Monkey and Xiao Tuan Tuan's Unspoken Understanding

Since they still had to report to Root's leadership, Orochimaru and Tsunade happily left after scoring free Sweet Drinks from Uchiha Gin with news that would soon be common knowledge.

"So they finally started fighting?"

Watching the two figures recede through the floor-to-ceiling window, Uchiha Gin sighed with a face full of melancholy, without the slightest awareness that he was the instigator.

If he had not egged Old Uncle Tajima into going to Iwagakure to lend money, the Iwa Ninja burdened with enormous debts would not have been driven into a corner.

The crushing economic pressure was already close to destroying the village's public support. If they did not find an external target to divert their internal conflicts now, Ōnoki's political career was about to reach its end.

"Put it on Little Chiri's tab. Thanks."

After charging three cups of sweet drink to the account under the resentful gaze of the shop assistant, Uchiha Gin, preoccupied with his concerns, had no interest in continuing his culinary tour. He casually ordered a Crazy Family Bucket across the street at the Fried Chicken Shop to fill his stomach.

"Burp~"

Rubbing his round belly, Uchiha Gin had barely taken a few steps out of the Fried Chicken Shop when an ordinary-looking man quietly began following him.

"Brother, who are you?"

Sensing an unusual gaze, Uchiha Gin turned around, his eyes full of inquiry.

"Gin-sama, the Old Clan Leader requests your presence."

A flash of scarlet passed through the ordinary-looking man's eyes, serving as an authenticity marker.

Old Uncle?

Uchiha Gin nodded lightly and followed the clan member leading the way into a dark alley. After several twists and turns through the gloomy passage, they finally arrived before an inconspicuous little door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

As the little door was knocked upon, a muffled