"Oh, if only everyone was like you, managing this street would be so much easier!" Izumi sighed deeply, a rare softness in her tone. "Then I wouldn't need to be so polite."
She stretched out her hand and snatched the money right from the elder's grasp, placing it firmly on the table with a sharp tap.
"Cough, cough… um…" Izumi cleared her throat and continued, "But you all have to understand—I'm finding this very difficult. Managing this street is already hard enough with so many Temporary Workers. If I were to do it all by myself, how much harder would it be? Sigh. The workload has increased suddenly and dramatically, and I don't see how my time and energy will ever be compensated. Sigh."
She paused, shaking her head. "And what if I suddenly need to dismiss these Temporary Workers? How could I even bring that up with you? Sigh…"
Though the merchants were inwardly indignant, a few even thinking, She's just sitting there playing every day, their faces remained carefully polite.
The old man glanced at the merchants behind him, noticing many of them closing their eyes and silently nodding in reluctant agreement, enduring the discomfort with patience.
Only then did he relax and say gently, "Don't worry. We will ensure these compensations are paid. Please, accept it."
He grabbed Izumi's hand and shook it firmly several times, his eyes full of genuine gratitude. "I beg you, Ninja-sama!"
Izumi's gaze softened, touched by the sincerity. "They always complain about me, and I feel powerless to stop it. If they keep complaining like this, I'll have no choice but to continue employing these Temporary Workers."
The old man shook his head immediately. "No, no. They will not complain about you anymore. In fact, they'll greet you with smiles from now on. If you personally enforce the law, you will be their great benefactor."
"Yes, yes! You are our great benefactor!" The merchants began echoing the sentiment with joyful smiles, voices rising in agreement.
Izumi covered her mouth and said, amused, "That's wonderful to hear. Wouldn't it have been better if we'd been honest with each other from the start? If everyone had been upfront, so many misunderstandings could have been avoided."
"Exactly!" a merchant nodded enthusiastically. "If only we had talked to you earlier, all these problems could have been prevented."
Izumi studied their sincere smiles. For the first time in a long while, her heart felt lighter, as if healed by their goodwill.
---
The very next day, Izumi handed half of the collected compensation money to the hoodlums. She also gave them an extended vacation from their duties.
Then, she resumed patrolling the street on her own.
Her presence surprised many.
She caught their startled eyes and smiled warmly, waving cheerfully. "Hi! Hello, everyone!"
At first, the people froze, unsure how to respond.
"Oh~ Oh, oh, good, good, good!" someone called out.
Realizing that it was Izumi herself, not the Temporary Workers, many began to cheer and clap enthusiastically.
Izumi felt their genuine longing and gratitude, a stark contrast to the hostility she had previously faced.
The clapping attracted the attention of passersby, who grew curious.
Why was this young Uchiha girl so beloved here? Why was her treatment so different from the reputation of the Uchiha Clan in other neighborhoods?
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage and the high-ranking officials studied various reports on Uchiha Izumi's actions in Ohe Street.
Danzo Shimura's voice cut sharply through the room. "Hiruzen, we cannot allow Uchiha Izumi to continue acting so recklessly. It's clear that ever since her mother's death, she has become mentally unstable."
Danzo knew Izumi had found a key to peaceful coexistence between the villagers and the Uchiha—by redirecting the villagers' hatred onto the Temporary Workers.
If the Uchiha Clan began adopting Izumi's methods broadly, their collective resentment might diminish, and perhaps the infamous coup would never happen.
That was precisely what Danzo wanted to prevent.
The Third Hokage looked conflicted. "It's easier said than done. The Uchiha Clan now has many experts. How should we handle Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Fugaku? And now, there's Uchiha Izumi—who plays by no rules. It's impossible to predict her next move. This is very troublesome."
Danzo chuckled coldly. "Don't forget, Uchiha Itachi is easier to control than Izumi. We just need to apply subtle pressure, let him feel our desire for peace. Under the weight of his clan's expectations, he will lean towards our side."
"Have Itachi approach Izumi. They have a good relationship, though it's not officially confirmed. Let him gather intelligence on her for us."
The Third Hokage nodded slowly. "That's a reasonable plan. If this situation can be resolved peacefully, that would be best. Unfortunately, the Uchiha have already lost reason, especially this child, Izumi. Such a pity."
---
On her daily patrol, Izumi suddenly heard her name called.
She turned and smiled upon seeing Uchiha Itachi approach.
"Eh? Isn't that Itachi? Long time no see. Are you on vacation?" she asked warmly.
Itachi's face brightened at the sight of Izumi. He noticed not only how much taller she had grown but also how much more beautiful she had become.
"Yes," he replied. "I'm on vacation. The Hokage advised me not to work in Anbu all the time. Taking appropriate breaks is necessary to avoid mental strain."
Izumi smiled knowingly. "I didn't expect your superiors to be so humane. Heh heh heh…"
Itachi gazed at Izumi's radiant face and thought about the heavy burden he carried—the dark, unspeakable deeds performed in Anbu, the constant pressure from his clan. A heavy weight pressed down on his heart.
Seeing Izumi so happy and carefree, her laughter clear and pure, caused his heart to beat faster.
Without thinking, he suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
People nearby stopped to stare.
"Eh?" Izumi looked surprised at the sudden embrace in broad daylight.
Though she could have pulled away, she chose not to. Instead, she returned his gaze with a cold look before relaxing back into normal composure.
Itachi buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply, savoring her delicate scent.
His large hands rested firmly but gently on her slender waist and shoulders.
Izumi blushed and whispered shyly, "Hey! There are so many people around!"
Itachi's face flushed with embarrassment as he quickly let go.
"Heh heh, I got carried away," he said sheepishly.
Two girls nearby whispered excitedly, "Did you see that? They hugged in the street! So sweet!"
A shop owner chuckled. "Looks like this little girl has a boyfriend now!"
"A perfect match! The guy's handsome too. I'm jealous!"
"Wow, young people these days are bold!"
Feeling awkward under all the attention, Izumi and Itachi quickly left.
---
They went to a nearby restaurant, sitting opposite each other, both a little embarrassed about what had just happened.
Izumi smiled and teased, "I didn't expect you to be so forward now. Looks like you've learned from your Anbu seniors."
Itachi shrugged, looking shy. "I saw you and couldn't help myself."
"Annoying," Izumi said, narrowing her eyes, though her cheeks flushed. She gave him a light glare with her Byakugan. "Hugging me in public like that—it's embarrassing!"
"I'm sorry," Itachi said quietly, regretful. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Izumi's expression turned serious. "Honestly, your actions just make me more annoyed."
"Huh? Why?" Itachi asked, genuinely puzzled.
Izumi chuckled softly. "You."
She gave him a playful glare with her Byakugan and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"Itachi shook his head. "Not yet."
Izumi's eyes softened as she looked at him. Over time, he had grown more mature, more handsome, and every little gesture he made was filled with the charm of a young man coming into his own.
"You can eat here," she said, "but you have to treat me!"
Itachi smiled. "Of course."
---
Thus, a new chapter began for Uchiha Izumi and the street she protected.
Despite the hardships and turmoil, a brand new sense of community was budding—one where understanding and respect might finally take root.
---
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