"Have they finished investigating the attack on the archives? What the hell are those Uchiha trying to do?"
"Could it have been that Itachi Uchiha?"
"Does the village really have no way to deal with those lawless Uchiha?"
"Shh, keep your voice down."
As Shinji walked in, the conversations in the barbecue restaurant quieted at once.
The diners in the first-floor hall all turned to look at him. Some quickly turned their heads away, their eyes evasive; others wore resentful expressions, while some hid deep wariness in their eyes.
Shinji paid no attention to any of it.
When all was said and done, the villagers weren't afraid of or angry at him. They feared and hated a powerful Uchiha who dared to turn his blade on them!
And for public opinion to have reached such a fever pitch, someone was clearly stirring things up behind the scenes.
Shinji didn't need to guess who it was.
But he didn't interfere.
He had caused this incident for reasons beyond his own plans.
Because of Karin's rampage, the rift between the Five Great Shinobi Villages caused by the Wood Release incident had quickly disappeared.
After facing the enormous threat of the Akatsuki Organization once more, the Five Great Shinobi Villages had no choice but to band together. Many of their disagreements had been set aside.
In a way, by having Karin unleash her complete Susanoo and look down over Konoha, Shinji had brought the Five Great Shinobi Villages together again.
Of course.
None of this was something he could explain to outsiders.
Whether the villagers supported and understood him, or feared and resented him, he didn't care. He had more important things to do!
When he reached the private room on the second floor, he could hear his classmates laughing and chatting inside,