Side Story: The Travels of Fugaku and His Wife 7

Side Story: The Travels of Fugaku and His Wife 7

After exiting the space-time gate, some people were stunned.

One after another, tall buildings stood before their eyes. Rows of vendor shops lined the streets in an orderly fashion, and long queues of people shopping could be seen everywhere.

From time to time, a figure would fly through the sky. Clearly, that guy was also an Uchiha clansman who cultivated sage arts.

Due to Konoha's large population, the built-up area had also grown larger and larger. Even the Hokage Rock, which should have been visible at a glance, was now obscured, and only the head of the Third Hokage in the middle could be faintly seen.

"Ha, every time I see the Hokage Rock, it makes me uncomfortable…" Uchiha Shōwa snorted coldly. "Sooner or later, I'll replace his Hokage Rock with the Fifth's!"

"Hahaha, we should still respect tradition! Even if the Third Hokage's reputation in the village is in tatters, it can't be denied that he, too, once held the great power of Konoha!"

After a burst of laughter and joking, the group of Uchiha, in order to avoid Kaguya being disturbed, split up to take charge of security.

From time to time, they would encounter patrolling ninjas from the Konoha Military Police Force and greet them in a friendly manner. This sight made the nearby Sasuke and Itachi feel a pang of bitterness.

Before long, Kaguya got lost as she was walking. She would stop from time to time to look at the clothes or delicacies in a shop's display case.

Black Zetsu, who had been following Kaguya closely, saw Neji stop at the entrance of a shop and knock on their glass. "All the new desserts in your shop, prepare one of each and send them all to the Hyuga main family's residence."

"Please also help me wrap up this new piece of clothing and send it to the Hyuga main family's residence. We don't care about the price. Oh, right, also prepare two more sets for me, in Lady Hinata's and Lady Hanabi's sizes. You have those here, right?"

"Ha, Tenten, are you in the shop today too? Is this the new ninja tool you just researched? Prepare three for me, I'll come and pick them up later!"

"…"

The originally chatty Uchiha fell silent, their expressions exceptionally grim. Compared to the Hyuga clan, their Uchiha clan, with its large family and business, looked glamorous on the surface, but was actually very poor on the inside.

Finally, an Uchiha clansman couldn't take it anymore and said in a small voice beside Fugaku, "Captain, this month's fee for our Naka Shrine helping to look after the Tailed Beasts—isn't it about time to collect it from the other great nations?"

"I think looking after the Tailed Beasts is a hard job. The prices in the village are getting higher and higher. We should also raise the price!" An Uchiha with sharp ears immediately chimed in after hearing this.

"Captain, what they said makes sense."

Uchiha Enkei's face was slightly innocent. "Last month, Lord Ancestor was supported by Lady Tsunade. This month, the Hyuga clan is responsible for supporting her. Next month, it will be our turn…"

"That's right, we can't let Lord Ancestor be wronged on our watch!"

"Last time, we just commissioned Yamato to build a new house for her…" Fugaku's face was slightly embarrassed. He glanced at his wife and said softly, "When we get back, I'll have to discuss it with Itachi."

Because Kaguya's identity was rather complicated, according to their agreement, each descendant clan needed to take care of her for about a month.

Currently, Kaguya had five branches of descendants in Konoha.

The number one noble clan of Konoha, the Uchiha, looked very powerful, but in fact, the clan's finances had never been very affluent. It was said that even the Naka Shrine's repair costs had to be paid for by the Land of Waves!

The old noble clan of Konoha, the Byakugan Hyuga. Under Itachi's intervention, the trend between the main and branch families was easing. It was said that the next clan head would most likely be Neji Hyuga. Their clan was the type that was rolling in money.

Konoha's Senju descendant, Tsunade. This one couldn't even manage herself. Every time it was her turn to support Kaguya, she had to rely on Jiraiya to help pay.

Konoha's Uzumaki descendants, Karin and Naruto. These two were both quite diligent. Most of the time, it was Karin who was responsible for taking care of Kaguya.

And the last one, Black Zetsu. Every time it was its turn to support Kaguya, it would have a month's vacation, allowing it to accompany her.

Sasuke listened to the others' complaints and finally felt he had regained some face. "Why, is the Uchiha clan of this world very poor?"

He was one person who, when fed, his whole family was full.

At this moment, seeing that group of arrogant Uchiha look embarrassed, it made him feel a rare sense of joy.

"Not really…"

Mikoto smiled and shook her head. "Because most Uchiha become Jonin after they reach adulthood, every family is very wealthy. But because of Fugaku-kun's policies, the clan's public funds have always been rather scarce…"

"And the Uchiha clan is numerous. Counting the clansmen with other surnames, there are thousands. Among the clansmen, there are always some with poorer conditions who need everyone to chip in and support…"

"…"

Sasuke pouted, a little sour.

The Itachi beside him, hearing these words, his mood became lower and lower, and he couldn't help but cough up a mouthful of blood. Kisame quickly stepped forward to support his body.

Suigetsu, in the group, was suddenly stunned. He stared blankly at a man who had stepped into the inn. "Why do I feel like I just saw my older brother…"

"That's Mangetsu Hozuki, right?"

An Uchiha clansman looked up and replied casually, "He's probably here to seek the support of the Fifth Hokage. I heard he and Zabuza Momochi are competing for the position of Sixth Mizukage. Unfortunately, only Ringo Ameyuri and Ao support him…"

"Zabuza has Kisame Hoshigaki standing behind him!"

"Kisame is the ANBU Captain of the Mist. All the Mist ninjas have to listen to his orders. How can Mangetsu compete with him!"

"Tsk, and Kisame is a sworn friend of Lord Fifth Hokage!"

"If that little brat Mangetsu wants to seek support from the Fifth, he'd be better off asking that old geezer Tobirama! Hahahaha…"

"Speaking of which, it's really interesting. The Kisame of the other world and Lord Itachi are also very close!"

The Kisame who had been inadvertently named: "…"

Although he didn't know why the Kisame of this world was doing so well… it still made the 'Nanju' (Southern Star) of the Akatsuki feel a little sour…

What the hell?

Why did he have to obey Madara's orders and could only become a rogue ninja, carrying out missions like a rat in the sewer…

And the Kisame of this world, look at him, he's even managed to get to the position of ANBU Captain. Just hearing it, you know how prestigious it is!

Just at this moment, Mangetsu, who had been seeking support, came out. A slender, white-haired figure came out to see him off.

That white-haired youth seemed to have suddenly seen Kaguya. He stood in place and humbly bowed to her…

Just as Suigetsu was about to go and say hello, Jugo, who was beside him, suddenly pushed him aside, wanting to rush to the inn entrance. "Kimimaro… he's still alive!"

"No need to go! That Kimimaro doesn't dare to cause trouble!"

An Uchiha beside him said with a light laugh, "Because the Orochimaru who adopted him researched a dangerous jutsu and is currently being hunted by Sasuke… If Kimimaro wants those friends of his in the Hidden Sand to live, he can only honestly fulfill his duties as an envoy of the Sand!"

"And an unfortunate reminder: the Jugo of this world happens to be one of the people Orochimaru took away… so Kimimaro won't dare to talk to you!"