"Honestly, if I were to dodge an attack of this level, it would just be demeaning."
Tōshirō glanced over, his eyes falling on Karin, who was cowering with her hands over her head.
"Let me show you what real Fire Style is."
Tōshirō interlaced his fingers to form a triangle. With just one hand seal, he exhaled a torrent of fire that far surpassed the previous attack.
If the last Fire Style attack was a mere fireball, Tōshirō's Fire Style was a sea of fire.
N-No, that's impossible!
How could a Fire Style be so vast in range?
The sea of fire roared as it scraped against the ground, rushing toward them like a tidal wave.
The Hidden Grass ninja were too shocked to speak, but they reacted quickly, all of them using Water Style ninjutsu in unison to counter the blazing attack.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
White smoke billowed out, obscuring their vision.
"Everyone, be careful! This guy is no ordinary ninja."
As soon as the warning was given, several fireballs slammed into the ground, and the Hidden Grass ninja who were too slow to react were sent flying by the explosions.
In just a few moments, Tōshirō had completely overwhelmed the Hidden Grass ninja.
"Kuso..."
A Hidden Grass ninja bypassed Tōshirō, using the Body Flicker Jutsu to get close. With a low growl, he swung his wakizashi from above. Just as he was about to bring it down on Tōshirō's back, he suddenly stopped. More accurately, he was stopped.
Without him realizing it, his body was locked in place by a chain of ice.
Tōshirō sat nonchalantly on the body of a defeated Hidden Grass ninja, his right hand propped up on his raised knee, his fist resting on his cheek, a slight smirk on his face.
Meeting his gaze, the Hidden Grass ninja's eyes filled with intense fear. He couldn't help but feel a cold sweat drenching his back.
This smiling, silent expression put him under more pressure than an angry glare would.
He swallowed hard and dared to ask, "With this kind of power, who exactly are you...?"
Tōshirō slowly spoke, "Uchiha Tōshirō..."
"Wh-What?" The Hidden Grass ninja was stunned, then shouted, "That's impossible! He died decades ago."
"Believe it or not."
After calming down a bit, the Hidden Grass ninja fell silent.
He didn't want to admit it, but if it was that person, he would indeed possess this kind of power.
"What do you want me to do..."
He realized that since he hadn't been defeated yet, Tōshirō must have a purpose for him.
Tōshirō glanced at the wide-eyed Karin. "Bring her mother to me."
"I understand," the Hidden Grass ninja said, being very perceptive. "I'll do as you say, so please let me go."
As soon as he said that, the chain of ice began to retract from his body and then vanished into the air.
The Hidden Grass ninja took a deep breath.
"You'd better be quick, or I can't guarantee what kind of fun I'll find to pass the time."
Tōshirō casually played with an ice crystal he had created, his smiling tone as relaxed as if he were just chatting.
But to the Hidden Grass ninja, it sounded completely different. It was a blatant threat.
It was clear that the "fun" this guy was talking about was not as simple as it sounded.
I must inform Lord Yamamoto immediately.
After the messenger left, the bored Tōshirō asked Karin her name. "What's your name?"
"Karin."
Karin answered truthfully.
"Just wait a little bit longer. You'll be able to see your mom soon."
Tōshirō ruffled Karin's hair in a comforting gesture.
Karin hummed in agreement.
Perhaps because of Tōshirō's kind attitude toward her and his handsome looks, Karin adapted quickly.
As for becoming his subordinate in the future, from her perspective, it was a much better deal than being a disposable tool for the Hidden Grass Village, so she wasn't very resistant.
The messenger ninja was quite fast. In just a few moments, he returned, bringing with him a large group of ninja.
The corners of Tōshirō's mouth curled. No matter how many ninja this small village brought, they were all useless against him.
The middle-aged man in the lead looked at Tōshirō, then asked, "You say you're Uchiha Tōshirō?"
Tōshirō didn't respond, not even bothering to look at him.
He scanned the crowd and, upon realizing that Karin's mother wasn't among them, he frowned slightly and expressed his displeasure in a cold tone. "Where is the person I asked for?"
"Hey, kid, don't get ahead of yourself. We're the ones asking the questions here."
Perhaps because he felt they had a numerical advantage, a Hidden Grass ninja made the same mistake as the others before him, thinking the advantage was on their side.
