Together, Find a Way to Achieve True Peace

The beginning of December in Konoha Year 25.

The big and small news coming out of Konoha these past two months has been a real treat for the gossip-loving masses.

The morning's news of so-and-so from the Hyuga Clan being taken away by the Uchiha police force for allegedly causing a public disturbance hadn't even been fully digested, and by the afternoon, news had already spread throughout Konoha that a member of the Uchiha Clan had been ambushed and beaten in an alley.

The gossipers were all saying, "Please, both sides, keep up the good work!"

They were clearly reveling in the chaos, not caring about the trouble it caused.

In the Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage put down his newspaper and rubbed his furrowed brow.

These past two months had been giving him a massive headache.

Although the Hyuga Clan members who had been arrested were quickly released, what could he do when the Uchiha claimed they were simply fulfilling their duty?

And the Uchiha being ambushed and beaten? It was obvious the Hyuga Clan was behind it.

But there was no evidence.

Even if he wanted to set a trap, the Byakugan's ability to see through things meant they'd be long gone at the first sign of trouble.

"Headache, headache..."

The Third Hokage had lost count of how many times he'd complained about this recently.

These two families were ruthless, each more so than the last.

He'd been lamenting the darkness of human nature lately.

"Third Hokage, the heads of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans are arguing in the Konoha bathhouse," an ANBU reported urgently, entering through the window and kneeling before him.

"Let's go. And bring backup!" the Third Hokage said reflexively, quickly getting to his feet.

Clearly, similar situations had occurred multiple times in the past two months.

Inside the Konoha bathhouse.

Two groups of people were facing off, radiating hostility.

"What right do you have to reserve the entire bathhouse, you old fossil? Do you think the Uchiha Clan has no one to stand up to you?" Chiken said, fuming.

He had planned to bring the Uchiha Clan members who had recently been targeted for a scrub and a heart-to-heart.

But as soon as he walked in, he saw his old rival and his gang loudly declaring they were reserving the place.

Chiken wasn't buying it.

Would they have been so generous with the reservation if they hadn't seen him coming in with his group?

"We of the Hyuga Clan have always been generous and hospitable..."

"Hey old man, why don't you join us? I'm paying for everyone today!" Meitoku retorted, equally angry.

Hadn't the Uchiha been throwing Hyuga Clan members in jail left and right lately?

He had just arrived with the victims from his clan when he saw the other side walking in with their people.

Of course he wasn't going to be friendly to the ringleader.

"Old fossil, come outside and let's settle this!"

"Old man, bring it on!"

The Third Hokage, who had just arrived, heard the commotion inside.

He realized that if things continued like this, he might make history as the first Hokage to die from exhaustion.

"Quiet down, everyone, let me say a few words," the Third Hokage said as he entered, quickly surveying the scene. "Here, you two clan heads, have a smoke and calm down."

The Third Hokage expertly pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered them to the two men.

Ever since he saw Chiken's imposing demeanor that day, he had decided to throw away his pipe.

That thing was nice, but it didn't have the same domineering presence as a cigarette.

Accepting it was giving him face; refusing it was just asking for trouble. Anyone would know what to choose.

The Third Hokage personally lit the cigarettes for them, then said calmly, "Gentlemen, what's going on today? How can you two start arguing just from taking a bath?"

"The old fossil wants to reserve the whole place," Chiken reported first.

Meitoku wasn't about to let that slide. "We Hyuga are very generous. I offered to treat this old guy, but he refused."

Both of them had a point.

But the Third Hokage didn't care about any of that. In times of peace, stability was what mattered. He couldn't let the other villages laugh at them.

"How about this, you two clan heads? Someday I'll invite all the clan heads of Konoha to come out and discuss how the clans can get along better, what do you say?"

Chiken slowly blew out a smoke ring and agreed, "Alright, I'll give the Third Hokage this face this time..."

"I'm just afraid that old fossil won't appreciate it."

"Old geezer, don't slander me..." Meitoku glanced at Chiken, "Third Hokage, I agree to this."

"The date will be set for next month, but the specific time still needs to be discussed carefully." The Third Hokage quickly made a final decision, as if afraid they would go back on their word.

"Understood, Third Hokage." X2

"Old fossil/old geezer, why are you copying me!"

The Third Hokage, seeing the two about to argue again, quickly added, "Also, you two families need to cool it down a bit recently, at least put on a show for the other clans."

"Hmph!" X2

The two snorted at each other and led their people away in opposite directions.

The Third Hokage, having perfectly resolved this incident, finally dared to relax his tense nerves.

He believed that at least until next month, the village would be able to return to peace.

"Everyone, go back for now." After instructing the ANBU to leave, the Third Hokage left alone.

He wanted to relax properly now.

Dealing with similar incidents from time to time had exhausted him.

Above the Konoha rock faces, near a river.

"Shin, is it safe enough here? Won't we be discovered?"

"Don't worry, Nao, no one comes here..."

"This was originally where the Uchiha clan lived for thousands of years."

"Is that so? Does this place have a name?"

"Nanga River, it's also rumored to be the place where Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara first met."

"Really? Shin, how do you know that?"

"Everyone in the Uchiha knows that!"

Shin and Nao, who had sneaked out, were chatting... cough, meeting by the Nanga River.

They had been sneaking out every few days to spar and exchange ideas.

Relying on the great spirit of hitting and running, neither of them had been discovered by their respective clans so far.

"How's that idea you mentioned last time coming along?" Shin was very interested in the idea she had proposed after their last meeting.

"It's difficult to achieve, and I haven't even fully mastered shape manipulation yet."

Nao was a little frustrated, as her recent spars with Shin had all ended in a draw.

She knew he didn't want her to feel embarrassed, which was why he always did that.

But she just wanted to win, even if it was just once.

"Shape manipulation, huh? I've been doing some research on it recently too. How about I give you a demonstration?"

Hearing Shin's reply, Nao felt even more discouraged.

He was able to skillfully master both nature transformation and shape manipulation.

Such a genius would be promoted to Jonin in a few years.

Shin performed shape manipulation on his Chakra, compressing it into the shape of a fire dragon.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

The dragon-shaped high-temperature flames impacted the water of the Nanga River.

"Sizzle..."

The scarlet high-temperature fire dragon evaporated some of the water, creating a mist along the riverbank.

"So beautiful..."

The mist reflected the firelight, shimmering like stars.

Shin released the Ninjutsu and turned back handsomely, giving Nao a big smile, "Do you know why I'm working so hard to become stronger?"

"Is it so you can have a say in the village?"

"No, that was just a joke. My real goal is to protect everything I have: my family, the Uchiha clan, Konoha, the ninja world..."

"And Nao, you are all proof of my existence in this world..." Shin paused, looking at her seriously, "This world is cruel, so I want to find a way to achieve true peace."

This goal made Nao slightly dazed.

She looked at the boy illuminated by the shimmering water and gave her most sincere blessing, "I believe you, you will definitely be able to find a way to achieve true peace."

"No, I hope we can find it together. I'm not the kind of arrogant guy who can't stand having someone behind him."

Nao was stunned by what Shin said.

She nodded and agreed.