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#
In front of the Izakaya (Japanese Pub) in the Land of Hot Springs.
After driving Fugaku away, Uchiha Seiichiro shook his head and then raised his head to look at the clear blue sky, his eyes slightly narrowing.
"The package from the clan should be arriving soon."
As the leader of the police force, Uchiha Fugaku had to leave the village to complete a mission for the Hidden Leaf Village. After handling the matters in Hot Mist City and Uchiha Shi's affairs, he left, leading a team to the Land of Water to complete a more dangerous mission.
All the matters in Hot Mist City were handed over to Seiichiro.
Uchiha Shi becoming a disciple of the Sannin was a significant event within the clan.
Along with the headband and identification, a green chunin vest and a full set of equipment from the Hidden Leaf Village were supposed to be included.
However, after Elder Uchiha Shun handled the package, he disdainfully threw away the chunin vest, stating that it was too ugly and didn't fit the Uchiha clan's image.
The clan would rush to create a custom-made battle uniform for Uchiha Shi, one that would befit the status of the Uchiha clan.
Since this matter concerned Uchiha Shi, Seiichiro was very attentive.
He was now waiting for this package.
At this moment, "Screech!"
A high-pitched eagle's cry suddenly pierced the sky, its power tearing through the air.
An eagle with outstretched wings glided down from the horizon.
Uchiha Seiichiro's eyes lit up as he quickly raised his arm to catch the eagle, taking a palm-sized storage scroll from the storage scroll pouch on its back.
These scrolls were quite expensive and had a very large storage capacity, far surpassing the scroll Uchiha Shi had used to store his tools. They were the true high-end goods in the ninja world.
The contents of this scroll were the true rewards from the clan for Uchiha Shi.
Holding the scroll, Seiichiro was curious about the combat uniform that had been delivered at such great cost. How cool would it be?
Should he, as an older brother, take a look first?
Seiichiro's breathing quickened slightly as he placed his hand on the scroll and gently pulled it open.
However, at that moment, a cold voice suddenly sounded in Seiichiro's ear.
"Do you deserve to look at what's inside?"
He suddenly raised his head, seeing four people dressed in the attire of the Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu approaching.
The leader wore a black cloak and black sunglasses, with a purple mark on his right cheek.
His tone was cold and hard as he directly ordered Seiichiro, "Where is Uchiha Shi? You, take me to him!"
Seiichiro's pupils constricted. By the masks worn by the team members, he immediately recognized them as members of Anbu Root.
Compared to the Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu, whose masks were mostly animal-themed, the masks of Anbu Root had a wider variety of patterns.
Moreover, he had heard of the man in the black sunglasses.
He was a captain-level figure in Anbu Root, on par with Orochimaru, Aburame Ryoma!
#
Meanwhile, on the bustling streets of the Land of Hot Springs.
When Uchiha Shi came to his senses, he found himself being dragged by Terumi Mei through the crowded streets. They turned a corner to avoid the crowd, entered a small alley, and arrived at a simple and quiet little shop.
The shop stood in a mist of hot springs, its walls entirely white, with a torii-style eave hanging down, giving it a serene and peaceful feel.
Steam was rising from the steamer baskets in front of the shop, and the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms wafted through the air.
In the display case, various types of sweets were arranged.
At the front were Sakura Mochi, a seasonal treat. The pink outer layer wrapped around red bean paste, and they were elegantly wrapped in salted leaves, forming cylindrical, bamboo, or dumpling shapes.
"Welcome, young guests."
"What would you like?"
The shop owner, nearly sixty years old, bowed slightly and smiled politely at the two.
Uchiha Shi's eyes widened as he looked at the Sakura Mochi in the display case.
He was shocked by the price.
What the heck, were these sweets encrusted with diamonds, selling for 100,000 ryō each?
He raised his head in surprise, wanting to ask if buying a cake from here came with a wife or something.
