"Handsome, can I get to know you? I'm Ino Yamanaka, from the Yamanaka clan of Konoha."
Ino Yamanaka, with a bright smile, appeared before Seiya.
Shion couldn't help but glance at her distractedly, and the ring she had finally aimed well was thrown off target again.
"Yamanaka?" Seiya paused and asked, "Is that the Shinobi clan that can control people's minds? The 'Pig' of the 'Ino-Shika-Cho' formation?"
"That's right!" Ino Yamanaka was full of pride.
Seiya nodded slightly and introduced himself, "I am Tojo Seiya, a Kumogakure Shinobi. My lineage, if traced back, originates from the Uchiha of Konoha."
Ino Yamanaka smiled, "What a coincidence, our village also has an Uchiha descendant, who is one of the strongest Genin of our generation."
Tenten chimed in, "The Uchiha bloodline is truly amazing. They are all genius powerhouses, with no mediocrity. Once they awaken the Sharingan, it creates a clear dividing line with other Genin."
Thinking of how Sasuke Uchiha caught up to Rock Lee's years of hard work in just one Chunin Exam, Tenten couldn't help but feel emotional.
She was lucky that, as an ordinary Shinobi, she had managed her expectations early on, or she would have been utterly devastated!
"Sasuke Uchiha?" Seiya paused, then smiled, "I just saw his older brother."
Kurenai Yuhi's expression instantly changed to one of shock, "Itachi Uchiha? Where is he?!"
As she spoke, she cautiously looked around.
"Don't worry, he's already left this street," Seiya reassured her.
Anko Mitarashi was surprised, "You're actually fine? That guy kills Uchiha without blinking!"
"Maybe he didn't recognize that I was Uchiha," Seiya casually made up an excuse.
"He looked a bit unwell, rather weak, so he must have been injured recently."
"Hmm." Kurenai Yuhi nodded, "Itachi Uchiha appeared in Konoha recently and fought with the village's Shinobis. It must have taken a toll on him."
"Were there any Shinobi casualties?" Seiya asked.
Kurenai Yuhi shook her head, "Fighting on enemy territory, Itachi Uchiha didn't dare to stay and fight for long. He briefly exchanged blows and then fled."
Seiya smiled and complimented, "Facing the Mangekyo Sharingan without any casualties, Konoha is truly powerful!"
Then he added, "I heard that Konoha was attacked by Orochimaru, and the Third Hokage died in battle?"
"Yes."
"May I ask, has the new Hokage been chosen?"
"I don't know. That's a matter for the village's higher-ups. We are just ordinary Shinobis and know nothing about it." Kurenai Yuhi shook her head, feigning ignorance.
"Oh! Let's not talk about such important things!" Ino Yamanaka tried hard to insert herself into their conversation.
She was the one who initiated the chat, so how could it turn into a discussion between Kurenai-sensei and Seiya?
Kurenai Yuhi smiled charmingly, stepped back, and offered, "What small matter do you intend to talk about, Ino?"
"Uh..." Ino Yamanaka paused, then asked, "Tojo-kun, may I ask what you are doing in the Land of Fire? Are you traveling?"
"On a mission, escorting the client for sightseeing," Seiya pointed at Shion, who missed nine out of ten tosses.
"Oh, Tojo-kun is on a mission." Ino Yamanaka tapped her chin, regretting, "I was planning to be your host and show Tojo-kun around Tanzaku Town! That's a pity!"
Then, she had a flash of inspiration. "If Tojo-kun doesn't mind, let's have lunch together! My treat!"
Seiya neither agreed nor refused, but professionally looked at the client, waiting for her opinion.
Shion considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Seiya then looked at the Konoha kunoichi and smiled, "Thank you for the trouble!"
"No problem!" Ino Yamanaka waved her slender hand and, in high spirits, led everyone to the most famous restaurant on the street.
Since a generous host was paying, everyone was unreserved and ordered with gusto.
Apart from Yugao Uzuki, Hinata Hyuga, and Shion, the remaining women were quite lively, chatting non-stop, making the atmosphere very festive.
Seiya ordered two dishes he liked and two for Shion, then went straight to the restroom for some peace and quiet.
He still preferred eating with his mother, Yugito-sensei, Samui-nee, Mikoto-nee, and Karin.
Everyone was generally quiet, with only Karin being lively, so it was neither noisy nor cold-everything was just right.
After using the toilet, Seiya was washing his hands with soap.
Suddenly, another person appeared in the half-length mirror above the marble countertop.
It was Hinata Hyuga, with her distinctive Byakugan.
She hadn't entered the women's restroom but silently stood beside Seiya.
This behavior made it clear, even to an idiot, that she had something to say.
Seiya quietly waited for her to speak. However, after a good while, he heard no sound.
Hinata Hyuga in the mirror was pursing her lips, her fair, tender face flushed red with effort.
Seeing her shyness, Seiya took the initiative to ask, "Is there something you need?"
The air was silent for a moment more before Hinata Hyuga carefully said, "Tojo-kun, thank you for saving our team in City in the Land of Rivers!"
Having said that, she bowed solemnly.
Seiya's eyes narrowed.
His mask had a seal placed by his mother, imbued with the ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, which blocked vision.
It was impossible for Hinata Hyuga's Byakugan to see through the mask to his face.
She was most likely trying to trick him into revealing his identity!
With this thought, Seiya feigned ignorance.
"What are you talking about? I don't quite understand."
"Tojo-kun, you don't have to hide it from me. I know you're that person!"
Since she had mustered the courage to speak, there was no thought of backing down, not even a bit.
Hinata Hyuga bravely confronted him!
Seiya still denied it, "I don't know what you're talking about. This is the first time we've met."
Seeing that he had no intention of admitting anything, Hinata Hyuga understood that Seiya would continue to play dumb unless she put forward some leverage!
She thought for a moment and threatened, "If Tojo-kun continues to deny it, I'll go tell Kurenai-sensei and tell the village! With the Byakugan's perception as proof, everyone will surely believe me!"
With that, she turned and started to leave.
Seiya's eyes flashed fiercely. He quickly moved to block her, saying indifferently, "Since you've said that I'm afraid I can't let you leave here alive."
Hinata Hyuga was not intimidated and countered, "If I die here, Tojo-kun's identity will be exposed even faster! Ino is a descendant of the Yamanaka clan and can see everything I saw before I die!"
"..."
Seiya's formidable aura instantly vanished.
He couldn't help but re-examine the Byakugan girl in front of him.
She looked gentle and timid, but she harbored a tremendous, death-defying courage within her.
Never judge a book by its cover. He had underestimated her before!
Seiya was secretly surprised.
He then steadied himself, calmed down, clarified the situation, and coughed lightly, saying, "Since you came to me privately, you obviously don't want to make my identity public. I lost my composure just now, and I apologize to you."
With that, he bowed deeply.
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