224. Confrontation

At this time, Konoha was still in its early stages of development. It was a small village where even the slightest commotion would attract the attention of curious onlookers. When the incident involving Uchiha Gin occurred, it caused an uproar. The already narrow street was soon packed with spectators.

Curious onlookers outside the scene craned their necks, standing on tiptoes to catch a glimpse of what was happening. Those at the front had a clear view and made exclamations, piquing the curiosity of those in the back even more. Frustrated by their lack of sight, some wished they had mastered the Earth Release technique, Earth Diving Technique, to burrow their way to the front row.

"What's going on?"
People at the back tapped the shoulders of those in front, asking questions.

"I don't know, I just got here!"
Someone in the middle of the crowd, who had been out running errands, shrugged helplessly. His barbecue shop had just been repaired, and he had a lot of work waiting for him.

"I heard some shameless Uchiha bullied a child in broad daylight and got caught by the security forces. It even alerted Lord Tobirama," said a man with a distinct Senju appearance, turning to spread the news to those behind him.

"Nonsense!" A black-haired man in a high-collared coat, standing further ahead, retorted fiercely. "That Senju is slandering us! It was clearly a case of someone trying to frame our clansman. When caught in the act, they became enraged, leading to a fight that drew the security forces. As for Tobirama’s arrival, it’s just an excuse to suppress our Uchiha clan!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement. When word spread that Tobirama and an Uchiha had started quarreling, people strained their necks even harder to see the action.

"Tobirama’s drawing his blade! How did that Uchiha dodge it?"

"If someone can match Tobirama in combat, it must be one of our elite Uchiha warriors. Is it the clan leader or perhaps Lord Izuna?"

The mere mention of a clash between the Senju and Uchiha stirred the crowd into a frenzy.

"Who is it? Maybe one of the elders?" someone asked eagerly.

"No idea, but he has curly hair," replied a frustrated informant caught in the middle.

"Curly hair? Disperse, it’s Uchiha Gin!"

Upon hearing the name, the previously excited Uchiha clansmen groaned in unison and rolled their eyes. Anyone raised in the Uchiha district knew Uchiha Gin. To them, he was a living nightmare of their childhood.

"Oh, it’s Gin. That’s fine, then." A burly man carrying soy sauce chuckled and walked away, leaving the crowd behind.

For years, Uchiha Gin had left a lasting impression on many young Uchihas, becoming the source of countless childhood traumas. Just recalling those times was enough to make some instinctively clench up, feeling a phantom pain.

"If it’s Uchiha Gin, then it must be true. I can’t believe after all these years, he still enjoys tormenting kids," one youth muttered, shivering before hurrying away.

The news spread, and many Uchiha youths left the scene with faces pale as if haunted by their past. Watching them clutch their backsides as they ran, the Senju clansmen were bewildered.

"Are these Uchihas suffering from food poisoning?" one remarked, puzzled by their behavior.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the street, two tall figures appeared: Senju Itama and his close friend, Uchiha Haruka. They were out shopping when they noticed the commotion.

"Look at that crowd! Let’s go see what’s happening," Haruka said with a curious smile, tugging on Itama’s sleeve.

"Fine," Itama replied absentmindedly, following her lead.

Stopping a hurrying Uchiha clansman, Haruka politely inquired, "Excuse me, what’s happening up ahead?"

The man, clutching his rear, waved her off. "You’re better off not getting involved. Just leave."

But Haruka'a curiosity only grew. She dragged Itama against the tide of fleeing Uchiha clansmen, determined to find out more.

Finally reaching the shrinking crowd, she asked another bystander, "What’s going on? Can you share the story?"

Before the man could answer, his young son, perched on his shoulders, exclaimed, "I know! They said it was someone named Uchiha Gin!"

"What? Teacher Gin?" Haruka and Itama exchanged shocked looks.

The boy, munching on a watermelon, nodded earnestly. "Yeah! They also mentioned something about curly hair!"

Haruka froze for a moment, then sighed. "It’s him, all right."

