How Dare You Touch Him?

"Hmph! Orochimaru, you left the organization years ago; why have you returned now?"

Orochimaru shuddered violently at the sound of that voice.

The two men turned their heads instinctively, only to see someone dressed in the same attire.

The man had black hair, and his crimson eyes hung in the air like two blood moons.

It was none other than a member of the Akatsuki, Itachi Uchiha!

"Itachi! Why are you here?"

Orochimaru couldn't help but take a few steps back. In truth, he was somewhat afraid of this guy, and he felt a bit guilty.

After all, he had been eyeing the man's younger brother.

Deidara, standing to the side, also widened his eyes, looking equally timid.

They weren't fools; the man before them, who had wiped out the entire Uchiha Clan in a single night, was not someone to be trifled with!

Within the entire organization, he was at a T0 level of combat power.

"Tell me, were you just plotting against our Uchiha Clan?"

Itachi Uchiha's tone was icy as he stared straight at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru shook his head repeatedly.

"Heh, no. We were just discussing how to deal with Konoha Village. Besides, Uchiha Sora doesn't have any blood relation to you, does he?"

Orochimaru still felt a bit guilty. The reason he had left the Akatsuki years ago was that his madness and desire to study the Sharingan had provoked Itachi Uchiha.

Later, combined with other factors, Orochimaru had departed from the organization.

He had lived alone, hiding in the wilderness, researching his science.

Now, the only reason Orochimaru had returned was that he couldn't handle Konoha Village on his own.

Itachi Uchiha stared fixedly at Orochimaru without speaking, though his chakra began to leak out bit by bit.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Deidara immediately stepped forward to mediate.

"Don't, don't, don't! We're all on the same side, and the leader's mission for us is to assist Orochimaru in attacking Konoha Village!"

"When the time comes, we'll all be there. If Orochimaru dares to target Sasuke, can't you just kill him on the spot?"

Hearing this, Orochimaru's eyelid twitched.

What do you mean, kill me on the spot?

Do you really think I'm that easy to kill?

From the side, Itachi Uchiha's cold voice drifted over.

"With me here, do you dare touch him?"

Having said that, Itachi Uchiha fell silent, but that threat hung over Orochimaru's head like a sharp blade.

It left him feeling deeply uneasy.

"Alright, alright! Let's go. We need to meet up with the people from Sunagakure. This time, they've brought out their big guns—they've even moved the Tailed Beast here!"

Deidara laughed heartily, having exhausted himself worrying about the team.

Orochimaru snorted coldly. The three men said no more; they boarded the white clay bird Deidara had molded and soon arrived at the gates of Sunagakure.

At that moment, a bald, burly man was waiting to receive them.

"You're here... Let's go. If you calculate the time, the plan is about to proceed right on schedule!"

Early in the morning, the warm sun spilled onto the streets of Konoha Village.

In the most prosperous commercial center of Konoha Village, there stood a bizarre shop known for its electromagnetic therapy massages, but it was currently changing its sign, looking as if it had gone out of business.

Everyone passing by felt a sense of satisfaction at the sight; some had been wishing for it to close down for a long time.

"Look at that, this godforsaken massage parlor finally reached its claws into the women of our Konoha Village, and today it's finally closing down. It's what they deserve!"

"Wait, that's not right! Look, the shop seems to have changed its name. Uchiha General Store? My god, this is run by the Uchiha Clan!"

For a moment, passersby stopped to watch.

Inside the shop, Uchiha Sora was busy renovating his store.

"It's Uchiha property, after all. Back before I transmigrated, this would have been a prime storefront in the city center. Even if I'm not running the old business, I have to make use of it, right?"

Uchiha Sora held a hammer in his hand and nailed the plaque firmly into place.

Written on it, clear as day, was: Uchiha General Store!

Uchiha Sora was, in fact, going to open a general store right here.

Helping out in the shop were Hinata and Rock Lee.

"Best friend... wasn't your massage parlor doing just fine? Why are you suddenly closing it?"

Rock Lee was very confused.

In his view, Uchiha Sora's shop business was quite good; the electricity alone brought in a significant amount of supplies every year.

Why would he tear it down today?

Hinata didn't ask any questions at this moment, choosing instead to help organize the clutter.

At the same time, however, her mind began to wander.

What is Uchiha Sora doing?

To suddenly tear down the shop... could it be that he wants to settle down and run a small store?

And then I would be the landlady! With Uchiha Sora as the boss!

Hinata's face turned even redder.

Uchiha Sora was naturally unaware of this scene, and he spoke in a carefree manner.

"It's nothing! I felt the previous business wasn't that great, and it didn't help us much. A general store is different; when we need to promote or buy things like kunai in the future, we can just buy them from ourselves!"

Rock Lee had a sudden realization, followed by a look of admiration.

"As expected of my best friend! This is what you call a timely transformation!"

Uchiha Sora chuckled. What he didn't say was that the reason he was opening a general store was because he would eventually need all sorts of miscellaneous materials.

It was no longer limited to just things like charcoal.

If he wanted to develop science, he had to start from the ground up.

However, as an Uchiha, if he didn't train and instead spent his days swaggering around purchasing supplies, he would definitely be suspected by others.

But a general store was different; even if the goods were strange, it would still be considered a normal demand!

At this moment, the three of them were busy working, while in an unseen corner, three Anbu ninjas whispered to one another.

"This kid isn't normal. The previous shop was so good; he could even give female ninjas massages every day!"

Another Anbu ninja looked on with disdain.

"Get lost! Let's talk business. This kid opening a general store—I get the feeling his intentions aren't as simple as they seem."

"That's right, report this to the Hokage immediately!"

In the Hokage's office, many people were present: Kakashi, Iruka, Kurenai—nearly all of Konoha Village's high-ranking officials were there.

Among them was also a very popular figure in Konoha Village, Jiraiya.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was smiling as he spoke to Jiraiya.

"It seems you have finally returned. I will leave Naruto to you this time!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily.

"What are you saying, Teacher? This is just a small favor, and I wouldn't be at ease leaving the Nine-Tailed Fox to anyone else anyway."

"It just so happens that the Chunin Exams are coming up soon. Before then, I can both train Naruto and help him better control the Nine-Tailed Fox."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement.

Just as he was about to conclude the meeting, he suddenly received a message from the Anbu.

In an instant, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed.

Jiraiya noticed that something was wrong with the Hokage and looked puzzled.

"What's wrong, Teacher? Is there something else that could trouble the Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a bitter smile.

"It's not exactly a troublesome matter, but rather that an extraordinary fellow has appeared in the village recently!"