Uzuki Clan

"Take a look, take a look! Freshly made takoyaki!"

"Candied hawthorns! Beautiful and delicious candied hawthorns!"

Akita Town was a small town less than five kilometers from the Uzuki Clan. Sunlight spilled across the streets at its center, seemingly coating the road in a layer of golden light.

Early in the morning, the street vendors on both sides of the road had already begun calling out energetically, creating a lively scene.

Enkō wore a fitted black robe as he surveyed the shops on either side of the street. After several days of arduous travel, a hint of fatigue showed on his face.

Setting foot in the Land of Fire once more, it would have been a lie to say he felt nothing. Yet his many emotions ultimately became the motivation that drove him forward. Based on what he had learned the day before, Enkō also knew that the Uzuki Clan had not yet joined Konoha, so he had not arrived too late.

Enkō strolled leisurely down the street, intending to find somewhere to eat before visiting the Uzuki Clan once he was full. As he passed through the center of town, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a sign by the roadside.

After rubbing his eyes to make sure he was not mistaken, he murmured in surprise, "Ichiraku Ramen?"

Seemingly noticing someone looking this way, a plainly dressed man lifted the noodle shop's curtain and called out, "Hey, customer! Want a steaming bowl of ramen?"

Enkō glanced at the sign once more before finally entering the shop. He casually found a seat and sat down. "Uh... then I'll have a bowl of tonkotsu ramen."

"Right away, please wait a moment."

Since it was still early, Enkō was the only customer in the shop. As the owner kneaded the dough, he gave Enkō a look. "This is your first time in Akita Town, isn't it? What a coincidence."

"Oh? How so?"

"Haha, because in a few days, I'll be moving somewhere else. If you had come a few days later, you wouldn't have gotten to taste my ramen."

A flicker of surprise passed through Enkō's eyes. "Don't tell me you're moving to Konoha?"

"Oh? You know about Konoha too?" The man paused, but his hands did not slow. "You guessed right. Although it's a ninja village, it's developing quite well. I'm not young anymore, so I want to find myself a stable place to retire... Here, customer, your noodles are ready."

Looking at the fragrant ramen placed before him, Enkō's appetite was instantly whetted. He split apart a pair of chopsticks and lifted the bowl to take a sip of the broth first.

"Whoa! It's delicious!" Though he did not know what the Ichiraku Ramen of the future tasted like, Enkō was completely won over by this bowl. Without another word, he lowered his head and dug in.

"Hehe, eat slowly, customer." Seeing his noodles enjoyed by a customer, the owner was delighted. "If you like them, you can come find me in Konoha next time."

Enkō quickly finished the noodles in his bowl and let out a satisfied sigh. He placed the money on the table and said sincerely, "Your ramen really is delicious, sir. It'll definitely become a major specialty in Konoha someday. If I get the chance, I'll certainly visit again."

"Hahaha, then I'll take that as a good omen."

Enkō nodded, lifted the noodle shop's curtain, and walked out. After giving the sign another look, he headed toward the end of town.

Beyond Akita Town lay a dense forest. Enkō traveled through the trees, and since he did not know the Uzuki Clan's exact location, he could only search through the forest. However, wherever people lived, they were bound to leave traces behind. Following those traces to find people was basic training for a ninja.

Swish, swish, swish—

Leaves flew through the forest as Enkō darted forward, his feet touching down on tree trunks. While speeding along, his ears suddenly twitched. He looked back and discovered that two figures had begun closely following him.

When they saw Enkō turn around, the two men behind him immediately called out, "This is Uzuki Clan territory. Who goes there?"

"The Uzuki Clan?" Seeing that the people behind him both had long purple hair, Enkō confirmed their identities.

This was also a matter of inherited family genes. Just as the Uzumaki Clan all had red hair and the Uchiha Clan all had black hair, the Uzuki Clan all had purple hair. Only when one parent was not from the clan could a different hair color possibly appear.

Enkō immediately dropped to the ground and came to an abrupt stop, carving a long groove into the soft forest floor. Then he called out, "My name is Enkō. I have come specifically to visit the Uzuki Clan and discuss an important matter with your clan head."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Seeing Enkō stop, the two behind him landed on a large tree beside him. They looked down and studied him, then exchanged glances, finding a trace of confusion in each other's eyes. Clearly, they did not recognize him.

Because he was in the Land of Fire, Enkō had not worn clothing bearing the Uchiha Clan crest in order to avoid trouble. Naturally, the two before him could not identify him.

"Please wait a moment, sir. We need to report this to our captain." After discussing it, the two still decided to let their superiors make the decision.

Enkō nodded and quietly waited where he stood.

Meanwhile, one of them hurried back toward the squad. Before long, he saw his captain resting with the other team members in a clearing.

The captain was drinking from a waterskin. Upon seeing him arrive, he asked curiously, "Huh? Why did only you come back? Where's Yuki?"

"Lord Riten, we found someone in the forest. He said he wants to see the clan head."

Uzuki Riten frowned. "He wants to see the clan head? Did he say who he was?"

"He said his name was Enkō."

"Pfft!" Uzuki Riten suddenly sprayed out a mouthful of water and coughed violently twice. He asked nervously, "Did he say his surname?"

"Uh... no, he didn't."

"What does he look like? Does he look particularly young? Is he rather handsome too?"

Although he did not know why Lord Riten looked so nervous, he still answered honestly. "Yes, just as you said, sir. He's a young man, and he really is quite good-looking."

"Hiss! Why is he here?!" Uzuki Riten's expression changed instantly. He had only discussed this man with the clan head two days ago, yet today the man had boldly come knocking at their door. And this was within the Land of Fire—was he truly not afraid of death?

"You didn't attack him, did you?"

"Uh... no. He didn't look like some vicious criminal."

"It's good that you didn't. Go keep him occupied, and whatever you do, don't start a conflict. I'll notify the clan head!" With that, he vanished from the spot.

"What's going on?"

The remaining people looked at one another. Someone asked curiously, "Why is Lord Riten so nervous? Does that man look dangerous?"

"Hmm... he doesn't look like anyone particularly formidable. He's too young. I feel like I could knock him down with one hand."

"Oh... come on, let's go take a look. He's probably some descendant from a major clan."

Thus, after Enkō waited where he was for a while, he saw a large group of people arrive. They neither spoke nor drove him away, merely staring at him with curiosity.

"Uh... what did your captain say?"

"Please wait a little longer. Our captain has already gone to seek the clan head's instructions."

"Seek the clan head's instructions?" Enkō's brows furrowed slightly. It seemed his identity had already been recognized.

After waiting another fifteen minutes or so, Uzuki Riten hurried over. Upon seeing Enkō, he said very politely, "You must be Lord Enkō. My apologies for keeping you waiting. Please come with us. Our clan head wishes to see you."

Enkō keenly caught a trace of unease in Riten's eyes, but he said nothing. He simply strode after them in the direction of the clan grounds.