Keeping Your Head Down Is the Price of Joining the Establishment; Liuyun Takes the Chance to Hold a Little Girl's Hand

Inside the Konoha Military Police Force.

"Elder, that bitch Asuka doesn't know what's good for her. I personally went to visit her, and I even gave her your name, but they wouldn't even let me through the front gate..."

Having been treated like that, Uchiha Ken was red with rage. He loathed Liuyun's family to the extreme.

After listening to Uchiha Ken's complaint, Uchiha Sou was speechless. He could only feel that this so-called cousin had failed far too miserably...

Under normal circumstances, who got chased away without even being allowed through the door? Even strangers wouldn't be treated that way, would they?

Looks like I found the wrong person...

The Great Elder had originally thought that communication would be easier since the two families were related by blood. Instead, it had backfired...

"Forget it. You may leave!"

Uchiha Sou waved a hand. He could not even be bothered to listen to Uchiha Ken complain any longer.

"Yes..."

After Uchiha Ken left, Uchiha Sou turned his gaze to Uchiha Tou.

"Tou, I went to see the Third Hokage. He agreed to let Kazuhiko return to school..."

For the sake of one child, the Uchiha Great Elder had personally gone to the Hokage Tower to plead with the Third Hokage. Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen had wanted to refuse him some face, he could not.

Politics was all about mutual concessions. Politicians rarely fought until their heads bled over one person or one matter.

Every major or minor matter could become a political bargaining chip. So long as it had enough value, politicians would not turn a blind eye to it.

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder!"

With reddened eyes, Uchiha Tou bowed deeply.

"The Third Hokage set one condition: Kazuhiko must obtain the forgiveness of the two people involved—Liuyun and Kushina."

"What?!"

Uchiha Tou froze for a moment, then flew into a rage once he understood.

"Has the Third gone mad? My son is the victim here!"

"Kazuhiko's foot still hasn't healed properly. He limps whenever he walks. We haven't even demanded an explanation from them, yet the Third wants my son to apologize to them instead?"

Uchiha Sou sighed upon hearing that.

In truth, the one who had made this demand was not the Third Hokage, but Utatane Koharu, one of the Hokage's two advisors.

That old woman simply wanted to disgust the Uchiha Clan. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the Third Hokage had agreed to the demand without a second thought.

As the weaker side, the Great Elder was in no position to say much. After all, Uchiha Kazuhiko was the one at fault, so he could only grit his teeth and accept the condition.

"Consider this a favor to me and the Third Hokage. Just have Kazuhiko admit his mistake... After all, he really was the one who started it..."

Before Uchiha Tou could argue, Uchiha Sou continued to remind him:

"Kazuhiko has to graduate before he can receive a ninja forehead protector. He also has to become a Hidden Leaf Ninja before he can work in the Military Police Force. You don't want him to be unable to become a ninja, or to be stuck working within the clan for the rest of his life, do you..."

Hearing that, Uchiha Tou lost his temper at once.

Because of a momentary fit of anger, he would never be able to become a "civil servant"? Never get into "the establishment"?

No matter how unwilling he was, Uchiha Tou could only grit his teeth and accept it. After all, this concerned his son's future and fate.

Ninja Academy.

The day's classes ended with the ringing of the bell, and hordes of elementary school students ran happily out of the campus.

"You little rascal, you packed up so quickly. Where are you trying to run off to?"

Just as Liuyun finished packing his bag and was about to leave the classroom, Kushina grabbed him by the sleeve.

"Home, of course... Where else would I go?"

Liuyun tilted his head, his face full of confusion.

"Hmph... Didn't you tell me not to run after school if I had the guts? Well, today I'll grant your wish!"

Kushina curled her lips into a wicked smile, her eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

She wanted to challenge Liuyun to a one-on-one fight...

"..."

"I was joking before..."

"Are you scared, coward?" Kushina tried to provoke him.

"If you say so. A good man doesn't fight with a girl..."

"Cut the crap. You made me laugh out loud and got me punished by the teacher. Now you want to call off the fight? That's not up to you!"

Kushina refused to let go of Liuyun's sleeve.

"You... Are you going to be reasonable or not? Your laugh threshold was obviously too low. You got punished by the teacher yourself, and you even dragged me into getting punished with you. And now you have the nerve to say I caused it?"

Liuyun's teeth itched with anger. He almost wanted to grab that fair, tender arm and bite it hard.

"I don't care. A promise is a promise. There's still plenty of time, so fight me before you go home, okay?"

In truth, challenging Liuyun to a fight was not her only reason for today. She was simply too embarrassed to say what her real purpose was.

"Fine, fine. You brought this on yourself. Don't cry when I beat you until it hurts."

Unable to withstand her pestering, Liuyun could only agree to her unreasonable demand.

This girl was asking for it. A good spanking would probably make her behave.

When the two walked out of the Ninja Academy one after the other, several suspicious elementary school students peeking around in the distance immediately put Liuyun on guard.

He instinctively frowned, but soon relaxed again. Pretending nothing was wrong, Liuyun stayed close behind Kushina.

"Nana..."

"Hmm?"

"Can't we fight inside the Ninja Academy? Do we have to pick a place just to arrange a fight?"

After walking for a while, Liuyun could not help asking curiously. He had no idea where Kushina was taking him.

"Stop asking and just follow me..." Kushina was in a good mood, and she looked exceptionally happy.

"Wait a second..." Liuyun spoke again.

"What is it now?"

Kushina raised an eyebrow, finally growing a little displeased.

Liuyun did not answer. He quickly walked to a grocery store, then took out his allowance and bought a large twin popsicle.

"For you."

He broke it apart and handed the other half to Kushina.

"!!!"

Kushina stared blankly at him. Only after a long while did she snap out of it, her face turning red.

"Is it sweet?"

Liuyun asked with a squinting smile.

"Sweet!"

Kushina nodded instinctively as she held the cool popsicle in her mouth.

It was not just the popsicle that was sweet. Even her whole heart was sweet at that moment...

The smile on her face was innocent and sweet, so much so that Liuyun was momentarily entranced. The next moment, he gathered his courage and took her little hand in his!

"!!!"

Kushina jumped in fright. Her face flushed as she instinctively tried to shake off his hand, but then she heard Liuyun whisper.

"Don't move. Someone is following us. They're from the Uchiha Clan..."

Kushina looked up and saw Liuyun's grave expression. He signaled with his eyes for her to watch behind them.

Pretending nothing was wrong, Kushina casually glanced back and found that there really were black-haired, black-eyed Uchiha children following them.

"They're probably trying to ambush me, but there are too many people on this road, so they don't dare show themselves yet..."

"Let's find somewhere more secluded. I'm going to teach them a proper lesson and make sure they remember it."

As Liuyun spoke, he tugged at the icy-cool, fair little hand. Kushina instantly did not dare resist anymore.

In truth, being followed and holding hands had absolutely nothing to do with each other...

I spent two bucks on a big popsicle. Letting me hold her hand isn't too much, right?