At this stage, Konoha was still in its early days. In such a small village, even the slightest disturbance would draw a crowd of nosy onlookers. As soon as an incident involving Gin from the Uchiha clan occurred, the already narrow street was instantly packed to the brim.
The clueless people outside stood on their toes trying to peek in, curious about the commotion. Those inside who could see were already clicking their tongues in excitement, making the outer crowd even more agitated. They bitterly regretted not having learned Doton: Dochū Senkō (Earth Style: Hiding Like a Mole), otherwise they could've gotten front-row seats.
"What's going on?"
People at the outer edge started tapping the shoulders of those in front, asking questions.
"No idea, I just got here too!"
The man being questioned scratched his head helplessly. He had only stepped out briefly and had been swept into the middle of the crowd. His barbecue shop had just been repaired, and he still had a mountain of things to take care of.
"I heard some shameless Uchiha was bullying a kid in public and got caught red-handed by the security team. It even alerted Tobirama-sama."
A man with an obvious Senju-style haircut turned around and started spreading what he believed was the truth to the crowd behind him.
"Pfft! Despicable Senju. It was clearly that guy trying to frame our Uchiha clansman. When he got exposed, he flew into a rage, and that's what caused the fight. The security team was just doing their job, and Tobirama's just using it as an excuse to suppress our clan!"
Further up in the crowd, a black-haired man in a high-collared coat snapped around, angrily shouting at the Senju for spreading false rumors.
"Stop arguing. Looks like Tobirama-sama and that Uchiha are about to start fighting. Whoa—Tobirama-sama drew his sword! No way, how did that Uchiha dodge it?!"
"To stand toe-to-toe with Senju Tobirama? That's gotta be one of our elites! Who is it? Clan head? Izuna-sama?"
The moment the crowd realized it was a clash between Senju and Uchiha, excitement erupted. Everyone stood on tiptoe, craning their necks for a better look. A curious Uchiha in the back, unable to see anything, pulled on the person in front and yelled:
"Who is it? A clan elder?"
"How would I know? I'm a Senju! But that guy isn't your clan head."
Despite being pulled around, the Senju man stayed committed to reporting the live updates.
"Well, then who is it? Maybe an elder?"
"You guys should recognize him. He's got curly hair."
"Curly hair? Forget it—it's Uchiha Gin."
The once-enthusiastic Uchiha crowd simultaneously rolled their eyes. Anyone who had grown up in the Uchiha district would have painful childhood memories of that one curly-haired menace.
"Oh, it's Gin? Then I'm not worried."
The burly man holding soy sauce looked back at the crowd, chuckled, and walked away.
In the years that Gin had been active, countless Uchiha boys and girls had suffered at his hands. Even now, just recalling those disgraceful moments made these young Uchiha instinctively clench their butts, feeling phantom pain.
"If it's Gin, then yeah, it's definitely true. I can't believe he still bullies kids after all these years."
Haunted by past trauma, the Uchiha youth turned pale and bolted from the crowd like the wind, trying to escape his childhood nightmares.
News that the person involved was Uchiha Gin spread quickly, and the expressions of many young Uchiha turned grim as they turned and ran. Judging by the way they were clutching their behinds, it was clear they were in a hurry.
"Did the whole Uchiha clan get food poisoning or something?"
The Senju, who didn't understand the trauma, were confused. They thought the Uchiha must've eaten spoiled fried chicken and snail noodles during a clan meeting and were suffering a mass poisoning.
At the end of the street, two tall figures slowly walked along. Itama, holding frustrations in his heart, had found his lifelong best friend to go shopping and chat with.
"Huh? Why is there a crowd over there, Itama? Let's go take a look!"
With a serene smile in her eyes, Uchiha Chiri tugged on the absent-minded Itama as they walked through the newly built shopping street. She spotted the bustling crowd in the distance and, curious, turned to ask Itama.
"Uh, okay."
Caught off guard, Itama just replied absentmindedly.
"Excuse me, what's happening up ahead? Why's everyone rushing around?"
Chiri stopped a sour-looking Uchiha clansman and gently asked with a frown.
"Better not get involved. Just go."
The clansman didn't recognize Chiri, but seeing the fan emblem on her clothes, he offered kind advice and then quickly ran off clutching his butt.
"How mysterious. Now I really want to know. Let's go, Itama~"
The more someone refuses to tell you, the more curious you get. The gossip-loving Chiri's eyes were now burning with interest. She pulled the dazed Itama against the flow of fleeing Uchiha.
"Hey big bro, got any gossip to share?"
Chiri quickly reached the now smaller crowd and poked a round, chubby ninja ahead of her.
"This is my melon. I'm not sharing!"
Before the man could turn around, a childish voice from above spoke first. Chiri looked up and saw a chubby little boy sitting on the man's shoulders. His cheeks were full of melon, sticky with sunflower seed husks, and he glared at the two girls protectively.
"Kazekaze, daddy told you to be generous!"
The round man turned around, smiling kindly. He gently scolded his son before handing Chiri a giant watermelon with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, my son's still learning manners. Please take this melon as an apology."
"Wow, such a huge melon…"
"No need. Kids will be kids. But could you tell us what's going on up there?"
Chiri politely declined and smiled before asking about the situation.
