Izumi was trailing behind Uchiha Chizumi, practically skipping along, when she suddenly noticed him come to an abrupt stop.
Good thing she hit the brakes in time—
Otherwise, she would've smacked right into him.
"Senpai, what's goi—"
Before she could finish, Jujirō, the orange tabby perched on her shoulder, interrupted with a whisper.
"Shh. Chizumi-sama has spotted a target. His eyes... they've found another embodiment of evil in the shinobi world!"
Evil in the shinobi world?!
That phrase immediately snapped Izumi to attention.
She peeked out from behind Chizumi, following his gaze—and saw a group of a dozen or so people up ahead, dressed in all sorts of flashy outfits.
"These people…"
She raised an eyebrow and muttered,
"They're definitely not from Konoha."
She was sure of it.
Whenever Chizumi showed up, the locals either quieted down or got out of the way. Those with guilty consciences practically sprinted in the opposite direction like they were avoiding the plague.
And the ones gossiping about last night? The moment they saw the guy in question, they turned pale as ghosts.
Izumi always wanted to tell them—
If you're not doing anything wrong, talking about Senpai isn't a crime.
Heck, even talking smack to his face wouldn't get you in trouble.
But the villagers' misunderstanding of him ran deep.
Oh well.
Let them keep misunderstanding him—it might actually work in their favor.
Fear has a way of keeping people in line.
That's why, when she saw the people up ahead acting so differently, she instantly knew—
They weren't from around here.
"That's Uchiha Chizumi?!"
Goen'in Kyusuke didn't take the warning from his Guardian Ninja seriously at all. He locked eyes with Chizumi, completely unfazed.
Fanning himself lazily, he smirked.
"I've heard all about the Uchiha clan, but this is my first time seeing one.
Pretty intense look, huh?"
"Relax, Nauma," he added.
"Didn't you say he's from the Konoha Police Force? That department runs on funding from my father—the Daimyō of the Land of Fire."
"Who knows? Maybe I can get on his good side. If he's as strong as you say and willing to work for me, I'll pay top dollar to hire him as a bodyguard."
But just as he took a step forward—
Nauma stepped in front of him, arm outstretched.
"Whoa, Nauma, what are you doing?" one of the retainers snapped.
"Your job is to guard, not overstep!"
But the next second, Nauma shot a cold stare their way—a look sharpened by war. The retainer immediately broke into a cold sweat.
Nauma turned his gaze back toward Chizumi, alert and serious.
"There's bloodlust in his eyes," he said quietly.
"My lord, we need to get out of here. Now. Call for backup."
He slid his hand to the hilt of his blade. His voice dry, tight.
"That killing intent… it's aimed directly at you, Kyusuke-sama."
"Wha—?!"
Everyone tensed.
Chizumi moved forward—not rushed, but steady.
In his sight, a glowing red rectangle hovered above a young nobleman's head. Inside, blood-red text spelled out his crimes.
The guy practically screamed criminal in a crowd.
Chizumi started reading aloud.
"Goen'in Kyusuke. Eleven years ago, you killed a maid by accident and dumped her body in a dry well.
When her family demanded justice, you had them beaten into critical condition."
Behind him, Izumi stiffened.
She fumbled through her pouch, pulling out paper and pen, frantically jotting everything down.
Even Jujirō froze, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Goen'in...?"
"Seven years ago, you gambled away your fortune at a casino. Furious, you had your retainers burn the place down.
The fire got out of control—four dead, nineteen suffocated, ten critically injured, thirty-one with minor wounds."
Izumi pressed so hard the pen tore through the page.
Veins bulged on her pale hand as she clenched her teeth.
"Bastard!"
How is someone like that still walking around like nothing happened?!
Her eyes paused on one word she'd written:
Retainers.
Something clicked—but not fully.
That's when Jujirō whispered,
"Goen'in... that's the Daimyō's family name. Only the Daimyō and his relatives use it in the Land of Fire."
Izumi's eyes widened.
"He's... part of the Daimyō's family?!"
"Yeah," said Jujirō, licking his paw again.
"Not the Daimyō himself, but maybe a son. A cousin, maybe. Whatever he is—get ready, rookie. Chizumi-sama doesn't give a damn about titles."
"Back during the Third Great Ninja War, Chizumi ran into a noble who thought he was above the law. Thought he could get away with anything."
"Chizumi went to his estate with a blade and wiped the entire family out. Nineteen people. Not a single one innocent."
Izumi: "!!!"
Chizumi kept walking, voice quiet but loud enough now for the nobles ahead to hear:
"Three years ago, while drunk, you assaulted an eleven-year-old girl. When you sobered up and panicked, you strangled her and dumped her body in the river."
"One year ago—"
Nauma gripped his sword tighter.
What the hell is this guy talking about?
But he had a feeling—Chizumi wasn't just spouting nonsense.
