"You three bastards got drunk at the tavern, refused to pay, and even injured several people there, including the owner!
When our police unit arrived, not only did you refuse to cooperate, but you insulted us, and even had the nerve to insult our young clan head and our elder!!"
Being insulted themselves was one thing, but the clan's young head and elder getting disrespected? Any Uchiha wouldn't tolerate that.
So, in the process of the arrest, the Uchiha had used a bit of force, leading to the current situation.
"Quite bold of you, forgetting your own name after a few drinks and even daring to insult another clan's young leader and elder?" Tsunade eyed the three patients with growing displeasure.
She wasn't part of the elder council group, and didn't share their disdain for the Uchiha. She handled things by the book and wasn't about to favor the other side just because the higher-ups targeted the Uchiha.
Uh-oh.
Seeing Tsunade's expression change, the three patients, who had been carried into the hospital, immediately tried to play the victim.
"Ah, my hand's broken, it's broken, it hurts so much. The Uchiha maliciously assaulted a villager."
"Enough," Tsunade said coldly, without the slightest hint of leniency just because they were hurt. "Take them in for treatment immediately. The medical fees are on them."
"Uchiha Fugaku, correct?"
"Lady Tsunade."
Relieved that there had been no bias, Uchiha Fugaku let out a sigh. When Tsunade called his name, he hurried over.
With a stern face, Tsunade said to him, "Although the other side was out of line, you shouldn't have used such force. Once these three are treated, take them back to the police unit and deal with them according to procedure.
Also, make sure someone from your unit reports this matter to the Hokage office."
If they caused trouble, assaulted people, resisted arrest, and insulted others, they should face the consequences. Being injured didn't mean they could escape punishment.
Once they were treated, the necessary punishment would be handed out.
And the police unit needed to report to the Hokage's office. As for whether the Third Hokage would discipline the police officers, that wasn't something Tsunade was going to worry about.
"Understood."
For the Uchiha, this outcome was fair, not favoring either side. Uchiha Fugaku accepted it obediently.
"Alright, alright, everyone disperse, there's nothing more to see here."
Tsunade dealt with the matter swiftly.
If she could help it, she didn't want to get involved in these kinds of issues.
But she knew that if she didn't step in, things could escalate, and then the Uchiha would face reprimands from the higher-ups, while these villagers who insulted the Uchiha clan would also get what was coming to them.
Don't think the Uchiha are pushovers. If you cross a line, and they have their eyes on you, they can make your life miserable, even without much effort.
They might even deal with you covertly.
And without any evidence, who could prove it was the Uchiha?
The Uchiha were used to people insulting them. As the police force, they often made enemies, so they didn't pay much attention to petty insults. But insulting their young head and elder? That was crossing a line.
That was asking for trouble.
After handling this ridiculous incident, Tsunade left the hospital with Takashi.
As they walked out the hospital doors, Tsunade began to complain, "The discontent towards the Uchiha in the village is growing, and neither the Hokage office nor the council is stepping in to handle it. If this continues, it's going to lead to serious trouble."
Despite her complaints, there wasn't much Tsunade could do.
Her status was special, but this was an issue for the Hokage and the council to deal with, not something she could easily intervene in.
"To be precise, the dissatisfaction is growing towards many of the ninja clans," Takashi reminded Tsunade.
Did you think the council only targeted the Uchiha?
No, you're wrong.
Almost all the ninja clans were affected. Only the Sarutobi, Shimura, and Ino-Shika-Cho clans—those loyal to the Hokage—were spared.
"Does the Hyuga clan face this too?"
Tsunade, who rarely paid attention to these matters, was a bit surprised.
She could understand it with the Uchiha. The police force was their exclusive unit, and maintaining public order meant it was easy to clash with villagers, leading to resentment.
But the Hyuga?
"It's always been there."
Takashi shook her head, "Many villagers feel that the Hyuga are arrogant and aloof, that they look down on others. And frankly, the Hyuga are somewhat isolated and prideful."
It didn't make sense.
The Uchiha was one thing, but how did the Hyuga end up in this kind of mess?
Tsunade was puzzled.
Could it be...
On instinct, Tsunade looked towards the Hokage office building.
Maybe it was the Hokage office's doing.
"What's amusing is that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans are growing more popular in the village."
"…"
Don't play coy. Did he really think she didn't realize he was subtly criticizing the Hokage?
Tsunade wasn't an idiot.
She glared at Takashi.
"Have you found a place yet? Do you need my help?"
"I've found one. Moving in tomorrow."
Takashi chuckled, steering the conversation away.
"Good, I'll help you move some things tomorrow. Oh, hurry up, I'm starving."
"???"
Wait, you're hungry? Then go eat. Why are you following me?
Are you addicted to freeloading?
As it turned out, Tsunade really was addicted to freeloading.
Watching Konoha's princess devouring her food, Takashi thought that if she ever did a livestream of eating, no one would doubt her authenticity.
How on earth could she stuff an entire chicken leg in her mouth like that without choking?
"Why are you staring at me? Aren't you hungry?"
With a flick of her mouth, Tsunade spat out the clean chicken bone onto the table.
An entire drumstick went in, and only a bone came out—what a skill!
"Your boyfriend's gonna be really lucky," Takashi said absentmindedly as he joined in the fight for food, because if he didn't, there would be nothing left.
He could swear he had made enough for four people, yet Tsunade nearly finished it all herself.
"Kid, I suspect you're thinking impure thoughts," Tsunade said, her intuition warning her that this good-looking guy had a bit of a dirty mind.
"Nope, absolutely not. I'm complimenting you."
"Hmph! You think I'll believe that?"
"Suit yourself. Anyway, it's not like you have a boyfriend."
"…"
That one stung. Tsunade very much wanted to stab Takashi with her chopsticks.
Way to hit where it hurts.