He was soon beaten until he screamed in agony.
The cries were utterly shrill.
Some hot-blooded youths, filled with righteous indignation, even swung an upward strike at Odley's groin, leaving him clutching his crotch in pain and rolling nonstop on the ground!
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
Odley finally could not endure it any longer and hurriedly begged for mercy.
"I'm Odley, the leader of the Cloud Village Delegation!"
"Stop! Don't hit me anymore!"
As he spoke,
Odley tried to tear off the animal mask on his face, intending to reveal his true identity.
But just as he was about to remove it,
Uchiha Tekka kicked him to the ground and spoke righteously.
"Our Cloud Village Delegation has always been open and honorable! Especially Leader Odley, who is handsome, dashing, dignified, and forthright! How could he possibly sneak into someone else's territory late at night to commit evil deeds? One look at you tells me you're no good! You're trying to sabotage the relationship between Konoha and Cloud Village, making your crime even worse!"
"Brothers, beat him!"
Odley was rendered speechless by that string of words.
What greeted him was an even fiercer barrage of punches and kicks.
Some nearby clan members heard the commotion and, united in outrage, grabbed stools from their homes and slammed them into Odley with two loud bangs, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
Then again,
he had sneaked into the Uchiha Compound.
Who knew whether he intended to do something utterly reprehensible?
At the same time, the Uchiha were making an example of him.
Anyone who dared cause trouble in the future
would have to consider the consequences!
Half an hour later,
Odley had been beaten black and blue. He was barely breathing, with half his life practically gone.
"Stop!" Fugaku waved his hand.
He signaled the members of the Uchiha Military Police Force to cease.
Judging from his height and build,
Fugaku guessed that the man before him was probably Odley, leader of the Cloud Village Delegation.
After Genya fought Darui, he had warned Fugaku to be careful of Cloud Village ninja. They might covet the Uchiha's Sharingan.
Thus, Fugaku had strengthened the Military Police Force's patrols within the clan.
Sure enough,
they had caught a big fish today.
At the same time, Fugaku could not help but marvel.
Genya truly was meticulous...
"Throw this man into prison. First thing tomorrow morning, Tekka, report to Lord Hokage. Say that someone infiltrated the Uchiha Compound and intended to plot wrongdoing!"
"Yes, Clan Head Fugaku!" Uchiha Tekka accepted the order.
The next day,
early in the morning, Uchiha Tekka reported to Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen that someone had infiltrated the Uchiha Compound.
He happened to encounter Samui and the other members of the Cloud Village Delegation, who had come looking for Odley.
Odley had not returned all night.
And he had infiltrated the Uchiha Compound.
They feared something had happened to Odley.
Even though they had guilty consciences, they still forced themselves to come see Sarutobi Hiruzen early in the morning.
Konoha Hospital.
Odley was wrapped in bandages from head to toe. His face was bruised and swollen, several teeth had even fallen out, and his speech leaked air.
From time to time, he shifted his body.
That Uchiha blow to the groin last night had really packed a punch.
Odley's balls were aching a little right now too.
Yes... his balls really hurt.
Odley raised his head to look at Fugaku, his face full of apology as he spoke indistinctly.
"C-Clan Head Fugaku, y-yesterday I accidentally entered the Uchiha Compound. I truly disturbed you. I-I apologize for my mistaken actions!"
Although the Uchiha had thoroughly beaten him,
Odley did not dare say much.
After all, he had been in the wrong first.
Fortunately, the Uchiha had not killed him.
That was mainly because Genya had once reminded Fugaku
that he could only teach Odley a lesson, not kill him.
Otherwise, if Konoha wanted to smooth things over, they might very well push the Uchiha out as scapegoats.
Genya did not want what happened to the Hyuga clan to happen to the Uchiha.
Fugaku had considered that as well.
Otherwise, Odley might already have been a corpse!
