Chapter 93: Villagers' Changes

"Steamed buns! We sell buns, both meat and vegetarian, come have a look, delicious and cheap!"

"Boss, why are your buns cheaper than yesterday?"

"The noodle sellers lowered prices, the coal sellers lowered prices, the bun seller on the next street lowered theirs too; I have no choice but to lower my price, I'm an honest man!"

"Alright, two curry ones then."

"Huh? None, none, go to the next street!"

"If there's none, it's none, why be angry!"

"The customer sighed, muttered and left, while the bun shop owner spat curses, calling it heresy."

"Just as he was tidying up, he sensed another person at the shop entrance; he immediately looked up, greeted with a smile, but saw the newcomer wearing Police Department uniform. His complexion changed instantly, and he forced a weak smile, asking weakly, 'Sir, there shouldn't be anything here that violates regulations, right?'"

"Tie Huo raised an eyebrow, glanced around the shop, and instinctively shook his head, 'No, that's normal. I'm just buying some buns for someone; any problem?'"

"Buying buns for someone? The owner stared at Tie Huo, looked puzzled, then tentatively asked, 'Are you a Uchiha ninja, sir?'"

"Tie Huo felt a bit odd, slowly turned around, and displayed his clan crest."

"Oh! It's really a Uchiha lord, you finally returned. Come, come, come inside; it's snowing heavily outside. It's just a few buns, why talk about buying? Whatever you want to eat, just take it!"

"The bun shop owner, visibly excited, opened drawer after drawer of baskets before Tie Huo, revealing steaming, fragrant buns that were extremely tempting."

"He kept speaking while beckoning nearby shops, shouting loudly, 'Come out and see, the Uchiha lord has returned!'"

"Tie Huo's expression changed; he immediately sensed something wrong and instinctively looked at the surrounding eaves."

"To his surprise, the eaves were empty, but the owners of nearby shops and passing villagers gathered around."

"Oh, it's really Uchiha, look at the clan crest, it's genuinely theirs; they finally came back!"

"'Sir, have you returned to the Police Department? Those people before should have left, right?' someone whispered after glancing around."

"Tie Huo looked bewildered; the last time he was surrounded like this was when he resolved a dispute and was scolded by villagers."

"'We have completed the retraining, and from today we are back in the Police Department. The previous ninjas have finished their missions and disbanded.'"

"Everyone rejoiced at the words, shouting, 'Great! The Uchiha have finally returned!'"

"'It's because you captured those swindlers that our lives could become easier; now that you're back, it's even better!'"

"Villagers ran around spreading the news, faces joyful; some even wept with happiness, which left Tie Huo rather puzzled, even a bit flattered."

"Could it be that the previous ninjas hadn't done well? Tie Huo looked around, then shook his head to deny the thought; even with his critical eye, he could only offer praise."

"The street was clean and odorless, villagers were courteous and observed etiquette."

"Even after serving in the Police Department for so many years, he had never seen Konoha Street so peaceful."

"Moreover, the smiles among villagers were noticeably more abundant, unlike the previous period of gloom, hostility, and frequent clashes over minor grievances."

"Tie Huo couldn't understand why the people changed so drastically, and didn't attribute it to the retraining, since he himself hadn't done anything."

"Unable to figure it out and not pondering further, he took out money, bought buns, and left directly under the reluctant gazes of the crowd."

"Soon after walking away, he saw a meat‑pie stall on the other side of the street; he hurried forward, and before he could speak, the other side noticed him."

"After confirming the person was walking toward him, the vendor immediately peered at his cart, noticing the cart's edge seemed to have slightly crossed the line, causing a visibly obvious panic."

"He hurriedly pulled the cart, opened his mouth and explained, 'Sir, wait a moment, it wasn't intentional crossing; I was giving change and my belly accidentally bumped it.' Tie Huo was puzzled, lowered his head to look; it was only a slight overstep, and if no one reported it they'd just ignore it."

"But since the other brought it up, he simply replied, 'Just position it properly; if it's discovered again they'll take you back for a lecture.'"

"The vendor was surprised; seeing no further pursuit, he relaxed and joked, 'I get it, confiscate the cart, detain for three days, fine five thousand taels.'"

"How much?"

"Confiscate the cart, detain three days, fine five thousand taels?" Tie Huo was stunned; he recalled the maximum fine for overstepping was only five hundred taels, where did the detention and confiscation come from, five thousand taels was impossible; if they really did that, the Police Department would be flooded with reports."

"But seeing the vendor's earnest expression, Tie Huo realized there must be something he didn't know, so he nodded and stayed silent."

"After buying two meat pies, he hurried toward the Police Department."

"Shortly after he turned away, the vendor looked up, finally noticing Tie Huo's clan crest on his back, exclaiming, 'So it's a Uchiha, no wonder they didn't mind. Great, finally the end is here, they're back!'"

"All the way, anyone who saw his crest would exclaim, which made Tie Huo feel very curious, until he returned to the Police Department and saw Hui looking smug."

"'These are the buns and meat pies you asked me to buy last night; finish them and quickly take people to patrol,'"

"Tie Huo, still puzzled, didn't bother to respond, set the food down and prepared to sit for his shift; he too would patrol the streets later."

"'Hmm? Captain, you walked all this way, didn't you notice anything strange?'"

"Tie Huo's gaze flickered, looking at Hui, and asked uncertainly, 'Do you know what's going on?'"

"'Of course! During the retraining, Hui and I, together with Lord Shisui, worked hard to change the Police Department's image in the villagers' minds. Just me, I handle eight to a thousand interrogation cases daily!'"

"Hui patted his chest, his voice booming, gathering everyone in the hall who were ready to set out."

"'That many?'"

"Seeing his confidence, Tie Huo, unaware of the details, couldn't help but believe him."

"'Um... there were initially a hundred or eighty, anyway...'"

"Seeing Tie Huo truly seem to believe, Hui felt a bit embarrassed and changed his tone."

"'Then you must know about the three‑day detention, cart confiscation, five‑thousand‑tael fine, right?'"

"Hui hesitated briefly, Tie Huo sensed something off and immediately asked."

"Hui's eyes widened and he retorted, 'Who said that? That's slander! All my punishments are recorded; for such minor matters the fine tops out at five hundred taels, never more. If you doubt, you can check!'"

"Having said that, he picked up his things and walked toward the door, leaving a solitary silhouette, 'Being misunderstood for the sake of the clan is common, but for the clan, this hardship is nothing!'"

"However, after stepping outside, where no one could see, Hui turned back, checked that no one was around, then let out a sigh of relief."

"'Crap, crap, which guy wrote my little report? Luckily I only scared them a bit, didn't actually do it, otherwise it'd be trouble!'"

"On the other side, Tie Huo, seeing Hui's statement, couldn't help feeling guilty."

"'He... together with Lord Shisui, probably endured a lot to stop the Coup, seems I misjudged him.'"

"Tie Huo sighed, flipped through the records, and his face instantly changed, 'Hmm? Why are all the punishments at the maximum level?'"

"(End of Chapter)"