"Lord Third, I'll leave this fellow to you," Raizen said, tossing Shin'ichi Mitokado aside like a limp chicken. "As for my mental distress, I trust you'll provide a satisfactory resolution. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date and wouldn't want to interfere with your official duties."
With a casual wave, Raizen sauntered out of the office.
Once he was gone, Shin'ichi looked up weakly at Hiruzen. "L-Lord Hokage... may I leave now?"
"Leave?" Hiruzen's gaze turned sharp and severe. "Didn't you hear Raizen? He wants compensation for mental distress. You spend your days bullying the innocent in Konoha—did you really think I, the Hokage, was just a decoration?"
Having already decided to use this incident to pressure Homura, Hiruzen wasn't about to let the boy go easily.
"Lord Third, I-I didn't know he was an Uchiha! If I had known, I never would have provoked him right now!"
Hiruzen's face darkened. "So if he wasn't an Uchiha, it would be perfectly fine to bully him? That kind of thinking is dangerous. It seems a stint in the penitentiary for 'rehabilitation' is necessary, before you cause a real catastrophe."
"Hiruzen, isn't that punishment a bit too severe for Shin'ichi? Besides, that Uchiha boy didn't suffer any actual harm, while my son is clearly injured!" Mitokado Homura entered the room, his face a mask of fury.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "Homura, I am doing this for his own good. If something happens to him in the future because of his behavior, you'll be the one drowning in regret."
Homura snorted coldly. "He is my son; I will discipline him myself. I don't need your interference. As for the Uchiha remnant—offending him is nothing. Not killing him is already a great mercy. Does he actually think he can do something to us?"
"Danzo was right. The Uchiha are a cursed clan and should have been rooted out entirely. Perhaps we should take this opportunity to finish the job," Homura added, a murderous glint in his eyes. He figured if he painted Raizen as a threat, his son's actions would look like a service to the village rather than a crime.
Hiruzen's expression turned grim. "Homura, you must remember: you are a Consultant, and I am the Hokage. Your son committed robbery in broad daylight and ordered ANBU guards to commit assault. Do you truly believe you are the master of Konoha, entitled to act with such reckless impunity?"
"Men! Escort Shin'ichi Mitokado to the dungeons. No one is to release him without my explicit permission."
"Yes, sir!" An ANBU ninja appeared, seizing the terrified Shin'ichi.
"No! Father, save me! I don't want to go to jail!" Shin'ichi wailed.
"Hiruzen! You—!" Homura roared.
"Homura, listen to me," Hiruzen interrupted, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "There are only two Uchiha left. They pose zero threat to the village. If you continue to target them, how do you think the other clans will view the leadership? Furthermore, Raizen and Sasuke know nothing of the 'truth.' They are children who love this village."
"You have a family, Homura. You helped wipe out a whole clan—are you not afraid of retribution? Itachi Uchiha is still out there, and he is very much alive."
"If anything happens to Sasuke or Raizen in this village, do you think he won't come for your blood? Do you believe you have the power to stop the man who slaughtered his entire clan in a single night from slaughtering your family?"
"Your son is a civilian, and you are an old man with one foot in the grave. How long do you think you can protect him?"
Hiruzen's eyes locked onto Homura's. The Consultant's face twisted with rage and frustration, but he finally faltered. Hiruzen was right—if the Hokage truly decided to move against him, he couldn't handle the fallout.
"What do you want me to do?" Homura spat out through gritted teeth.
A small, triumphant smile played on Hiruzen's lips. "Raizen mentioned mental distress, didn't he? You will compensate him appropriately. I will be watching you; do not attempt any 'side projects.'"
"Hmph!" Homura snorted. "Fine. Release my son."
"Once Raizen is satisfied, I will release him." Hiruzen waved his hand, dismissing them.
Homura gave Hiruzen a long, dark look before turning on his heel and storming out. Once the door closed, Hiruzen whispered to the empty room, "In Konoha, I am the one in charge."
After leaving the Hokage Building, Raizen realized he'd left the original flowers back at the scene of the "crime" to keep his hands free for the hostage situation. He didn't want to waste time going back, so he looked for another shop.
"Yamanaka Flowers"
Raizen paused. The name was familiar. Yamanaka... right, Ino Yamanaka! This must be her family's shop.
Thinking of Ino, he recalled she grew up to be quite a beauty. But right now, she was just a seven-year-old kid, much like Sasuke. No attraction there. At this stage, Kurenai was definitely the "scent" he was after.
He stepped inside. "Welcome!" a young Ino Yamanaka chirped enthusiastically.
"I'd like a bouquet. Do you have any recommendations?" Raizen asked, kneeling down to her eye level with a smile.
"Who is it for, Big Brother? Someone you like?"
"Mhm. Someone I like very much."
Ino trotted over to the displays, carefully selecting stems with a serious expression. Raizen watched her, finding the scene quite charming.
"This one!" Ino presented a vibrant bouquet of red roses. "Red roses symbolize passionate love. They're perfect for someone you like."
"Perfect. I'll take them." Raizen paid the girl and took the flowers. "See you later!"
"Thank you, Big Brother! Come back soon!" Ino waved energetically as he left.
Kurenai Yuhi's House
Inside, Anko Mitarashi was grinning mischievously as she stared at Kurenai's long, toned legs. "Alright, Little Kurenai, spill it. Why are you wearing black stockings today? What are you planning to do?"