Inside a holding room within the Konoha Military Police Department, four members of the Sarutobi clan were temporarily detained on suspicion of fighting.
"Keisuke, do you think we'll be punished?"
Sarutobi Kazune paced nervously around the room, clearly uneasy as he voiced his concern.
The one he referred to as "Keisuke" was a young man in his early twenties. Despite their current situation, his expression remained relaxed, showing no signs of worry.
"Don't worry," Sarutobi Keisuke replied confidently. "Nothing's going to happen."
"But... we were the ones who started it this time."
Another Sarutobi clan member, Sarutobi Yōshi, also sounded uneasy.
"So what?" Keisuke chuckled dismissively. "The current Hokage is from the Sarutobi clan. The Police Department wouldn't dare risk offending the Third Hokage by punishing us."
"Not dare to offend the Third Hokage...?"
Hearing this, the other three's eyes lit up. They visibly relaxed, their tension melting into a quiet sense of pride.
As Keisuke said, with the Third Hokage hailing from their clan, who in the village would dare punish them even the Military Police?
"I bet it won't be long before they let us go. When that happens, we'll pressure them into punishing the Hatake clan instead."
Keisuke's tone was full of certainty.
"Is that even possible? I mean, we were clearly the ones who started it. Even if we're released, can we really get them punished?" Yōshi asked in surprise.
"They'll do it. After all, we're Sarutobi," Keisuke replied with unshakable confidence.
In another room, the three members of the Hatake clan were being held.
"I lost my temper... I shouldn't have reacted like that," Hatake Yūki said with a sigh.
"It's not your fault, Yūki. They crossed the line slandering Uncle White Fang like that," Hatake Jinichi shook his head.
"Yeah, they went too far. To insult someone who's already passed..." Hatake Takashi clenched his fists in anger.
"You don't need to blame yourself, Yūki. They provoked us first, and they threw the first punch. Once the Police investigate, they should let us go," Jinichi added.
"Yeah, they'll probably release us soon," Takashi nodded in agreement.
Seeing the calm expressions on Jinichi and Takashi's faces, Yūki could only shake his head.
"You're underestimating the situation. Normally, we'd be cleared and let go... but this time is different. Our opponents are from the Sarutobi clan the same clan as the Third Hokage."
"You mean... the Police Department might side with them?" Jinichi and Takashi's expressions shifted.
"There's a good chance," Yūki said seriously. "The Hatake clan used to be influential, but ever since Uncle White Fang passed, our standing in the village has been declining. The Sarutobi clan, on the other hand, holds considerable sway thanks to the Third Hokage. The Police might just take their side and punish us instead."
Jinichi and Takashi fell silent, their faces clouded with concern.
Just then, the door opened and a uniformed officer from the Police Department stepped in.
"Come with me. Your verdicts have been decided."
The three Hatake members followed him into another room, where the four Sarutobi were already waiting. Aside from the officer, they were the only ones present.
The Sarutobi looked smug, relaxed, their faint smiles tinged with mockery.
Seeing their expressions, the Hatake trio felt a sinking feeling in their chests. Their worst fears might be coming true.
"Everyone's here. Let's proceed with the verdict," said Uchiha Yakumi as his gaze swept across the seven individuals.
"Sarutobi Keisuke and the other three are found guilty of initiating the conflict. In accordance with the Public Order Regulation, they will be detained for ten days."
"Hatake Yūki and his companions acted in self-defense. They are cleared of all charges and will be released immediately."
The smug expressions on the Sarutobi's faces vanished in an instant.
Keisuke glared at Uchiha Yakumi in disbelief, shouting, "What?! How dare you?!"
He never imagined the Police Department would actually punish them, disregarding the face of the Third Hokage.
Thinking of the promises he'd made to the others that the Police wouldn't dare go against the Sarutobi name his face burned with humiliation.
"We acted in accordance with the Public Order Regulation," Yakumi replied coolly. "If you disagree with the verdict, you're welcome to file a complaint after your sentence is served."
From the captain's orders, Yakumi had vaguely sensed the attitude being taken toward the Sarutobi clan.
He didn't know why the captain chose this approach, but as both an Uchiha clansman and a Police officer, his only duty was to carry out the orders given.
"Just you wait! I'll report this directly to the Third Hokage!" Keisuke snarled, his face twisted with fury.
"Take them away," Yakumi ordered with a wave of his hand.
Officers stepped forward and escorted the four Sarutobi out of the room, then led the three Hatake members outside the Police Department.
"So the Police Department isn't as awful as the rumors say..." Hatake Yūki couldn't help but glance back at the main entrance.
He had expected punishment for himself and his companions, but instead, the Police had judged the case fairly punishing those who instigated the fight and clearing those who defended themselves.
His impression of the Police improved considerably.
"At least this time, they weren't afraid of power and upheld justice," he muttered.
"Yeah, not like the rumors at all," Jinichi and Takashi agreed, nodding.
The rumors claimed the Police used their authority to oppress civilians and other clans, but this outcome clearly told a different story.
Here stood a department willing to uphold justice even if it meant offending the Sarutobi clan.
Could such a department really be as corrupt as the rumors claimed? They began to doubt it.
"Maybe those rumors were deliberately spread by someone..." Yūki thought, connecting the dots with the current circumstances of the Uchiha clan.
It was entirely possible that some forces had spread those rumors to undermine the Uchiha who currently ran the Police Department.