Charge * Chase

Although Izuna was trying his best to make Zo-Na's story as believable as possible within the Warring States Period, he overlooked one thing.

If such examples truly existed, the Uchiha Clan wouldn't have believed for so long that pain was the condition for awakening the Sharingan.

However, Hinata believed it because of his young age, while Izuna subconsciously thought that everything could be attributed to Parallel World and ignored his identity within the Uchiha Clan in this world.

That is, he should be the "original" Uchiha Izuna who faked his death half a year ago and has now returned.

But if the story Izuna told about the little girl who had no talent but had her eyes opened is true...

Then he wouldn't be "Uchiha Izuna".

However, based on Clan Head's reaction and Izuna's knowledge of everyone's names, he should be Uchiha Izuna.

So where exactly did things go wrong?

The Elders exchanged glances, suppressed their doubts, and let Hinata leave first.

Meanwhile, Izuna's friends were all extremely busy.

They are currently in dire straits.

The Inuzuka Dobin has gone on a mission.

Her wedding with Inuzuka Kuromaru is just around the corner. This bride-to-be not only wants to save up one last bit of money for the wedding, but also wants to take advantage of this last "couple's mission" as an unmarried person to cultivate her relationship with her future husband and enjoy their last moments together before the wedding.

Being away from home, they naturally couldn't participate in the village's "lively activities."

Hyuuga Haruhi fixed on the clan grounds, as he was facing Elder of the main Main Family or a steward of the Branch Family because he was Izuna's friend.

Internal turmoil is brewing within the Hyuga Clan. He is a rising star among the younger generation, a member of a collateral branch, and has a close personal relationship with Izuna.

This is a sensitive time; let alone going out for a stroll, even taking a few extra steps might attract unwanted attention.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio— Nara Shikyou, Yamanaka Iharu, and Akimichi Gaku— may seem carefree on the surface, but in reality, each of them has their own troubles.

The Nara Clan truly lives up to their reputation as the intellectual backbone of Konoha.

The charter, process plan, and official announcement documents for the Hokage Appointment Ceremony.

These tedious but crucial administrative tasks immediately fell to them.

As the son of the Clan Head and a standout among the younger generation, Nara Shikyou has no chance of escaping.

He was currently facing a mountain of documents and the incessant discussions of the clan elders, rubbing his temples with a headache, his mind seemingly using Shadow Sewing Technique to sew everyone's mouths shut.

The Yamanaka Clan's flower shop and herb business have seen a visibly surge in orders, thanks to Konoha's growing fame and the upcoming opening of the village.

Especially those exquisitely arranged and artistic flower arrangements and high-end herbal gift boxes are simply the perfect choice for nobles and wealthy merchants to express "closeness to Konoha" or "pretending to be cultured".

Yamanaka Iharu, the master of flower arranging, has now been conscripted by the elders of her clan and spends all her time in the flower room and workshop. Her delicate hands are almost calloused from the thorns and herbs, and her home has practically become a large-scale packaging assembly line.

As for Akimichi Gaku? Their situation is the simplest and most straightforward: their food needs have skyrocketed!

Whether it's preparing for a possible "open day" reception or dealing with the surge in gatherings and discussions within the tribe due to various news, a huge amount of delicious food is needed.

The Akimichi Clan's kitchen and warehouse now resemble a wartime logistics center, bustling with activity, with smoke rising and aromas wafting for miles.

As the future Clan Head leader and a seasoned foodie, Akimichi Gaku was either tasting new products or coordinating ingredient procurement, so busy that he had to squeeze in time to even eat snacks.

Among them, Sarutobi Sasuke the most tragic fate.

This young man, who played the important role of "Taira no Shigemori" in the first half of "The Tale of the Heike", was surrounded by the elders of the Sarutobi Clan and curious peers as soon as he returned to the village, and they questioned him for a very long time.

From his feelings on stage to his observations off stage, from the attitude of the Daimyo to the reactions of the common people... he recounted every single detail of his time in Kyoto.

Sasuke felt like he was being skinned alive by all the questions, and his voice was hoarse.

Even Aburame Pin and Shimura Mu, who did not go to Kyoto, were disturbed by the various discussions and sudden changes within the clan.

