Fanma strolled through the streets of Konoha.
In the early autumn air, there was a touch of chill, and he wore a t-shirt, shorts, and slippers, walking with a leisurely pace.
He harbored a genuine, deep-seated dislike for traditional ninja attire—especially those open-toed sandals.
In Konoha, dressing freely was a symbol of status and strength.
Nearly everyone who was anyone—from the future Sannin to Danzo and the next generation—eventually abandoned the standard uniform.
As he walked, people bowed to him continuously; his reputation had clearly spread.
Fanma enjoyed this brief tranquility, feeling as relaxed as if he were taking a walk through his own neighborhood after a long day at work.
The core of Konoha, if compared to his previous life, was really no larger than two or three massive university campuses.
After all, the shinobi population was barely over ten thousand, and if you counted the civilians, the total population likely didn’t exceed a hundred thousand.
He reached the market and greeted a familiar vendor.
“Yo, Boss, any good stuff in today?
I’m hosting a very distinguished guest.” The chubby man swung his bone-cleaving knife, his eyes lighting up when he saw Fanma.
“I kept this just for you.
Top-tier Cloud Cattle from the Land of Lightning.
It’s usually reserved for the Daimyo’s estate; I only managed to get a little because of my connections.” Fanma nodded, handed over a stack of bills, and replied, “Thanks, Boss.
Same as usual—deliver it to my estate.” Over the years, Fanma had maintained a humble, approachable attitude toward the village’s civilians and low-ranking ninja, building genuine rapport.
In contrast, the rest of the Uchiha were, if not exactly loathed, certainly avoided.
There was a running joke that “Prices go up whenever an Uchiha buys groceries.” With the clan’s cold, arrogant demeanor and their role as the village’s security force—constantly fining and arresting people—it was impossible for them to build good relations.
Fanma continued to browse the market, spending his money freely.
He was putting real effort into hosting Tsunade.
Sand-leeks and peppers from the Land of Wind, Rock-fowl and stone-ginger from the Land of Earth, shark fin from the Land of Water, and high-quality deer and rice from the Land of Fire—all rare delicacies in the ninja world.
The market proved one thing: Konoha was the financial and consumer hub of the entire ninja world.
Merchants from every great nation flocked here; nearly all goods and ninja tools passed through Konoha.
Sometimes, you could even find stray, obscure ninjutsu or gossip from neighboring villages.
In Konoha, if your goods had value or character, you would get a fair price.
In places like Sunagakure or Kirigakure, if you brought something good inside, they’d strip you down to your marrow.
Merchants were profit-driven—if they could make a fortune in Konoha, there was no need to risk their lives elsewhere.
Is this what they called “capital flight”?
Fanma mused with a smile.
It was a testament to Konoha’s hegemony; in the ebb and flow of influence, the village was quietly strengthening itself.
Fanma breathed in the crisp air.
He checked his status; his “Heaven and Earth Crucible” trait was on the verge of evolving.
Heaven and Earth Crucible: As a ninja, chakra is not your foundation.
You can absorb this energy to stabilize and strengthen your body and soul.
This was the trait Fanma pinned his greatest hopes on—the key to breaking the shackles of the ninja path.
Since acquiring it, he had largely abandoned using chakra for combat, funneling its full power into refining his physical body.
He continued his shopping.
Not only was he hosting Tsunade, but there was also Minato, that little foodie, and he needed to communicate and negotiate with the Third Hokage and Danzo as well.
“—Stop right there!” “—By order of the Police Force, I am issuing a kill warning!” A sharp, feminine shout echoed through the street.
A female Uchiha wearing a police armband, looking fierce, was trying to intercept a fleeing stall vendor.
“My lady, please, have mercy!
I’m just trying to earn a living!” The vendor shrieked miserably, though his speed far exceeded that of a normal man as he shoved his cart toward the crowded center of the market.
This female Uchiha was none other than Uchiha Miyuki, the younger sister of Uchiha Mikoto (Sasuke’s future aunt).
She activated her crimson Sharingan, two black tomoe slowly spinning in her pupils.
She pulled out a large iron whistle and blew it with all her might; the sharp sound pierced through the center of the village.
The barrier overhead triggered an immediate, deafening alarm.
Konoha ninja dropped what they were doing and formed a containment circle.
Miyuki leaped, stepping directly over the stalls to chase him down the shortest path.
The nearby vendors looked on, shrinking back with bitter expressions as their wares were trampled and ruined.
Fanma sighed, clutching his bags of groceries.
Like a middle-aged man who loved a good show, he followed.
The fleeing vendor reached the market center, where the crowd was dense and many nobles from the Daimyo’s estate were shopping.
He turned back, glaring at Miyuki, pulling out a stack of explosive tags.
“Don’t anyone move!
Look at what this is!
Let me go, or we all die together!” Miyuki halted, her lips pressed together, a flash of panic in her heart.
She was only thirteen, just passed her exams, and this was only her second month on security duty.
The vendor saw her youth and hesitation, seizing the opportunity to threaten her further.
He formed hand seals with his right hand while brandishing the tags with his left.
“Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!” A high wall of earth sealed off the escape route for the civilians, trapping dozens—including noble ladies in fine robes.
Miyuki forced herself to focus, cold sweat trickling down her neck as she scrambled for a solution.
The spy was clever enough to know not to meet the gaze of an Uchiha.
Miyuki was stuck in a stalemate.
Judging by his accent, he’s a bastard from Amegakure, she realized.
Have they grown this bold?
Seeing her clumsy performance, the Rain Ninja felt relieved.
If I stall a little longer, my companions will get out.
I will contribute to Lord Hanzō’s grand cause!
Fanma watched from afar.
He set down his bags of groceries, used a Body Flicker, and vanished, appearing directly in front of the Rain Ninja.
The spy only felt the world go dark, and then consciousness ceased.
“Snap.” A gentle knock of the elbow.
Just like shattering a rotten watermelon, the Rain Ninja’s head exploded.
To keep the smell of blood from ruining the precious ingredients for his date, Fanma had controlled his force perfectly; the red and white slurry sprayed out to one side, leaving the earth wall stained with filth.
The head was gone, yet the arm still twitched, as if it could still threaten someone or buy his teammates a few more seconds.
Fanma sighed.
This was the distorted ninja world.
Everyone had their so-called “Ninja Way”—some base, some insane.
Normal people were the outliers here, and the broken ones all had their reasons.
He took the explosive tags and crushed them in his palm.
The violent detonation was suppressed by his grip, leaving only a dull thud.
Miyuki stared blankly at Fanma’s back, recognizing him.
She had attended the clan meeting, and she had heard the rumors.
Previously, she thought they were exaggerations—what Uchiha wouldn’t prioritize their Sharingan?
But this man, for whom killing seemed as simple as buying groceries, was the subject of every hot topic in the village lately.
(In reality, she had to pay extra for her groceries because of her clan name.
) Miyuki gathered her courage and stepped forward.
“Clan Elder Fanma, thank you for your help.” Fanma looked back at Miyuki, a face he didn’t recognize.
She had pretty, spirited features, and her figure was beginning to mature, but she was far too young.
He nodded and pointed to the grocery basket in the distance.
“Have these delivered to my estate.
I’m going to pursue the remaining enemies.” Miyuki watched Fanma vanish in a flash, picked up the basket, and felt her face grow suddenly hot.
“Master Fanma…
is so cool.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS dead_soul19 Want More Chapters?
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