Ryōsuke looked at the Sharingan in Kakashi's left eye. 'That must be Obito's eye,' he thought. 'Although it's a three-tomoe Sharingan, it's essentially already a Mangekyō Sharingan. If its Mangekyō state were activated, its visual power would surpass even my own three-tomoe. It's just that Kakashi can't activate it right now.'
He smiled at Kakashi. "Don't worry, I won't attack you. After all, I'm not Sarutobi Asuma. I know that as the Hokage's Anbu, you naturally have to uphold the Third Hokage's authority. But this matter is under the jurisdiction of the Uchiha clan. If the Third Hokage has any objections, he can come and speak to our Clan Head."
Seeing his firm resolve, Kakashi gave up. He could feel the immense visual power in Ryōsuke's Sharingan, which was even stronger than his own. He truly might not be his opponent. Besides, if the Anbu and the Military Police Force were to fight in the village, it would likely throw everything into chaos. He couldn't bear that responsibility. He turned and left directly for the Hokage's office. This matter had to be decided by the Third Hokage.
Inabi, who had remained behind, felt a thrill of satisfaction watching Ryōsuke confront the Anbu so forcefully. It had been a long time since the Anbu dared to step out and interfere with the Uchiha clan's affairs.
"Ryōsuke, I'll take Asuma back to the Military Police headquarters now and let the Clan Head pass judgment."
Ryōsuke nodded.
And so, Inabi ordered a few of his men to bind Sarutobi Asuma securely and take him to the Military Police headquarters.
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was dealing with his daily paperwork when he saw Kakashi push open the door.
"Is there a problem with Naruto?" The last mission he had given Kakashi was to monitor and protect Naruto.
Kakashi shook his head and reported everything that had just happened, just as it occurred.
The Third Hokage's face grew darker and darker as he listened. He became so angry that he slammed his pipe down on the ground.
'That Asuma is such a disgrace! How could he make such a huge mistake?' He had thought Asuma had matured a little and would become a capable man in the future, but instead, he had caused even bigger trouble. Attacking someone in the street and even using the Fire Style: Burning Ash that he himself had taught him to destroy the street and harm villagers... How could he be so reckless? For such a crime, according to the Uchiha clan's regulations, he wouldn't see the light of day for at least a decade.
The Third's reaction startled Kakashi. It seemed the Hokage was truly furious, but he didn't know if that anger was directed at Asuma or the Uchiha clan. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of the Hokage's wrath. "Lord Third, my report is complete. I will return to protecting Naruto now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively, signaling for him to leave. He had lost his composure for a moment. Sarutobi Asuma had truly disgraced him as the Hokage. If he weren't his son, he too would support a heavy punishment.
But for the Uchiha clan to refuse Kakashi's request to hand the matter over to the Anbu... were they really trying to place themselves above him, the Hokage? They even used his deceased master, the Second Hokage, to make their point. 'The damned, evil Uchiha clan! They should know that I am the Hokage now!'
If this matter had been handed over to him, there were many ways to de-escalate it. All he would have had to do was silence the villagers. But now it was too late; he had no time to act. It was clear the Uchiha clan was beginning to regain its strength. 'What are those people trying to do?'
Inside the Uchiha Military Police Force headquarters, Uchiha Inabi locked Sarutobi Asuma in a temporary cell before finding Captain Fugaku and Elder Yatsushiro to report what had happened.
Fugaku and Yatsushiro were both shocked by Inabi's report. Yatsushiro knew that Ryōsuke was part of the radical faction. To think he had actually arrested the Hokage's son, Asuma. Although Asuma had committed a serious crime, Ryōsuke hadn't been hurt, and the villagers were only injured. As long as compensation was paid, it could probably be treated as a minor incident. As long as no one died, everything was manageable.
Still, Ryōsuke's bold action earned his great admiration. He couldn't help but look at the Clan Head beside him. "Clan Head, how should we handle this? What kind of sentence should he be given?"
'Since he's been brought to our headquarters, he has to be sentenced to something.' His main worry was that the Clan Head would be too compromising. If they let Sarutobi Asuma go without any punishment, the Uchiha would not only be unable to face the villagers, but they would also lose face themselves.
Fugaku, however, didn't hesitate, his expression calm. He knew about the future. Even if they arrested the Third Hokage's son, there was nothing to worry about. The future Uchiha clan would prosper under Ryōsuke's leadership, so he supported any decision Ryōsuke made.
He said coolly, "Punish him according to the regulations of the Uchiha clan. For the crimes of attempted murder in the street, destruction of Leaf Village property, and harming villagers... Elder Yatsushiro, how many years do you think he should be sentenced to?"
Yatsushiro was stunned by his words. Not only did Fugaku not hesitate, but he made the decision without even discussing it with the Third Hokage.
"According to the regulations, attempted murder carries a sentence of at least five years. Destroying village streets and harming villagers is another five years at least. That's ten years in total. But... Clan Head, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
He wasn't against punishing Asuma severely, but Fugaku's behavior was so out of the ordinary that he had to ask.
Fugaku replied immediately, "There's no need. Then let's sentence him to ten years."
'Ten years seems a bit long,' Yatsushiro thought. 'A young man will come out a middle-aged uncle.'
Just as he was thinking this, the door to the meeting room opened. The Third Hokage entered, followed by several Anbu members. Although this was the Military Police headquarters, one of the Uchiha's main bases and a place at odds with him, he was confident in his own skills. Besides, this was the center of the Leaf Village. If anything happened, ninja from all around would rush to support him, so he had no fear in coming here.
As the Hokage, since his son had committed a crime, he had to come and see. He also wanted to know how the Uchiha would handle his son, and why his son would attack an Uchiha so impulsively in the first place. It was all too strange. No matter how impulsive Sarutobi Asuma was, he wasn't completely brainless.