230. Auction

"Father..."

Akimichi Torifu trembled as he gazed at his usually gentle and affable father. The plump man now exuded a terrifying aura, causing those around him to unconsciously step back.

Before him lay a thin, bandaged man, his body covered in blood-stained wrappings. Most shockingly, both his hands were severed, with dark red blood seeping from the wounds.

"Shinbu! Wake up, it's me, your brother!"

The round man, Akimichi Shinji, the current head of the Akimichi clan, stared at his long-lost cousin with red-rimmed eyes. Although they weren't particularly close, seeing a member of his clan in such a humiliating state in public made his blood boil.

"Apologies, Clan Leader Shinji," Senju Tobirama explained calmly, his sudden appearance behind Shinji startling the onlookers. "Shinbu became uncontrollable this morning and severely injured members of our Senju clan. To prevent further harm, we had no choice but to take... decisive measures."

Shinji's fury was barely contained as he glared at Tobirama. "The Akimichi clan demands an explanation!" he roared.

Sasuke Sarutobi, standing nearby, hurried to mediate. "Shinji, calm down. Let's handle this peacefully." Turning to Tobirama, his tone hardened. "This isn't just about the Akimichi clan. It concerns the entire shinobi alliance. We need a satisfactory resolution."

Tobirama's eyes gleamed as he considered the situation. A simple gesture of compensation wouldn’t suffice—this was political.

Then his gaze landed on Torifu, who was peeking from behind the crowd. "This child... He’s your son, isn't he?"

Shinji, taken aback, hesitated but nodded. "Yes, he is."

"I see great potential in him," Tobirama said. "I propose to take him as my disciple. What do you think?"

The unexpected offer left Shinji stunned. He had expected financial reparations or political concessions, not this.

Sasuke Sarutobi leaned in. "Accepting this could greatly strengthen your clan's position within Konoha," he advised.

Realizing the strategic benefits, Shinji's resolve firmed. He pushed Torifu forward. "Go, greet your new teacher."

Though confused and frightened, Torifu obeyed. "Student Akimichi Torikaze greets his teacher," he stammered.

The tension dissolved, replaced by applause as Hashirama Senju appeared, beaming. "Congratulations, Tobirama! Another student to nurture."

Meanwhile, among the gathered children, young Danzo Shimura, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and others whispered about Hashirama.

"That’s the legendary Hashirama? Doesn’t look too smart," Danzo muttered skeptically.

Hiruzen hushed him. "Don’t underestimate him. My father says his aura alone can make your knees shake."

Distracted, Danzo accidentally bumped his massive rear into Koharu Utatane, who angrily shouted, "Danzo! Watch it!"

Flustered, Danzo apologized and turned—only to knock over Homura Mitokado, sending his glasses flying. As the group frantically searched, a kind voice interrupted.

"Are you looking for these?"

They turned to see a charming, black-haired boy holding the glasses.

"Thank you!" Homura exclaimed, relieved.

"I’m Hiruzen Sarutobi," Hiruzen introduced himself. "And you?"

"Uchiha Kagami," the boy replied warmly. "Welcome to Konoha."

Danzo glared at Kagami. "Hmph, just another arrogant Uchiha," he muttered, his jealousy growing as Koharu blushed at Kagami's kindness.

As the children quarreled and alliances were made, the seeds of their future destinies were unknowingly sown in the shadows of Konoha.


Assuming that Shimura Danzō was simply too shy to see a doctor, the kind-hearted Uchiha Kagami offered words of encouragement and even shared treatment suggestions for his condition.

"What?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was eavesdropping nearby, immediately felt a chill in his lower body when he heard the word "cut." His face turned pale, and he hunched over even more, as if trying to hide something.


---

Crackling~ crackling~

Suddenly, the distant sound of firecrackers drew everyone's attention. Even the children nearby, who had been chatting away, turned their heads in curiosity, eager to see what was happening.


---

"Our Senju Clan has always been dedicated to resolving disputes through peaceful means, striving to create a safe and stable..."

As Senju Hashirama's long-winded speech droned on, putting everyone on the verge of sleep, the firecrackers snapped them out of their drowsiness. The crowd began whispering to each other, wondering what was happening in the distance. Some were so intrigued that they wandered off to investigate, leaving only a few cautious members of the Ninja Alliance behind, exchanging confused glances.


---

"Tobirama, what's going on over there? I thought we told the shops to delay opening."

Hashirama, who had been interrupted mid-speech, was slightly annoyed. Turning to his brother Tobirama, he asked about the commotion.

"Huh? That’s Uchiha’s temporary detention site."

Tobirama, who had also been fighting off drowsiness, immediately became alert. His crimson Sharingan eyes glanced toward the noise, and when he realized the location, his usually stoic face showed rare surprise.

"Who’s in charge of the detention site?"

Hashirama was frustrated. I’m trying to spread a message of peace, but these guys just can’t stop causing trouble. I’ll have to complain to Madara!

"Let me check... Oh, it’s that curly-haired guy."

When Tobirama spotted a familiar figure, his expression became unusually complicated. With a strange tone, he replied:

"What? It’s Brother Gin?"

Hearing that Uchiha Gin was in charge, the previously enraged Hashirama instinctively shrank back. His anger vanished in an instant, replaced by a cheerful expression. Gesturing for his brother to follow, he said to the members of the Ninja Alliance:

"Let’s go see what Uchiha is up to over there!"


---

As the Senju brothers and the Ninja Alliance approached the Uchiha detention site, loud, peculiar music blasted from a massive speaker. The song, performed by Uchiha Gin himself, had a raspy, melancholic tone. The lyrics left the crowd dumbfounded yet sympathetic:

> "Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Clan, the ancestral prison has shut down~
The ancestral prison with the best welfare, has shut down~
Clan leader Madara, the scoundrel, obsessed with wooden dolls~
Left us in debt, 350 million gone, ran away with his doll~
We had no choice, paying salaries with prisoners~
Prisoners worth 10 million, 20 million, 30 million, now only 2 million each~
2 million, all just 2 million! Madara, you’re a scoundrel, you’re not even human!~
Give us back our hard-earned wages!"



Hashirama, stunned by the absurdity of the lyrics, turned to Tobirama, asking hesitantly:

"Is that... Gin’s voice?"

Tobirama nodded, his interest piqued. Unlike his brother, who looked mortified, Tobirama’s admiration grew. "This curly-haired guy... might even rival me as a singer. I must compete with him someday!"


---

Meanwhile, Gin, dressed sharply in a suit and holding a microphone, proudly introduced the new Uchiha initiative:

"Welcome to the Uchiha Detention Auction! The previous free giveaway event is over; we’re now in full auction mode!"

The crowd, initially confused, grew increasingly intrigued. Hashirama, who had hoped for peaceful negotiations, realized he’d been outmaneuvered. Seeing no choice, the Ninja Alliance reluctantly participated, bidding to free their captured clan members.


---

Inside the detention center, the prisoners were gambling on which clans would pay the most. Yamanaka Souichiro, elated by his clan's generosity, boasted to his cellmates while collecting bets.

However, just as his release was announced, a guard reminded him:

"Get ready to leave—oh, and strip down. Not even your underwear stays!"