"Otō-sama…"
Akimichi Torikaze trembled as he looked at his usually jovial father. At this mont, the round man radiated an aura of bloodlust that made everyone nearby instinctively step back.
Before him lay a man as thin as a stick, wrapped in bloodstained bandages. The most disturbing part was that his hands had been severed entirely, with dark red blood continuously seeping through the gauze.
"Nobu! Wake up, it's , your second brother!"
The rotund man, none other than the current Akimichi clan head, Akimichi Shinji, looked at his long-lost cousin with red-rimd eyes and a trembling voice.
Though he wasn't particularly close to Akimichi Nobu, having a clansman paraded out in such a pitiful state in front of a crowd was a slap to the clan's dignity.
"Apologies, Clan Head Shinji. This morning, Akimichi Nobu lost control and severely injured a mber of our Senju clan. Fearing further catastrophe, we were left with no choice but to take extre asures."
Senju Tobirama appeared behind Shinji with a swift flicker, explaining calmly. His eerie speed startled the surrounding ninja clans, forcing them to reconsider their own defenses.
"Our Akimichi clan demands an explanation."
Shinji growled through clenched teeth, glaring at Tobirama. Other captives from the clans were crippled but intact. Yet his own cousin lay here barely clinging to life.
"Shinji, calm down. Let's talk this through."
Saru Satoshi quickly tried to pacify Shinji before things escalated. Then he turned to Tobirama with a stiff tone. If he didn't defend his alliance now, how could he expect continued loyalty?
"Tobirama-dono, the Ninja Alliance is one unit. What concerns Clan Head Shinji concerns us all. We hope you'll offer a satisfactory resolution."
A flicker of red glinted in Tobirama's eyes. The Akimichi clan alone wasn't worth much. But when all the clans stood united, he couldn't dismiss the matter lightly.
The idea he had of simply offering so land or wealth vanished. Clearly, this wouldn't be solved by tossing them a few houses.
"This child—he is your son, correct?"
Tobirama's gaze fell on the chubby boy who had squeezed to the front to see Nobu, clearly unaware of the gravity of the situation.
"He is," Shinji frowned, a little confused but confirming anyway.
"I sense potential in him. I'd like to take him as my student. What say you?"
Tobirama casually praised the boy, then offered the compensation he deed sufficient.
Since material goods wouldn't placate the Akimichi, he would offer himself instead.
"Eh…"
Shinji was montarily stunned. He had expected a bribe or promise of clan support—not an offer that made him feel like he was scheming to marry off his son for power.
"Shinji, do it."
Saru Satoshi leaned over and whispered, "Becoming Tobirama's disciple will only strengthen your clan's position in Konoha."
That swayed Shinji. The Senju were rising fast, and Hashirama's leadership over the village was a certainty. If the Akimichi could secure ties with them now, they'd be set for life.
"Torikaze! Co greet your teacher!"
Making his decision, Shinji smacked his son's head and shoved him forward.
"Huh?"
Still confused, Torikaze found himself pushed before a very stern-looking Tobirama. Terrified, he still bowed obediently.
"Student Akimichi Torikaze greets Sensei~"
With that, the tense atmosphere dissolved like spring snow. Smiles and relief replaced wary stares.
Clap clap clap—
Just then, applause echoed. Hashirama stepped out, looking very pleased.
"Congratulations, Tobirama. Another fine student."
"Aniki, you're finally here! Say a few words!"
Tobirama stepped aside to let his brother take center stage.
"Ahem. I'll keep it brief."
Standing in the spotlight, Hashirama swept his tiger-like gaze over the crowd with a smile.
"Dear villagers and ninja clans, good afternoon! Today marks a morable—"
"That's Hashirama? He doesn't seem very smart."
In the crowd, a few kids whispered while watching the verbose speech.
"Hiruzen, didn't your dad say he was strong? He doesn't look it."
Shimura Danzō wrinkled his nose, unimpressed.
"Shh! Father said his aura alone is terrifying. Just making eye contact makes your heart freeze."
Hiruzen crouched low, eyes serious. His father had warned him not to disrespect that man.
"Danzō, your big butt is squishing !"
Behind him, a black-haired girl with a bun hairstyle pouted.
"Ah! Sorry, Koharu!" Danzō blushed and quickly moved, only to bump into soone else.
"Ah! My glasses—my glasses!"
Mito n'en had been listening intently when he got knocked down. His glasses flew off, leaving him blindly groping the floor.
"Danzō! Help him find his glasses already!"
Koharu, once again annoyed, scolded him. The trio and Hiruzen all bent down to search, but the dense crowd made it difficult.
"Are you looking for these?"
A gentle voice spoke. The four kids looked up to see a smiling black-haired boy holding the missing glasses.
"So handso!" Koharu's face flushed, entranced by the boy's charm.
"Thank you so much!" Mito n'en bead as he reclaid his sight.
"Hi, I'm Sarutobi Hiruzen. You are?"
The boy seed familiar—especially that wild curly hair.
"Hi, I'm Uchiha Kagami. Are you here to join Konoha? Welco~"
Kagami had recently beco Tobirama's student and had been left to his own devices, often shadowing his teacher for lessons.
"Uchiha, huh…"
Realizing this boy was from the sa clan as the miracle doctor who saved his father, Hiruzen relaxed his guard.
"Thanks again. You were a big help."
"No problem, it's what I should do."