Her expression shifted to one of bemusement, knowing that wherever Uchiha Gin went, chaos was sure to follow.


"Absolutely not, with Tobirama Senju present, Teacher Gin is bound to suffer!"

Concerned about her teacher, Uchiha Haruka eyes glimmered with a scarlet hue as a chilling power radiated from him. Her sudden transformation startled the round-faced man, who instinctively swallowed and glanced nervously at the seemingly harmless purple-haired girl before him.
Nevertheless, the man continued cautiously:

"I heard that after exchanging a few words with that Uchiha, Tobirama Senju immediately started a fight. The outcome is still unknown, but—"

"Thank you. Itama, stay here and don’t move. I’ll be back shortly!"

With her crimson eyes glowing coldly, Uchiha Haruka nodded to the round-faced man in gratitude. She then briefly advised a guilty-looking Senju Itama before leaping over the crowd and rushing toward the scene of the incident.

"Teacher Gin, hold on!"


---

"Can you swear on your honor that every word you just said is true?"

Tobirama Senju, his arms crossed and gaze as sharp as a blade, stared at the boastful and infuriating curly-haired man in front of him. A palpable killing intent brewed within him as he spoke in an icy tone. His tense fingers twitched, ready to unleash a fatal attack at any moment.

This was Uchiha Gin’s last chance. Tobirama hoped he would seize it.

"Hah? What’s with that look? Are you accusing me of lying?"

Caught off guard by Tobirama’s interrogation, Uchiha Gin was bewildered. Moments ago, they were having a friendly discussion about Uchiha Kagami’s education. How had Tobirama suddenly turned hostile, as though performing a dramatic face change?

Gin, confused and frustrated, asked directly:

"Stop evading the question. Answer me now!"

The thought of his innocent, adorable sister being humiliated and toyed with for years by the man in front of him sent Tobirama’s anger and regret skyrocketing. Afraid he might lose control, he gritted his teeth and issued his ultimatum.

"Hey, I’m Uchiha Gin, also known as Honest Young Man. I never utter a false word. If I—"

Before Gin could finish, Tobirama vanished in a flash of silver lightning, leaving only the faint crackle of electricity in the air. Gin felt a sudden chill and clenched instinctively.

"Seriously? You're trying to kill me over Danzo and Hiruzen? Do you even know how much worse they’ll ruin Konoha in the future?"

Sensing an abrupt presence behind him, Gin clicked his tongue in annoyance. With a slight twist of his hips, he narrowly dodged Tobirama’s signature kidney slash.


---

“Flying Thunder God: Second Stage!”

A stunned Tobirama had no time to ponder how Gin narrowly avoided his first attack. With a flick of his blade, he launched another Flying Thunder God strike.

"Can’t we sit down and talk this out like grown men?"

As Tobirama’s relentless assault continued, Gin sighed inwardly. He twisted his hips again and narrowly dodged the strike, muttering about the lack of civil discourse while humming a cheerful tune.


---

"Tobirama Senju! If you wish to harm Teacher Gin, you’ll have to go through me first!"

Amid the chaos, Uchiha Haruka suddenly descended, wielding a modest gray short sword crackling faintly with lightning. He positioned himself protectively between Gin and Tobirama, his gaze cold and vigilant.

"Relax, little Haruka. I’ve got this."

Moved by his disciple’s loyalty, Gin patted Haruka on the shoulder to reassure him. Then, he glanced at Tobirama with a strange expression, his eyes seeming to detect a faint trace of familiarity.


---

"Curly-haired ape, why are you and my second brother fighting? I thought our clans had reconciled?"

Through the crowd emerged a striking figure with a distinctive black-and-white head of hair: Senju Itama. She appeared conflicted as she observed the confrontation, her worry evident.


---

The chaos escalated as insults flew, attacks were exchanged, and misunderstandings piled upon misunderstandings. Just when the tension reached its peak, a radiant figure enveloped in pale blue light descended from the heavens.

"Curly-haired ape, I hope I’m not too late!"