Time flies like an arrow, and a week has passed in a blink of an eye.
In the Hidden Leaf Village.
Rumors have been circulating in the village these past few days, suggesting that the Uchiha clan has been concealing three pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan, brewing a massive conspiracy.
This has caused panic among the villagers, and many have grown even more resentful of the Uchiha.
Facing these rumors, the Uchiha clan members didn't seem to care much, as they were already accustomed to such treatment.
At present, what the clan members were most concerned about was something else.
Fitness.
Ever since Inohi and others had visited the Body Enhancement Department, the news spread within the clan, quickly attracting more clan members to sign up.
The gym's clientele grew day by day.
If it weren't for the police department's work, which some clan members couldn't get away from, it seemed like all the Uchiha ninja would have run to the gym.
In the evening.
On the embankment of the Leaf River, Might Guy was warming up with a jog.
Ever since his last crushing defeat at the hands of Dan.
Guy had thoroughly reflected on himself, set a new training plan, and vowed to build a strong body to challenge Dan again.
However.
Although he now focused on strength training, he still habitually ran dozens of laps around the Hidden Leaf Village every day.
Suddenly, a chorus of shouts came from behind him.
"Body Enhancement!"
Huh?
Guy looked back in surprise to see a group of Uchiha ninjas, dressed in white T-shirts and red shorts, running and shouting slogans. They quickly whizzed past him.
The pedestrians on the riverbank were all surprised and began to discuss.
Guy frowned.
He recognized that the Uchiha were wearing the gym clothes of the Body Enhancement Department.
Had all the Uchiha ninja joined the Body Enhancement Department?
Seeing their enthusiasm, Guy couldn't help but clench his fists, unwilling to admit defeat.
"Burn, youth!"
He roared, the fire of youth burning in his eyes, and he chased after the Uchiha.
In the alley, at the gym.
Samui had just finished cleaning the gym, sweating profusely.
"Have you been tired lately, can your body handle it?" Dan asked, showing concern for his subordinate.
"I'm not tired, Chief."
Facing Dan's concern, Samui was somewhat flattered.
She wasn't sure if it was her imagination.
These days, the Chief had been checking on her every now and then, asking if she was feeling unwell, if she had nightmares at night, if she was sick, and so on.
This made Samui increasingly suspect that Dan was about to confess his feelings to her soon.
Thinking about this, her heart pounded.
Seeing that Samui was fine, Dan didn't react, his gaze swept over the crystal necklace on her chest, a hint of unnoticed doubt flashing in his eyes.
He had given Tsunade's death necklace to Samui over a week ago, but nothing had happened.
Could it be that the death curse of the necklace had not yet taken effect?
Well, he would wait a bit longer.
"Let's close early and rest today, I need to visit a patient."
Dan instructed Samui and then left the gym.
Of course, he couldn't visit the injured empty-handed.
So, Dan first went to a nearby commercial street and bought a fruit basket at a fruit shop.
As he walked down the street, he overheard two Leaf Village genin discussing the recent rumors.
"What is the Mangekyou Sharingan, is it more powerful than the Three Tomoe Sharingan?"
"It's not just powerful, it's said that the Mangekyou's eye power is so strong that it can control the Nine-Tails! I saw it with my own eyes during the Nine-Tails incident years ago."
"So, what if the Uchiha clan uses the Sharingan to manipulate the Nine-Tails to attack the village again, what should we do?"
"Don't worry, the village has learned its lesson and will protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The Uchiha won't have a chance again."
Hearing their discussion.
Really?
Dan looked across the street, where a blond-haired kid was standing outside a BBQ restaurant, drooling over the grilled meat inside.
Coincidentally that was Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and it didn't look like anyone was protecting him.
Dan had heard rumors about the "demon fox brat" before, but today was the first time he had encountered Naruto on the street.
He walked over.
The BBQ restaurant was doing good business, and the customers coming in and out all noticed Naruto. Many people pointed at the kid.
"Did you hear that this kid was born on the night of the Nine-Tails incident, but he has no parents. Did you see the six whiskers on his cheeks? They look like the demon fox, that's an ominous sign."
"The elders in the village all say that this kid is a plague, he will bring disaster to the Leaf."
"Someone should drive this monster away."
People looked at him with disgust.
After receiving complaints from customers, an employee of the BBQ restaurant hurried out with a broom.
"Kid, get out of here, you're disturbing the customers."
The employee didn't want to touch Naruto with his hands, so he tried to drive him away with the broom, as if he was afraid of catching bad luck.
"I'm sorry, I..."
Naruto looked scared and helpless as he saw the broom coming towards him, standing still in shock.
Just then.
Snap.
Dan reached out and grabbed the broom, snapping it in half with a crack.
"Dan... Mr. Dan."
The employee saw it was Dan, was startled, and quickly put on a pleasing smile.
Dan spent millions of ryo at the BBQ restaurant every year, single-handedly supporting nearly half of the restaurant's revenue, making him the most esteemed customer.
"There's no need to treat a five or six-year-old child like this," Dan said.
"But he is..." The employee hesitated, clearly troubled.
"He is what?" Dan looked at Naruto and asked the employee.
The employee couldn't answer.
All he knew was that the villagers despised this kid, so he subconsciously followed suit.
"I think this kid is no different from ordinary people."
As Dan said this, he reached out his large hand and ruffled Naruto's messy blond hair.
"Uncle, you're so tall and strong."
Naruto stuttered, looking up at Dan with curiosity.
The kid wasn't shy.
"Are you hungry?" Dan asked.
"I'm not hungry, I just had dinner."
Naruto chuckled, scratching his head with his hand, but as soon as he finished speaking, his stomach grumbled.
He quickly covered his stomach, his little face turned red, and he looked extremely embarrassed.
Seeing this, Dan instructed the waiter, "Give this kid a deluxe BBQ set, put it on my tab. What are you waiting for?"
"Ah... Yes, Mr. Dan."
The waiter came to his senses, didn't dare to delay, and quickly prepared the order.
Hearing this, Naruto widened his blue eyes and asked in confusion, "Uncle, why are you treating me to BBQ?"
He didn't know Dan, yet the man was being so kind to him.
"This meal isn't free, I might need your help with something in the future."
After saying this, Dan didn't wait for Naruto to ask further and turned to leave.
It wouldn't be fitting for the Uchiha to stage a coup without the rampaging Nine-Tails to spice things up, would it?
Right?