Although the Aburame Clan keeps a low profile, they have a well-developed intelligence network. They may hear more "insider information" than anyone else, and it takes them more effort to digest it.

The Shimura Clan is particularly sensitive to changes in Konoha's power structure and its future development. Various analyses and speculations circulate within the clan, causing young Shimura Mu to feel a strange pressure and irritability.

So, at a certain unanimous moment, these young people, who were dizzy from the internal affairs or the storm of public opinion, tacitly agreed to each find an excuse and secretly slip out of the clan's territory at the same time.

Then, they met again at the Training Ground where they often gathered.

The group looked at each other, their faces reflecting the same exhaustion, helplessness, and relief at finally escaping, and sighed in unison.

Before I could even say hello or complain, I saw that figure strolling over with hands in his sleeves, looking around with an innocent expression that seemed to say, "The Tenten, who am I going to hang out with?"

Uchiha Izuna.

Everyone: "..."

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.

All the exhaustion, all the frustration, all the resentment born of torment, instantly turned into indignation the moment I saw Izuna's "all is well under heaven, I am the only one at ease" demeanor!

Wow, this kid!

This incident caused a huge upheaval, stirring up the entire Shinobi World, altering the future trajectory of Konoha, and triggering internal turmoil among various clans...

The culprit, right in the eye of the storm, was simply strolling around like nothing had happened?!

And they still have that "I'm so bored, who wants to play with me?" look on their faces!

Sarutobi Sasuke clenched his fists, recalling the horrific ordeal of being Wheel interrogated by the clan elders until his throat was parched.

Nara Shikyou's face darkened as he thought of the endless pile of documents on his desk.

Yamanaka Iharu rubbed his sore wrists, looking at Izuna's clean and refreshed appearance, clearly having just had a good sleep and meal, and then comparing it to his own fingertips covered in flower juice and grass clippings.

Akimichi Gaku rubbed his rumbling stomach, thinking about how his own kitchen was bustling with activity while he could only spare a few moments to eat Military Rations Pill.

Although Aburame Pin and Shimura Mu were not directly harmed, they were still stimulated by the huge contrast and Izuna's "it's none of my business" expression.

The group exchanged a glance.

We can't let him Xiaoyao with this!

Grab him!

Let him experience the thrill of "liveliness" too!

Izuna was clearly unaware of the approaching danger. When he saw his friends on the Training Ground, his eyes lit up, and a bright smile immediately spread across his face as he waved happily.

"Hey! What a coincidence! You're all here? Perfect, I was just wondering who would keep me company! Come on, I know a new Dango Shop that opened, the taste is super--"

He hadn't even uttered the word "great" yet.

Several figures pounced on him like hungry tigers, surrounding him with lightning speed!

"Uchiha Izuna!" Sarutobi Sasuke grabbed his neck, his voice laced with a "friendly" yet clenched-teeth tone, "You've made us search high and low!"

Nara Shikyou smiled insincerely and said, "Lord Izuna is truly a busy man, yet he seems quite leisurely."

Yamanaka Iharu smiled gently, "Izuna- kun, my family's flower shop has been receiving too many orders lately, and we're having some trouble with the styling. We were just about to ask you for advice."

Akimichi Gaku was even more direct, reaching out and grabbing Izuna's other shoulder. "Dango Shop? Great! I'm starving! But this time you're treating!"

Although Aburame Pin and Shimura Mu didn't say anything, they blocked any possible escape routes from the left and right, their eyes saying, "You're not getting away today."

Enveloped by this sudden "enthusiasm," Izuna's smile froze. He blinked, looking at this person and then at that person, finally belatedly realizing that something was wrong.

Izuna's mouth narrowed into a dot as he quickly broke free from Sarutobi Sasuke's embrace, chuckling awkwardly, "Haha, well, I suddenly remembered I have something to do..."

Then he turned and ran!

"Grab him!!"

In unison, everyone gave the order and chased after them like arrows released from a bow!

Thus, Konoha, which had just begun to recover some peace from the chaos in Kyoto, was once again plunged into utter chaos.

Like a nimble squirrel, Izuna darted onto the nearest rooftop and ran forward without looking back.

Several figures were hot on their heels.

"Don't even think about running! Uchiha Izuna! You have to explain yourself to us today!" Sarutobi Sasuke's voice came from behind, filled with grief and indignation after being "tortured".

