The Plan

Ize took his grandson down the street as usual, browsing stalls and buying snacks. He paid no attention to the ordinary villager walking toward them.

The instant they passed each other, a tremendous force struck Ize's shoulder and threw him off balance.

Years of combat experience snapped his body into a fighting stance. At the same time, two Ninja appeared on either side of him.

As Ize took his stance, the villager opposite him scratched his head. "Old man, I only bumped into you. Do you really need to make such a scene? Or are you trying to scam me?

"You're old enough to know better. Trying to scam someone at your age? Have you no shame?"

One of the Ninja beside Ize seized the villager's arm and twisted it behind his back. "Who are you calling a scammer? Are you blind?"

"So you've got accomplices? The scam didn't work, so now you're getting violent?" the villager shouted.

"The Uchiha are responsible for keeping villagers safe! When the patrol gets here, they'll make sure you people are punished for disgracing Konoha!"

Ize's face went pale, then red. His expression turned ghastly, and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

At the sight, the villager shouted even louder. "Everyone saw that! I never touched him! He coughed up blood on his own. Don't let him pin it on me!"

Ize waved a hand. "Let him go. We bumped into each other by accident."

"Yes." The Ninja released the villager, who stumbled out of the crowd and vanished in moments.

"Elder, your injuries...?"

"I'm fine. When he bumped into me, I thought it was a sudden attack. I was too jumpy and aggravated an old injury.

"I finally brought my grandson out for the day, and this happens. Matsushima, let's call