Conflict Arises

The hot spring area is divided into public pools and private rooms; the latter are few in number as they are still under renovation.

However, the male attendant led the three of them to a private pool. Hyuga Shinichi figured that Shanxi must have given instructions beforehand, and he guessed that Mito and Tsunade were likely in private pools as well.

The male attendant told the three that if they needed anything, they could ring the bell inside the room, which would alert him via another bell outside the door. He then left the private pool with a smile, closing the door and standing outside to await further instructions.

It seems that when he chatted with Shanxi back then, he remembered every single word, especially regarding the service aspect, which he prioritized above all else.

Soaking in the hot spring is better for everyone; the partitioned private pools offer excellent privacy and make it convenient for people to discuss matters while bathing, though the cost is certainly not low.

While passing by the entrances of other private hot spring pools, he noticed that if a room was occupied, a dedicated attendant would be waiting outside to take requests.

Hyuga Shinichi stopped overthinking and immediately invited the other two to try the pool. As soon as they stepped in, the comfort nearly lulled them to sleep. Feeling the warm water envelop their bodies, the exhaustion from an afternoon of training and teaching vanished, leaving them to enjoy the tranquility.

Hyuga Shinichi leaned against the edge of the pool, preparing to close his eyes for a short nap, when he suddenly heard a commotion coming from outside.

He hadn't paid it any mind at first, but the noise grew louder, even accompanied by the sound of someone hitting a wall.

Hm? Is there construction going on?

Hyuga Shinichi opened his eyes, feeling slightly puzzled.

He looked at the two beside him and noticed they seemed unaffected, still keeping their eyes closed and immersed in the comfort of the hot spring, so he couldn't help but think.

Could it be that my senses have sharpened?

Previously, the blessing from Hamura Otsutsuki only made him feel that his body had grown stronger and more compatible with his Byakugan. He hadn't expected the blessing to enhance not just his physique, but his senses as well.

I should go out and see what's happening. Hyuga Shinichi stood up, wrapped himself in a bath towel, and stepped out of the private pool. Turning his head, he saw that the entrance to the first room was crowded with people. His own room was the third, and the male attendant serving them was standing on the periphery, looking troubled.

"What's going on?"

Hyuga Shinichi walked up and asked the male attendant.

"Ah, it's you, guest. I'm sorry for the disturbance. It's the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan arguing..."

The attendant said nervously, then noticed Hyuga Shinichi's Byakugan and remembered that the child the boss had specifically asked to be well-served was from the Hyuga Clan. If he stepped in, the matter might be resolved.

"Guest, could you help me persuade them? They are from two major clans, and I really don't dare to..."

"Of course. After all, this is Shanxi's shop; I can't let my clansmen cause trouble here. I'll go see what the situation is."

"Thank you so much, guest."

Hyuga Shinichi walked forward, gently pushing through the crowd while apologizing. There weren't many people, and he quickly reached the center of the dispute. Several men were arguing incessantly, and one of them, who had been pushed aside while trying to mediate, was none other than Shanxi.

Hyuga Shinichi immediately stepped forward to steady Shanxi.

"What's going on, Shanxi?"

"Oh, thanks. Hm! It's young Shinichi! The Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan are arguing."

"Let me handle it."

After helping Shanxi stand steady, Hyuga Shinichi walked forward and saw two familiar faces.

"Hey! Brother Hiashi! Brother Hizashi!"

After Hyuga Shinichi spoke, the noisy, chaotic sounds at the scene instantly fell silent, as if time had stood still.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on him. When Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga saw that the person who had arrived was Hyuga Shinichi, they stopped arguing, and the Uchiha Clan members who were bickering with them also ceased.

The entire scene was like a still image. Hyuga Shinichi stepped forward to ask Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga what had happened.

After understanding the situation, Hyuga Shinichi was clear on what was going on.

This stemmed from the feud between the families. As the two major clans in Konoha with inherited ocular techniques, there had always been friction and conflict. Both clans possessed unique and powerful ocular abilities and were convinced that they were the number one clan in Konoha.

This antagonistic relationship was not limited to the older generation; it had extended to the younger generation as well.

Members of the two major clans often clashed over trivial matters in their daily lives, and whenever they encountered someone from the other clan on the street, an inexplicable feeling of annoyance would arise in their hearts.

Sometimes, just a glance or a single word could trigger a heated argument.

However, despite their sharp tongues, they rarely resorted to actual physical violence.

The Uchiha Clan, as the de facto controllers of the Konoha Military Police Force, was responsible for maintaining the village's security and order.

Although their methods while performing duties were somewhat rough and cold, from a legal perspective, there was nothing clearly wrong with them; after all, as law enforcers, they arrested criminals based on law and evidence.

The younger generation of the Uchiha Clan would not knowingly break the law, and the Hyuga Clan, known for being traditional and conservative, was even more so; strict family rules had long since made clear provisions for this.

The cause of this dispute was that an Uchiha clansman had accidentally bumped into Hizashi Hyuga's shoulder and, instead of apologizing, had acted arrogantly and mocked him.

Seeing his brother insulted, Hyuga Hiashi naturally could not sit idly by, so he stepped forward to reason with the other party. Both sides exchanged heated words, neither willing to yield, which ultimately caused the argument to escalate.

Hyuga Shinichi looked into the Uchiha crowd and spotted someone staring blankly at Hyuga Hiashi.

"Uchiha Zuho, aren't you going to manage them? Your underlings are still the same, so fond of throwing their weight around?"

Uchiha Zuho, who had been called by name, snapped out of his daze. Seeing that the person who called him was Hyuga Shinichi, his previously blank expression turned provocative.

"Tch, so it's the Hyuga genius who graduated early..."

He stopped mid-sentence.

"Forget it, let's go."

Uchiha Zuho turned and walked away directly. His underlings were confused, but upon realizing what happened, they quickly followed.

This left Hyuga Shinichi feeling astonished. Had Uchiha Zuho taken the wrong medicine today? Usually, he would have started an argument, and after failing to win the verbal sparring, he would have turned beet red and stormed off.

Hyuga Hiashi still wanted to chase after them to make the person who bumped into Hizashi Hyuga and mocked him apologize, but he was held back by Hyuga Shinichi.

"Alright, Brother Hiashi, don't lower yourself to the level of those Uchihas."

Hyuga Hiashi looked at Hizashi Hyuga and, seeing his younger brother shake his head at him, had no choice but to let it go despite his lingering resentment.

At this moment, seeing that the matter had been smoothed over by Hyuga Shinichi, Shanxi stepped forward and said.

"It's fortunate that you were here, little brother Shinichi."

"It's nothing. We are also at fault, as we've impacted your business, Brother Shanxi."

"Oh, that's just a small matter! It's my fault that your two brothers had a poor bathing experience. How about this! Tonight's expenses for both of you are on the house! Consider it my apology!"

This wasn't because Shanxi had learned from past conversations with Hyuga Shinichi that these two were being groomed as future heads of the Hyuga Clan and was trying to curry favor with them.

Rather, it was because the two Hyuga brothers were indeed the victims this time, and they deserved to be compensated.

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