The ninja who had been severely beaten by Tōshirō earlier went pale when he heard his comrade's words.
Please shut your mouth, man.
They had also thought the advantage was on their side, only to be completely wiped out in less than a minute. They were still lying on the ground.
Fortunately, the leader of the Hidden Grass Village, Yamamoto, was a man who knew when to be pragmatic. He didn't take Tōshirō's arrogance to heart and answered, "That woman is on the front lines and won't be back anytime soon. I've already sent someone to notify her. The earliest she can return is tomorrow morning."
After saying that, he glanced at his subordinates lying on the ground, then at Tōshirō, who didn't have a single speck of dust on him. His heart sank.
This answer was satisfactory enough for Tōshirō, who nodded. "Is there anything to eat?"
Yamamoto was stunned, his brow furrowed as he tried to figure out Tōshirō's intention.
Tōshirō's intentions weren't as complex as he thought. He pointed at Karin's skinny body. "Get this child something to eat. She's as thin as a rail."
Tōshirō's dismissive attitude angered the surrounding Hidden Grass ninja.
Aside from the fact that he had snuck into the village and injured their comrades.
His arrogant and commanding demeanor alone was enough to make them lose their patience.
They acknowledged that Tōshirō might have some skill, but they couldn't forget where they were.
They were in the Hidden Grass Village.
If you're a dragon, you'll lie down here. If you're a tiger, you'll crawl.
"Lord Yamamoto..."
The Hidden Grass ninja called out to Yamamoto, hoping he would give the order to teach this guy a lesson.
At this moment, Yamamoto demonstrated the stability of a village leader. He didn't cause a conflict without understanding the other party's true strength and background.
"It's too much trouble to send food back and forth. How about this? The time is just right, so I'll invite the two of you to dinner. How does that sound?"
Tōshirō realized this might be a trap, but he didn't care. He accepted the invitation and led Karin directly to the meal.
At the dinner table.
Karin had never seen such a lavish feast in her life. She was a bit reserved at first, but soon she couldn't control herself and began to devour the food.
Tōshirō chuckled. "Eat slowly. No one's going to steal your food."
Yamamoto secretly observed Tōshirō.
If the real Uchiha Tōshirō had lived to this age, he would be in his forties, so it was impossible for him to still be so young.
No, it was precisely because of this abnormality that his story seemed more plausible.
With the pleasant atmosphere created by the delicious food and drinks, Yamamoto began to ask questions. "Why would a ninja like you appear in our village? I don't think there's any conflict between our two villages right now."
Tōshirō smiled. "Are you not doubting my identity anymore?"
"I don't believe you have a reason to lie about this."
Tōshirō showed him his Sharingan, giving him a clear answer.
Upon seeing the eye, Yamamoto was surprised but quickly calmed down. "I knew it..."
He felt lucky that he hadn't attacked rashly just now; otherwise, it would have been a disaster.
Yamamoto was not only afraid of Tōshirō's legendary power but also of Konoha behind him.
Tōshirō placed his hands on the table, interlaced his fingers, and smiled slightly. "Now that you know my true identity, you should also know that the Uzumaki clan is our best ally in Konoha."
Yamamoto was stunned and nodded.
"The Uzumaki clan was unfortunate enough to be scattered across the world after the destruction of their country. It is my duty to take care of them."
Yamamoto glanced at Tōshirō, wondering if he was really unaware or just pretending to be.
When the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, Konoha turned a blind eye. Otherwise, other countries wouldn't have been able to destroy the Land of Whirlpools so easily, and the scattered Uzumaki wouldn't rather die than ask the Land of Fire for help.
And now you're talking about having a duty to take care of them? What kind of act is this?
Yamamoto thought, Could it be that the jinchuriki of Konoha is unstable, so they are looking for a new vessel? That's why they've set their sights on Karin in our village?
Considering Karin's young age, Yamamoto felt this was highly likely.
No, I can't let Konoha get away with this. I have to get something in return.
"Well..."
Yamamoto wore a troubled expression. He felt that given Konoha's usual accommodating attitude, they should at least offer some compensation.
After all, they had been "taking care" of the mother and daughter for so long. They deserved some credit, even if it was a small one.
However.
He was mistaken.
Tōshirō didn't represent Konoha. He only represented himself.
Tōshirō asked, "How much money?"
(End of Chapter)
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