In the tranquil courtyard, Kizaru sat by the pond in the center of the courtyard.
Holding a makeshift fishing rod made of bamboo in one hand and a cup of hot tea in the other, Kizaru sat cross-legged on the bluestone.
This courtyard was the backyard of the Grand Elder's residence, and the pond in the center housed numerous ornamental fish, all cherished by the Grand Elder.
Kizaru was not fishing here to catch fish but for tranquility, killing time in the process.
Being the recent hot topic in the village, whenever Kizaru stepped out, it always attracted the attention and discussions of the villagers, leaving him with no peace.
Preferring tranquility over chaos, Kizaru had no choice but to try and avoid going out as much as possible, spending his days bored at home.
Thus, fishing in the Grand Elder's courtyard became Kizaru's latest form of entertainment.
Blowing gently on the steam rising from the cup, Kizaru took a sip of the warm tea and relaxedly placed the cup down.
With the cup set aside, Kizaru closed his eyes, visualizing a three-dimensional character card of a shabby-looking character in his mind.
The progress bar below the character card had increased from 10% before Kizaru's enrollment to 17%, showing satisfactory progress.
Kizaru distinctly remembered that from enrollment to the monthly exams, the progress bar had barely reached 12%, meaning that in a month, it had only increased by 2%.
However, within a week after the monthly exams, the progress bar had shot up to 17%, a rapid increase of 5%.
This remarkable growth was all thanks to Kizaru's astonishing performance in the monthly exams and the substantial reputation gained through Danzo's vigorous promotion.
Being famous and still getting stronger—it was indeed comfortable!
Thinking about this, a satisfied and joyful smile appeared on Kizaru's face.
"Big Brother Kizaru, something bad happened! It's serious! Yoshihiko and some Uchihas got into a fight!"
From outside the courtyard came an urgent yet familiar voice, breaking the tranquility within.
Setting down the fishing rod, Kizaru turned to look at the courtyard gate.
Rushing back from outside, Shinobu, with an excited look upon seeing Kizaru, seemed relieved to have found the key person, calming down his anxious heart.
"Big Brother Kizaru... Yoshihiko and some Uchihas... they got into a fight. You... come with me quickly!" gasping for breath while speaking, Shinobu hurriedly arrived at Kizaru's side.
"Where? How did it happen?" Kizaru asked directly without wasting any words.
"At the Tea Street. We were out shopping, and we met two members of the Uchiha clan. They were about our age, and at that moment, they were cursing... cursing you. Yoshihiko heard it, got angry, and argued with them. The argument escalated into a fight." immediately explained Shinobu.
The Tea Street mentioned by the ninja was located in the central area of the village, bustling with tea shops and dessert stores. (This street actually exists; there's a map and explanation in the Data Book, and the Yamanaka flower shop is next to the Tea Street.)
"Is Yoshihiko still there alone?"
After hearing the explanation, Kizaru stood up directly, grabbing Shinobu's hand and walked towards the courtyard's exit.
"Yoshihiko asked me to come back and get people. I just met Yuki and Shintaro on my way back; they have already rushed over there." holding the comforting warmth of Kizaru's hand, Shinobu, who had been anxious, felt reassured.
After a few steps holding Shinobu's hand, Kizaru felt it was too slow and swiftly bent down, lifting the ninja with his right hand and using the Body Flicker Technique to hasten their journey.
"Hold tight!"
"Okay!"
Safely tucked in Kizaru's embrace, Shinobu's hands firmly gripped Kizaru's shirt.
Carrying the ninja, Kizaru moved swiftly, arriving at the gate of the clan residence within moments.
Standing right outside the entrance of the clan residence, holding Shinobu, Kizaru faced the direction of the Tea Street and stopped.
"Kizaru, what's happening?" Shinobu looked up at Kizaru, a bit puzzled.
"They're back." Kizaru explained.
After speaking, Kizaru set down Shinobu he had been carrying.
Upon hearing Kizaru's explanation, Shinobu craned their neck and looked in the direction Kizaru was facing.
Sure enough, in the distance of the street, Yuki and Shintaro were pulling Yoshihiko towards their direction.
"Yoshihiko! Yuki! Shintaro!" Shinobu exclaimed, raising their right hand and waving enthusiastically.
Hearing Shinobu's call, the three also noticed Kizaru standing beside the ninja.
With smiles on their faces, the three instinctively quickened their steps, running towards Kizaru.
When they reached Kizaru, Yoshihiko, who had appeared quite tough in front of Yuki and Shintaro, teary-eyed, lunged towards Kizaru.
"Big Brother Kizaru! Waaah!"
Gently patting Yoshihiko's head, Kizaru noticed the dust on the little one's clothes and a torn hole.
Furrowing his brows slightly, Kizaru asked, "Did you lose?"
Clutching Kizaru's thighs, Yoshihiko raised their head, revealing teary eyes, and said pitifully, "The Uchihas are going too far!"
"Too far?" Kizaru continued to inquire.
"Big Brother Kizaru, when we rushed over, an older Uchiha guy named Uchiha Fugaku came first. He acted like he was trying to mediate and kept holding me." Yoshihiko said, frustrated.
Kizaru nodded, getting a rough idea of the situation at that moment.
"Let's go, I'll take care of your injuries first." Kizaru said directly, picking up Yoshihiko and heading towards the gate.
"Those Uchiha are shameless jerks! When I get a chance later, I'll definitely get back at them." Yoshihiko said indignantly while being held by Kizaru.
"Don't worry, I'm here." Kizaru said calmly.
"Big Brother Kizaru, are you going to teach them a lesson?" Yoshihiko asked excitedly, looking at Kizaru.
Pushing open the gate and entering the clan's residence with the kids, Kizaru didn't respond immediately.
Recalling what his uncle Danzo had told him about the recent doubts from some members of the Uchiha clan towards him, Kizaru had a thought.
"They're too weak. It wouldn't be right for me to intervene." Kizaru said to Yoshihiko.
"Ah!" Yoshihiko sounded a bit disappointed.
Not only Yoshihiko but also Yuki, who was following alongside Kizaru, upon hearing Kizaru's response, displayed a hint of disappointment.
Only Shintaro understood why Kizaru answered in such a way. He looked at Yoshihiko and said, "Yoshihiko, you fool. Given Kizaru's current reputation among the school's students, it'd just invite ridicule if he were to take action against them."
"You're the fool!" Yoshihiko knew Shintaro was right, but having been scolded, immediately retorted.
"Tch!" Shintaro snorted disdainfully, choosing not to engage in any further childish argument with Yoshihiko.