Uchiha Genya held his head high amidst the loathing gazes of the Konoha rabble, a confident smile even tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He didn’t feel at all fragile; in fact, he felt very proud.
“Uchiha…
Genya, that’s your name, right?”
Suddenly, a white-haired boy blocked his path.
Genya wasn’t surprised at all to see Kakashi appear.
Sakumo Hatake and Obito—these two were the thorns that would forever remain in Kakashi’s heart.
Even Rin’s importance in his heart ranked below theirs.
Kakashi had no reason not to come see him.
Just as Kakashi was about to say something, Genya raised a hand to stop him and pointed toward the nearby Ichiraku Ramen.
“Want to have a bowl of ramen?
My treat.”
Kakashi: “…”
He didn’t understand why this young Uchiha seemed so at ease, as if he had him completely figured out.
Genya didn’t wait for Kakashi’s answer and simply took the first step into Ichiraku Ramen.
He spoke to Uncle Teuchi behind the counter, “Two large bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen.”
“Coming right up!”
Getting a new order, Uncle Teuchi immediately started working with a face full of smiles.
He held no prejudice against the Uchiha, just as he wouldn’t toward the future demon fox Naruto.
Soon, two bowls of steaming Tonkotsu Ramen were served.
Although he had eaten it many times, Genya had to admit there was a reason Ichiraku Ramen had stood tall on this street for so many years.
Watching Genya begin to eat heartily, Kakashi didn’t touch the ramen in front of him.
Instead, he used his one exposed eye to stare fixedly at Genya.
It was as if he wouldn’t let it go unless Genya provided a reasonable explanation.
“I suggest you eat a bit.
Otherwise, after I say what I’m about to say, you probably won’t have the stomach to eat for the rest of the day.”
Kakashi was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “What do you want from me?”
When someone is being unusually kind, they must have an ulterior motive.
Even if Uchiha Genya held the truth he sought, why would he tell him?
Without clarifying this point, Kakashi couldn’t trust a single word Uchiha Genya said.
Genya snapped his fingers.
“I like talking to smart people; it’s straightforward.
I’ll be blunt then—I want your Chidori development scroll.”
Kakashi’s brow furrowed.
Chidori was an A-rank ninjutsu of very high value, barely even qualified to be included in the Scroll of Seals.
He had been developing this technique specifically to work in tandem with the Sharingan’s superior dynamic vision to achieve maximum power.
However, he had never used this technique in front of others.
In the entire Konoha, no more than five people knew he had this move and could clearly call it by the name ‘Chidori’.
How did Genya know?
Kakashi was about to refuse when, as if anticipating his move, Genya raised a hand to interrupt whatever he was going to say next.
“Why don’t you hear what I have to say first, and then decide whether to give it to me or not.”
Deliver the goods first, pay later—this condition was so relaxed it was practically non-existent.
Even if Genya did speak the truth he wanted, Kakashi could simply go back on his word and refuse to give it.
Genya didn’t seem like such a generous person.
In their brief encounter, Genya had left an extremely deep impression on him.
Using his father’s suicide to disturb his state of mind, and then finally extending an invitation.
Every step was interconnected.
Coupled with Genya offering such a generous condition that was practically a freebie…
Kakashi couldn’t help but suspect that what Genya was about to tell him was the real objective, while whether or not he got the Chidori was secondary.
It was a case of making the dumplings just for the sake of the dipping vinegar.
Kakashi didn’t know if he should keep listening; he was afraid of hearing something that would throw him into complete disarray.
But while he was hesitating, a commotion suddenly erupted outside, sounding like loud voices and things being smashed.
Genya glanced at Kakashi, straightened his clothes, and said, “Sorry, duty calls for the Police Force.
I have some official business to handle.”
“You can think it over here slowly.
Just give me an answer before I get back.”
After speaking, Genya ignored Kakashi and walked out of the Ichiraku Ramen shop.
The commercial street was a prime location for disputes.
Since the war had just ended, some ninjas who had suffered mental trauma on the battlefield would sometimes act out in the streets because they couldn’t distinguish reality.
Commonly known as PTSD.
The members of the Uchiha Police Force were very dedicated.
The moment the injured Genin prepared to hurt someone, they rushed out and pinned down the Genin who was attempting to cause trouble.
However, the Genin’s companion was somewhat relentless, even trying to step up and shove the Uchiha Police Force members.
In the past, when such things happened, the Uchiha Police Force members would generally try their best to explain while dutifully arresting the offender and locking them in the Police Force jail.
But this style of arresting people without a word would often incite public anger.
The Genin’s companion was a middle-aged woman who wasn’t even a ninja.
From the look of it, she was likely his wife or something similar.
Seeing the Uchiha arrest her husband, she immediately sat on the ground and began to throw a tantrum, displaying the character of a Konoha rabble to the fullest.
“The Uchiha are hitting people again!
Is there no justice?!”
This sort of situation had happened more than once or twice.
Every time, the Uchiha Police Force would explain only after the arrest, but the result was often that neither side was satisfied.
Just as the middle-aged woman was about to rush up and pull at a Police Force member’s clothes, a cold voice cut through the crowd.
“Attacking the Konoha Police Force in broad daylight—are you trying to start a rebellion?”
Hearing this voice, the crowd automatically made way.
Genya walked in, the three-tomoe in his eyes visible as he scanned everyone present.
Those who were met by those blood-red eyes immediately lowered their heads, feeling as though they were being stared at by a massive predator.
This included the woman who had been throwing a tantrum just moments ago.
But in the next second, shame turned into rage; anger even surpassed her fear, dominating her brain.
“What right do you Uchiha have to arrest people?
Release my husband immediately, or I’ll definitely report this to the Hokage!”
Genya suddenly revealed a cruel smile.
“Publicly threatening the Konoha Police Force, established by the Uchiha clan under the appointment of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, in broad daylight?
Are you placing yourself above the Second Hokage, a hero of Konoha?!”