"Are they really going to fight?"
The little ones shrank their necks, feeling the icy pressure spreading across the street. Even if Gin-sensei loved scamming their allowance, deep down he was a good guy… right?
"I'll go get the security squad!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen bit his lip. The other side had two people, and he wasn't sure if Gin could handle it alone. He turned to leave—
"Wait."
Uchiha Kagami, the calmest among them, stopped him. "Uncle Gin's never lost to anyone before."
"…But still—"
Before Hiruzen could argue, a mocking voice cut through the air.
"Hmph. So Byakuren really couldn't hold back, already picking fights with Konoha? Reckless old fool."
The F6 spun around. Three strangers had appeared behind them without a sound—an old man with a long beard, a lanky man wrapped in bandages reeking of medicine, and a short, grim-looking boy about their age.
The old man's sharp eyes glittered. "Watch and wait. We're not the only ones observing."
"…Monkey, look at that guy. He's ugly as hell."
Danzo jabbed Hiruzen and snickered.
"Danzo, don't judge people's appearances…" Hiruzen turned—then blurted, "Holy crap, he is ugly!"
Koharu wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, he smells weird too. Enma, switch seats with me."
Kagami just chuckled. "Don't be shallow. Sure, he's short and ugly, but maybe he'll have a hot granddaughter someday."
The short "boy"—young Onoki—finally snapped. "You brats! I can hear you!"
—
Across the street, more foreigners were gathering. A bald man with a scarred face frowned toward Gin's side. "Reto-sama, looks like trouble."
Reto, the leader, didn't even flinch. His hawk-like gaze stayed fixed on the Hokage Monument. "Don't interfere. Just observe."
"…Yes, sir."
The bald man pouted but obeyed, wandering off to buy snacks instead.
Meanwhile, two towering, dark-skinned shinobi—brothers from the Land of Lightning—also spotted the commotion.
"That's Byakuren and his disciple," the tall one muttered.
"Correction," the curly-haired one sighed. "It's the disciple causing the ruckus. Byakuren's the one trying to calm him down."
—
Back in the center, Gin scratched his face, bemused. "Wait—you're really called Katsura? I thought I was joking."
The younger man's face twisted with rage.
Gin, ever shameless, extended a carton. "Strawberry milk? Want some?"
"I HATE strawberry milk! And stop calling me a wig—it's Katsura!"
His killing intent surged.
"…Alright, what about soba noodles? My treat."
The aura faltered. The man's narrow eyes twitched.
"One bowl won't erase your insult!"
"Two bowls."
"…No! Not even—"
"All-you-can-eat."
The snowstorm of chakra wavered. Surrounded by gawkers, Katsura clenched his fists. He couldn't risk a public battle. He settled for snarling, "Don't think a meal makes us even!"
—
"Security squad! Hands on your heads!"
A squad of Uchiha enforcers burst in. Leading them—spiky-haired Uchiha Setsuna, shouting shrilly.
Katsura scowled. Byakuren groaned. "This is getting out of hand."
Setsuna's Sharingan gleamed. "Foreigners brawling in Konoha? You're coming with me—"
Then he spotted Gin. His blood froze. Memories of childhood torment flared—the beatings, the trauma, the… pain.
"…Gin-sama! L-long time no see!"
Gin beamed. "Yo, Setsu-chan. Captain now, huh?"
"J-just doing my duty! Someone reported a fight!"
Byakuren frowned, confused. Was this lazy-looking man actually high-ranking?
"Gin-sama, should I arrest them?" Setsuna asked nervously.
"Easy, Setsu-chan. They're friends."
"…Friends?"
"Of course. I have connections everywhere. Even abroad."
"Then what's his name?" Setsuna pointed at the furious youth.
Gin grinned. "Wig."
"NOT A WIG! IT'S KATSURA!"
—
Eventually, the squad withdrew. Katsura exhaled slowly, though he still glared at Gin. "…The soba still counts."
"Next time."
"Fine. My name is Katsura."
"I'm Uchiha Gin. If anyone gives you trouble here, drop my name."
Byakuren and Katsura exchanged a glance. They'd never heard of "Uchiha Gin," but clearly he had some kind of pull.
"Let's go," Byakuren urged.
Katsura lingered. "…See you again, maybe."
"Sure thing, Wig."
"NOT A WIG!"
—
Onoki shot one last glare at the F6. "You brats better pray I don't meet you on the battlefield!"
Danzo sneered. "Hah, big words from Big Butt."
Onoki trembled with fury. "Sarutobi Hiruzen! You're already marked for death!"
The F6 shivered, but Gin just clapped his hands. "Alright, enough drama. Who's hungry?"
"…I am!"
"Yakiniku!!"
And so, Gin herded them to Uchiha Tarō's famous barbecue shop.
—
"Welcome—oh, it's you, Gin! Long time no see!" Tarō's wife, Ayako, smiled warmly.
"Got room for us, Ayako?" Gin grinned, patting Hiruzen's head.
"For you? Always."
Settling into a booth, Gin waved the menu. "Order whatever you want, brats. My treat."
Danzo immediately jabbed the priciest item. "Monkey, order this one!"
Hiruzen squinted. "…'Ox jewels'? What is that?"
"Who cares! The more expensive, the better!" Danzo gloated.
The kids all nodded eagerly. Gin didn't even look, handing the menu to Ayako.
Moments later, dish after dish of… suspiciously shaped "delicacies" arrived.
Gin's smile froze. "…Who ordered these?"
"Danzo did!" the kids chorused.
Betrayed, Danzo roared, "MONKEY! You'll regret this!"
Gin's eyes gleamed dangerously. "Boy… if you leave even one piece uneaten, I'll make sure your front grows as big as your butt."
Danzo gulped, then defiantly shoved a piece into his mouth. "D-delicious!"
The others followed suit, happily munching away, oblivious to the joke. Gin facepalmed. If only I had a camera… this image would feed me for life.
—
As Gin sipped a strong drink, the door opened again.
"Sorry, no seats left—" Ayako's voice carried.
Outside, two towering dark-skinned shinobi frowned.
"Raikage-sama, maybe another place?" one suggested.
The curly-haired one sighed. "A shame… I wanted to try Konoha's famous yakiniku."
Then Gin's voice rang out: "Ayako, let them share with us! There's space."
The two men entered—and froze.
"…It's him!"
Gin just grinned. "World's a small place. Join us."
The two "foreign guests" exchanged a glance. Finally, they smiled broadly.
"In that case—bring us everything they ordered. Twice."
(End of Chapter)
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