Meanwhile, inside the Akimichi Clan compound.
Akimichi Torifu sat opposite Ryoko, looking at this troublesome clansman before him, feeling a dull throb in his temples.
He advised earnestly, "Ryoko, you have to consider the family's reputation to some extent at school. Some things simply cannot be taken too far."
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, his tone carrying deep helplessness. "Do you have any idea how much pressure your performance these past few days has put on me?"
As a member of the Akimichi Clan, first "losing" to a civilian Ninja for the sake of a bento was already a disgrace to the family's name.
Then, he had cleanly defeated members of the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans, indirectly slapping the faces of two established Prestigious Clans.
With this, he had immediately offended both of those old-school powerhouses.
The crux of the matter was that both families possessed unfathomable strength and extraordinary heritage; they were not to be provoked lightly.
The Hyuga Clan appeared stiff on the surface, but they were prouder than anyone underneath. They were likely already plotting their revenge in secret.
As for the Uchiha Clan, every one of them walked with their noses in the air, arrogant and conceited. They might even come charging over directly.
While the Ino–Shika–Chō trio stood united and had nothing to fear, inviting such trouble for no reason was ultimately an exasperating affair.
Ryoko naturally knew his actions were a bit offensive, but who told Hyuga Aoki and Uchiha Tekka not to agree to his request?
A week's worth of bento wasn't much. As long as they were willing to agree, they could defeat him however they liked.
Of course, he couldn't say this in front of the Clan Head.
Facing Clan Head Akimichi Torifu's earnest warning, Ryoko skillfully put on an "I know I was wrong" expression, blinking his innocent large eyes and promising with a sincere tone:
"Clan Head, I know I was wrong. I won't dare do it again next time."
"But honestly, it's all because the enemy was too cunning. They actually used a delicious-smelling bento to tempt me. I'm young and couldn't resist for a moment... Don't worry, next time I will definitely stand my ground and never be bought off by mere food again!"
He spoke with great conviction as if he had truly repented, but in his heart, he naturally thought otherwise.
Family reputation couldn't be eaten. If the other party was willing to give him bento, he was still willing to cooperate and put on an act.
If he didn't find a way to make some "extra income" himself, he could never fill his bottomless pit of a stomach.
The family's face was important, but the feeling of being hungry was even more unbearable.
Besides, he wasn't afraid even if he did offend them. After all, with Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi presiding over Konoha, he wouldn't let the Ninja Clans start a feud over such a trivial matter.
Akimichi Torifu looked at Ryoko's sincere expression of admitting his mistake and couldn't help but feel the kid was faking it.
However, there wasn't much he could do about it, given how good Ryoko's attitude was when admitting fault.
He sighed helplessly and waved his hand.
"Fine, fine... just watch yourself. At least don't make it so obvious."
Akimichi Torifu also knew in his heart that Ryoko's "disgraceful" behavior ultimately stemmed from the family's inability to satisfy his bottomless appetite.
If he could be fed until he was full every meal, why would he resort to such theatrics for a few bento?
Thinking of this, his words of reproach lost some of their conviction.
After seeing off the worried Clan Head, Ryoko shook his head helplessly.
"In this era of Konoha, the concept of Ninja Clan supremacy is still too heavy. It's truly feudal," he grumbled to himself.
In his view, winning or losing was a personal matter, but once it involved so-called "family glory," it became complicated and troublesome.
But perhaps this was the fate of being a child of a Ninja Clan. Since he enjoyed the family's protection and resources, he was naturally bound to the family's honor and disgrace.
Meanwhile, inside the Uchiha Clan compound, the atmosphere was also far from peaceful.
"Tekka, you idiot! You actually lost to a guy from the Akimichi Clan. You've become the laughingstock of the family. I'm going to wash away this disgrace for you!" the more impulsive Uchiha Inabi shouted angrily at his younger cousin Tekka.
Uchiha Tekka's face turned ashen. He couldn't refute the fact of his defeat, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Don't go. You don't understand how terrifying that guy is. He's simply a monster. Unless you can awaken the Sharingan, otherwise..."
"Huh?!" Inaho interrupted him rudely, his face full of disbelief. "You're exaggerating too much! To deal with a fat kid from the Akimichi Clan, I'd actually need to use the Sharingan? It's just that you're too incompetent!"
The two argued heatedly for a while. Ultimately, Inaho, firmly believing that Tekka was making excuses for his failure, left the compound in a rage, filled with a passion to vindicate the family's name.
Before long, a provocative shout rang out outside Akimichi Ryoko's slightly secluded small house.
"Akimichi Ryoko, get out here!"
The voice was loud, carrying the characteristic arrogance and impatience of the Uchiha Clan.
Inside, Ryoko, who was lying on the tatami mats digesting his food, heard the energetic shouting outside. He just lazily picked his ear, rolled over, and had no intention of getting up to deal with it.
"Aha, I should just go out because you told me to? How would that look for my reputation?"
Inside, Ryoko rolled his eyes at the clamor outside, completely unmoved.
Outside, Inaho waited for a long time without any movement. It felt like he had punched cotton, receiving a firm cold shoulder, and for a moment, he was at a loss.
Force his way in?
What if the guy really wasn't home, or if he counter-accused him of trespassing? Wouldn't that be even more embarrassing for the Uchiha?
Just then, Uchiha Tekka came rushing over, trying to make one last effort.
"Inaho, stop it. Come back with me."
"This is my disgrace. I will wash it away myself."
He knew deep down that he was currently no match for Ryoko, but Uchiha pride made him believe that as long as he awakened his Sharingan, he would surely be able to avenge his humiliation.
However, Inaho embodied the typical paranoia and arrogance of the Uchiha Clan and couldn't listen to any advice.
Seeing Inaho stubbornly standing at someone else's doorstep, even attracting the curious gazes of a few Akimichi clansmen, Tekka felt his face burning. This was too embarrassing!
He suddenly realized how annoying this kind of stubbornness that refused to listen to reason was, and he realized he had been much the same before.
Had he not personally experienced Ryoko's unfathomable defense and power, he probably would have been as blindly confident as Inaho.
Seeing that persuasion was useless, Tekka gritted his teeth and decided to let this cousin of his, who wouldn't face reality until he saw the coffin, experience the harsh reality for himself.
He thought for a moment, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly toward the house:
"Akimichi Ryoko, my cousin wants to spar with you! As long as you're willing to come out and beat him, I'll give you a week's worth of bento!"
Hearing this, Inaho sneered, "I think he's just a coward. Does he really think he can dare to come out with such an excu—"
"A week isn't enough!" Before he could finish, Ryoko's clear and rapid response came from inside the house. "At least half a month!"
Inaho's voice came to an abrupt halt. A surge of fury at being toyed with rushed to his head. This guy was indeed home, and he actually dared to bargain.
Consumed by rage, Inaho roared at the door without a second thought, "Fine! As long as you dare to come out and defeat me, forget half a month—I, Uchiha Inabi, will personally deliver Deluxe Bento to you for a whole month! I keep my word!"
For the sake of the family's reputation and the chance to personally teach the other guy a lesson, he went all out.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)