Then came a thud behind him.
Nauma turned and saw Goen'in Kyusuke, the oh-so-powerful noble, staring ahead like he'd seen a ghost.
His retainers? Same horrified look.
What…?
Then Chizumi's next words gave Nauma his answer:
"Goen'in Kyusuke, these are the crimes of your twenty-four years.
Your sins are beyond redemption—and justice demands they be erased."
Nauma: "!!!"
Wait—this spoiled noble actually did all that?!
But more importantly—
How the hell did Chizumi know?!
If he was bluffing, why were they all so scared?
Kyusuke's pupils shook.
How does he know?!
Sweat streamed down his face. Every step Chizumi took forward, he instinctively stepped back.
Gone was his composure—only fear remained.
He turned to his retainers.
"My lord—" one whispered, swallowing hard.
"We swear we didn't say anything! We don't even know who this guy is!"
Nauma gritted his teeth.
So this spoiled brat really was hiding something.
He glared at Chizumi.
"Uchiha Chizumi!" he shouted.
"This man is a direct envoy from the Daimyō himself! He's a guest of the Third Hokage and a noble of the Land of Fire! If you don't want to start a war between Konoha and the Daimyō—stand down! Do not take another step toward Kyusuke-sama!"
He had a job to do.
Even if Chizumi was a monster, Nauma wasn't weak.
He just had to buy time—until the Hokage arrived.
"Kyusuke-sama, fall back with the others!" Nauma said coldly.
"This is a ninja matter now."
A retainer cried,
"Nauma! You have to stop that maniac!"
"I'll do what I can."
…
Elsewhere...
"Huh? Naruto?!"
On his way to greet the envoy, Sarutobi Hiruzen spotted a familiar figure.
Wait—
What was Naruto doing?
In his view, the boy was sweeping the street with a broom in one hand and a dustpan in the other, sweat pouring down his face.
Hiruzen walked over and patted the kid's head.
Naruto turned around—
"Gramps!!"
"Naruto, what is this? Another prank?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
Naruto's grin immediately vanished into a pout.
He explained everything from earlier.
Hiruzen frowned. "So Chizumi talked to you? Did he hurt you?"
Given Naruto was a jinchūriki, and Chizumi had the Mangekyō, he couldn't help but be concerned.
Naruto mumbled, "He picked me up, then put me down, and said I have to clean this street for six months."
He sounded like a kid tattling to the teacher.
He looked up, hoping the Third Hokage would take his side.
But Hiruzen just chuckled, "That's probably a good thing. Might help you calm down a bit. I'm tired of the villagers reporting your pranks every week."
Naruto's world crumbled.
…
After walking a few more meters, Hiruzen glanced back toward a shadowy corner.
An Anbu agent emerged.
"Hokage-sama. No signs of Sharingan use. He just gave Naruto a lecture."
Hiruzen relaxed—then scowled.
"Then why didn't you stop him?"
"…"
"…Cough."
Hiruzen coughed awkwardly.
Last time someone tried to interfere with Chizumi—
Two Root ninja died, and even Danzo got dragged into it.
Yeah… better not push it.
"Keep Naruto away from the Uchiha for now," he said quietly.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
…
Back at the confrontation...
Nauma spotted Chizumi's hand resting on his sword. It shifted—barely an inch out of the sheath.
Shit. He's not listening.
Does this monster not understand what "Daimyō's son" means?!
Nauma moved fast, forming a one-handed seal.
Lightning crackled in his palm.
"Lightning Style: Fanged Blade!"
Electricity arced along the blade like the teeth of a beast.
"Gotta strike first!"
WHOOSH—
He dashed forward, sword slashing toward Chizumi—
CLANG!
Steel met steel, sparks flying.
Nauma shifted, knocking Chizumi's blade aside—then stabbed his own blade into the ground.
He clapped his hands together.
"Lightning Style—Thunder Cage!!"
It was all about stalling now.
He knew he couldn't win—he just had to hold out.
Electric arcs surged forward, forming a cage meant to trap Chizumi—
But then—
Chizumi's right arm, blazing with lava, launched forward.
Nauma's eyes went wide in disbelief.
The molten arm blasted straight through the lightning.
Even as lightning exploded around it, splashing lava and gouging craters, Chizumi didn't flinch.
"...Oh no!!!"
Nauma raised his sword to block—but the moment it touched the lava, it melted.
Not even lightning chakra could save it.
SPLURT—
The burning lava arm pierced straight through Nauma's chest.
His flak jacket offered zero defense—like paper.
The searing heat cooked his insides in an instant.
Nauma's eyes bulged, blood vessels bursting.
"GUH—!"
He vomited blood, half-boiled.
"Konoha Military Police in action. Interference—will be dealt with lethally."
For the first time, Nauma heard Chizumi's voice up close.
And realized—
The gap between them?
Was terrifyingly vast.
~~~
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