"Well, it started with the Shimura father and son getting into a fight with an Uchiha. They got schooled. The security team showed up, but both sides were dissatisfied. Sarutobi Sasuke tried to mediate, but his son got hurt too. Then Senju Tobirama dropped in from the sky…"
As he recalled the events, the chubby man recounted everything in detail.
"Which Uchiha was it? Must be one hell of a fighter!"
Chiri's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She knew who Shimura Kenichi and Sarutobi Sasuke were, and their presence meant they were considering joining Konoha. For them to get beaten like that was bound to affect Konoha's image of justice and peace.
"Uh, I'm new here, so I don't recognize him…"
The round man scratched his head awkwardly.
"No worries, we'll ask around."
As they turned to leave—
BUUURRP~ "I know! Those guys said his name was Uchiha Gin!"
The little boy, Akimichi Kazekaze, let out a burp and wiped his mouth.
"Nani?! Gin-sensei?!"
"The curly-haired baboon?!"
Both girls froze and turned around, shocked.
"You sure?"
"Totally! They even mentioned 'curly hair'!"
Rubbing his round belly, Kazekaze smiled.
"No way, Tobirama is there—Gin-sensei might be in danger!"
Chiri's eyes flared red, chakra swirling ominously. The round man was startled by how fierce the once-docile purple-haired girl had become.
"I heard they were fighting after some argument. No idea how it ended…"
"Thanks! Itama, stay here. I'll be right back!"
Chiri, her Sharingan glowing, turned serious. After instructing the nervous Itama, she leapt over the crowd and dashed toward the scene.
"Gin-sensei, hold on!"
"Swear to me everything you just said is true."
Tobirama stood, arms crossed, eyes sharp, bloodlust emanating from his body. He gave Gin one last chance.
"Huh? What kind of look is that? You think I'm lying?"
Gin, confused, recalled how they were just chatting nicely about Uchiha Kagami's education. What happened?
"Don't stall! Answer me!"
Tobirama's rage spiked thinking of his sister being mistreated for years by this man.
"Hmph! I, Uchiha Gin—aka the Honest Young Master—swear it's the truth!"
Gin thought Tobirama was mad about Sarutobi and Shimura's injuries. He figured it was just a misunderstanding over how much fun he had with kids.
"Hiraishin Zan! (Flying Thunder God Slash) DIE!"
Before he could finish, Tobirama vanished like silver lightning. Gin felt his butt clench instinctively.
Tch!
Sensing the attack, Gin twisted his waist left to dodge Tobirama's classic kidney strike.
"Hiraishin Nidan Zan! (Flying Thunder God Second Slash)!"
Tobirama quickly followed up, blade turning. Gin sighed internally and twisted his waist right to dodge again.
"All grown-ups now, can't we just talk it out?"
As Tobirama kept attacking, Gin kept dodging while humming:
"Don't ask me why oh why~~~"
Each dodge was followed by a graceful hip twist, provoking Tobirama to the point of nearly dropping his blade.
"Filthy old Uchiha pervert!"
Tobirama, furious, formed seals to unleash his Suiton (Water Style) and cut Gin in half.
"Gin-sensei, watch out!"
Suddenly, Chiri descended from the sky, blocking Tobirama's attack with a gray dagger crackling with lightning.
"Hmph, lucky you."
Tobirama regained clarity. Seeing Chiri awakened him from his rage. He frowned, wondering why he had lost control.
"Tobirama! If you want Gin-sensei, you'll have to go through me!"
Chiri stood firm, blade buzzing. Gin, touched, patted her shoulder.
"Such a good disciple…"
Suddenly the crowd parted—Itama appeared, visibly distressed.
"Why are they fighting?! I thought we were allies?!"
Tobirama glared at Gin with red eyes full of sorrow.
"I thought you were different… But you're all the same!"
"Come on, I was just playing with them. They're fine now, even better than before!"
Gin pointed at the two boys now pulling up their pants.
"Danzo, Hiruzen, are you okay?"
Sarutobi Sasuke finally looked over.
"Still hurts a bit…"
Danzo grumbled, holding his behind.
"Actually, I feel great. And…"
Hiruzen looked down, stunned.
"Whoa, it got… big…"
He pulled his pants slightly. Sasuke gasped in awe.
Maybe… this Uchiha isn't so bad.
Sasuke's gaze toward Gin softened.
"Tobirama-sama, perhaps this was all a misunderstanding…"
Sasuke now shielded Gin, full of gratitude.
"Sasuke?! So I just got beat for nothing?!"
Kenichi protested. Sasuke snapped:
"Shut up! Clearly you were in the wrong! Apologize!"
Even Kenichi was dumbfounded.
"This isn't over. Gin and I still have matters to settle."
Tobirama growled.
"There's no need. Thanks to Gin-sama's miraculous healing, my son is now… fixed. On behalf of the Sarutobi clan, we agree to join Konoha."
Sasuke formally declared.
"You hypnotized him with Genjutsu, didn't you?!"
Tobirama barked.
"Don't flatter me—I'm not that smart."
Gin shrugged.
"Hmph! Forget that. What about this: you said you adopted a five-year-old and play with her daily. Is that true?!"
Tobirama was livid.
But before Gin could respond—
"AAAAAHHHH!!"
A piercing scream echoed. From above, a tall figure descended in a flash of blue light and punched Tobirama hard on the head.
"Curly-haired baboon, I'm not too late, right?"
(End of Chapter)
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