This palm-sized treat could buy 1,053 bowls of Ichiraku Ramen!
At this moment, Terumi Mei turned to look at him and asked, "What's wrong? Don't worry, the sweets from this shop are delicious. They are said to be offered to the Daimyo every year and are a specialty of Hot Mist City."
Uchiha Shi knew that these colorful and fragrant sweets were definitely better than the 20-ryō skewers sold on the street.
But could he admit that he was short on cash and could only afford one cake in this situation?
So, he awkwardly nodded and laughed, asking, "Um, Terumi Mei, which one do you want?"
Terumi Mei squatted down, supporting her chin, and began to look through the display case.
Then, she pointed to a beautifully arranged Sakura Mochi and turned to Uchiha Shi, her eyes gleaming.
"Hey, Uchiha Shi, I want this one!"
Uchiha Shi's heart ached as he immediately took out 100,000 ryō and slapped it on the counter.
"Okay, I'll buy it!"
Terumi Mei smiled but then shook her head, took out a small wallet, and handed over a bankbook. She then pointed to Uchiha Shi and said to the shop owner, "Owner, please pack these up."
"I'll take them all, and give them to him."
The shop owner was momentarily stunned, then his eyes widened in delight as he quickly packed all the Sakura Mochi and handed them to Uchiha Shi.
Uchiha Shi was also taken aback by her words and immediately looked up at Terumi Mei.
At that moment, he realized just how wide the wealth gap in the ninja world was.
And, just what level of rich woman was this, to casually give him the reward of an S-rank mission?
Carrying a bag of Sakura Mochi, Uchiha Shi walked alongside Terumi Mei, who was nibbling on the mochi like a little hamster.
Then, he heard Terumi Mei say in a meaningful tone, "Uchiha Shi,"
"Next time, don't spend the money you work hard for on such things."
"And, take better care of yourself, eat something good~"
She then turned around and showed Uchiha Shi her empty packaging box.
Her face slightly flushed, she stared at the large bag of Sakura Mochi in his hands and whispered, "I want more."
Hearing this, Uchiha Shi's face turned red, and he swallowed hard, his heart pounding.
What was that expression, what were those words?
Could she be hinting that he should feed her?
Uchiha Shi's eyes widened as he suddenly understood and immediately held up a piece of Sakura Mochi, offering it to Terumi Mei.
Terumi Mei was taken aback by Uchiha Shi's direct offer of the Sakura Mochi.
She blinked rapidly, drew a sharp breath, her clear green eyes widening, and her small ears instantly turning red.
She just wanted Uchiha Shi to hand her a piece, but he was so bold.
Feeding her directly? Had their relationship become that intimate?
This was too fast!
At this moment, Uchiha Shi also saw Terumi Mei's blushing face and his eyes widened, realizing he had misunderstood. But the arrow was already on the string, and he had to let it fly.
If he withdrew now, it would make him seem less of a man!
And, she didn't seem to be refusing!
Uchiha Shi drew a sharp breath, his heart pounding.
However, at that moment, Fugaku, who had been quietly following behind them and eating dry steamed buns to fill his stomach, wanting to see what his good teammates were up to, saw this intimate scene and was stunned. The hard steamed bun in his hand fell to the ground with a thud.
Thud~!
The sharp sound startled the two, who turned around like startled birds.
Then, Uchiha Shi saw—
Little brother Fugaku, angrily staring at them, pointing at the Sakura Mochi in his hand, about to say something.
Behind Fugaku, on the rooftops of the alley, countless Mist-nin wearing three-water-pattern masks had appeared, looking at the six-story building in the center of the street, their hands forming seals.
The next moment, a cold voice shattered the illusion of peace in Hot Mist City, "Water Release: Great Exploding Water Shockwave!"
Uchiha Shi's pupils constricted, and his Sharingan eyes glowed red!
Time was running out, another chapter will follow.
(End of Chapter)