"Yeah! Why is it that you can cause trouble outside and come back so relaxed!" Akimichi Gaku shouted as he ran, his stomach rumbling in response, adding to his resentment.

"Stop!" Nara Shikyou, though not physically top-tier, was quick-witted and tried to anticipate Izuna's route to flank him. "Haeharu! Hibiki! Quick! Block him!"

With a flick of her slender hand, Yamanaka Iharu unleashed several paralyzing flower thorns, attempting to slow Izuna's speed.

The Aburame Pin silent, while a swarm of tiny Kikaichū buzzed and dispersed, attempting to disrupt her from the flanks.

Shimura Mu, on the other hand, was more "cunning." As he ran, he shouted to other Konoha Ninjas and residents who might appear on the road, "Help stop that guy up ahead! He's an important 'criminal'!"

For a moment, a spectacular chase unfolded on Konoha's main thoroughfare.

Ahead of them was Izuna, who was running away with his head in his hands, a half-string of Dango dangling from somewhere in his mouth.

Behind them came a menacing "pursuer" with various expressions.

Passersby turned their heads in astonishment at this rare sight.

Some villagers who recognized them were stunned for a moment, then showed expressions of bewilderment, while others simply crossed their arms and watched the spectacle.

"That's... Lord Izuna?"

"Are they chasing after... the Ino-Shika-Cho? And Sarutobi and Shimura too?"

"Is this a new training method?"

"It doesn't look like it... Lord Izuna seems to have something in his mouth?"

"Youth is wonderful, so full of energy!"

In the chaos, Izuna panicked and almost crashed into a newly set-up temporary stall selling Ninja Tools models.

The stall owner frantically tried to steady his stall, but several wooden Shuriken models still crashed to the ground.

"Sorry, sorry!" Izuna shouted without turning her head, her feet never stopping. She even used the collapsed stall frame to do a beautiful somersault in the air, landing steadily on the roof on the other side, and continued to flee.

"My stall!" The young man was on the verge of tears.

The pursuers didn't care about any of that. Akimichi Gaku even activated Partial Expansion Jutsu, extending his arms and using a slap on the ground for leverage. His massive body leaped up with incredible agility, continuing the chase, leaving the stall owner bewildered in the dust.

"Over there! Block him!" Nara Shikyou's shadow silently spread along the wall, trying to restrain Izuna's ankles.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Izuna made a nimble Z-shaped turn just as the shadow was about to touch him, not only dodging the shadow but also snatching a red apple from a passing child and throwing it behind him.

"Ah! My candy!" The child was stunned.

"I'll make you ten later!" Izuna's voice had already faded into the distance.

The child blinked, watching the candied apple that had been knocked away and then snatched away by Akimichi Gaku.

She burst into tears.

The chase intensified, gradually spreading from the main road to the vicinity of the open area under construction.

Several noble servants who were inspecting Konoha, initially somewhat dissatisfied with the village's rather rudimentary environment, stared in disbelief at the scene before them.

They saw Uchiha Izuna, who shone brightly on the Kyoto stage and effortlessly defined the future, now being chased around by a group of his peers without any regard for his image, with food dangling from his mouth and occasionally making some comical dodging movements.

Those who chased him included those who could change size, those who could control insects, and those who attacked with shadows. Those Ninjutsu that they once considered dangerous now... didn't seem so terrifying after all?

The Ninjas of Konoha, and even Ordinary People, didn't seem to find anything wrong with it.

Some people smiled and pointed, some shook their heads helplessly, and many more seemed unsurprised and even enjoying it.

That tense, mysterious image of Ninjas was shattered in this moment.

Instead, it is filled with a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

A young servant couldn't help but mutter, "So this is how Ninjas... are usually like this?"

The initial criticism and dissatisfaction in the eyes of the older servant beside him gradually faded, replaced by a subtle smile.

"It seems... we were wrong." He murmured, his gaze following the deep blue figure leaping across the rooftops. "How could a place with that amazing guy, Uchiha Izuna, possibly be boring?"

He seemed to see the future.

When this open area is truly established, when Konoha faces the world with this open and vibrant attitude...

This place will likely become an unparalleled destination, far exceeding their expectations.