It was early December in Konoha Year 25. The people of Konoha had been thoroughly entertained by all the big and small news stories from the past two months.
In the morning, someone from the Hyuga clan was taken away by the Uchiha Police Department on suspicion of disturbing the peace—a juicy scandal that hadn't even finished circulating before, by afternoon, an Uchiha clansman walking down an alleyway got beaten up inside a burlap sack.
The Konoha armchair critics enthusiastically cheered both sides on, urging them to turn up the heat. They were watching this drama unfold with complete disregard for how serious things might become.
Inside the Hokage Tower's office, the Third Hokage put down his newspaper and rubbed his tightly furrowed brow.
These past two months had given him quite the headache. Though the detained Hyuga was quickly let go, the Uchiha response was cold and dismissive: "Just doing our duty—who are we to question that?"
And while it didn't take a genius to figure out the Hyugas were behind the sack-and-poison beatings, not a shred of evidence ever surfaced! Even when attempting sting operations, they'd be discovered immediately thanks to the Byakugan's ability to see through obstacles, and then all the suspects would vanish.
"What a headache... What a headache."
The Third Hokage couldn't even remember how many times he'd muttered these words recently. Each family seemed to outdo the other in ruthlessness, leaving him constantly lamenting humanity's dark nature.
"Lord Third, the leaders of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans are arguing at the Konoha bathhouse," an Anbu agent urgently reported, entering through the window and kneeling halfway.
"Let's go. Bring plenty of people with us!"
The Third sprang up instinctively; over these two months, this kind of situation had occurred more than once.
Inside the bathhouse, the two factions stood face-to-face, radiating killing intent.
"What gives you the right to book the whole damn place, old geezer? Are you saying the Uchiha Clan has no one left?" Kazushi was steaming mad. He had gathered some wronged clan members today for a traditional scrub-down and morale-boosting chat, only to walk in and find his old rival already here with a bunch of guys, claiming they'd reserved the entire facility. As if he'd believe that! If not because they saw Kazushi entering with his group, would those guys have been so generously booking everything?
"Our Hyuga clan has always been hospitable," Meide snapped back angrily. "Old man, why don't you join us? Today's bill is on me!"
Meide was also furious. Hadn't enough Hyuga clan members been wrongfully arrested by the Uchihas lately? Just arriving with the victims from their clan, he saw his nemesis walking in surrounded by followers. Did he really expect any courtesy under such circumstances?
"Old fossil, if you've got guts, step outside and settle this like real men!"
"Old man, I won't back down!"
Just as the Third arrived, loud shouts greeted him from within. He feared he'd be the first Hokage in Konoha history to drop dead from sheer stress.
"Quiet, everybody. Let me say something," the Third said upon entering and scanning the room. "Come on now, both of you clan leaders, take a cigarette and calm down a bit."
He skillfully took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offering them around. He'd ditched the pipe ever since catching Kazushi's tough-guy vibe that day—it may have had charm, but nothing matched the raw edge of a cigarette.
Accepting meant showing respect; refusing would mean trouble. Even the dimmest lightbulb could see which way to go.
After lighting their cigarettes himself, the Hokage's expression remained calm and gentle: "Tell me what happened today, fellows? How did you two end up arguing just trying to take a bath here?"
"The old fossil wants to monopolize the place!" Meide was the first to protest.
How could Kazushi tolerate that? "We Hyugas are very generous. I even invited that old man to join us, but he refused!"
Both had a point, but the Third Hokage didn't care about their bickering. During peacetime, stability came first — they couldn't let other villages think they were weak.
"Why don't both clan heads do this?" the Third Hokage suggested. "I'll invite all major Konoha clan leaders for a chat about inter-clan relations sometime. Konoha's major clans have been quite vocal in their complaints lately."
Meide, slowly exhaling a smoke ring, agreed. "Fine, I'll honor Lord Third's request this time. But who knows if that stubborn old man will appreciate it."
"Don't badmouth me in front of the Third, you old geezer," Kazushi shot back with a glance at Meide before also agreeing.
"Then let's settle on next month," the Third quickly concluded as if fearing they might change their minds. "Though we still need to discuss the exact timing."
"Yes, Lord Third!" both responded in unison.
"Don't imitate me when talking to the Third, you decrepit old man!"
Seeing the two about to argue again, the Third immediately added, "Also, both your clans should keep things quiet for now. At least put on a show of unity for the other families."
"Hmph!" went both men simultaneously.
They each turned away with their followers, departing in opposite directions.
With this incident successfully resolved, the Third relaxed, believing that at least until next month, the village would enjoy some peace and quiet.
"You may all return now." He dismissed his Anbu guards before leaving alone. He wanted to relax properly right now — handling these incidents repeatedly had really worn him out.
Near the river behind the Hokage Rock.
"Shen, is this safe enough? Won't someone find us here by the Nanha River?"
"Relax, Nayou," Shen replied. "No one comes here! This was once the Uchiha Clan's residential area."
"Oh right? Does this place have a name then?"
"South Bank River. It's said this is where Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha first met."
"Really? How did you know that, Shen?"
"All Uchihas know that already!"
The Uchiha prodigy and the Hyuga's Little Iceberg had snuck out to secretly meet by the Nanha River. Recently they'd been slipping out every few days to spar and exchange techniques, mastering the art of constantly moving locations to avoid being caught by their respective clans.
"What about that idea you mentioned last time?" Shen asked eagerly about the concept she'd proposed after their previous meeting.
"It's hard to realize, and I haven't even mastered Shape Transformation yet," Nayou replied, sounding a bit down. Lately, every sparring session she had with Shen ended in a draw, and she knew deep down that Shen was only doing so not to make her feel bad. But she desperately wanted to win — just once would be enough.
"Shape Transformation huh?" Shen mused. "I've been researching it recently too. Why don't I demonstrate for you?"
Nayou felt even more discouraged hearing Shen's words. The guy had already completely mastered both Nature and Shape Transformation. Such a genius could become Chunin without even taking the exam!
[Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!]
"Shen compressed his chakra through Shape Transformation into the form of a fiery dragon, releasing this [Fire Release] technique toward the distant river.
"Zizi—"
The high-temperature dragon surged forward, evaporating part of the water upon impact, which created mist rising from the riverside.
"How beautiful!"
Reflecting the firelight, the mist sparkled and momentarily left Nayou awestruck.
"Do you know why I strive to become stronger?" After completing the ninjutsu, Shen turned around stylishly toward Nayou with a big smile.
"Is it so you'll have a voice in the village?"
"No, that was just a joke. My real purpose is to protect everything I want to possess—my family, the Uchiha Clan, Konoha, and the Ninja World."
He paused for a moment before looking at her with deep sincerity. "And Nayou—you're all proof of my existence in this world. This world is cruel, so I want to find a way to achieve true peace!"
His words moved her deeply. She looked at the boy bathed in the shimmering light on the water. "I believe you will find that way to true peace."
"No, I hope we can search together. I'm not too proud to walk side by side with others!"
Nayou was stunned by Shen's words but nodded dumbly in agreement."
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