An Uchiha Comes to Buy Melons

The relationship between the Uchiha and the Hyuga was far from harmonious; even back in school, the children were quite at odds, and the clansmen of both sides frequently vied with one another, constantly trying to outdo each other.

Under normal circumstances, getting too close to the Hyuga clan would invite reprimand.

Rarely, Munakata actually approved of this matter. According to his logic, the fact that even a girl from the Hyuga house was going out of her way to befriend his son was proof of the Uchiha's charm.

For the first time, Akashi felt he couldn't keep up with his old man's train of thought.

However, he felt that the argument regarding "relationships" was highly unreliable.

After all, with whom did the Uchiha clan ever have a harmonious relationship?

More than ten days slipped by in the blink of an eye.

The two had met up several more times. Akashi never tired of secretly learning the techniques of the Gentle Fist, and through the physical collisions and exchanges over these days, the distance between him and Shingetsu had narrowed significantly.

Faced with his enthusiastic greetings, the originally cold Shingetsu gradually began to respond with greetings of her own.

Beyond training, their topics of conversation grew naturally.

From reminiscing about their school days to comparing famous ninjas throughout history, they covered it all, occasionally even discussing fresh anecdotes.

For example: Itachi Uchiha had been forbidden from training with "riff-raff" and was required to wear proper clothing bearing the clan crest.

When Akashi heard the news, he laughed for a long time.

Seven years old, Hokage-level thinking, hahahahaha...

Shingetsu couldn't grasp the punchline and felt bewildered, chatting idly with Akashi on the way to the back mountain.

Suddenly, a familiar dialogue drifted into their ears.

"Is this melon ripe?"

"I run a fruit stand; would I sell you an unripe melon?"

This line, etched into his DNA, gave Akashi a sudden jolt. He paused his steps and couldn't help but look over, only to see a fruit shop not far away.

An Uchiha had come to buy a melon.

The fan crest on his back clearly revealed his identity.

"What's wrong?" Shingetsu looked over curiously.

"That's someone from the Police Force." Akashi recognized the man. "I suddenly have a bad premonition."

"What's the big deal about buying a melon?"

"It's precisely because he's buying a melon that trouble is likely to start," Akashi said.

The stall owner's eye sockets were pure white, like a clear mirror in the sky; he was undoubtedly a member of the Hyuga clan. Such large clans had many descendants, and not all members were ninjas; some relied on business to support themselves, contributing wealth and resources to the main house.

Running a fruit shop in Konoha counted as a livelihood.

With the Hyuga name behind it, everyone gave them a modicum of respect.

Yet, this Uchiha ninja had no intention of showing respect. He picked at everything, first claiming the melon wasn't good, then complaining the weight was insufficient, which infuriated the stall owner. The two began to argue in front of the stall, their tones becoming increasingly hostile.

Before long, another Hyuga clan ninja stepped out from the side.

"Are you looking for trouble on purpose?"

"What's it to you! Don't meddle, or I'll have you hauled into the Police Force."

The Konoha Police Force was an organization specifically tasked with maintaining internal security, possessing a complete system and considerable power.

Criminal issues, civil disputes, and even daily order within the village all fell under the jurisdiction of the Police Force.

And the members of the Police Force were mostly ninjas from the Uchiha clan.

Out of awe, people often dared not speak ill of the Police Force, which in turn fueled the Uchiha's arrogance. Over time, it was inevitable that a few black sheep would emerge, tarnishing their reputation.

Coupled with the fact that these Uchiha themselves didn't know how to exercise restraint and were high-minded and proud, they had offended no small number of people.

But this time, the one being threatened was not someone to be trifled with.

"Heh, so it's an officer from the Police Force. No wonder you bark louder than the dogs at home."

"What did you say!"

"What about it? If you want to buy fruit, buy it; if not, get lost. What right do you have to make unreasonable demands and ruin someone's business? If you dare to arrest someone on these grounds, I dare to tear down your Police Force."

At the end, the ninja pointed fiercely at himself. "I, Nagi Hyuga, mean what I say!"

"Fine, I don't believe you have the ability to do that."

"If you've got the guts, try it."

"You..."

The two held their ground, arguing incessantly.

The conflict between the Uchiha and the Hyuga was deeper than imagined. Both clans had their own pride and convictions, and friction was inevitable when it came to the distribution of the village's interests.

Or rather, this was precisely the divide-and-conquer strategy intentionally employed by the core of Konoha's leadership.

Secretly supporting one faction while quietly suppressing the other, then acting as the peacemaker to judge the situation on the surface, all to ensure that power remained firmly in their own hands.

This style of village management has its uses, but it also buries the seeds of future disaster.

Akashi and Shingetsu exchanged a glance, remaining silent with a tacit understanding.

Passersby on the street were quickly drawn to the scene, but not daring to crowd around, they simply pricked up their ears and stole glances from afar.

Nagi Hyuga, concerned for his reputation and unwilling to drag this out, let out a cold laugh:

"That is the typical Uchiha attitude—thinking so highly of yourselves!"

"What a joke. Your Hyuga clan merely relies on the support of others; if we were to actually fight, it's not certain who would be afraid of whom."