"Since Leader Odley puts it that way, then it was our Uchiha who acted improperly. It was dark yesterday, and we did not see clearly. Otherwise, we would not have attacked. Leader Odley must have heard that the Uchiha Compound has beautiful scenery, which is why you came to visit."
"Please notify us before your next visit. Our Uchiha will certainly welcome your arrival in the grandest manner."
Odley's mouth twitched.
Yesterday's welcome had certainly been grand enough.
My balls nearly shattered all over the floor.
You must have known it was me, which was why you hit so hard, right?
"Leader Odley, rest well. We in Konoha will arrange the finest medical ninja to treat your injuries!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said from the side.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was no fool.
From their conversation,
he also guessed that Odley had likely infiltrated the Uchiha Compound intending to do something shameful, which was why he had knocked out his teeth and swallowed the grievance himself.
The Uchiha's handling of this matter had been flawless...
Father and Son
The matter of Cloud Village's Odley infiltrating the Uchiha Compound and getting beaten up was ultimately spread by some "unwitting" people.
Not only had Cloud Village gained nothing, they had even been taught a lesson by the Uchiha, becoming a complete laughingstock.
Thus, during this period, the arrogant Cloud Village delegation members did not go out unless necessary. They truly could not afford any more embarrassment...
Besides that,
when the Fourth Raikage in Kumogakure heard about the incident, he flew into a rage and berated the Cloud Village Delegation for losing all face!
At the same time,
after this incident occurred,
all the major clans strengthened patrols within their territories.
After all, no one wanted Cloud Village people coming over to steal their children.
Even Konoha secretly dispatched Anbu
to prevent the same thing from happening again.
The Hyuga clan was decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with excitement.
Today was the third birthday of the clan's princess, Hinata Hyuga.
As the clan head, Hyuga Hiashi had not only invited Konoha's higher-ups but also the major noble clans to attend.
The Hyuga had originally planned to invite the Cloud Village Delegation as well, to display the depth of their clan. But after the "child-stealing incident," they not only abandoned that idea, they also stationed many clan experts at important locations throughout the Hyuga clan.
The moment any member of the Cloud Village Delegation appeared,
they would be subdued immediately and handed over to Konoha's higher-ups.
Everyone had learned to be smarter this time...
The Uchiha and Hyuga did not have a particularly close relationship, but the former was still one of Konoha's great clans and had received an invitation.
Since Itachi had gone out on a mission with his supervising Jonin, Fugaku only brought Genya and Sasuke to offer their congratulations.
After arriving at the Hyuga clan,
Genya could clearly feel
the rigid hierarchy here.
The atmosphere was solemn.
Although smiles covered the Hyuga clan members' faces, they felt like professional smiles—insincere, as though they lacked souls.
Genya also saw Hinata Hyuga.
She had just turned three and looked delicate and adorable, surrounded by people as if the stars encircled the moon.
Today, she was the star of the banquet.
"Genya!" A slightly delighted voice sounded behind him.
Genya turned around and found Hyuga Nami standing behind him, surprise in her eyes.
"You came for Lady Hinata's birthday banquet, didn't you?" Nami slowly walked over, unable to hide her happiness.
At the same time, she thought to herself,
With so many people here, I actually ran into Genya. We really are fated...
"Yes." Genya nodded, also surprised to have run into Nami.
"The Hyuga clan grounds are vast and the scenery is beautiful. Would you like me to show you around?" Nami smiled sweetly.
Genya was a guest.
Nami was an attendant arranged by the Hyuga.
She would rather take Genya for a walk around the Hyuga clan grounds.
"Sure." Genya nodded.
Genya actually agreed to take a walk with me. I'm so happy. Nami's cheeks flushed.
Seeing the change in Nami's complexion, Genya asked in confusion.
"Nami, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell? Should you go rest?"
"No..." Nami covered her mouth and smiled.
Just as Nami's thoughts began to wander, a hearty laugh suddenly sounded beside them.
Before you continue