Shopping and Spies
Fuma walked down the streets of Konoha, feeling a slight chill in the early autumn air. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, carrying a shopping basket, and wearing flip-flops, he strolled leisurely.
He had a genuine dislike for ninja uniforms, especially the sandals that left his toes exposed. In Konoha, dressing freely was a sign of one's status.
Those with significant strength or position rarely wore the standard ninja uniforms. Future Sannin, Danzo, and the Twelve Guardians all dressed this way.
As he walked, many people greeted Fuma respectfully, indicating that his reputation had spread.
He enjoyed this brief peace, reminiscent of a leisurely post-work stroll in his old neighborhood.
Konoha's core area, comparable to two or three massive universities from his previous life, housed about ten thousand people, including both ninjas and civilians.
Arriving at the market, he greeted a familiar vendor. "Hey, uncle, got any good stuff? I need to entertain a distinguished guest."
The chubby butcher, wielding a cleaver, looked up and smiled at Fuma. "I saved some top-quality cloud beef from the Land of Lightning for you. It's usually reserved for the daimyo's palace, but I managed to get some."
Fuma nodded, handing over a stack of bills, "Thanks, uncle. The usual delivery to my place, please."
Over the years, Fuma had built good relationships with the village's civilians and lower-ranking ninjas by being approachable and friendly.
Unlike the other Uchihas, who were often disliked for their arrogance and strict enforcement of security, he was well-liked.
Wandering the market, Fuma selected various ingredients for the upcoming feast to entertain Tsunade.
He chose rare delicacies from across the ninja world: sand onions and peppers from the Land of Wind, rock chicken and ginger from the Land of Earth, shark fins from the Land of Water, and venison and rice from the Land of Fire.
Konoha's market, a testament to the village's dominance, attracted merchants from all over, offering unique goods and even occasional rare ninja techniques or gossip from other villages.
In Konoha, valuable and unique items fetched good prices, unlike in less hospitable places like Sunagakure or Kirigakure.
Fuma breathed in the fresh air, feeling his title ability, [Earthly Furnace] nearing evolution. This ability allowed him to absorb chakra to strengthen his body and soul, bypassing the typical ninja reliance on chakra in combat.
Continuing his shopping, Fuma prepared to host not only Tsunade but also Minato, a known foodie, and potentially even Hiruzen and Danzo for some discussions.
A sudden shout interrupted his thoughts, "Stop right there! As a member of the Konoha Police Force, I order you to halt!"
A female Uchiha, wearing the police force armband, angrily pursued a fleeing vendor. "Please, let me go! I just want to earn some money to feed my family," the vendor pleaded while running towards the crowded market center.
The female, Uchiha Mizuki, sister of Uchiha Mikoto, activated her Sharingan, with two black tomoe spinning in her eyes. She blew a whistle, alerting the village's security system, and surrounding ninjas quickly formed a perimeter.
Mizuki leaped over the stalls, chasing the vendor. The market vendors watched with worried faces, their goods already trampled in the commotion.
Fuma sighed, carrying his groceries like a curious bystander, and followed the scene.
The vendor, fleeing into the crowded market center, pulled out explosive tags and threatened, "Don't move, or we'll all die!"
Mizuki stopped, her young face showing a hint of fear.
At just thirteen, newly graduated from the Konoha Police Academy, this was only her second month on the job, and she faced a dire situation.
The vendor, recognizing Mizuki's hesitation, felt emboldened, hoping to delay long enough for his comrades to escape. He used a technique to erect a high earth wall, trapping several civilians, including some noblewomen.
Mizuki, sweating with tension, struggled to find a solution, her youthful inexperience evident.
The vendor, a Rain ninja, managed to avoid direct eye contact with Mizuki's Sharingan, preparing to buy time for his teammates' escape.
Just as the tension peaked, Fuma appeared before the vendor in a flash, delivering a precise elbow strike that shattered the ninja's head like a rotten watermelon, carefully controlling the force to avoid spilling blood on his groceries.
Holding the explosive tags, Fuma crushed them in his palm, suppressing the explosion into a muffled thud.
Mizuki, recognizing Fuma from clan meetings and village stories, approached him with newfound respect. "Thank you, Fuma-sama, for your help."
Fuma, nodding to the unfamiliar clan member, instructed her to deliver his groceries to Uchiha Compound's second courtyard before disappearing to chase the remaining spies.
Blushing, Mizuki picked up the basket, admiring her cool and capable senior, "Fuma-senpai is so amazing," she thought, her heart pounding.
_________________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ShadySmuggler