After much deliberation, Hiruzen made his final decision.
"Protecting the safety of villagers is indeed the duty of the Konoha Military Police Force, but the methods are too aggressive."
"As for Danzo, attacking Konoha Military Police Force personnel without my consent does not comply with Konoha regulations."
Then Hiruzen said a lot of other things, some relevant, some not. In short, it all meant one thing.
Don't blow this matter out of proportion to avoid unnecessary trouble. In the end, both sides would receive a verbal warning and that would be it.
As for the six deceased ninjas, perhaps they were the price of Konoha's peace.
Satoshi could accept this outcome. He didn't have the strength to turn the tables yet. If things really got out of hand, he might be assassinated by that old schemer Danzo overnight.
But Danzo couldn't accept it. He had put in so much effort, and several of his subordinates had died.
He had finally found leverage against the Uchiha clan, and Hiruzen just let it go so lightly?
I refuse!
He asked, "Hiruzen, did my subordinates die for nothing?"
Hiruzen sighed, "Give them death benefits. You submit the report, and I'll approve it."
"You…"
"Alright, that's enough."
Hiruzen clearly didn't want to say anything more.
Danzo snorted coldly and slammed the door shut in anger, leaving.
Bang!
"Hiruzen, you will regret indulging the Uchiha like this!"
With Danzo's departure, the Hokage office returned to silence.
Hiruzen remained silent for a long time, just watching Satoshi.
Eventually, Satoshi felt a chill run down his spine from Hiruzen's gaze, unsure what the Hokage was planning.
"You joined the Konoha Military Police Force founded by Tobirama-sensei?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Then there was another silence.
"Understood, go on with your work."
Satoshi acknowledged, turned, and left. He wasn't foolish enough to ask for the right to approach Naruto or take care of him.
If Hiruzen didn't say no, then it was a yes. If it didn't work next time, then they would deal with it next time.
After leaving the office, it was time to get off work.
Satoshi didn't rush home to rest but instead strolled to a fishing tackle shop. The owner of this shop was a shifty-eyed fellow.
When Satoshi came, he checked and found that this guy was a notorious swindler. He would judge people by their appearance and pass off inferior goods as quality ones, which was commonplace.
The Konoha Military Police Force often received complaints from villagers about this shop.
However, he would just flat-out deny everything, and the colleagues in the Konoha Military Police Force didn't dare to use force. Over time, the small boss became more and more arrogant.
The complaining villagers, seeing their reports go nowhere, grew increasingly dissatisfied with the Konoha Military Police Force.
Some even ran to the Hokage's office to accuse the Konoha Military Police Force of inaction.
Satoshi gently tapped the counter and said, "Don't sleep, we have a customer."
The sleeping owner heard the keywords and instantly woke up from his slumber.
Heh heh, let me see which big sucker has come today.
He squeezed out a fawning smile and asked, "What would you like to buy? Our fishing gear is excellent and affordable, everyone who's used it says it's good…"
The owner's face instantly changed when he saw that the visitor was from the Konoha Military Police Force.
"What do you want? Speak."
The tomoe in Satoshi's eyes flickered as he scanned the products in the shop.
"I'm not buying anything, just looking."
"If you're not buying, what are you looking at? Go play somewhere else, don't interfere with my business."
Satoshi blinked.
How could this boss be so arrogant?
To treat colleagues from the Konoha Military Police Force so disrespectfully, he clearly wasn't a proper villager. Such a rogue must be dealt with severely.
"We received complaints that you're selling counterfeit goods. Is that true?"
The boss chuckled. They had come eight times for this trivial matter. Every time they came, they were arrogant, but in the end, he always chased them out.
"You little brat, what do you know? All my stuff is fine. If you dare to talk nonsense, I'll complain about you."
Satoshi's lips curled into a smirk. "Really?"
"Stop nitpicking, I'm very busy, I don't have time for your nonsense."
Saying that, the boss picked up a broom and started sweeping, trying to shoo Satoshi out.
"What kind of trash is the Konoha Military Police Force these days? They even hire a little kid. Does he even understand anything?"
The boss grumbled for a long time, then suddenly felt himself floating.
Satoshi threw the boss out and sealed the small shop with a strip of paper.
"This shop is suspected of embezzling the pensions of fallen heroes' orphans. It is hereby closed for investigation, effective today."
The boss was stunned. What was happening? Closed down immediately? Also, when did he embezzle pensions?
One should know that in Konoha, this was a serious crime. If proven, it could lead to beheading.
"You brat, don't talk nonsense! When have I ever done such an illegal thing?!"
Satoshi sneered. "A yellow-haired child came to buy a fishing rod, and seeing he was young and naive, you sold it to him at three times the price."
"His parents were heroes of Konoha, and the money he received was a subsidy personally allocated by Hokage-sama. Now, do you understand?"
Cold sweat poured down the boss's face, and he was filled with regret.
He knew that yellow-haired child was Naruto. That day, he saw Naruto's wallet and had ill intentions, selling him a shoddy fishing rod at three times the price.
He figured Naruto wouldn't understand, and if it broke, he'd just say it was improper use. After all, Naruto was an orphan with no one to back him up.
If he didn't swindle him, who would he swindle?
But who would have thought this white-haired kid would pop up at this time?
And he immediately slapped such a huge accusation on him.
"Um, this ninja-sama, please let me explain."
Satoshi wouldn't listen to his nonsense. He took out tape and sealed the boss's mouth, then pulled out a rope and tied him up securely.
Before leaving, he also took seven or eight of the most expensive fishing rods from the shop.
These were all evidence of the boss's crimes, and he had to take them home to examine them slowly.
He carried him boldly towards the Konoha Military Police Force.
The vendors along the way scattered, both loving and fearing Satoshi.
Of course, besides his handsome face, they loved him for avenging the cheated villagers.
They feared his madness, wondering if he would treat them the same way one day.
For a time, the vendors were caught in a mix of complex emotions.
Satoshi circled the bustling market area before throwing the unscrupulous boss into the Konoha Military Police Force's dungeon.
"This unscrupulous boss has cheated a lot of money, interrogate him thoroughly."
[Mission progress updated: You have successfully punished an unscrupulous merchant and protected the property of the Hokage's orphan and other villagers.]
[Having such a Hokage who dedicates his whole heart to Konoha is truly a great fortune for Konoha.]
[Mission Reward: Enhanced Kunai Throwing Technique]
Inaho saw Satoshi return and quickly asked, "How was it? That old man Danzo didn't harm you, did he?"
Satoshi waved his hand. "Don't worry, I can handle it."
"Alright." The stone in Inaho's heart fell.
"You're back just in time. Tonight is the clan's monthly gathering, and you must attend."