Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward, his expression calm as he addressed the visitor.
"To what do we owe the honor of the Hokage's visit?"
Of course, he already knew the answer. There was only one reason Hiruzen Sarutobi would personally come to the Uchiha Police Force headquarters — his son Asuma had been arrested.
Hiruzen didn't bother with pleasantries. His tone was direct and authoritative.
"What are your plans for dealing with Asuma?"
Fugaku, now no longer weighed down by the political hesitation that had once plagued the clan, answered with firm clarity. He had seen the changes in their fortunes, thanks in part to Ryosuke's rising influence.
"According to Uchiha Police Force law, the charges are attempted murder, destruction of public property, and injury to multiple villagers. The punishment should be no less than ten years."
The Third Hokage's face darkened at those words.
"Ten years? Isn't that too excessive, Fugaku-dono?"
That length of time would cut straight through the prime of Asuma's career — the golden years of growth, both in power and reputation. To be locked away for a decade would not only destroy Asuma's future but also remove any possibility of him succeeding Hiruzen as a candidate for future Hokage. If anything, it would brand him permanently as a criminal.
But Fugaku's expression didn't shift.
"I believe that sentence is already quite lenient. My clan member, Uchiha Ryosuke, may have avoided injury, but we cannot wait until someone is killed before we take matters seriously. Asuma destroyed property and injured numerous civilians with a large-scale Fire Release technique in a populated area. If we fail to punish him appropriately, how can we maintain public trust?"
Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh of relief. At least there had been no deaths. That gave him some room to negotiate.
"I'll ensure full compensation is provided to all affected parties — both the injured civilians and those whose homes were damaged. As for Ryosuke, I'll personally see that he's compensated as well. Can we consider reducing the sentence slightly? After all, Asuma has a duty as the Fire Daimyō's bodyguard."
Fugaku, still composed, offered a faint smile.
"If the Hokage is willing to provide compensation, that's certainly appreciated. Then, as a gesture of goodwill, we can reduce the sentence... by one year. Nine years in prison should suffice."
At this, Hachidai — the Eighth Elder — almost laughed aloud.
What difference does one year make when you're looking at nearly a decade behind bars?
Hiruzen's face twitched, his displeasure apparent. A one-year reduction was hardly a concession.
This was no longer a matter of justice — it was political warfare. The Uchiha were drawing a line, and it was clear they weren't going to let this go without making a statement.
"Fugaku-dono," Hiruzen said, voice tightening, "Nine years is still excessive. This judgment is not in good faith. I am the Hokage of this village, and I believe it is my right to take my son into custody and handle his punishment personally."
The clan head's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice gaining a colder edge.
"Are you attempting to interfere with the internal affairs of the Uchiha Police Force, Hokage-sama? Our authority was granted by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. I trust you respect the will of our village's founding leaders."
That jab hit home. Hiruzen winced slightly. Being countered with Tobirama's authority — his own mentor — left him with little leverage.
In truth, he was starting to question the wisdom of ever giving the Uchiha clan so much autonomy. Especially now, with Ryosuke reinvigorating the clan's strength and political boldness, they were no longer the cornered dogs they'd once been after the Nine-Tails incident.
Still, the situation needed resolution.
"If the sentence could be reduced further, perhaps we could restore some of the clan's prior benefits," Hiruzen offered, carefully wording his proposition. "Including the previous compensation levels before the Nine-Tails attack."
Both Fugaku and Hachidai were visibly surprised.
That was a significant offer.
Ever since the Nine-Tails attack — blamed, even if indirectly, on the Uchiha — their living quarters had been relocated to the village's edge, and their funding had been slashed. Restoring those benefits could vastly improve clan morale and quell brewing resentment.
Fugaku pondered the offer and finally spoke.
"If Hokage-sama truly intends to restore our clan's former privileges, then I can agree to reduce the sentence. Since Ryosuke was not injured, and if you compensate the villagers appropriately... then let it be one year."
"But the punishment must remain. Otherwise, we cannot justify this to the injured civilians. I believe you understand that, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, relief evident in his expression.
A year wasn't ideal, but it was manageable. It was a lesson for Asuma — one that couldn't be avoided given how far things had gone.
Even if he wanted to bargain further, to do so in public might risk the Uchiha leaking this discussion. If the village discovered that their Hokage had bent justice for his son, his reputation would take a critical hit.
"This judgment is acceptable," Hiruzen finally said. "May I see my son?"
"Of course," Fugaku responded. "Inaho, take the Hokage-sama to see Asuma."
Hiruzen followed Inaho through the corridors of the Police Force headquarters. His heart was heavy with frustration and disappointment — not at the Uchiha, but at Asuma himself.
He had truly hoped his son had matured.
After a short walk, they arrived at the temporary holding cell. Inaho politely stepped away, leaving the Hokage to speak with his son in private.
Hiruzen stood quietly in the doorway for a moment. Asuma sat on the bench inside, arms crossed, shirt stained with blood, bruises visible along his jaw. He looked up, expression still smoldering with resentment.
"Tell me," Hiruzen said gravely, "what was going through your head? Why act so recklessly?"
Asuma growled out his answer.
"That bastard Ryosuke stole Kurenai from me. My childhood friend! My woman! Tell me, should I have let it go?"
Hiruzen's expression tightened. So it was about Kurenai...
"All of this," he said slowly, voice heavy with disappointment, "over a woman?"
Asuma snapped, "You don't understand—!"
"No. You don't understand." Hiruzen's tone turned sharper. "You jeopardized lives. You destroyed property. You threw away your future — all over a personal grudge. That's not how a shinobi, let alone a Sarutobi, should behave."
He paused, gaze softening with a hint of sorrow.
"Do you know how many shinobi stronger than you have lost loved ones without lashing out? Even your mother... she died protecting others. You dishonor her memory by acting like this."
At the mention of his late wife, Biwako Sarutobi — who had been killed during the Nine-Tails attack while helping Kushina — Hiruzen's voice wavered ever so slightly.
Asuma lowered his head. The fire in his eyes dimmed.
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