The Uchiha ninja snorted, "As for you, you are nothing but a dog of the main branch."

Akashi clearly sensed Shingetsu's hand tremble beside him.

A dog of the main branch.

Those four words were piercing and bone-deep.

As the oldest founding clan from the inception of Konoha, the Uchiha had long been dissatisfied with the Hyuga being called "Konoha's strongest."

In their hearts, the Sharingan was the true strongest ocular jutsu!

Furthermore, the title of Konoha's premier noble clan, and even the position of Hokage, should have been theirs to claim!

"Bastard!" How could Nagi Hyuga endure such an insult? He reached into his ninja tool pouch and drew a kunai. To him, the phrase "dog of the main branch" struck a deeper nerve than any other vitriol.

The Uchiha ninja's eyes lit up, secretly delighted.

While arresting someone in the street without cause would be unjustifiable, private armed conflict was strictly prohibited in the village's commercial district; attacking a fellow villager was more than enough grounds to be dragged into the Police Force.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, a figure stepped between the two.

"That's enough!"

White, spiky hair, a towering frame, and a forehead protector inscribed with the character for "Oil."

One of the Three Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya!

As one of Konoha's most elite jonin, his current strength was likely second only to the Hokage, a presence that made enemy nations tremble with fear.

But wasn't he away on his travels?

How had he returned?

The moment Jiraiya appeared, even the Uchiha and the Hyuga lost their edge, falling silent in unison.

His appearance was unassuming, like a kindly uncle from next door, dressed in a rough tan tunic and wooden sandals; he hardly looked like a master, yet his aura when serious commanded instinctive awe:

"You are all from the same village. What could possibly be worth coming to blows over?"

"Lord Jiraiya, he..."

"Enough. I've just returned and have no desire to hear these arguments. If you insist on escalating this, I don't mind having a chat with the heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans." Jiraiya mediated, seizing control of the situation with a single glance.

They knew better; even their clan heads had to show some respect to this member of the Three Legendary Sannin.

After all, his strength spoke for itself.

For a moment, even the two arrogant men had nothing left to say.

Jiraiya looked at both sides and said calmly, "That's all. Go on back."

Regardless of their pride, they dared not act recklessly in front of a Sannin, so they had no choice but to comply.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky." Nagi Hyuga let out a low grunt and walked away quickly.

Following that, the Uchiha ninja also departed in silence, and the onlookers dispersed. Jiraiya glanced at Akashi and Shingetsu, frowning slightly, but upon confirming they were unharmed, he left the scene as well.

In just a few short minutes, the emotions of the crowd had surged and ebbed.

What was even more shocking was that Jiraiya had actually returned!

Akashi also felt it was strange; he noticed the man heading toward the Hokage Building. Could something major have happened?

Knock, knock, knock—

The door to the Hokage's office was rapped.

"Please..."

"Old man." Before he could finish the second word, Jiraiya had already pushed the door open, swaggered into the office, and plopped himself down onto the desk.

"I'm back!"

"Jiraiya." The Third Hokage was startled enough to stand up, then immediately felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Is that any way to speak to your teacher? At least get off the desk."

Jiraiya shifted to lean against the corner of the desk and continued, "It's not like I haven't sat here before."

The Third Hokage wore a helpless expression, laughing and scolding, "You foolish apprentice!"

"You should be happy to see me. I've brought back some very important intelligence."

Jiraiya smiled.

"What intelligence?"

"The Land of Wind has been making frequent moves lately. They've dispatched several special operations units, some infiltrating the Land of Rain and others the Land of Fire. We must send reinforcements to the borders immediately."

"I will handle it at once." The Third Hokage nodded.

"Here, the intelligence reports on the various nations are right here. See for yourself." Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively. "I'm off to have a proper soak in the hot springs. Don't you dare use your Telescope Technique to peek."

"I... am I really that lecherous?" The Third Hokage was speechless.

"We once watched Orochimaru bathe together, and you even lost the bet to me!"

The Third Hokage truly had no way to deal with this disciple. He took a puff of his pipe and added, "What about you? You aren't leaving again, are you? Since the Nine-Tails Incident, the situation in the village has been far from optimistic. While large-scale warfare has come to an end, local conflicts break out from time to time. The village needs you."

"I still haven't found the Child of Prophecy."

Jiraiya suddenly turned serious. "I returned this time to say goodbye to Minato."

Leaving those words behind, he strode out swaggeringly.

Even though he had spent years abroad, his heart remained with Konoha.

After all, Konoha was his home, filled with so many beautiful women and his fine disciple.

He valued this disciple immensely; both in character and strength, he was top-tier.

Even his taste in choosing a wife was remarkably similar to his own!

Thinking of the fiery tempers of Kushina Uzumaki and Tsunade when they were angry, he couldn't help but mock Minato.

It was a pity that Minato had died so young.

Jiraiya had been devastated when he received the news. If he had been in Konoha at the time, perhaps he could have saved Minato? Or even died in his place?

It was said that he had died alongside Kushina, a smile still lingering on his face.

"Honestly." A look of relief surfaced through Jiraiya's sorrowful expression. "What a foolish disciple!"