Uzumaki Rin looked at the group of idiots charging at him and twitched his lips.
He had always heard that Uchiha tended to be extreme—but no one ever said they were brainless. Yet the fools in front of him had clearly reached a whole new level of stupidity.
Attacking him right outside the Ninja Academy gate—was that ignorance or just pure foolishness?
Didn't they know that around the academy, at least five ANBU-level Jonin were stationed on watch? Right now, there were two ANBU operatives observing from the nearby trees.
If it was just minor scuffling, that would be one thing. But once real combat started—or worse, ninjutsu was used—the consequences…
Heh. Straight to ANBU interrogation.
Sure, the Uchiha had their privileges. The Konoha Military Police might not punish their own clan members.
But ANBU?
They didn't care about that.
Cause trouble in a sensitive area, and you'd be invited for a "talk."
Yet Rin waited—and even as those idiots closed in on him, the ANBU watching from the trees didn't move at all.
What the hell…?
Did you guys get bribed by the Uchiha?
Fine. If you won't act, don't blame me.
When things go wrong, it'll be your responsibility.
With that thought, Rin stepped forward and began beating them down without mercy.
People said not to hit the face—
But Rin went straight for it.
Within moments, a set of fresh "pig heads" appeared. Every one of them had swollen, bruised faces, at least twice the size they were before.
"Much better. You look way more fitting now," Rin said with a cheerful smile, looking at the fallen group.
"Damn it… you're asking to die!"
"Use ninjutsu! Kill him!"
"Attack together!"
The beaten group scrambled to their feet and immediately began forming hand seals.
At that moment, they were completely blinded by rage—
Actually daring to use ninjutsu inside the village.
Only then did Rin finally sense movement from the two ANBU in the trees. Their chakra began to surge—they were about to intervene.
Too late.
You should've acted earlier.
Now you're in trouble.
"You're actually using ninjutsu? And it's Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu… If I dodge, the surroundings will be destroyed. Looks like I have no choice…" Rin muttered, putting on a perfect "reluctant hero" act.
The two ANBU operatives instantly felt a headache coming on when they saw his hand seals.
"Wait—!"
But before they could finish—
"Tiger—Ox—Monkey—Rabbit—Rat—Boar—Rooster—Ox—Horse—Dog—Tiger—Dog—Tiger—Snake—Ox—Monkey—Rabbit… Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
Boom!!!
It was as if the sky itself had split open.
A massive torrent of water erupted from above, crashing down toward the Uchiha group.
At the same time, their Great Fireball Jutsu had just been released.
But against Rin's enhanced Great Waterfall Jutsu—
It was like throwing eggs at a stone.
The fireballs held back the wave for barely a second before being completely extinguished.
The two ANBU immediately appeared in front of the Uchiha group.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
Boom!!!
A massive wall of earth rose up, blocking the incoming flood. The water slammed into it with a thunderous roar.
Earth Release naturally countered Water Release, and although Rin's technique had immense volume, its impact force wasn't significantly enhanced.
The wall held.
But the surroundings?
Completely wrecked.
The academy field had turned into a swimming pool. The fences were gone. Street poles and nearby trees were knocked over.
It looked like a typhoon had just swept through.
"You brat! Using an A-rank jutsu inside the village—this is—" one ANBU began angrily.
"Help! The ANBU and Uchiha are working together to kill me!" Rin suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.
Everyone who had just arrived froze in confusion.
ANBU and Uchiha working together?
What kind of joke was that?
"Shut up! Come with us immediately!" the ANBU snapped, barely holding back their anger.
"See? They're trying to take me away to silence me! But too bad—I'm just a shadow clone. I've already exposed your plan. Bye!" Rin said, before turning into a puff of smoke and disappearing.
The two ANBU operatives' faces darkened beneath their masks. Their expressions twisted in rage.
At the same time, Rin's original body received the clone's memories.
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
Poof!
Another shadow clone appeared beside him.
"Go find Kushina. You know what to say. Then meet up at Tsunade's place. We're going to smash the Hokage's office later," Rin instructed.
"Understood."
As the clone rushed off, Rin himself headed straight for Tsunade's residence.
With those two backing him—
Who would dare touch him?
Not even the Third Hokage could handle both of them if they got angry.
"Tsunade! Help! The Uchiha are trying to kill me! Even the ANBU are helping them! I barely escaped—they want to take me to ANBU headquarters to silence me!" Rin burst into the yard, shouting loudly for all to hear.
"What? The Uchiha are trying to kill you? And ANBU are helping them?" Tsunade appeared instantly, her face filled with disbelief.
If it were just the Uchiha, she might believe it.
But ANBU siding with them?
Impossible.
ANBU was directly under the Hokage. And their leader was none other than Sakumo Hatake.
There was no way they would collaborate with the Uchiha.
Yet looking at Rin's panicked expression—
Even Tsunade couldn't immediately dismiss it.