News of That Man

Evening, at the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Xia Yu took a deep breath, brimming with confidence, then pushed open the door of the first house and went inside.

"Ninja Art: Everlasting Stamina Technique!"

"Ninja Art: Lucky Jackpot Technique!"

The moon set, and the sun rose...

In the morning, Xia Yu emerged from the last house at the end of the alley, his face flushed with health.

After battling his way down an entire street all night, Xia Yu looked no worse for wear. If anything, his fighting spirit had only grown stronger.

"This technique really is something~"

Xia Yu was thrilled. Both his efficiency and his combat power had improved-how could he not be?

Munching on a wife cake made by the wife he had just favored, he strode toward the other side of the street with a manly gait.

"Wives across the street, here I come~"

Suddenly, a long-haired cat and a short-haired cat blocked Uchiha Xia Yu's path.

"Meow~ Meow, meow~"

"Hm?" Xia Yu took a closer look and said in surprise, "Hina? Taka? What are you doing here?"

They were ninja cats who lived with Cat Granny in the Void District Ruins. Cat Granny worked closely with the Uchiha Clan, serving as their exclusive ninja tool supplier and a source of intelligence on the shinobi world. In return, the Uchiha Clan provided her with protection and money.

Taka narrowed its eyes and licked a paw. "What? Can't we take a stroll around our business partner's territory, meow~?"

Xia Yu scratched his head awkwardly. "Haha, of course you're free to look around. I just don't see you two very often, so I was a little surprised."

Hina leaned forward with a mischievous grin.

"Xia Yu, you've done pretty well for yourself, kid~ You've made the Clan Compound so prosperous that you'd never know something so terrible had happened here. We've come all this way, and now that you're the head of the Uchiha, shouldn't you show us some hospitality and treat us to a Silvervine Drink, meow?"

Silvervine was a plant in the Actinidiaceae family. Like catnip, it could get cats excited.

"No problem~"

Xia Yu readily agreed and led the two little cats to a nearby shop.

As they entered, the shopkeeper was putting on her top.

The moment she saw Xia Yu, her face lit up. "Xia Yu, you've finally remembered to come back for another round! Perfect timing-I'm only halfway dressed. Come on, come inside with me~"

"No rush, no rush. I'm here for two bottles of Silvervine Drink. Actually, make it a whole case."

"Of course, of course~"

The shopkeeper took off her half-donned top and went to the little storeroom in the back to fetch a case of drinks.

Before she could hand it to Xia Yu, Hina crouched down and sprang up, catching the case in its mouth.

"Huh?" The shopkeeper's eyes filled with surprise. "Wow, what a cute little kitty! It's so strong!"

Xia Yu smiled faintly. "These are honored guests of our Uchiha Clan. I'll keep them company for a while first. Put your clothes on so you don't catch a chill. I'll come fuck you another day."

Xia Yu sat on a roadside bench with the two little ninja cats, watching them finish the drinks bottle after bottle.

"Glug... glug..."

"Ah, that tastes amazing, meow~"

"Yeah, yeah! I'm drunk, meow~"

"You two didn't come all this way just for drinks, did you? Does Cat Granny have something to tell me?"

Hina drained the last bottle and licked its lips, still wanting more.

"Xia Yu, since the massacre, the Uchiha haven't bought ninja tools from us for almost two years. Your clan is Cat Granny's exclusive customer. If you don't place an order soon, she won't be able to make ends meet, meow~"

"So that's what this is about. Easy enough. I'm planning to buy some explosive tags. Take this quantity back to Cat Granny. We'll do things the usual way when the time comes-payment on delivery."

Xia Yu indicated a number with his fingers.

The two little ninja cats' eyes lit up with delight.

This would be a massive order.

"Meow~ Hehe, Xia Yu, you're pretty good. Doing business with you is much more straightforward than with that fellow Fugaku~"

"Even after two years without an order, Cat Granny has stayed true to her word and hasn't supplied anyone else. With that much sincerity on her part, I naturally can't let her down. Anything else? If not, I'll get back to work. I'm a little pressed for time."

"Wait, meow~ There's something else we need to give you."

Hina narrowed its eyes in concentration and let out a low meow.

Poof!

The white smoke cleared, and a scroll appeared in front of Xia Yu.

"What's this? A gift from Cat Granny?"

Xia Yu picked up the scroll.

Hina shook its head. "Another Uchiha kid asked me to give this to you. You can probably guess who he is. Don't let little Sasuke know about this. We're leaving. The rest is between you and that kid. We can't be bothered to get involved any further, meow~"

"..."

As Xia Yu listened to Hina, the outline of a man suddenly appeared in his mind.

Uchiha Itachi.

"Looks like all the attention I've been drawing lately has caught his eye too..."

Xia Yu slowly opened the scroll in his hands...