenly treating him to ramen?"

"This kid's father and I have a certain connection." 

Kakashi replied.

Hearing this, Naruto suddenly stopped eating.

"Naruto's father, huh?" 

Having run his shop for over a decade, Teuchi was quite familiar with Kakashi. 

Upon hearing those words, a thought flashed through his mind. Then he glanced at Naruto's bright yellow hair, and some long-held suspicions began to resurface.

"Could it be...?"

But at that moment, Teuchi noticed Kakashi's gaze and the subtle shake of his head.