On South Street of Konoha.
Natsuhiko and Fugaku walked quickly towards the source of the voices. As they turned a corner, they saw a large crowd gathered in layers on the street.
In the middle of the crowd, a flamboyantly dressed young man and woman were angrily pointing and yelling at Uchiha Sho.
Uchiha Sho stood with his arms crossed, looking at them with a haughty expression as if he couldn't hear their words.
The surrounding onlookers were watching the scene while murmuring.
"I just got here; what's going on?"
"I'm telling you, this police officer is too hateful. He beat up the wrong person and didn't even apologise. He deserves to be scolded!"
"Awful, it's the police department again! They usually look down on people, and now they're even beating people up. Can Konoha get any worse?"
"I think the village might be better off without the police department…"
Hearing the poor opinions about the police department, Fugaku's face grew darker.
"Captain."
A young man in a police department uniform saw Fugaku and quickly ran over.
"Taiho, what exactly happened with Sho?" Fugaku asked sternly.
Taiho was likely the one who had contacted Fugaku via radio earlier.
He smiled bitterly and said, "Actually, I'm not too sure either. He said he needed to use the bathroom and told me to go ahead, saying he'd catch up later."
"But after a long time, he still didn't return, so I circled back and found this situation."
"Fool, didn't I tell you not to split up during patrols?" Fugaku reprimanded severely, but knowing this wasn't the time to dwell on it, he said, "When we get back, copy the police department regulations a hundred times!" Then he headed towards the centre of the crowd.
"Police business, please make way."
Whether it was the police department's reputation or Fugaku's fierce expression, the villagers quickly made way for him.
Natsuhiko and Taiho followed him inside.
"Damn it, don't just stand there silently!"
"You have the guts to hit people but not to speak?"
Before they even reached the centre, they could hear the flamboyant man shouting.
Seeing that Uchiha Sho wasn't responding, the man grew more agitated, and the woman next to him chimed in sharply from time to time.
Uchiha Sho remained disdainful when arguing with them.
When he saw Fugaku, he greeted him, "Captain."
Then, noticing Natsuhiko, his expression turned serious again.
The man, seeing an opportunity, threw himself in front of Fugaku and cried out, "Officer, you must do us justice. Just because he's from the Uchiha clan, he can't be sheltered."
"This guy suddenly pinned me to the ground, accusing me of stealing someone else's wallet. But the person he mentioned is my wife! Why would I steal her wallet?"
Pointing to the scratches on his cheek, he added, "Look, I'm hurt this badly. You must make him compensate me!"
Natsuhiko, dressed in a white coat, stepped forward and exclaimed, "It's indeed severe. If you don't get to the hospital soon, the wound will worsen."
Some of the onlookers chuckled.
The man's momentum stalled, and he angrily retorted, "Who are you? What does this have to do with you?"
"I'm just a passing ninja school teacher. Please, continue."
Natsuhiko stepped back with a smile.
The atmosphere resumed, and the woman corroborated the man's story.
Fugaku turned to Sho and asked sternly, "Sho, what's your version of events?"
Finally breaking his silence, Sho scoffed, "I, Uchiha Sho, do as I please. I don't need to explain myself to others."
"Speak clearly!" Fugaku glared, making Sho tremble slightly before pouting and explaining, "I came out of the bathroom and saw this man running out of an alley, followed by the woman shouting that he stole her wallet. So, I apprehended him."
"Then the woman turned on me, saying I hit her husband…"
"Officer, don't listen to his lies!" the couple loudly denied.
Several villagers who knew the couple confirmed their story, saying the couple, despite their rough appearance, wouldn't lie about such things.
With one side having only Sho's word and the other having multiple witnesses, it was clear who the onlookers believed.
The situation was turning increasingly unfavourable for Uchiha Sho, yet he remained indifferent, which further enraged some villagers, making their discussions louder.
"Look at his expression; he clearly feels untouchable."
"Even if he's arrested now, he'll be released soon. The whole police department is just the Uchiha clan's private playground."
"The Konoha laws are laughable."
Such a familiar scene! Fugaku thought.
The police department frequently encountered such conflicting claims, causing him much frustration.
No matter how he handled it, the outcome was never satisfactory.
But this time was different.
He looked at Uchiha Sho and said, "Sho, why aren't you using that?"
Wasn't this the perfect time to use the body camera?
It would also be an excellent chance to inform the villagers, reducing future incidents.
"Captain, didn't you say to promote it? I was waiting for a bigger audience."
Sho explained nonchalantly.
No, he was probably just waiting for more spectators to show off. Natsuhiko suspected.
Fugaku, seemingly thinking the same, darkly said, "Then start now."
Sho, seeing the large crowd, thought he could wait a bit longer.
But seeing Fugaku's stern face, he reluctantly began operating the device on his belt.
Fugaku took the opportunity to explain loudly to the crowd, "Don't worry, everyone. Our police department is now equipped with body cameras that can accurately replay past events."
"So, the truth will soon be clear for everyone to see."
"If Uchiha Sho is indeed at fault, I, Uchiha Fugaku, captain of the police department's first squad, guarantee no leniency!"
"Good!"
Natsuhiko and Taiho clapped and cheered behind Fugaku.
The crowd's response was mixed, some sceptical.
"Hmph, what body camera? Never heard of it. It must be a scam. How can there be such a miraculous thing in the world?"
"Have you never seen a movie, brother?"
"Right, do they have a cameraman nearby filming?"
"What if the cameraman encounters an incident?"
"Idiot, then they'll get another cameraman to film him!"
Though inconclusive, Fugaku's words had piqued the crowd's curiosity. They eagerly awaited the show.
Soon, under Fugaku's urging, Uchiha Sho finally managed to "rewind" successfully, smirking at the arrogant couple, "Here's the evidence you wanted. Watch closely!"
He pressed the play button, and an image of himself appeared above him.
To ensure visibility, he projected it into the air.
The onlookers gasped in astonishment.
"Look, there's really a picture in the sky!"
"Ah, it's just like the game machines in the Ninja Tavern!"
"Hey, do you play Ninja Tavern too? What's your rank? I'm great at Sarutobi!"
Uchiha Sho continued to smirk, enjoying their reactions.
Seeing their shock, he felt relieved, all his previous frustration dissipating.
Although Amou Natsuhiko invented this device, it was perfect for showing off.
Be amazed, commoners.
This is what we ninjas can do!
However, Sho's delight was short-lived as he noticed the crowd occasionally giving him strange looks.
What's wrong with them?
Is there something wrong with the projection?
He looked up instinctively,
only to see the projection of himself dancing passionately in the sky…
(End of chapter)
Chapter 127 is up on my Patreon.
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