Kagami had been raised on Uchiha Gin's strict moral code—helping grannies cross roads and delivering water to widows were second nature to him.
"Your face is red. Are you sick? My uncle's good at dicine, want to take you to him?"
He noticed Koharu's flushed face and asked kindly.
"Hiruzen, is this guy related to that curly-haired nace?"
Danzō leaned in, whispering sharply.
"Even if not his son, they're definitely close kin."
Those curls were hard to mistake. Hiruzen warned Danzō to stay calm.
"Hmph! No wonder he's so annoying."
Watching Koharu swoon over Kagami, Danzō grunted and turned his huge butt toward the boy in protest.
"Um, is he your friend too? Should we get him checked out?"
Kagami blinked at Danzō's unusual physique and asked kindly.
"Mind your own business!"
Danzō snapped, turning away. One day, I'll master Butt Release and crush you curly freaks!
"Okay, just be careful. Don't ignore small symptoms. My uncle says tumors need to be removed completely."
Trying to be helpful, Kagami offered so dical advice, completely misunderstanding the situation.
"Huh?"
Hiruzen flinched, face pale.
CRACK CRACK CRACK!
Suddenly, firecrackers exploded in the distance, drawing everyone's attention.
anwhile, Hashirama's speech droned on…
"…The Senju clan is committed to peaceful conflict resolution…"
The crowd, bored to sleep, perked up at the sounds and began migrating toward the commotion.
"What's going on over there, Tobirama? Didn't we tell the rchants to delay their openings?"
Hashirama frowned.
"Uh… that's the Uchiha holding center."
Tobirama blinked, his eyes gleaming red as he peered over.
"Who's in charge there?"
"Let see… that curly-haired guy."
Seeing the familiar figure, Tobirama's face twisted.
"Huh? Gin-aniki?"
Hashirama's righteous fury vanished. Instead, he put on a smile and waved cheerfully.
"Co on, let's see what the Uchiha are up to!"
As the group approached, they heard blaring music from a massive speaker.
Gin had stayed up all night recording an anthem for the event.
Each lyric was full of sorrow and humor, perford with raspy, passionate emotion.
"Uchiha fan, Uchiha fan! Our dungeon has gone bankrupt—"
"The best welfare in the best dungeon, gone bankrupt—"
"That bastard Madara, obsessed with wooden dolls—"
"Owed 3.5 billion, ran away with his doll—"
"We had no choice, now we sell prisoners for wages—"
"Originally 10 million, 20 million, 30 million bounties—all now just 2 million—"
"2 million! 2 million! All just 2 million—"
"Madara, you bastard! You're not human!"
"We worked so hard for you all our lives—"
"You never paid wages—give us our blood and sweat money—"
"Give us our blood and sweat money!"
"Tobirama… that voice…"
Hashirama stopped mid-step.
"Yeah. It's him. Didn't expect he was also a talented singer. I must challenge him one day."
While his brother was stunned, Tobirama looked oddly impressed.
The title of Konoha's Diva won't go to a curly-haired guy without a fight!
"See? Even the best product is useless without advertisent."
Gin nodded in satisfaction, seeing the captivated crowd.
"Hey! Look! There's a banner!"
"Uchiha Dungeon Auction Center?"
Gin adjusted his mic. Dressed in a sharp suit with his curls slicked down and gold-rimd glasses, he introduced himself.
"Hey, aren't these prisoners supposed to be free?"
A crowd mber shouted.
"Good question, little brother! That was a promotion. Now we're in auction mode!"
You Senju gave them away. We never agreed to free handouts!
"Onii-sama! Didn't you confirm this with Uchiha Madara?"
Tobirama turned to his brother accusingly.
"Uh… did I say it or not…?"
Hashirama looked away guiltily.
"Tobirama-dono, this isn't what we agreed on!"
Saru Satoshi frowned.
"Ahem… slight misunderstanding."
Tobirama scratched his face, embarrassed.
"Ahem! Everyone, calm down. It's just so money. Consider it for Konoha's developnt."
Hashirama stepped in, voice calm but firm.
So… are you donating or not?
"Fine. 2 million isn't a big deal."
Saru Satoshi yielded, calling it a donation of gratitude for saving his son.
"2 million! We, the Yamanaka, will pay! Release Elder Sōichirō!"
A beautiful woman shouted urgently.
"Ma'am! Our auction hasn't started yet!"
Gin's eyes sparkled. Already a client!
"Not just him! Release Uncle Kazunari too!"
"Great! Let's start the auction with the Yamanaka clan!"
In the holding cell backstage:
"Hah! We win! Yamanaka is the most loyal!"
Sōichirō grinned, collecting wager tokens from his fellow inmates.
"Satoshi hesitated! I taught him better than that!"
Grumbling, Takinosuke tossed his clan token.
"Shinji must be hungry—he's slower than usual."
The Akimichi elder plucked a "Food" token from his fingers.
"Useless bet."
Shimura Jinji tossed his clan's token, scoffing at his disappointing nephew.
"You bet, you pay. I'll teach my brat a lesson later!"
"Looks like they've forgotten my glory!"
"Rich! I'm filthy rich!"
Sōichirō cradled the tokens, each worth 1 million—leaving prison richer than ever.
"Sōichirō, it's ti to go."
"Coming~"
He skipped toward freedom…
"Strip. No underwear either."
...and his smile vanished.
(End of Chapter)
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