"Get out! You're not welcome here!"
"Ugh, what a way to start the day—seeing something disgusting…"
Amid the shopkeeper's grumbling curses, Uzumaki Naruto clung to the doorframe, forcing a pleading, almost tearful smile. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just want to buy a mask. I can pay you—double… no, triple if you want!"
As if to prove it, Naruto freed one hand, digging into his pocket to pull out a handful of coins, looking up at the man with desperate hope.
But the shopkeeper didn't even glance at the money.
"I told you, I'm not selling to you. Double? Hmph, who'd dare take money from a demon fox?"
With that, the shopkeeper shoved hard, sending Naruto stumbling backward. He hit the ground, coins scattering with a clatter like shattering glass. A few rolled into the sewer, vanishing with a faint splash.
Nearby passersby steered clear, as if afraid of getting too close to Naruto.
"That kid again… why isn't he dead yet?"
"Hmph, the one who killed the Fourth Hokage… Let's go, kids, stay far away from him, you hear? He'll bring bad luck to our house!"
"I don't get why the Hokage lets him stay in the village…"
Cold, hateful glares rained down on Naruto. The small boy sat there, head bowed, looking like he'd done something wrong. His heart felt squeezed, a wave of grievance swelling inside, but he didn't dare cry.
Past experience had taught him that tears only brought more mockery.
**[Nameless: Yondaime, what's your take?]**
Uchiha Hikari had started a group live stream the moment Naruto was kicked out of the shop.
So, the last few minutes had played out for everyone in the chat group to see.
Bulma was the first to lose it.
**[Bulma: Ugh, these people are *gross*! How can they say such nasty things to a little kid? Aren't they afraid of karma or something?]**
**[Bulma: And he's Eienni妹-san's kid, right? Wasn't Eienni妹 a hero who died protecting the village? Why's his son getting treated like this?]**
As the group's resident chatterbox and curiosity queen, Bulma had been grilling Namikaze Minato over the past couple of days, so she knew a bit about the Fourth Hokage's life. Naruto's situation left her baffled.
Even gentle Tanjirou couldn't stand it.
**[IronHead: No matter the reason, treating a kid like this is just too much!]**
Namikaze Minato stayed silent until Hikari's "what's your take" question seemed to snap him out of it. His response was heavy, mixed with complicated emotions:
**[Eienni妹: I…]**
**[Eienni妹: I knew Jinchuriki living in the village would face some prejudice. Kushina went through it too… But Naruto's so young. How could these villagers…]**
**[Eienni妹: Hikari-san, could you please try talking some sense into them?]**
"…"
Hikari let out a soft breath and stepped forward.
Ignoring the crowd's cold stares, she crossed the street to the other side.
Naruto noticed her approach. Still on the ground, he instinctively scooted back. His small hands, reddened by the cold, pressed against the pavement, leaving a small smear of blood—a scrape from when the shopkeeper shoved him against the doorframe. It hadn't even started to heal.
Hikari crouched slightly, extending a hand to the little blond. "Need a hand?"
"!"
Uzumaki Naruto's head shot up, his bright blue eyes wide with disbelief.
The onlookers, after a moment of shock, erupted.
"Hey, girl, don't get near that kid! He's the demon fox! He'll bring you bad luck!"
"Hmph, she doesn't look like a good kid either. Those weird clothes, helping that monster in front of everyone… Probably some parentless orphan!"
"Pfft! Monster!"
A half-grown kid nearby spat toward her.
He was standing close, and the spit arced straight for Hikari's skirt. At the last second, she stepped aside, glancing at the ground with disgust before fixing her gaze on the kid.
He flinched under her stare but puffed up, emboldened by his parents' presence. "What're you looking at? That monster's a curse on the village! Every shop he goes to loses business. You dare help him? Scram, or I'll get someone to beat you up!"
"…Heh."
Hikari let out a soft laugh.
In a flash, she moved. Before the kid could react, she was in front of him—*slap!* Her hand connected with his cheek.
The sound rang out, and the kid flew off his feet like he'd been punched, tumbling several times across the ground. When he opened his mouth, blood mixed with a few teeth spilled out, his face swelling visibly.
"You little brat, you dare hit my son…!"
The kid's father stood stunned for a few seconds before realizing what happened, then started yelling.
But…
His curses caught in his throat.
Killing intent.
A palpable, chilling killing intent radiated from Hikari's icy gaze. For a split second, the father felt like he was standing in a sea of blood and corpses, his whole body trembling. He nearly dropped to his knees to beg for mercy.
Two Anbu, hidden nearby, felt it too.
Exchanging a glance, they leapt from their hiding spot, shouting nervously, "Stop!"
"This is Konoha! If you kill anyone here, no matter who you are, you'll be thrown in prison!"
"Oh?"
Hikari tilted her head, shifting her gaze to the Anbu. "When they were bullying a kid, you did nothing. I give them a little lesson, and you jump out? What, you think I'm an easier target? Or… are you secretly enjoying watching this kid get picked on?"
"…"
The Anbu faltered, their guilty conscience hit. One forced out a defense: "It's just kids arguing. You went too far…"
"And another thing."
Hikari cut them off, her aura surging, her dark hair lifting slightly. "Who gave you the guts to bark orders at *me*?!"
"!!"
…
**Hokage Building**
Having just finished a stack of paperwork, Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, taking a few deep puffs, a satisfied look spreading across his face.
**(End of Chapter)**