After a minor clash, there is often a period of calm—hiding even greater schemes beneath the surface. Time, however, is the least patient of all things. In the blink of an eye, six months had already passed.
Although the reputation of the Uchiha Police Force wasn't exactly great, everyone had gradually developed a habit: if a dispute arose, don't argue—report it immediately. Otherwise, even a few heated words could get you punished.
What was that charge called again?
Verbal Abuse Offense: Using uncivil language anywhere is prohibited. If caught, a fine of 5,000 ryo.
So "watch your words" truly wasn't an exaggeration.
These days, scenes like this often appeared on Konoha's streets at night:
Two drunk men, red-faced from alcohol and on the verge of arguing, would suddenly—
One would throw an arm around the other.
"Hehehe, we're such good friends…"
The other would instantly catch on and sing along:
"Hehehe, yeah, we're good friends—let's do this again tomorrow morning!"
Patrolling members of the Police Force passing by would shiver in disgust and mutter quietly:
"The world's going downhill… How did Konoha's atmosphere become like this?"
Once the patrol left, the two drunks would immediately separate, stagger to the side, and vomit their guts out against a wall.
While vomiting, they'd say in unison:
"Disgusting… That was seriously disgusting."
That was one of Konoha's "scenic views."
...
Outside Konoha—
No, outside the Land of Fire—
"Earth Release: Super Rock Fist Technique!"
Boom!
Dust exploded into the air.
"Kid, are you trying to scratch an itch?"
From within the dust, a massive tongue lashed out, sweeping toward the figure ahead.
The figure instantly used Body Flicker to dodge, narrowly avoiding the strike.
The giant tongue missed.
"Hey, hey, hey—big lizard, have some hygiene, will you? If you cover me in drool, how am I supposed to face anyone?"
"Idiot! This is saliva—you uncultured brat!"
"Oh please, stop putting on airs. You're just a big lizard."
"Have you ever seen a lizard that can change colors?"
"Isn't that just a chameleon?"
"Damn! Just answer me—am I a dragon or not?!"
"Big lizard, you're twisting my words!"
"Ugh, you're so annoying. Are you really from the Senju clan? The Senju I knew back in my time were all polite. With that sharp tongue of yours, you sound more like an Uchiha."
At those words, the figure suddenly froze.
A surge of blue chakra erupted skyward from his body.
"You damn lizard! How dare you describe me, Senju Hideki, with the most vicious words in the world! I'm going to beat you to death—Rock Susanoo!"
Susanoo: Why do I feel like I've lost something…
A massive stone giant rose from the ground and charged at the giant lizard.
The lizard, meanwhile, was completely baffled.
What just happened? What did I even say? Why is he so mad?
While the two fought fiercely—
On the other side—
Hyūga Hiyasu was laughing so hard he rolled on the ground.
"Hahaha! Kamito, 'the most vicious words in the world'—what do you think?"
Uchiha Kamito smiled faintly.
"What? Hyūga Hiyasu, you actually called me a member of the Senju clan? You dare describe me, Uchiha Kamito, with the most vicious words in the world? Die—Fire Release: Storm Dance!"
A torrent of flames, carried by a powerful airflow, surged toward Hiyasu.
"Damn it! That's cheating—you're ambushing me! Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"
In an instant, the two moved aside and began fighting elsewhere.
As for why they didn't fight there—
A figure in a black hood and sunglasses was sitting nearby.
Tiny insects crawled across his face from time to time, as if receiving information.
"Sigh… Failed again? Looks like the limits of insects really can't be broken…"
Aburame Shiken raised his head and glanced around.
Hmm.
Reasonable.
This was very much their style.
But honestly… why did this feel like babysitting?
A Police Force captain, the head of the Hyūga branch family, and the Senju clan leader—why did their dynamic look like this?
Better check on the Inuzuka clan head, Inuzuka Ryoha.
Shiken connected to several "camera insects" near the Inuzuka kennels.
"Ryoha, I made some new snacks. Let me feed you—come on, open your mouth."
"Mmm, no, don't use your hands."
"If not my hands, then what?"
"Of course, like this."
Connection terminated.
Shiken immediately removed his sunglasses, rubbing his eyes, then took out his water bottle to wash them.
Too disgusting.
...
On the outskirts of Konoha, in a hidden training ground within the Forest of Death—
A flash of yellow light.
Bang!
"Ow… This jutsu is really hard to practice. And it's just fast… is it actually useful?"
Minato Namikaze clutched his forehead and muttered softly.
He thought of his friends. Compared to them, he seemed to have fallen far behind.
This Flying Thunder God Technique… can it really help me catch up to them?
He recalled their performances during the war—
The unrivaled strategists commanding millions of insects: Shiken, Shikuro, Shibi;
Hideki, who could go head-on against the Third Raikage;
Hiyasu, the natural counter to the Kaguya clan;
Kamito, a born shinobi;
Ryoha and Rinko, brimming with ferocity;
And the perfectly coordinated trio—Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza.
When did I become the weakest among them?
This forbidden technique I chose from the scroll my teacher's teacher gave me… can it really help me catch up?
Hiruzen Sarutobi: I'll accept being called your grand-teacher. Minato, you're the only grandstudent I acknowledge.
Flying Thunder God Technique: Minato, you have to believe in our bond. Among all the forbidden jutsu in the Scrolls of Seal, you chose me alone—wasn't that fate?
"Honestly, that Scrolls of Seal just looks impressive. There's an enhanced Shadow Clone, a flawed technique that plays with the souls of the dead, an illusion that blocks vision, a pile of Wood Release ideas… and then this Flying Thunder God Technique, which just seems like an upgraded Body Flicker. Maybe it'll be somewhat useful."
Just as the Flying Thunder God Technique was agonizing over how to transcend life and death to warn Minato—
"Wow, Minato! What was that just now? Flashing back and forth—it looked amazing!"
Uzumaki Kushina arrived, carrying her homemade food.
"Ah, Kushina—you really think so?"
"Of course! A flash of yellow light and you're somewhere else—so cool!"
"Haha, then I'll definitely master this Flying Thunder God Technique."