Gathering crowds to fight in the street, attacking law enforcement officers—every one of them was taken down. "There's no need to hold back your strength anymore."
"If they want a fight, we'll give them one," Hiko growled.
With that command, the Uchiha police forces surged forward like a tide. Their movements were swift, precise, and overwhelming. Screams echoed as assailants were knocked to the ground. The street, once chaotic, became a scene of rapid subdual.
When the police force let go of their restraints, the disturbance was quelled in under three minutes.
"What happened here?"
Uchiha Fugaku arrived late with reinforcements. His eyes scanned the blood-stained pavement and the groaning figures scattered across the commercial street. His expression darkened immediately.
Wiping the blood off his knuckles with a cloth, Hiko sneered.
"It's obvious, Captain. This was a trap. Someone wants to paint us—the police force—as thugs. They gathered a mob of lunatics and made sure the brawl took place in one of the busiest commercial streets. Classic manipulation."
Fugaku nodded, his Sharingan spinning faintly in agitation. "Get the wounded to the Medical Corps. Those who can still stand—take them to the station for interrogation. We will get to the bottom of this."
"Yes, sir!"
More Uchiha arrived to maintain order, herding away the aggressors. Some still shouted threats and accusations as they were dragged off.
The scale of the street brawl shocked the entire village. The incident quickly reached the ears of the Third Hokage.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already dealing with political unrest between the village and the Daimyō's faction. This new mess was the last thing he needed.
As soon as Hiko returned to the station, he received a directive from Fugaku: all squad captains and senior officers were summoned to the Hokage's Office.
This wasn't going to end with a simple warning. Everyone could feel it—repercussions were coming.
The Hokage's office was thick with tension.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was thunderous. Beside him stood the elder advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, both clearly exhausted yet visibly irritated.
Fugaku stepped forward and calmly reported the sequence of events.
"Lord Hokage, the police force acted the moment the violence erupted. But the confrontation was planned. We were outnumbered and besieged—there was intent to provoke and discredit us."
"Fugaku," Hiruzen said coldly, "the impact of this riot is unacceptable."
Chapter 50: Fugaku Takes the Blame; Hiko Confronts Koharu
There was no room for Fugaku to explain further. The Third Hokage cut him off.
The Uchiha Police Force was responsible for the village's public order. Regardless of the motives behind the brawl, the outcome was a blemish on the force's reputation.
"I understand," Fugaku bowed slightly. "We will conduct a thorough investigation and provide full accountability to the Hokage and the citizens of Konoha."
"Good," Sarutobi replied, a hint of weariness in his voice. He needed this resolved quietly and quickly, with the Daimyō situation still precarious.
Both Hiko and Fugaku recognized that the situation reeked of manipulation. But right now, the political stakes made it impossible for the Hokage to take their side.
Just as the mood began to settle, Koharu raised her voice sharply.
"Patriarch Fugaku, I've just returned from Konoha Hospital. Among the injured brought in, aside from a few bystanders, nearly all sustained serious injuries. Don't you find that... unusual?"
There it was. The real confrontation.
Fugaku's head lowered slightly, fingers tightening.
If the police hadn't responded with force, they would've lost control, become scapegoats, or worse—allowed civilian casualties.
But by acting decisively, they'd handed their critics the ammunition they needed.
Before Fugaku could reply, Hiko stepped forward.
"Elder Koharu, are you suggesting our force went too far?"
The room fell silent.
This was supposed to be the usual routine—elders blaming the Uchiha, Fugaku swallowing the insult silently.
But now, Hiko had stepped in—challenging the status quo.
Koharu blinked, momentarily stunned by the open defiance. Her expression quickly soured.
"Uchiha Hiko, are you implying that I'm unjustly accusing your force?"
"I'm saying that the police didn't use excessive force. If anything, we should have been even more decisive. If we hadn't crushed the attackers when we did, the damage would've been far worse."
Koharu's voice rose, sharper now. "You dare lecture me? You think this is how a shinobi speaks to an elder of the village?"
Hiko stared her down calmly. "With respect, Elder, how exactly do you propose we stop an armed mob from terrorizing civilians—by offering them tea?"
Fugaku remained silent. For once, he didn't interject.
Hiko's stance was not only bold—it gave him political cover.
The Hokage glanced between the two, his brow twitching.
Homura stepped forward awkwardly, trying to redirect.
"The issue is that many of the wounded suffered broken limbs. The police department must address these violent enforcement tactics."
"We've tried to improve our methods," Hiko answered. "But crime doesn't schedule itself around our training. When chaos strikes, we do what we must."
"You think that's acceptable?" Koharu snapped. "That you can brutalize people and call it justice?"
"I think it's better than letting them burn the street down," Hiko said coldly.
Koharu's hands were shaking with rage.
Even the Third Hokage was unsure how to proceed. This wasn't the typical compliant Uchiha they were used to.
"Hokage-sama, are you saying the Police Force should refrain from using force at all in future situations like this?" Hiko pressed again.
Fugaku gave the faintest nod—approval without speaking.
The pressure was now back on the elders.
"Hmph. If your men could just control themselves for once, we wouldn't be having this conversation!" Koharu spat.
Sarutobi held up a hand to interrupt. "Enough, Koharu."
Turning to Hiko, his voice softened slightly. "I'll be watching. I expect changes."
"We'll make the necessary adjustments," Hiko said, bowing slightly. "For the sake of the village."
Koharu scoffed, "Well, on behalf of the citizens of Konoha, we'll be waiting."
"That will be all for now," the Hokage said, rubbing his temples. "Return to your posts and get me answers."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
As Fugaku and the others exited the room, silence lingered.
The Hokage sighed. "Koharu, you're letting your emotions get the better of you."
"I wouldn't have to if that boy didn't speak like Danzo's ghost."
Homura shook his head. "Let's hope this doesn't escalate."
Because if it did, it wouldn't just be about one fight—it would be about the future of the Uchiha in Konoha.