Land of Fire — Capital City.
Uchiha Commercial Street.
As the most prosperous area in the Land of Fire, this street housed more than a thousand shops spanning every industry imaginable—food, drink, entertainment—everything in one place.
It was the true CBD of the Land of Fire.
And for decades, no one had dared touch this prize.
Because it belonged to the Uchiha Clan.
At this moment, a group quietly arrived at the outskirts of the street.
[Destination reached.]
At the System's notification, Ruoza lifted his head and swept his gaze across the scene.
"This is the place?"
The entire street was ablaze with lights, packed shoulder to shoulder with people.
"Worthy of being the Uchiha Clan's most important commercial street… truly spectacular."
Ruoza couldn't help but admire it.
This single street funneled an enormous amount of wealth into the Uchiha coffers every year—
More than half of the clan's total income.
A treasure so rich that even the Fire Daimyō would salivate over it.
[Target detected, 500 meters ahead.]
"So soon?"
"Move."
Ruoza stepped forward, entering the commercial district.
Three Jōnin followed closely behind him.
---
At the center of the street.
A group of uninvited guests had arrived.
Leading them was a gaunt old man with sunken cheeks and triangular eyes, his face etched with cunning and greed.
Kishinan Saburō.
The head of the Kishinan Clan of the Land of Fire.
"Heh-heh… I can already smell the money. Absolutely intoxicating!"
Saburō inhaled deeply, his face glowing with avarice.
"This scent really brings back memories."
"When I was forty-seven, the Kishinan Clan was crushed by the Uchiha and forced to withdraw from this place."
"I thought I'd never return."
"And yet, twenty years later, I'm back—"
"And this entire street is once again in Kishinan hands!"
"While the Uchiha have been completely wiped out!"
"Hahahaha… fortune turns, and Heaven favors me!"
His unrestrained laughter quickly drew the attention of nearby merchants.
"What's wrong with that old guy? Laughing like a lunatic."
"No idea—maybe he's lost his mind."
"Damn it, it's not even noon and he's already howling. My billion-ryō deal just got ruined!"
Suddenly, Saburō spun around and glared coldly at the crowd.
"Everyone, listen carefully!"
"From today onward, this place will be renamed Kishinan Commercial Street!"
"All matters here—big or small—will be handled by the Kishinan Clan!"
An uproar erupted instantly.
"Are you insane?! This place is under Uchiha protection!"
"Tch, blowing hot air like a cow farting!"
"Hilarious. Trying to take this land? Aren't you afraid of Uchiha retaliation?"
Saburō sneered.
"Pfft. The Uchiha?"
"A clan that's already been exterminated—what's there to fear?"
The words hit like a thunderclap.
"What?! Impossible!"
"The Uchiha are a top-tier clan of the shinobi world—how could they be wiped out?"
"I don't believe it!"
"He's bluffing—trying to scare us!"
No one believed him.
The news was simply too shocking.
A clan that had stood strong since the Warring States Era—annihilated?
"Believe whatever you want."
Saburō waved dismissively.
"From today on, this street belongs to the Kishinan Clan."
"Let me lay down a few rules."
"Any trace of the Uchiha on this street will be erased—punishment will be severe."
"Taxes will increase by thirty percent. Miss the deadline, and you'll regret it."
"And furthermore—"
Before he could finish, a middle-aged man stormed out from the crowd, furious.
"In your dreams!"
"This place is protected by the Uchiha—how dare you!"
Gripping a butcher's cleaver, he charged straight at Saburō.
"Hmph. A mere civilian dares raise a hand?"
Saburō scoffed.
"Go—teach him a lesson. Let him see the might of the Kishinan Clan."
"Yes, sir!"
A Genin leapt forward, meeting him in an instant.
Clang!
The middle-aged man was just a civilian—he was knocked to the ground in a single exchange.
Yet he showed backbone.
With a blade pressed to his throat, he didn't beg.
He spat instead.
"Spit! You beasts just wait—the Uchiha won't let you off!"
"Oh? Still tough, huh?"
Saburō sneered.
"Break his limbs. Let's see how tough he is then."
"Understood!"
The Genin raised his blade—
—and slashed toward Saburō instead!
The sight nearly made Saburō piss himself.
Clang! Clang!
At the last moment, a Chūnin behind him blocked the strike.
"You idiot! Are you insane? Attacking me?!"
Saburō screamed in rage.
But the Genin stood there blankly, eyes vacant, as if his soul had already left his body.
"Lord Saburō… Kōjirō's been caught in a genjutsu."
The Chūnin immediately realized the problem.
"Genjutsu?!"
Saburō's face went pale.
"Can you dispel it?"
"No."
The Chūnin shook his head.
"Then kill him."
"…Yes."
Though reluctant, the Chūnin obeyed and swung his blade.
Crack!
Steel flashed—
—and the Chūnin's own head rolled across the ground.
"What?!"
Saburō was completely stunned.
Everyone froze.
The one who died wasn't the Genin—
It was the Chūnin himself.
Possessed… forced into suicide?
Bang!
Suddenly, the sharp crack of an iron gun echoed through the street.
All eyes snapped toward the sound—
including Saburō's.
In the distance stood a slender youth, upright as a crane.
Fair-skinned, bespectacled, scholarly in appearance.
In his hands was a long rod of black iron—
An iron gun.
"One shot—and the world knows my name."
With a flick of his wrist, the youth unleashed what looked like a ninjutsu.
Bang!
A flaming bullet shot forth, piercing straight through Saburō's body!
"AAAAAH—!"
A single scream.
Kishinan Saburō died on the spot.
The bespectacled youth then softly recited, as if chanting poetry.
"Two shots—Heaven passes judgment on the traitor."
The entire street stood frozen, utterly unable to comprehend what had just happened.
---
In the distance.
"Well done."
Ruoza watched the scene, admiration flickering in his eyes.
Then he turned to the Longsword Jōnin.
"Eliminate every last one of his followers."
"Understood."
The Longsword Jōnin answered calmly and charged forward.
Clang! Clang!
The long blade danced, killing intent freezing the air.
Those remaining underlings—at best Chūnin—were utterly helpless before a true Jōnin.
In just a few breaths, they were all cut down.
For a long moment—
The entire commercial street was deathly silent.