The news that Inuzuka Gaku had been "invited" back to the Military Police Force headquarters spread like wildfire through every family in Konoha, big and small.

Within the Inuzuka Clan compound, the younger brother of the current Inuzuka Clan Head, Inuzuka Tsume—who was also Inuzuka Gaku's father—smashed his favorite teacup in a fit of rage upon hearing the news.

He immediately dispatched several Jonin from the clan who were most skilled in negotiation, storming toward the Military Police Force to demand the release of his son.

However, what they faced was Uchiha Kenji's expressionless face and a scripted response.

"Inuzuka Gaku is currently under investigation for suspected violation of the 'Konoha Public Security Regulations'. Until the investigation concludes, no one is permitted to visit."

"Bullshit! You Uchiha are abusing your power and settling personal vendettas!" the lead Inuzuka Ninja roared in anger. The Ninja Hound beside him bared its fangs, emitting a threatening low growl from its throat.

Uchiha Kenji's eyes did not waver in the slightest. He simply looked at the other party calmly, slightly unfurling the corner of the record scroll in his hand to reveal the sealed Chakra mark on it.

"All law enforcement processes are recorded. If you have any objections, you may appeal to the Hokage's Office. However, if you attempt to storm the Military Police Force headquarters, we will consider it obstruction of official duties and take all necessary measures."

The Inuzuka Ninja stared at the scroll, then glanced at the Uchiha members behind Uchiha Kenji, whose eyes were cold and whose hands were already resting on their Ninja tool pouches. In the end, he did not dare to make a move. He knew that he would not be able to get the person back today.

The Inuzuka clansmen, having been rebuffed, could only return in frustration.

Upon hearing of this, the Inuzuka Clan Head was even more furious. However, after pacing back and forth in the room, he also understood that the current Military Police Force—especially the Third Division led by the young man named Uchiha Kei—was no longer the organization that could be easily manipulated by clan reputation as it was in the past.

Forcing their way in would not work. The Inuzuka Clan Head's gaze finally turned toward another prominent clan crest on the village map: a pure white pattern symbolizing the Byakugan.

The Hyuga Clan. As the oldest and most extensive prestigious family in Konoha, the Hyuga Clan had been on good terms with the Inuzuka Clan for generations. They were allied in many interests, collectively countering the Uchiha's growing influence within the village. This matter required the Hyuga Clan to step in.

Half an hour later, an urgent letter was delivered to the Hyuga Main Family residence. The head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi, frowned slightly after reading the letter.

Toward the Uchiha, Hyuga Hiashi did not have much animosity, but he did not have much affection either. It was a deeply rooted sense of competition and wariness stemming from them both being prestigious Dōjutsu clans.

The Uchiha had been too prominent lately, and the young man named Uchiha Kei was disrupting the fragile balance within Konoha with an overbearing attitude.

Emotionally, as an ally, he had to help the Inuzuka Clan. Logically, taking this opportunity to humble the arrogant Uchiha also aligned with the Hyuga Clan's interests, and maintaining their own dignity as the "Number One Clan in Konoha" was equally important.

"Have Hyuga Tokuma go," Hyuga Hiashi instructed the main branch steward beside him indifferently. "Tell him to go to the Military Police Force to 'mediate'. Tell that kid from the Uchiha Clan to leave a way out for others so that they can see each other in the future. There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill over a squabble between juniors."

"Yes, Clan Head-sama."

Hyuga Tokuma, an Elite Jōnin of the Hyūga Branch Family, was known for his exquisite Gentle Fist and calm mind. After receiving the order, he did not delay in the slightest and immediately set off for the Military Police Force headquarters.

When Hyuga Tokuma appeared in the Third Division's office, Uchiha Kei was reviewing the confession transcripts that Uchiha Kenji had organized.

"Captain Uchiha Kei, I have heard much about you." Hyuga Tokuma's attitude carried a polite detachment, as well as a hint of condescending scrutiny typical of an elite from a great clan. He did not look at the others in the office and walked straight to Uchiha Kei's desk. "I am Hyuga Tokuma, and I am here under the order of Clan Head Hyuga Hiashi to mediate the matter regarding Inuzuka Gaku."

Uchiha Kei looked up from the files and looked at him calmly. He did not stand up, nor did he speak; he simply made a gesture to "please continue." This calmness made Hyuga Tokuma somewhat displeased. He was accustomed to the awe or politeness of others upon hearing the name "Hyuga," but the young man before him was as calm as a deep pool of water.

