Uzuki Clan

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

"Candied hawthorns! Delicious and pretty candied hawthorns!"

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

Early in the morning, the street vendors on both sides had already begun calling out with all their might, painting a lively scene.

Yan Hong wore a fitted black robe as he surveyed the shops lining both sides of the street. After several days of long travel, a trace of exhaustion 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 all those complicated emotions ultimately became the motivation driving him forward. Based on what he had learned the day before, Yan Hong knew that the Uzuki Clan had not yet joined Konoha. He had not arrived too late.

Yan Hong 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 eyes were suddenly drawn to a sign by the roadside.

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

Seemingly noticing someone watching the place, a plainly dressed man lifted the cloth curtain at the noodle shop entrance and called out, "Hey, customer, how about a bowl of piping-hot ramen?"

Yan Hong looked at the sign again before finally walking into the shop. He picked a seat at random and sat down. "Uh... then I'll have a bowl of tonkotsu ramen."

"Coming right up. Please wait a moment."

Since it was still early, Yan Hong was the only customer in the shop. As the owner kneaded dough, he gave Yan Hong a once-over. "It's your first time in Akita Town, isn't it, customer? Then your timing is really perfect."

"Oh? How so?"

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

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

"Oh? You know about Konoha too?" The man froze for a moment, though his hands did not slow. "You guessed right. Although it's a ninja village, it's developed quite well. I'm not getting any younger, so I want to find myself a peaceful place to retire... Here, customer, your noodles are ready."

As he looked at the fragrant ramen placed before him, Yan Hong's appetite was immediately whetted. He snapped apart a pair of chopsticks and first lifted the bowl to take a sip of the broth.

"Whoa! This is delicious!" Though he had no idea what Ichiraku Ramen would taste like in later generations, Yan Hong had been 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."

Yan Hong quickly finished the noodles in his bowl and let out a satisfied sigh. Placing the payment on the table, he said sincerely, "Your ramen really is delicious, sir. It'll definitely become a major specialty in Konoha someday. If I have the chance, I'll certainly visit again."

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

Yan Hong nodded, lifted the noodle shop's curtain, and walked out. After looking back at the sign once more, he headed toward the far end of town.

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

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Leaves scattered through the woods as Yan Hong bounded from trunk to trunk at high speed. In the midst of his dash, his ears suddenly twitched. He looked back and discovered two figures closely following behind him.

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

"The Uzuki Clan?" Once Yan Hong saw that the people behind him both had long purple hair, he confirmed their identities.

This was, after all, an issue 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 change in hair color occur.

Yan Hong immediately dropped to the ground and came to a sharp stop, carving a long trench in the soft forest floor. Then he called out, "My name is Yan Hong. I have come specifically to visit the Uzuki Clan and discuss important matters with your clan head."

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Seeing Yan Hong stop, the two behind him landed on a large tree beside him. They looked him over from above, then exchanged glances, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes. Clearly, neither recognized him.

Since he was in the Land of Fire, Yan Hong had no Uchiha Clan crest on his clothing to avoid causing trouble. Naturally, the two before him could not identify him.

"Please wait here, sir. We need to report this to our captain." After discussing it, the two decided to let their superiors make the call.

Yan Hong nodded and quietly waited where he stood.

Meanwhile, one of them quickly ran 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 water flask. When he saw the man 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 Yan Hong."

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

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

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

Although he did not know why Lord Riten seemed so nervous, he answered truthfully, "Yes, just as you said, sir. He's a young man, and he does look fairly handsome."

"Gasp! Why is he here?!" Uzuki Riten's expression instantly changed. They had only discussed this person with the clan head two days ago, and today he had actually come right to their door so openly. This was the Land of Fire—was he really not afraid of dying?

"You didn't make a move on him, did you?"

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

"It's good that you didn't. Here's what we'll do: go keep him occupied. Whatever happens, don't start a conflict. I'll notify the clan head!" With that, he vanished from the spot.

"What was that about?"

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

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

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

And so, after Yan Hong waited there for a while, he saw a large group of people arrive all at once. They neither spoke nor drove him away, merely staring at him curiously.

"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?" Yan Hong'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 Yan Hong, he said very politely, "You must be Lord Yan Hong. My sincerest apologies for keeping you waiting. Please come with us. Our clan head wishes to see you."

Yan Hong keenly noticed a trace of unease in Riten's eyes, but he said nothing. He strode after them toward the clan grounds.