Uchiha Satoru sat back lazily, chewing on a skewer of three-color dango with a satisfied grin.
His progress unlocking Gojo Satoru's powers had been slow—so far, just Six Eyes and Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue. But it was enough to have some fun.
---
"Hey, you! Stop right there! You're not thinking of skipping out on the bill, are you?!"
A sharp voice rang through the shop.
Satoru turned lazily. A shop girl, broom in hand, stormed toward him, her red skirt flaring with her movements.
"Wow, such strong energy."
He adjusted his blindfold dramatically, pretending to shield himself. "Is this the legendary lion's roar?"
---
"Do I look like someone who'd run out on the bill?" Satoru said with a confident smile, his hand over his heart.
The girl glared.
"Don't worry, the person paying is here."
Before Itachi could react, Satoru grabbed his shoulder and pushed him forward.
"It's all yours, Itachi. You're the best!"
---
Itachi's face twitched as he stared at Satoru, unamused.
"Satoru..."
The girl blinked, her expression softening. "Go-kun wouldn't do that! He's too charming for something so low."
But then her gaze fell on Itachi—his dark hair, serious face, and the Uchiha fan on his back.
Her smile vanished. She took a step back.
"Uchiha...?"
The word came out in a whisper, fear flickering in her eyes. "The Nine Tails... I— I don't want your money."
---
Satoru's smile froze for a moment, his blue eyes narrowing slightly behind the blindfold.
He knew exactly why.
After the Nine Tails attack, distrust of the Uchiha clan had spread like poison. Forced to the outskirts of Konoha, the clan simmered with frustration, while the villagers kept their distance—resentful and afraid.
It was nothing new.
Satoru's grin returned as quickly as it had faded. He shrugged dramatically.
"Madam, don't let my looks sway you. I'm too handsome to get free food, after all. But hey—"
He winked playfully.
"If Itachi doesn't pay up, how about he dresses as a girl and works it off here? Trust me, he's great in women's clothes!"
---
A ding echoed in his head.
[Play Points +100!]
Satoru's smile widened.
"See? Hard work pays off."
Meanwhile, Itachi's composure cracked slightly. His mouth twitched as he gave Satoru a long, tired look.
"Satoru, you are... impossible."
---
The shop girl couldn't help but laugh softly, the tension in her shoulders easing.
"You two are really something."
She glanced at Itachi again, her initial fear fading.
"Maybe the Uchiha aren't as scary as everyone says."
For a moment, she marveled at the contrast between the carefree Satoru and the stoic Itachi—polar opposites, yet clearly brothers.
---
Itachi sighed, pulling out his wallet. He handed it over without complaint, though his gaze lingered on Satoru with subtle exasperation.
The girl accepted the payment quickly, her nervous glance darting between them.
"Well... you ate everything we had. Please, don't come back for a while."
Satoru laughed, standing and stretching lazily.
"Don't worry, we'll be back when Itachi's allowance refills."
Itachi's eye twitched.
As they stepped outside, Satoru threw an arm around Itachi's shoulder.
"See? Teamwork. I eat, you pay. Perfect system."
Itachi shook his head with a sigh. "You're hopeless, Satoru."
Satoru smirked behind his blindfold. "Hopeless? Nah. I'm just built different."
###
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