Sarutobi Hiyū's words struck the victim's family like a thunderbolt.
"Clan Head Hiyū… w-what did you just say…?"
The girl's father asked shakily.
His tears had long since dried. His eyes were hollow, his expression numb.
Hiyū didn't even look at him.
His gaze was locked onto his own son.
"You didn't act intentionally. You thought there was a rabbit in the bushes and merely wanted to test your Fire Release."
"So this was an accidental killing."
"Is that correct?!"
No matter how stupid Sarutobi Jirō was, he understood now.
He nodded frantically, screaming at the top of his lungs:
"Yes! Yes!"
"Father, I truly didn't know anything—this was all just an accident!"
Hiyū nodded slowly.
"I see…"
"So this was a tragedy born of an unfortunate accident…"
"What a heartbreaking matter."
He turned and tightly grasped the victim's father's hands like iron shackles, preventing him from moving.
"As a father myself, I deeply understand your pain!"
"Rest assured—although this was an accident, I will still give you justice!"
"I will discipline this little beast severely. He will pay a price and understand the gravity of his sin!"
"As for your daughter… the dead cannot return to life…"
"But whatever compensation you seek, I will do everything in my power to provide!"
The father was utterly stunned.
The crushing pain in his hands prevented him from even speaking.
"You… you people…"
At that moment, the old grandmother who had fallen earlier crawled forward desperately.
"You animals!"
"We don't want compensation!"
"No amount of money can bring back my granddaughter!"
"We want that little beast to be buried with her!"
Her clothes were tattered, her eyes filled with despair and rage as she clutched Hiyū's pant leg.
Hiyū frowned. A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes—then vanished.
He sighed.
"Old madam, I truly understand how you feel, but…"
"Hatred begets hatred—when will it ever end?"
"Besides, Jirō truly didn't mean to harm your granddaughter."
"He will not escape punishment."
"But you cannot seek private vengeance in anger."
"If everyone did so, wouldn't the world fall into chaos?"
"Wouldn't you agree?"
The surroundings erupted into chaotic murmurs.
Yet the grandmother's wail pierced the sky.
"Just because you're ninja and we're civilians—must we suffer this injustice?"
"Just because you're a clan head and that beast is your son—can he kill without consequence?"
"Is that right?!"
"Tell me!"
"Tell me—is that right?!"
Her cries echoed upward… then vanished into silence.
No one answered.
Only Sarutobi Jirō smiled faintly.
"That's wrong."
In the dead silence—
A blade descended from the heavens.
It cut through the crowd, through indifference, through injustice itself.
Instant.
A flash of steel carved the air.
Slash!
Blood exploded.
A head rolled.
The blade remained unstained.
A silent figure stood beside Sarutobi Hiyū—
And at his feet—
Sarutobi Jirō's severed head.
Crushed beneath a boot.
Blood burst from the headless corpse like a geyser, then collapsed into lifeless ruin.
Screams erupted.
People staggered back in terror.
Hiyū turned slowly—
Saw the man.
Saw the head.
Saw his son's body fall.
His pupils dilated as terror, grief, rage, and despair consumed him whole.
"Y-you…"
"What did you do?!"
He screamed like he never had before.
Uchiha Qianyu didn't even look at him.
"Executing official duty."
He pressed harder on the head, then calmly helped the grandmother to her feet.
She was terrified—but exhilarated.
"You… who are you?!"
"Konoha Police Force squad captain."
"Uchiha Qianyu."
The name exploded through the crowd.
The infamous Uchiha.
The righteous madman.
And for the first time—
His brutality felt right.
A collective thought surfaced:
Was he… always the correct one?
No one answered.
"Beast!"
Hiyū snapped, drawing his sword and stabbing at Qianyu's back.
"Captain, look out!"
Qianyu parried without turning.
Clang!
Steel screamed.
"Interfering with police duty."
"Attacking an officer."
"Punishable by immediate execution."
His blade drove down—
A killing strike.
Hiyū retreated desperately, blocking just in time, then unleashed ninjutsu.
"Fire Release—Blazing Flame!"
Qianyu answered instantly.
"Fire Release—Dragon Flame!"
Flames clashed.
Then—
"Enough!"
A commanding voice split the battlefield.
The crowd parted.
The Third Hokage arrived.
Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Qianyu tightened his grip—
And only then heard the system.
Ding!
[You patiently guided Sarutobi Jirō toward righteousness.]
[Good Deed Accomplished. Merit Points +30]