Dez's POV (Nearby Uzumaki Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
"Precisely, why am I here, Dez?" Shizune asked with a sigh as they watched various police members remove the hateful message from the board. The store owner seemed oddly okay with it being there, but the men insisted they remove anything that openly insulted loyal shinobi. Truthfully, this usually would be left to grunts, but Dez knew this was likely not a one-off situation. Tsunade had informed him via letter of the events of the second exam. Warning that there would likely be a substantial amount of unrest and tension. As former mafia members, they knew this would mean an uprising of crime. After all, there would surely be more than a few who felt slighted by not only the lie of the Third but also the knowledge that the "Kyuubi" was among them. With this in mind, Dez intended to get to the bottom and see if there was any cause for concern.
"Sorry, dame-" Dez started.
"I'll poison you," Shizune promised darkly.
"Mam," Dez smoothly corrected as he seemed to fidget. While Shizune wasn't the force of nature that was his Boss, he knew she was a deadly woman in her own right. He would act wisely for now. He was itching for a smoke but knew Lady Shizune would disapprove of such. "But with the unfortunate events… dammit," Dez growled to himself. "I need someone to help me with investigating and maybe muscle if shit goes flying," Dez said. The pause he took was noticeable when thinking of Nekomaru's death. But Shizune kindly did not acknowledge it. They both knew how hard it could be to get over the death of the fallen.
"I… see. Of course, just tell me how I can help." Shizune said softly.
"I may need your help soon," Dez said before he signaled to one of the men, brushing the billboard with a glowing brush. The man dropped down with a bow towards Dez. "Go ahead, bastard," Dez barked.
"Sir, whoever did this wasn't a shinobi, or at least… not a very good one. We found a ladder disposed of nearby. We did get a sample of the paint and are attempting to identify it. We are also looking into where the ladder was purchased, but it will likely take time, sir." The man explained.
"Damn, it takes a couple of days for the boys in evidence to look into this," Dez complained. "It may escalate in the time that'll take."
"No need for such a long wait; I can tell you the chemical breakdown of the paint." Shizune offered with a small smile. "It's not too dissimilar from doing it with poison after all. Should allow us to narrow down the number of stores and the number of customers who had purchased it."
"That would surely narrow down the list of potential suspects. Thanks, Lady Shizune; you are amazing." Dez said excitedly as he pulled out a smoke to celebrate, frowning when Shizune slapped it out of his hand.
"That will get you to an early grave." Shizune admonished just as her master would've. Lady Tsunade said she liked Naruto, and I can see you could use some aid. Of course, I'll help you; I'm technically a member of the Leaf Police Force as well. Shizune offered.
Dez merely nodded as he grabbed a sample of the paint used for them to examine at the lab at the station. He sent two men to look into where the ladder was sent, and he nodded for another man he had told to interview the neighbors. He likely had some information for him now.
"Sir, unfortunately, none of the neighbors claimed to see anything of note. Furthermore, a solid number of them refused to even speak to us. We believe it's due to not wanting to assist the victims." The man explained nervously as his partner feigned a sigh.
"Personally, I don't see why we are so concerned with a demon brat. If he gets hurt or leaves, all the better for the rest of us, " he stated plainly. Shizune gasped at this while Dez merely frowned.
"Go home," Dez stated, clearly infuriated that one of his men was involved in this thinking.
"Sir?" the hateful one asked, as his partner seemed to step back to suggest he was not supporting him.
"I said go home. I need reasonable people for this assignment. Not biased bastards." Dez said firmly. His team around him froze as they watched the angry man stomp off. Silence reigned for a bit before three more men left. Leaving Dez's Police Force's active units cut in half.
"Dammit," Dez responded honestly. He felt the Boss had given him a hell of a task.
Naruto / ?'s POV (Leaf Streets - Hidden Leaf Village)
Naruto did his best to walk calmly and firmly to the meeting place Kakashi had set for him. Apparently, because the three of them could end up battling each other, he had formed a special month-long training package for them. Each would be separate, and Kakashi assured them they would receive equal attention. Naruto didn't mind and even wanted to be excited about it. But the stares were making that seem impossible.
He could hear barely whispered insults as he walked past, the shuffling of those who seemingly didn't even want to be on the same side of the road as him, and he could feel them stare whenever he turned away. Some of them were so bold as to stare at him openly. Naruto had never been one to allow people to walk all over him, but he didn't want to make things worse. He never wanted to experience such open hate again, and if he had his way, he would never again.
So, despite his rising anger from the treatment, he soldiered on peacefully, determined to not rise to their hate. Perhaps this focused state of mind distracted him enough to make him oblivious, for he crashed into a shoulder and fell to the ground. He looked up to see a group of three shinobi facing him. One was an Akamichi, easy to tell due to him being in their standard armor. The large and seemingly sweaty bald man sneered at Naruto from the back of the group, and a skinny, tall woman laughed as well. She looked incredibly fragile and sickly. Messyhair pulled into a ponytail, and her smile seemed more malicious than kind. The leader of the group appearedwas an exceptionally handsome man. He had long, flowing dark hair and deep blue eyes. His looks were slightly marred by an ugly, deep red scar covering half his face. He must've been the one Naruto bumped.
"Hello there, demon. Remember me?" the apparent leader of the group said. My name is unimportant, but you can call me master, " he said with a cruel smile as his two lackeys cackled behind him.
Naruto growled as he rose and attempted to stomp past the trio. But stopped as The Leader suddenly pulled a kunai and held it in the path of where Naruto aimed to walk. "Listen, I'm not in the mood. You hate me, I get it; just give me time-"
"How about YOU give ME all your money." The Leader countered.
"No, screw off," Naruto replied, simply pushing the kunai out of the way. And marching past the three.
"Seems we'll have to show the demon the pecking order now. HUMANS FIRST!" He screamed as his two lackeys raced forward. Naruto turned with a sigh as he ducked a slow punch from the Akamichi and tripped the woman as she drew close. The Akamichi threw another wild punch, allowing the blonde to grab his arm. And slam him onto the woman. Both groaned in pain as Naruto stared at The Leader. "Y-you are a demon." The Leader said, somewhat shocked. "You won't get away with this."
"You tried to rob me. I don't see what I'm getting away with." Naruto tried to explain calmly.
"You've killed too many to suddenly play innocent!" The Leader screamed.
Naruto growled but stomped off. Knowing for now, he could not win the man over. Now, he would likely have to avoid the man. He should've given the man the money. He hadn't had much on him, and now he had stoked the fire of their hate.
He felt he would be seeing that man again real soon.