The two private guards sneered as they closed in on Uchiha Raizen.
Watching them approach, Raizen's eyes flickered with calculated intent; a plan quickly formed. Suddenly, before anyone could react, he slammed a smoke bomb into the ground.
Poof!
The area was instantly enveloped in a thick gray shroud. In the split second the smoke billowed, Raizen locked onto Shin'ichi Mitokado's position. The man was clearly just a common thug—a civilian with no combat training—and would be easy to subdue.
To catch the bandits, first capture their leader.
Raizen had no desire to reveal his true combat prowess unnecessarily. Taking Shin'ichi hostage was the most efficient choice. With a single Body Flicker, he appeared directly behind Shin'ichi, pressing a specially-made kunai against the man's throat.
As the smoke cleared, the two stunned guards realized their master had been compromised.
"You... you're not a civilian!" Shin'ichi stammered, his eyes darting sideways in shock.
Raizen's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Who told you I was a civilian? And even if I were, does that mean I deserve to be bullied by the likes of you?"
"Shin'ichi Mitokado, right?" Raizen continued, his voice icy. "If you value your life, you'll walk with me to the Hokage Building. I'm quite curious to see how the Lord Third views this little situation."
Faced with the prospect of seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, a flash of panic crossed Shin'ichi's eyes. He tried to muster his arrogance. "I am the son of Mitokado Homura! I dare you to touch a single hair on my head! Let me go this instant and I might let this slide. Otherwise, today will be your funeral!"
Shin'ichi glared at his two guards. "What are you two useless trashes doing? Kill this brat already!"
At his command, the two guards began to edge forward.
"Try it," Raizen challenged, his gaze fixed on the ninjas. Simultaneously, he shifted his kunai slightly, nicking the skin on Shin'ichi's neck. A thin line of blood immediately trickled down.
At the sight of his own blood, Shin'ichi let out a pathetic shriek. The two guards froze in their tracks.
"You... you actually dared to cut me?!" Shin'ichi cried in terror. "Do you not understand? My father is a High Consultant! Even if you are a ninja, if you harm me, there is nowhere in this village you can hide!"
Slap!
Raizen delivered a sharp backhand across Shin'ichi's face. "Noisy!"
"I have no intention of hiding. Now move. We're going to see the Third Hokage. Unless, of course, you'd prefer I bring just your head to the meeting."
Raizen applied a bit more pressure, the blade sinking a fraction deeper.
"I'll go! I'll go! Just stop! Don't move the knife!" Shin'ichi was officially terrified. This man was actually willing to kill him. Any deeper and the blade would hit his carotid artery.
Raizen led the hostage through the streets, heading straight for the Hokage Building with grand bravado. The sight naturally drew a large crowd of curious ninjas and villagers.
The Hokage Building
"What is that commotion outside? Why is it so loud?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was practicing his calligraphy, looked up with a frown.
Flicker!
A ninja appeared, kneeling before him. "Lord Hokage, Uchiha Raizen has taken Shin'ichi Mitokado hostage and is currently approaching the building."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed deep. "Raizen has taken Shin'ichi hostage? What happened?"
Another ninja flickered in to report. "Lord Third, a dispute broke out at a flower shop. Uchiha Raizen caught Shin'ichi off guard, used a smoke bomb to obscure his vision, and moved behind him to secure his person."
"A dispute? Over what? Was it a woman?" Hiruzen asked. He knew Shin'ichi was a lecherous, low-life thug; he had only turned a blind eye to the boy's antics out of respect for his old teammate, Homura.
"It wasn't over a woman, sir. It was over a bouquet of flowers."
"Flowers?" Hiruzen was utterly speechless. "This is ridiculous. Causing such a scene over a minor inconvenience... there are flowers everywhere; why fight over one bunch?"
His peaceful afternoon was officially ruined.
"I know Raizen," Hiruzen muttered. "He likes to mooch my tea, but he doesn't go looking for trouble. This incident must have been started by Shin'ichi, correct?"
The ninja nodded. "Yes, sir. Shin'ichi Mitokado attempted to forcibly seize a bouquet Raizen had just purchased. When Raizen refused, Shin'ichi ordered his guards to attack him and threatened to break Raizen's legs. He didn't expect Raizen to strike first."
Hiruzen sighed. "Homura is being far too indulgent. Allowing private guards to act this way is unacceptable."
Internally, however, a different thought occurred to him. Since the Uchiha had been dealt with, his two old teammates—the Consultants—and Danzo had become increasingly dismissive of his authority.
Hmph. I'll use this incident to knock Homura down a peg. It seems Uchiha Raizen really is my lucky star. Not only did his return help ease tensions with the other clans, but now he's handed me the perfect leverage against Homura.
"Lord Third," the ninja asked, "Uchiha Raizen is almost here. Shall we allow him in?"
"Let Raizen and Shin'ichi enter," Hiruzen decided. "No one else is permitted. And notify Mitokado Homura to come here at once."
"Yes, Lord Third."
A few moments later, Raizen marched into the office, still holding Shin'ichi at knifepoint.
"Lord Third, you have to help me!" Raizen cried out with a look of immense grievance, beating Shin'ichi to the punch.
"I understand, Raizen. I've already heard the full account from the ANBU," Hiruzen said, adopting his most benevolent, grandfatherly mask.
"You did the right thing. Thugs like Shin'ichi need to be handled. Ah, I find myself truly missing the days when the Uchiha Military Police Force was still active. With them around, the village's security was much tighter; street punks like this wouldn't have dared to show their faces. Raizen, you must work hard. I am waiting for the day you rebuild the Police Force to help the village."
Hearing the words "Uchiha Military Police Force," Shin'ichi's blood ran cold. He stared at Raizen in disbelief. Out of all the people to bully, he had accidentally picked an Uchiha?
He knew there were only two left in the village. One was a kid, and the other was an adult... and he had managed to run right into the adult. He was cursed. Now, his only hope was that his father would arrive soon to bail him out.