Chapter 170: Melodramatic Romance Drama
Masahiko frowned as he saw Kakuzu off.
From Kakuzu, he didn't get the location of the Akatsuki base. In fact, the Akatsuki might not even have a base yet.
Kakuzu had only seen three members of the Akatsuki: a madman, a child, and a leader. He didn't know much about their abilities either.
The place where Kakuzu met them was in the Hidden Waterfall, meaning they had actively sought Kakuzu out. As for information on other members, or even if there were other members, he had no idea.
"As expected, the Akatsuki doesn't want Nawaki and Mikoto to end up together..." Masahiko sighed. Kakuzu had left the organization because of this mission. It seemed he wasn't willing to do anything for money, such as instigating relationship drama...
"Or rather, he didn't dare to." Masahiko smiled. Kakuzu wasn't completely fearless of death.
"Besides that, Konoha's security needs to be strengthened." Kakuzu had come and gone without anyone noticing. "Or was it because he was with me that no one bothered to check?"
Masahiko felt the second possibility was more likely.
Having learned some intelligence about the Akatsuki, the unknown factors had been reduced slightly, and Masahiko relaxed a lot.
Since the Akatsuki leader was currently dedicated to correcting the plot, Masahiko just needed to keep a close eye on the things that were changing. For example, regarding Nawaki and Mikoto, he only needed to worry about Nawaki's safety; Mikoto was unlikely to be attacked.
Time flew by, and in a flash, Masahiko had stayed in Konoha for another half month. Everything progressed normally.
Nawaki and Fugaku continued to fight back and forth. Surprisingly, both improved rapidly during this competition. Masahiko was even worried they might develop "feelings" for each other from fighting so much.
The Senju and Uchiha clans were also waiting quietly for the result. Under Hiruzen's regulation, no further conflicts arose.
Everything was harmonious until one day, more than a month later, when Nawaki won a battle for the first time.
It wasn't hard to understand. Nawaki's Senju body (Sage Body) was constantly manifesting as he aged, while Fugaku Uchiha, having already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, would find it difficult to make significant progress unless he awakened the Mangekyou.
So relatively speaking, Nawaki's progress was faster.
After defeating Fugaku, Nawaki immediately rushed to the Uchiha clan in excitement, but unexpectedly, he was blocked outside the Uchiha clan grounds.
During this period, the two had fought many times, and the reason for their fights was known to everyone.
Everyone assumed that the Uchiha had tacitly agreed that as long as Nawaki could beat Fugaku, they would allow Nawaki to pursue Mikoto Uchiha. No one expected them to pull this stunt.
Kagami Uchiha, as the clan leader, didn't show his face, but the three Elders of the Uchiha clan appeared simultaneously.
This instantly ignited the emotions of the Senju clan. Unlike in the original story, the Senju clan hadn't withered away during the Second War. The current Senju were still known alongside the Uchiha as the two great clans of Konoha.
Groups of clansmen went to stand up for their Young Master. Even Tsunade, as his sister, went along. For a moment, a standoff occurred at the gate of the Uchiha clan.
There were quite a few civilian onlookers. The Uchiha wanted to drive them away, but the Senju stopped them, wanting everyone to see the "shameless" face of the Uchiha.
Masahiko was also among the onlookers. He used the Transformation Jutsu for the first time in a long while, turning into an ordinary old man.
Before coming here, he had entrusted Nagato and Konan to Mito's care. He had already prepared for the worst: fighting the Sage of Six Paths!
The "Konoha Mediation Team" arrived quickly. Led by Hiruzen, several people tried to persuade the two families.
"Kagami, come out!" When persuasion failed, Danzo shouted loudly.
Kagami Uchiha walked out with a bitter smile. Although he usually managed the Uchiha, he really had no way to handle this kind of "public outrage."
Masahiko watched the commotion leisurely from the crowd. Regardless of the final outcome, he was mentally prepared.
Either comfort Nawaki or fight desperately to maneuver the situation. That was all.
Hiruzen kept trying to persuade them, but without resolving the core issue, it had little effect. Danzo was tougher, demanding Kagami bring Mikoto Uchiha out and let her choose for herself.
Then, to Masahiko's amusement and exasperation, the situation developed into a third-rate romance drama.
After Mikoto came out, two middle-aged adults (her parents) warned her that if she chose Nawaki, they would sever their parent-daughter relationship with her.
Mikoto squeezed Fugaku's name through her teeth, earning a cheer from the Uchiha clan.
However, the Senju were obviously dissatisfied with this result, feeling that Mikoto Uchiha's choice was influenced by external pressure.
The conflict intensified, and something even more melodramatic happened. Not wanting to put Mikoto in a difficult position, Nawaki gave up voluntarily and turned to leave.
"Life is always more melodramatic than fiction," Masahiko sighed with emotion, watching Tsunade chase after him.
Thinking the matter was over, Masahiko felt sad for Nawaki but also slightly relieved. Who knew that something even more melodramatic would happen? Seeing Nawaki run away, Mikoto actually gritted her teeth, shook off her parents, and chased after him under everyone's astonished gazes. At the same time, Fugaku followed closely behind.
Masahiko's mouth twitched. He really didn't know what to say, and at the same time, he became alert.
"Am I under some kind of Genjutsu? I feel like things are progressing a bit weirdly." Masahiko muttered. Then he saw several Anbu members hurriedly evacuating the onlookers like him.
The conflict between Senju and Uchiha was about to explode, and Hiruzen could no longer suppress it. Masahiko frowned, preparing to step in and stop it.
However, before he could move, Mito appeared with his two disciples to mediate. Clearly, she had been watching too.
"No need for me to step in..." Masahiko went with the flow, following the other civilians as they were evacuated by the Anbu.
"No anomalies. The Sage of Six Paths didn't come, and the Akatsuki didn't appear. Is it because the final result isn't certain yet?"
"Uncle, did something happen in Konoha Village?" A young man's voice came from beside Masahiko.
"I don't know either; just came to watch the excitement." Masahiko smiled and turned his head. He paused slightly; facing him was a young man of eighteen or nineteen, beaming with a smile. He looked somewhat familiar.
Looking behind the young man, Masahiko saw a bamboo basket filled with various wild ingredients.
Noticing his gaze, the young man responded with a smile, "These are fresh ingredients I just gathered outside the village. I'm planning to sell them to the shops in the village."
Masahiko nodded and replied, "You're a capable young man, making money to support the family." He prepared to turn around and see the final outcome of the standoff.
However, the young man continued speaking, "I have to work a bit harder. My wife just got pregnant. I'm thinking of saving some money to open a shop too, though I haven't decided what to sell yet..."
Masahiko nodded perfunctorily. The young man continued, "Uncle, do you know what the villagers of Konoha like to eat the most? How about Ramen?"
Masahiko was startled. He instantly turned his head and narrowed his eyes.
"Ramen is good. I like it very much..."
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