6. The Fourth appears...

A heavy layer of snow covered the entirety of Konoha. After the first snow of winter, the ninjas entered a relaxed rest-like period, with special positions alternating shifts to welcome the arrival of the New Year.

The ninjas on the front line, led by Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru, defeated the invading Kirigakure forces and began withdrawing to Konoha in batches.

As more and more ninjas returned, Konoha grew livelier. The atmosphere of the New Year's festival washed away the haze of war, and there were more drunks on the streets. Uchiha Fugaku's workload increased significantly; within just a few days, the police force had handled dozens of drunken brawls.

The family had just sat down at the dinner table. Uchiha Itachi picked out meat and meatballs from the pot and placed them on a small plate in front of the crow. The plate was already filled with seasonings. Beiyuan picked up a meatball and swallowed it whole. Eating hot pot in winter truly felt like a blessing.

"Clan Head, there's a fight at the restaurant on Shangnan Street involving a Jonin!"

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. The police force ninjas had a knack for picking the worst times.

Beiyuan was startled by the sudden noise, and the meatball dropped onto the small plate, splashing seasoning onto its feathers. Itachi quickly grabbed a tissue and wiped the stains off the crow.

"...Were you scared?" Itachi asked softly.

"...Gah!" Beiyuan squawked indignantly.

Uchiha Fugaku got up and went to the door. His expression was dark. Interrupting family time was irritating enough, but interrupting for a brawl of all things? At the very least, it should have been Hiruzen and Danzo fighting!

He slammed the door open.

"What is it now?" he barked.

The messenger, noting Fugaku's foul mood, quickly summarized the situation: "There's been a drunken fight involving ninjas on Shangnan Street. Hatake Kakashi is involved, but he refuses to admit fault or accept mediation!"

"Then why not..." Fugaku began but paused. Kakashi didn't have any relatives to mediate on his behalf. His only family, Hatake Sakumo—Konoha's White Fang—had passed away.

After Kirigakure's final battle, the only person who could resolve this was Kakashi's mentor, Minato Namikaze.

"I've already sent someone to inform the Fourth Hokage," the messenger added hesitantly. "But... the clan seems to have other thoughts."

Kakashi's Sharingan complicated matters. But his teacher, Minato, had just been inaugurated as the Fourth Hokage, with the ceremony scheduled right after the New Year.

"This is going to be trouble," Fugaku muttered. He didn't bother changing clothes before hurrying to the police station. Fortunately, a few trusted confidants had stepped in to share his workload during the holidays.

Back at home, Itachi looked at the now-empty spot where his father had sat. "Dad..."

"Gah!"

Beiyuan, hearing Kakashi's name, perked up and squawked excitedly.

"Mom, I'm going to check on Dad!" Itachi called out as he grabbed a coat and rushed out. Mikoto remained at the table, sighing as she turned down the flame under the hot pot.

"...Come back soon," she murmured.

The Konoha Police Force, dominated by the Uchiha clan, was familiar territory for Itachi. Sometimes, when he got tired of wandering around the village, he'd wait at the station for his father to finish work.

As soon as he arrived, Itachi could hear the commotion inside the police station lobby.

"How could someone who killed his own comrade understand the pain of losing ours?" a large, burly man bellowed.

Fugaku was trying to mediate. "You're drunk. Hatake Kakashi is a Konoha ninja and your comrade. Apologize to each other. We're all part of the same village—"

"I'll never accept someone like him!"

"Captain, just lock them all up! Kakashi's guilt is obvious!"

"This isn't a murder case—it's a drunken brawl! Let's not blow this out of proportion!"

The lobby was chaotic. While Fugaku managed to control the internal disputes among the police force, resolving the issue without damaging the police force's prestige was proving tricky.

Just then, a familiar voice called out: "Itachi, what are you doing outside?"

It was Kushina Uzumaki, standing with her husband, Minato Namikaze, who had recently taken office as Hokage.

"Aunt Kushina, I..." Itachi began, eyes widening as he recognized Minato.

Minato crouched to meet the boy's gaze, smiling warmly. "You must be Itachi, Fugaku and Mikoto's eldest. It's cold outside—come in with us."

Minato's arrival immediately shifted the atmosphere inside the station. He approached Fugaku first.

"Sorry my student caused trouble for the police force and interrupted your family time," Minato apologized.

"It's fine—it's my duty," Fugaku replied. He glanced at Kakashi. "I'll leave this to you, Lord Hokage."

Minato quickly assessed the situation. Apparently, someone had drunkenly mocked Kakashi and Minato, questioning their abilities as jonin and Hokage. Kakashi had lashed out in response.

Minato addressed the crowd sternly. "What you said about Kakashi was wrong. His actions on the battlefield saved countless lives, including ours. Words can wound more deeply than fists."

The drunken man who had insulted Kakashi hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Lord Hokage... and to you, Hatake Kakashi."

Minato turned to his student. "Kakashi, it's true that you must endure more as a ninja. But you didn't do anything wrong on the battlefield. Don't let others' judgments weigh you down."

Tears welled in Kakashi's eyes. "But, Sensei... it was Rin!"

Minato hugged him tightly. "Rin would understand. Sometimes, the right choice is the hardest to bear. But you must also trust yourself."

After a heartfelt lecture, Minato persuaded both parties to apologize and accept mediation. He concluded: "As Hokage, I order both sides to go home. Each will submit a written apology after the New Year. Do you accept?"

The room fell silent, then: "Yes, Lord Hokage!"