But Kawasaki remained purely on the defensive, holding Jiraiya firmly in place without launching a single attack.
Seeing more and more Military Police officers gathering and the crowd of villagers growing denser, Jiraiya was starting to feel the pressure. He could even see Anbu members concealed in the shadows, holding back only because they recognized him.
He anxiously stopped his assault and said to Kawasaki, "Hey, kid, cut me some slack. I'm Jiraiya."
To his surprise, Kawasaki wasn't buying it at all. Seeing the growing crowd, he decided to raise his voice.
"Villagers of Konoha, look closely! The man before you is a pervert who was caught peeping on the women's bathhouse!"
"And he is none other than our village's renowned Sannin, Jiraiya!"
"What?! Lord Jiraiya is a pervert?"
"Huh? That's Lord Jiraiya?"
"Ugh, how disgusting. I can't believe Jiraiya is that kind of person."
Jiraiya's face darkened. This Uchiha clansman actually knew who he was. It was clear now—this had to be a setup!
"As a prominent figure in Konoha and a student of the Third Hokage, he has engaged in such despicable behavior."
"And as a captain of the Military Police patrol, I find myself unable to arrest him due to his status."
Kawasaki put on a heartbroken and indignant expression.
"I can only stand here and warn everyone: when you go out to bathe, be sure to keep your eyes open."
"If you see Jiraiya, it's best to take a detour. Otherwise, your wives, daughters, and sisters could all fall victim to his prying eyes."
The crowd of onlookers continued to grow, their whispers rising to a steady murmur.
"That's just repulsive. From now on, I'm staying far away from Jiraiya."
"I'll never bathe anywhere near him again. He'd definitely see everything."
"The Third Hokage's student has such a vile character. It's disgusting."
"I feel so bad for the Military Police. They have to deal with these powerful figures. They can't arrest him, so this is all they can do to stop him."
Jiraiya's face alternated between pale and flushed. In the past, whenever he was caught peeping, the most anyone could do was chase him around for a bit. Ordinary people couldn't catch him, and those who could were deterred by his status. The matter would always be dropped.
He never expected to run into such a stubborn opponent who would expose him publicly. He suspected this was all part of a conspiracy!
"Who the hell are you, kid? Why are you targeting me?!" Jiraiya's embarrassment was now mixed with rage.
"Me?"
Kawasaki produced an appointment scroll.
"I am Uchiha Kawasaki, a patrol captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, responsible for public security."
"Because you are the student of the Third Hokage, I cannot arrest you. I can only warn the good women of this village not to let you succeed!"
"So you're Uchiha Kawasaki!"
Jiraiya was stunned. He finally understood why the Third Hokage had called this man difficult to deal with. He was completely trapped. Fighting was a bad idea, but so was running away.
Kawasaki continued his verbal assault.
"What do you mean, 'targeting you'? Is it not a fact that you were peeping?"
"Hyuga Aiko! Come forward and bear witness!"
A surge of courage rushed through Hyuga Aiko.
"Yes! I will testify! Just now, while we were bathing, this man, Jiraiya, was outside the wall peeping on us!"
After she spoke, a wave of fear washed over her. She was just a nobody. Would she be safe after offending someone like Jiraiya?
"You! I!"
Jiraiya was at a complete loss for words.
Kawasaki seized the moment. "Everyone, you see? The victim's name is Hyuga Aiko. Today, she has bravely stood up to accuse a powerful figure in our village."
"If any misfortune should ever befall Hyuga Aiko, it will undoubtedly be the work of Jiraiya!"
"Aiko, don't be afraid! The villagers are watching! The Military Police will guarantee your safety!"
"Even if the Third Hokage holds us accountable, the Military Police will stand by your side!"
The surrounding villagers were overcome with indignation. What Sannin? He was nothing but a pervert who used his power to bully others!
Of course, Kawasaki's goal didn't stop there. He turned his verbal spear toward the nearby Anbu.
"Everyone, please note that there are Anbu members all around us."
The Anbu operatives tensed. Why was he suddenly targeting them?
"Why is it that when someone is caught peeping, the Anbu does nothing? Because the culprit is the great Jiraiya!"
"They can't deal with Jiraiya, so they can only silence the victims!"
"As long as no one stands up to testify, Jiraiya will forever remain above the law!"
Jiraiya couldn't take it anymore. The kid's words were venomous. He desperately tried to push his way out of the crowd.
However, without using ninjutsu, even though his taijutsu was slightly superior to Kawasaki's, he couldn't break through his opponent's full defense.
While passively defending, Kawasaki continued to shout at the top of his lungs.
"Look, everyone! The criminal Jiraiya is trying to escape! If he gets away this time, this whole incident will be swept under the rug again!"
"Why has he been able to get away with this for so long? Because someone is protecting him!"
"The Anbu have been here for a while! Has no one informed the Third Hokage? Of course they have!"
"It's because the Third Hokage is covering for his perverted student!"
Kawasaki's mouth was like a megaphone, his voice booming as he fended off blows. He kept shouting, "Help! Jiraiya is attacking me! The Third Hokage lets his student peep and beat people!"
The villagers along the path were in an uproar, their displeasure growing visibly.
Jiraiya grew more frantic, his strikes becoming fiercer.
"Stop!"
A stern, aged voice cut through the chaos.
Jiraiya froze. But Kawasaki's performance wasn't over yet.
"People of Konoha, remember this! You must always be on your guard against Jiraiya! Pfft…"
Kawasaki theatrically spat out a mouthful of blood.
The villagers looked at this Uchiha officer, who was standing up for them, with expressions of concern and sympathy. Look at him, this dedicated member of the Military Police… He had suffered so much and endured so much hardship for the sake of common folk like them.
Just then, the Third Hokage leaped into the center of the crowd. Jiraiya looked at him with an expression of pure mortification, digging his toes into his wooden clogs so hard he was about to carve a masterpiece. His eyes darted around, silently screaming that this was the worst possible time for his master to arrive.
The Third Hokage rolled his eyes, thinking, I had to come. If I waited any longer, what would be left of my reputation as Hokage? This Kawasaki fellow was always pulling these bizarre stunts, catching everyone completely off guard. He had just pledged his eternal support, and the moment my own student returns, he starts slinging mud at me.