The Headache That Was Shikaku

Uchiha Chen sat upright on a tree branch, watching Senju Tobirama with keen interest. Seeing that everyone was still focused on the deep crater, Chen couldn't resist taunting him. "So this is the extent of your strength? You'd better go home and retire. Give up being a ninja."

Chen's mocking tone not only embarrassed Senju Tobirama, but also stirred anger in the hearts of the many ninjas present. If looks could kill, Chen had already been slain by their glares countless times.

"How is this guy so strong?" Hyuga Tokuzo whispered to Senju Tobirama.

"I don't know either. The reports from the front say that Hatake Sakumo and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were no match for him, and Orochimaru collapsed, spitting blood, after Chen merely glared at him." Senju Tobirama smacked his lips and couldn't help commenting.

Gradually, the ninjas Senju Tobirama had left behind to direct the civilians finally began arriving.

Seeing so many people gathered, they grew flustered and hurried over to stand beside Senju Tobirama.

After all, they were Anbu members. Their job was not only to protect Konoha, but, more importantly, to safeguard the Hokage's life. If anything happened to the Hokage right here in Konoha, the Anbu members would bear no small share of the blame.

The Anbu member leading the group dropped to one knee before Senju Tobirama. "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. We're late."

Senju Tobirama shook his head, not blaming them. He reached out to help the man up, then had him stand behind him.

"Hokage-sama, what exactly is going on?" The Anbu member was baffled. That morning, he had followed Senju Tobirama and witnessed the friendly exchange between him and Uchiha Chen with his own eyes.

Less than half a day had passed. How had the two ended up fighting—and at the Hyuga Clan's