Chapter 50: Rumors Arise

The next day, after starting work, Uchiha Tokan called in several captains of the Security Squad to his office one by one and instructed them to look out for Naruto a little more in the future.

The senior ninja captains, including the recently joined Inuzuka Kaze and Yamanaka Shikai from the Yamanaka clan, upon receiving the instructions, privately passed them down through the ranks.

As a result, over the following days, members of the Security Squad would subtly show some care whenever they encountered Naruto during patrols. A few careless villagers who spoke harshly to Naruto happened to run into the squad’s vigilance and were promptly taken back to the Security Department under some pretext.

During this time, Naruto clearly felt that the hostility around him had lessened considerably. Being naturally cheerful, he grew even more upbeat.

However, amid this, some discordant voices began to surface in the village.

“Have you heard? That little Nine-Tails brat has a powerful protector now.”

“Really? No wonder that brat has been acting so cocky lately—turns out he’s got a ninja backing him up.”

“Do you know who this person is?”

“Seems to be Kakashi Hatake. I heard he used to be in the Anbu.”

“Hmph, anyone who hangs around that Nine-Tails brat can’t be a good person.”

“Yeah, I heard that guy was kicked out of the Anbu by the Hokage.”

“Also, I heard he’s a maniac who even killed his own comrades during the Third Great Ninja War.”

“Is that true? Doesn’t the Hokage care? Why hasn’t the Hokage kicked both of them out of the village?”

“I heard that guy has connections with the Security Squad.”

“Terrifying. Looks like from now on, we better stay far away from that damn Nine-Tails brat.”

“Hmph! What’s there to be afraid of? He wouldn’t dare make a move in the village. We have the Hokage backing us—if he dares, we’ll petition at the Hokage’s office together!”

“Right! If we petition together, the Hokage will definitely help us drive them out!”

Their conversation soon caught the attention of a certain green-clad, bowl-cut-headed ninja who was standing nearby on his hands. After listening for a while, he frowned and stepped forward in displeasure.

“How can you say such things? Kakashi is a hero of the village!”

Seeing a ninja approach, the villagers who had just been talking about petitioning scattered like startled birds.

“Hey! Don’t run! Explain yourselves!” Might Guy protested.

“Forget it, Guy,” Kakashi appeared behind him and patted his old friend on the shoulder.

“Kakashi?” Guy, who had been out on missions, turned around and upon seeing Kakashi’s unmasked face, suddenly felt energized. “You…”

Kakashi understood what Guy meant and nodded. “Consider it a farewell to the past.”

Hearing that, Guy’s eyes welled up with tears. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but this must be what youth feels like! Kakashi, let’s start our youthful duel!”

“Sorry, I’ve been busy these days,” Kakashi declined Guy’s challenge.

Guy was momentarily stunned, then remembered the earlier incident and spoke, “Is it because of what those people said? Come on, let’s confront them and clear things up! How can they say such things about you!”

“Forget it,” Kakashi shook his head. “What good would chasing after them do? Ninjas cannot strike civilians.”

Similar conversations were happening frequently throughout the village in various corners over these few days. In just a short time, the name Kakashi had become a figure everyone in the village was calling out against.

Naturally, Uchiha Tokan, who was part of the Security Squad, had heard such news.

When he sent someone to investigate, they discovered that the source of these rumors was the civilian merchants associated with the Terune and Mizutomon families within the village.

“After all these years, I thought they might come up with something new, but it turns out they’re still playing the same old game,” Uchiha Tokan sneered as he leaned back in his office chair, setting down the investigation report submitted by Uchiha Inaho and others.

At that moment, the door to Tokan’s office was knocked on.

“Come in,” Tokan called out. The door opened and Uchiha Shisui stepped inside.

“Deputy Captain, is there something you need?” Shisui asked after entering.

“Shisui, since it’s just the two of us, no need to be so formal. Have a seat,” Tokan said.

“You are the deputy captain of the Security Squad now, so some protocol is necessary,” Shisui replied as he sat down at Tokan’s desk.

“Enough about that. Here, take a look at this,” Tokan handed Shisui the report on the village rumors.

After carefully reading it, Shisui looked up at Tokan with disbelief. “Is this... some kind of misunderstanding?”

“What misunderstanding could there be? The mastermind behind this is obviously targeting Kakashi, just like the old rumors aimed at certain clans,” Tokan smiled. “By the way, why don’t you help me ask the Third Hokage what he thinks about this?”

“Well...” Shisui hesitated but after a moment said, “I believe the Third Hokage will step in to stop this from continuing.”

“The Third Hokage is swamped with affairs. He won’t have time to deal with this,” Tokan chuckled. “But we can’t just ignore it. Kakashi is a hero who made great contributions at Kannabi Bridge. If we let these rumors and slanders continue, which ninja in the village will still believe in the Will of Fire? We must immediately stop these rumors from spreading!”

Seeing Tokan’s passionate tone, Shisui grew anxious. “Tokan, what do you plan to do?”

He genuinely feared Tokan might act rashly and cause the situation to spiral out of control.

“Don’t worry, Shisui. I have no intention of using the Security Squad’s authority to apply force,” Tokan signaled him to calm down before continuing. “I plan to have the Security Squad issue a legal ordinance in the village to restrict such behavior. I want you to take charge of this.”

“That’s perfect,” Shisui sighed in relief. “But does the Security Squad have the authority to enact laws?”

“Of course. I carefully reviewed the founding documents of the Security Squad and found that the Second Hokage granted the squad legislative power within the village,” Tokan explained. “So, Shisui, we must draft a comprehensive legal ordinance on this matter. We can’t let down the Second Hokage’s dedication.”

…