The elders of the Nara clan were furious to hear the child badmouthing them.
One elder could not bear it. "Kaede, what rubbish did you tell this kid?" he demanded.
Kaede shot the elder a dangerous sidelong glance. "I only told him about his father," she said. "Do I need your permission to do that?"
The Third Hokage answered, "You have the right to tell him about his father." He turned his gaze to Megumi and tried to influence him with the Will of Fire. "Your father was a strong jōnin who embraced the Will of Fire. He was among those who sacrificed their lives for the safety of the village."
Hearing those familiar, persuasive words, Megumi wondered if he would have fallen victim to a genjutsu if he did not already know the quote.
Megumi knew Minato would die, but he could not say when or how. What a pity to die young.
Danzō would not tolerate Kaede's insult. He could tell the child looked at him with murderous eyes. "Kaede, your son assaulted a police officer and must be punished," he said.
"He almost killed the officer. How can the Uchiha accept a pardon for that?" Danzō added.
Kaede understood Danzō's intention and feared the Third Hokage might side with his friend. "I know. I will hand him over to the Uchiha police," she said.
"Then why did the ANBU not step in to save the officer?" Danzō asked.
"He will receive his punishment. I will not deny that," Kaede replied.
"Good. The rule says he will be jailed for three years for assault." Danzō would do anything in his power to make both mother and son suffer. He remembered that this woman had killed his men. He felt no fear or respect for her. He wanted them taken out, starting with the brat who had just stared at him with murderous intent.
"What? That is too much. He is just a child," Kaede protested. She could not believe Danzō would suggest jailing a five-year-old for three years.
The Third Hokage saw an opportunity to defuse the tension while still letting Danzō proceed. "That is too harsh for him, but he does need discipline," the Third Hokage said.
"That is right. The Uchiha will not accept a simple apology," someone agreed.
"He must be made an example so others do not follow in his footsteps," Koharu said.
"Consider his age. He needs to be taught the Will of Fire and he should attend the academy," another voice proposed.
"We should keep him in Konoha prison for three weeks. After that, he will apologize to the man he injured," Sarutobi decided.
Minato could tell Shikaku wanted to speak. "Is there anything you want to say, Shikaku?" he asked.
Shikaku clenched his fist, blaming himself for failing to protect his nephew twice. I think I have failed you, Kanji, he thought inwardly.
"I have nothing to add. Whatever the Hokage decides will be final," Shikaku said, his voice weak as he spoke.
"Good. I will have the ANBU escort him," Sarutobi said.
Kaede's world turned upside down when the Third Hokage made that decision. What hurt her most was that the new Hokage did not speak against the punishment. It made him seem like a figurehead while real power rested with this old council.
She noticed Minato had even asked Shikaku what he wanted to say without asking about her, the boy's mother. Tears fell from Kaede's cheeks as she spoke. "I will take my son there if you permit, Lord Third."
"Let's go, Megumi," Kaede said as she took her son's hand and left the Hokage's office.
Megumi paused and turned his head slightly toward Minato. He smirked before leaving. Enjoy your time, he thought. You will die soon anyway.