Chapter 98: Uninvited Guests, Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
In the Land of Hot Water, in front of the izakaya.
After sending Hidan away, Seiichiro Uchiha shook his head, then looked up at the azure sky, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"The package from the clan should arrive soon."
As head of the Police Force, Fugaku Uchiha could only leave the village under direct orders from Konoha. So after handling matters concerning Yugakure and Tsukasa, he departed to lead the team to the Land of Water for a more dangerous mission.
Yugakure's affairs were left to Seiichiro.
Tsukasa becoming a Sannin's disciple was a major event for the clan.
Along with the forehead protector and registration card, the package was supposed to include a green flak jacket and full Konoha chūnin equipment.
However, after the package passed through the hands of Elder Setsuna Uchiha, he'd tossed the chūnin vest aside in disdain, declaring it ugly and unworthy of an Uchiha.
The clan would expedite production of a custom combat uniform for Tsukasa, befitting his status as a prominent clan member.
Because this matter concerned Tsukasa, Seiichiro was deeply invested.
He was awaiting this very package.
Just then, a high-pitched eagle's cry suddenly echoed from the sky, piercing and soul-stirring.
A messenger hawk descended from the horizon, and Seiichiro's eyes lit up. He quickly raised his arm to receive it, pulling a palm-sized storage scroll from the pouch on its back.
This scroll was priceless, boasting vast storage capacity—far surpassing the scroll Tsukasa had used for his ninja tools. It was truly a premium item in the shinobi world.
And what was being transported in this scroll was the clan's true reward for Tsukasa.
Looking at the scroll in his hand, Seiichiro was curious: what exactly would this combat uniform, delivered at such cost, look like? How impressive would it be?
How about letting this senior take a peek before showing Tsukasa?
Seiichiro's breathing quickened as he placed his palm on the scroll, slowly pulling it open.
However, at that moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed in Seiichiro's ears.
"Are you worthy to see what's inside?"
He looked up suddenly and saw a group of four ninja dressed in Konoha ANBU attire approaching.
The leader wore a black cloak and dark sunglasses, with a purple tattoo on the right side of his face.
His tone was stern as he ordered Seiichiro directly:
"Where is Uchiha Tsukasa? You—take me to him!"
Seiichiro's pupils contracted slightly. From the masks worn by the other team members, he immediately recognized them as Root operatives.
Compared to Konoha ANBU masks, which mostly featured animal designs, Root masks had a wider variety of patterns.
Moreover, he recognized the man in the dark sunglasses.
It was none other than Ryoma Aburame, a captain-level figure in Root, on par with Orochimaru in authority!
Meanwhile, on the bustling streets of the Land of Hot Water, Tsukasa found himself being led by Mei Terumi through the crowded thoroughfares. They rounded a corner, dodged the crowds, and descended into a small alley, arriving at a quiet little shop.
The shop stood amidst the hazy mist of hot spring steam, its exterior walls clad in brilliant white, its shrine-style eaves drooping gracefully, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Steam bubbled from a steamer in front of the shop, and the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms wafted in the breeze.
Display cases held a variety of traditional sweets and confections.
Foremost among them was the seasonal sakura mochi—cherry-pink rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in salted cherry leaves, shaped into delicate cylinders, bamboo forms, and dumpling shapes.
"Welcome, young guests."
"What would you like?"
The shop owner, nearly sixty years old, bowed slightly and politely asked them with a smile.
Tsukasa glanced at the sakura mochi in the display case and was immediately startled.
He was shocked by the price.
What the hell? Are these cakes inlaid with diamonds? Why are they 100,000 ryō each?
He looked up in astonishment at the shopkeeper, wanting to ask if this was some kind of gift meant for nobility or something.
This palm-sized thing cost enough to buy 1,053 bowls of Ichiraku Ramen!
At that moment, Mei turned to look at him and asked:
"What's wrong? Don't worry, the sweets at this shop are delicious. They're said to be offered to the Daimyō every year—they're a specialty of Yugakure."
Tsukasa looked at the confections before him. It was clear these delicacies were definitely better than the dango sold on the street for 20 ryō a stick.
But could he admit he was short on cash and could only afford a single piece?
So he could only nod awkwardly, chuckling nervously, and asked: "Uh-huh, Mei, which one do you want?"
Mei crouched down, her cheek resting on her hand, and began selecting from the shelves.
Then, pointing to an exquisitely presented sakura mochi, she turned her head and looked at Tsukasa, her eyes sparkling.
"This one, Tsukasa! I want this!"
Tsukasa's heart ached as he immediately pulled out the 100,000 ryō bill and slammed it on the counter.
"Alright, sure! Buy it!"
Mei smiled faintly, then shook her head. With great generosity, she pulled out her small wallet, retrieved a bankbook, and pointed at Tsukasa while addressing the shop owner:
"Owner, please wrap these up."
"I want them all. Give them to him."
The shop owner was stunned by this, his eyes practically sparkling with delight. He immediately wrapped up all the sakura mochi in the container and placed them in Tsukasa's hands.
Tsukasa was also stunned, immediately looking up at Mei.
At that moment, he realized the profound wealth disparity in the shinobi world.
And what kind of rich lady is this, casually giving away the equivalent of an S-rank mission reward?
Holding a large bag of sakura mochi, Tsukasa walked side by side with Mei, who was nibbling on one like a little hamster.
Then he heard Mei say, her voice hinting at something:
"Tsukasa,"
"Next time, don't spend your hard-earned money on... that kind of thing."
"Also, treat yourself and eat something nice~"
With that, she turned and showed Tsukasa her now-empty wrapper.
Then, with a faint blush, she stared at the large bag of sakura mochi in his hand and whispered:
"I want more."
Sensing the tension, Tsukasa blushed and swallowed, alarm bells ringing in his head.
What's that expression? What is she saying?
Is she asking me to feed her?
Tsukasa's eyes widened slightly with sudden realization. He immediately raised a sakura mochi and offered it toward Mei.
Mei was stunned to see Tsukasa actually offering to feed her.
She blinked rapidly and gasped, her emerald green eyes trembling as her pale ears instantly flushed red.
She'd only wanted Tsukasa to hand her another piece, but he'd been so bold!
Feeding me directly? Has our relationship reached this point already?
This—this is too fast!
Meanwhile, Tsukasa saw Mei's face flush like a boiling kettle and his eyes widened, realizing he'd misunderstood. But the arrow was already nocked—if he withdrew now, it would seem cowardly!
And she... she doesn't seem to be refusing!
Tsukasa's heart pounded wildly.
Meanwhile, Hidan—who had been silently following the two, munching on a dry bun to satisfy his hunger, eager to see what these two supposed teammates were up to behind his back—witnessed this romantic scene.
He was stunned, and the hard bun in his hand dropped to the ground with a clatter.
THUD!
The crisp sound, like a stone hitting the ground, startled the two like frightened birds. They turned around simultaneously.
Then Tsukasa saw it—his little brother Hidan glaring at them angrily, pointing at the sakura mochi in his hand, about to say something.
Behind Hidan, on the rooftops of the alley, countless ninja wearing Kirigakure forehead protectors and uniforms had already gathered.
They raised their heads toward the six-story building in the middle of the street, forming hand seals.
The next moment, a cold shout rang out, tearing through the false illusion of peace in Yugakure:
"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Tsukasa's pupils suddenly contracted, and his scarlet Sharingan blazed to life!
End of Chapter 98
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