Early December, Year 25 of Konoha.
Over the past two months, Konoha's major and minor news had given all the gossip-loving onlookers plenty to laugh about.
Before they had even finished talking about some Hyuga Clan member being taken away by the Uchiha Military Police Force that morning on suspicion of gathering a crowd to cause trouble—
word had already spread throughout Konoha that afternoon that some Uchiha clansman had been jumped in an alley, bagged over the head, and beaten senseless.
The onlookers all expressed the same sentiment: both sides should keep up the good work.
They were clearly the sort who loved watching trouble escalate.
Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage set down the newspaper in his hand and raised a hand to rub at his tightly furrowed brow.
The past two months had given him no end of headaches.
Although the Hyuga clansmen who had just been thrown into prison were soon safely released,
what could anyone say afterward when the Uchiha simply claimed they had been carrying out their duties?
And anyone with half a brain knew that the Uchiha being bagged and brutally beaten had been the Hyuga Clan's doing.
But there was no evidence.
Even if they tried entrapment, the Byakugan's ability to see through things meant that the moment they sensed something was wrong, everyone would have already fled.
"What a headache, what a headache..."
The Third Hokage had already lost count of how many times he had complained about this lately.
Both clans were ruthless in their own way.
Recently, he had often found himself lamenting the darkness of human nature.
"Third Hokage, the two clan heads of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans have started arguing in Konoha's bathhouse." An Anbu hurried in through the window and dropped to one knee as he reported.
"Let's go. Remember to bring more people!" The Third Hokage shot to his feet on reflex.
Clearly, similar incidents had happened many times over the past two months.
Inside Konoha's bathhouse.
Two groups faced each other with murderous intent.
"Old Fossil, what gives you the right to book the whole bathhouse? Do you think the Uchiha Clan has no one?" Chiken was furious.
Today, he had intended to gather the clansmen who had recently been targeted for a good scrub and a heart-to-heart talk.
Yet the moment he entered, he saw his old rival leading a group inside, loudly demanding to reserve the place.
Chiken didn't believe that for a second.
If he hadn't seen the other man bring people in, would he have been so generous as to book the entire place?
"Our Hyuga Clan has always been generous and hospitable..."
"Old Geezer, why don't you join us? I'll cover the entire bill today!" Meitoku was furious too.
Had there been few Hyuga clansmen arrested and thrown into prison by the Uchiha lately?
He had only just arrived with the victims from his clan when he saw the other side walk in with their people.
How could he possibly look kindly upon the culprit behind it all?
"Old Fossil, if you've got the guts, come outside and spar!"
"Bring it on, Old Geezer!"
The Third Hokage had barely arrived when he heard the commotion inside.
If this kept up, he feared he would make Konoha history as the first Hokage to die from exhaustion.
"Quiet down. Let this old man say a few words." After entering, the Third Hokage quickly looked them over. "Come on, Clan Heads. Have a cigarette and calm down."
With practiced ease, the Third Hokage pulled out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to each of them.
Ever since seeing Chiken's imposing appearance that day, he had decided to throw away his pipe.
The thing felt good to smoke, sure, but it simply wasn't as domineering as a cigarette.
Accepting it meant showing respect; refusing meant inviting trouble. Even an idiot knew which choice to make.
The Third Hokage personally lit their cigarettes, then asked calmly, "What happened today, you two? How did you end up arguing just from coming to the bathhouse?"
"The Old Fossil wanted to book the whole place." Chiken was the first to accuse him.
How could Meitoku endure that? "Our Hyuga Clan is plenty generous. I offered to treat this old geezer too, but he refused."
Both of them had their reasons.
But the Third Hokage did not care about that. What mattered in peacetime was stability. He could not let the other villages enjoy such a spectacle.
"How about this, Clan Heads? Another day, I'll invite all the major clan heads of Konoha out so we can have a proper discussion about how the clans should get along."
Chiken slowly exhaled a ring of smoke and agreed. "Fine. This time, I'll give the Third Hokage some face..."
"I'm just afraid this Old Fossil doesn't know when to appreciate a favor."
"Old Geezer, don't slander me maliciously..." Meitoku shot Chiken a glance. "Third Hokage, I agree to this."
"Then we'll set the date for next month. The exact time will need to be discussed further." The Third Hokage quickly made the decision, as though afraid the two would change their minds.
"Understood, Third Hokage." X2
"Old Fossil/Old Geezer, why are you copying me?!"
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, the Third Hokage immediately added, "Also, both your clans should settle down for a while. At the very 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.
Only after perfectly resolving the incident did the Third Hokage dare relax his taut nerves.
He believed that, at the very least, the village could return to peace until next month.
"You can all head back first." After ordering the Anbu to leave, the Third Hokage departed alone.
Right now, he wanted to relax properly.
Handling incidents like this every so often had exhausted him lately.
Above Konoha's Hokage Rock, near a river.
"Shin, is this place safe enough? No one will find us, right?"
"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 is also said to be where Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara first met."
"Really? Shin, how did you know that?"
"Everyone in the Uchiha Clan knows that, okay?"
Shin and Nao, who had slipped out in secret, were quietly—no, meeting and chatting beside the small river of Naka River.
Recently, they had secretly slipped out every few days to spar and exchange insights.
Thanks to their great strategy of striking once and changing locations, neither had been discovered by their respective clans so far.
"How is that idea you mentioned last time coming along?" Shin had been very interested in the idea she proposed after their previous meeting.
"It's difficult to achieve, and I still haven't completely mastered shape transformation."
Nao was a little discouraged. Her recent sparring matches with Shin had all ended in draws.
She knew he only did that every time because he did not want to embarrass her.
But she wanted to win, even if only once.
"Shape transformation? I've been studying that lately too. Want me to demonstrate it for you?"
Hearing Shin's response only made Nao more dejected.
He could skillfully master both nature transformation and shape transformation.
A genius like him would become a Jonin within a few years.
Shin applied shape transformation to his Chakra, compressing it into the form of a fire dragon.
Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!
The dragon-shaped high-temperature flames slammed into the waters of Nanga River.
"Sizzle..."
The crimson fire dragon evaporated part of the river, raising waves of mist along the bank.
"So beautiful..."
Reflected in the firelight, the mist glittered like stars.
After releasing the jutsu, Shin turned back with a flourish and gave Nao a broad smile. "Do you know why I work so hard to become stronger?"
"Is it so your word carries weight in the village?"
"No, that was just a joke. My true goal is to protect everything I have—my family, the Uchiha Clan, Konoha, the ninja world..."
"And Nao. All of you are proof that I exist in this world..." Shin paused and looked at her seriously. "This world is cruel, so I want to find a way to achieve true peace."
That goal left Nao slightly dazed.
Looking at the boy illuminated by shimmering water, she gave him her most heartfelt blessing. "I believe you'll definitely find a way to achieve true peace."
"No. I hope we can search for it together. I'm not the kind of arrogant person who cannot tolerate having someone behind me."
Nao was stunned by Shin's words.
She nodded awkwardly and agreed to it.
Before you continue