Clearing his throat, Hyuga Tokuma adopted the tone of an elder lecturing a junior. "Captain Uchiha Kei, you are very young and capable; the whole of Konoha has witnessed this. But sometimes, being too sharp is not a good thing. Inuzuka Gaku is young and ignorant and has been offensive in his speech; the Inuzuka Clan already knows its mistake. Please, for the sake of the Hyuga Clan, do not make a mountain out of a molehill and release him. It is better to resolve enmities than to perpetuate them; as comrades in Konoha, we will see each other often."

These words were soft on the outside but hard on the inside, serving as both persuasion and pressure. The implication was clear: give the Hyuga Clan face, and let the matter end here.

The atmosphere in the office instantly became somewhat tense. Uchiha Kenji and the others frowned, sensing the unpleasant arrogance in the other party's words.

However, Uchiha Kei still did not get angry. He simply picked up another scroll from the table and injected a trace of Chakra into it.

The next second, Inuzuka Gaku's voice, filled with malice and insults, emanated from the scroll.

"...After all, they are just sinister guys who only know how to hide in their clan compound. Besides playing with those ominous eyes, what else can they do?"

"...I heard that during the Nine-Tails Incident, you elite members of the Military Police Force all cowered in your clan compound, watching helplessly as the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself. Perhaps that Nine-Tails was a trick pulled by you Uchiha! An evil clan!"

"...Seeing this Uchiwa fan makes me think of bad things. You Uchiha are born disasters! You are a cancer to Konoha!"

The recording echoed in the office, each word like a loud slap, fiercely striking Hyuga Tokuma across the face. Uchiha Kenji and the others clenched their fists again, their Chakra fluctuating due to the reignited anger.

The recording finished playing, and Uchiha Kei closed the scroll again. The office fell into a silence.

Hyuga Tokuma's expression had become extremely ugly. Before he came, he only knew that Inuzuka Gaku had a verbal altercation with the Uchiha, but he did not expect that the content of this altercation was so malicious. It had completely exceeded the scope of a "friction" and escalated into serious political slander.

Directly linking the Uchiha to the Nine-Tails Incident was shaking the foundations of Konoha and tearing apart the trust within the village. Such remarks, let alone the Uchiha, would never be tolerated by the Hokage himself if he heard them.

In terms of reason, he had completely lost his footing.

Uchiha Kei looked up at the livid Hyuga Tokuma and asked calmly, "Senior Tokuma, I would like to ask, if someone stood at the gate of the Hyuga Clan and insulted the Hyuga Clan by saying they are 'born to be birds in a cage,' mocking the fate of having the Cursed Seal carved into you, what would you do?"

Hyuga Tokuma's body jolted violently. The Cursed Seal of the Branch Family was the eternal pain in the hearts of all Branch Family Ninjas.

Uchiha Kei's voice did not pause, continuing to press, "Is it also considered making a mountain out of a molehill for the Military Police Force to arrest him according to the law and conduct an investigation?"

Hyuga Tokuma opened his mouth, but could not say a single word. What could he say? Say "no"? That would be equivalent to admitting that the Uchiha were right. Say "yes"? Then where would the dignity of the Hyuga Clan be?

He was checkmated.

Logic did not work, so Hyuga Tokuma had to choose the last path: using power to suppress others.

He took a deep breath, and his expression became cold and hard. "Captain Uchiha Kei, I admit that Inuzuka Gaku's remarks were indeed excessive. However, by arresting him on the street in this manner, you have caused the Inuzuka Clan to lose face and have made many families in Konoha feel uneasy. If you insist on not releasing him, then the Hyuga Clan will join forces with the Inuzuka Clan to formally appeal to the Hokage-sama, accusing your Military Police Force of abusing power and intensifying conflicts within the village!"

This was already a naked threat.

"As you wish." Uchiha Kei spat out the four words indifferently and cast his gaze back to the files on the table, as if the Elite Jōnin of the Hyuga Clan before him was not worth another glance.

Hyuga Tokuma's chest heaved violently; he had never received such contempt. He stared fixedly at Uchiha Kei and finally squeezed a sentence out through gritted teeth: "Good, very good! I hope you can be just as tough in front of the Hokage-sama!"

After speaking, he violently flicked his sleeve, turned around, and strode out of the office.

Watching Hyuga Tokuma's figure depart in anger, Uchiha Kenji walked quickly to Uchiha Kei's side, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of worry: "Teacher, things... have escalated. If the Hyuga Clan really intervenes, I am afraid that the Hokage-sama's side..."

"This is exactly what I wanted." A smile curled the corners of Uchiha Kei's mouth.

He looked up toward the towering Hokage Rock outside the window.

The incident was ultimately brought to the Third Hokage.