The Senju were furious. They sent people to talk to the Uchiha.
The Uchiha played dumb. They were the ones who leaked the story. Why would they help the Senju save face.
"What was the result?"
The Third Hokage listened to the report in silence, then asked. He had weighed the homeroom teacher's plea. If Hiko truly took Tsunade's money for himself, the boy was not worth backing.
"Princess Tsunade took clan money to the casino. Uchiha Hiko ran into her on the street. That is how it started. She feared he would spread it."
"I understand. You may go."
Left alone, the Third sat with his pipe. No one knew what he decided. As for the Uchiha and Senju spat, he neither endorsed nor stopped it.
"Look, that is Uchiha Hiko."
"Such a handsome kid. What a pity."
Morning gossip chased Hiko down the road. His face did not change.
Did he really not care.
He cared. He also knew that arguing only deepened the stain. Ignore it, and heat turned to mist.
He walked straight to the faculty office.
"Sensei, this is the money Tsunade gave me. Also, I want to apply for early graduation today."
"..."
The teacher stared. The rumors had worried him. Any fool could see the Uchiha were trolling the Senju. That was not something a five year old could fix.
The neat stack of bills eased him. Hiko had not spent a coin.
But the application hit like a shuriken. The Hokage had not even replied to the earlier request, and the boy was already filing.
"Thank you, Sensei," Hiko said, and turned to go.
"Wait." The teacher hurried after him. "Why are you so set on this. Do you know what the test requires. You are five."
"I know. There is a live spar. At least genin level to pass."
He met the teacher's eyes.
"I believe I can do it."
"This is not about belief. It is about..." The teacher rubbed his scalp, at a loss. "Fine. Go to class. I will report to the Hokage myself. I will also ask him to clarify the rumors."
"Thank you, Sensei."
Hiko left warmed by that trust. Early graduation was still non negotiable.
"Keep staring and I will make you regret it!"
He reached the classroom as Tsunade's roar shook the room. He could let time dissolve a lie. She could not.
She had been chewed out at home, then gossiped about all morning. With that temper, she exploded the moment she walked in.
When Tsunade exploded, it was serious. You could not beat her. You could not outname her family. You were not even in the right.
The room fell dead quiet as Hiko stepped inside. A pin would have sung if it hit the floor.
He sat. He set down a wrapped breakfast like always. Whether she could eat was up to her.
Looking at the food, Tsunade's anger scrambled. She was not moved. She was exasperated. Who could eat at a time like this.
"Are you not angry?" she whispered.
The gawkers spun back to their seats under one sharp look from her.
Hiko sighed.
"Please. This started with you. Without you, none of this happens. I already gave the money to Sensei. He will return it to you."
"Ah?"
She had assumed he spent it. Hearing otherwise, she slumped over her desk, strength leaking away.
"And anger helps nothing. The more you rage, the more they think we are hiding something. Breathe."
"..."
How did he do that, she wondered. How did he ignore the world.
"Oh, right." Hiko glanced back. She flinched.
"If you cannot stand it, imagine a troop of monkeys hooting at you. Works for me."
In his head they were not monkeys. They were big idiots. Thinking that made the air feel lighter. When the street buzzed, he muttered, A bunch of idiots talking.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Uchiha Hiko, what is that supposed to mean?"
Her status kept most kids quiet. Hiko's words did not. One boy hopped up at once.
"What do I mean?" Hiko looked at him and smiled. "Shimura Shuki, right. More like Shimura Stick Up. Your parents named you well."
"What does that mean?" Shuki blinked.
"Your brain sticks straight up. Same as a monkey."
He waved him off with a look of disgust. Shuki's dark face turned purple red, like a man fighting constipation.
"Pfft."
Tsunade broke first, snorting at the image. Monkey did fit him a little.
"Jerk!" Shuki slammed the table and pointed at Hiko. "Do not go too far!"