Chapter 293

293. Chapter 291: I Hate Seeing Rich Snobs Show Off

As the sky grew dark, a curly-haired man wearing a loose, blue-and-white yukata stood outside the most famous public bathhouse in the Leaf Village.

His handsome face wore an expression of complete lack of motivation. His right hand held a small wooden bucket for bathing, while his left hand was placed above his dead-fish eyes, shielding them as he peered into the distance, searching for something.

"Gin-san, what made you think of inviting me to bathe together?"

Just as Uchiha Gin was looking around, a cold voice sounded behind him. The person who arrived was wearing a plain-colored yukata, and the wooden bucket he held was actually inlaid with gold. His pure white eyes were filled with confusion.

Hyuga Tenyao couldn't figure out why Uchiha Gin would go to such lengths to invite him to a public bathhouse. Could there be some unspeakable secret?

"Tenyao-bro, your equipment is a bit too ostentatious~"

Finally waiting for Hyuga Tenyao, Uchiha Gin was left speechless by the gold-inlaid bucket in his hand. Even he, an invisible gold tycoon, wasn't this extravagant. Once his cousin took office, he would have to strictly audit the Hyuga clan's cash flow to see if they were evading taxes.

"Is it not right to bring it? I have never entered a public bathhouse before."

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Hyuga Tenyao didn't think there was anything wrong with his equipment; instead, he looked at the steaming public bathhouse before him with a very curious expression.

So annoying, this rich snob is showing off again!

As the sole heir of the main house, Hyuga Tenyao had enjoyed top-tier luxury in his food, clothing, housing, and transportation since he was a child. Bathing was even more so; not only did he have exclusive use of a bathhouse over a hundred square meters, but he also had dedicated staff to serve him.

That kind of treatment was something Uchiha Gin wouldn't even dare to imagine.

"Today I'll show you what bathing culture is all about!"

So he's just a country bumpkin who's never been to a bathhouse. Uchiha Gin happily hooked his arm around Hyuga Tenyao's neck and brought him inside with great enthusiasm.

"Welcome~"

"Two people!"

Uchiha Gin held up two fingers to the enthusiastic landlady and then began rummaging through his somewhat tattered wallet for something.

"Gin-san, let me handle it!"

Seeing how shabby Uchiha Gin's wallet was, Hyuga Tenyao, being a rich snob, couldn't bear it. He pulled out his genuine leather wallet, took out a banknote of shocking denomination, and handed it over.

"Wait! I invited you, how can I let you pay? What do you take me, Uchiha Gin, for?"

Just as the landlady was smiling and taking the banknote, preparing to give change, Uchiha Gin seemed to have found something. His eyes lit up, and he snatched the brand-new banknote from the landlady's hand, stuffing two crumpled paper tickets over to her.

"Finally found them. If I don't use them today, they'll expire~"

"Sir, these bath tickets are for a father-and-son set."

The landlady, with a face full of black lines, pinched the crumpled bath tickets with disdain. After confirming them, she said in an unfriendly tone,

"Huh? Which eye do you see us not being father and son? I just take good care of myself; I'm actually over forty~"

"But, you two..."

One had black pupils, the other had cataracts; one had a king-of-volume curly hairstyle, the other had a high hairline and straight black hair.

Even if the Sage of Six Paths came, you couldn't possibly be related by blood.

"The son takes after the mother, the son takes after the mother~"

Taking advantage of Hyuga Tenyao's shock, Uchiha Gin quickly stuffed the brand-new banknote into his wallet and explained with a straight face to the landlady, who was rolling her eyes.

"Gin-san..."

"Call me Dad!"

"..."

Even though Tenyao-bro hadn't activated his Byakugan yet, why were the veins on his face bulging?

"Fine, fine, you two go in."

Glancing at the long line forming behind Uchiha Gin, the landlady, not wanting to delay business, ultimately chose to compromise. She reluctantly tossed over two hand tags and waved her hand in disdain, letting the two go in.

"Phew~ Gin-san, if I remember correctly, you are also from a prestigious clan. How could you..."

The heat on his face slowly cooled, and Hyuga Tenyao, having regained his composure, looked at Uchiha Gin with complex emotions in his white eyes and couldn't help but ask,

"Hey~ even a landlord's family has no surplus grain! Save where you can; every penny must be used where it counts~"

Uchiha Gin, who didn't feel his behavior was shameful at all, smiled and stuffed a hand tag into Hyuga Tenyao's hand.

"Ninjas shouldn't be bothered by trifles. Don't worry about these minor details; soaking in the bath is what matters~"

As he spoke, Uchiha Gin was the first to walk into the men's changing room. Just before entering, he glanced unobtrusively at the women's bathhouse in the other direction, a strange, imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

"What a strange person."

Looking at the hand tag, Hyuga Tenyao shook his head in astonishment. Regarding Uchiha Gin's erratic personality, even with his Byakugan activated, he found him increasingly unfathomable.

"Tenyao-bro, why are you dawdling? I've already stripped~"

Hyuga Tenyao, a step behind, walked into the changing room, and the scene before him made his eyes go dark.

"Gin-san, don't you tie a bath towel?"

Hyuga Tenyao, eyes full of horror, tremblingly reached out and pointed at the stark-naked Uchiha Gin.

Even though his Byakugan had seen countless birds, he had never seen such an astonishing size. Could it be technology?

No, it's Poro biscuits~

"We're all men, why be so coy?"

Uchiha Gin, arms crossed over his chest, felt no shame at all about his naked state. He even thrust his waist forward, showing off his superior assets, and then walked swaggeringly into the bathhouse with his bucket.

"Heh, I brought a bath towel."

Hyuga Tenyao, clearly somewhat reserved, quickly stripped off his clothes, tied the gold-threaded bath towel around his waist, carefully hugged his bucket, and followed.

"Tenyao-bro, when you come, you must soak first to get rid of dead skin~"

Entering the steaming bathhouse, Uchiha Gin pressed Hyuga Tenyao into the large pool without a word and sat down himself.

"Phew~ that's the feeling, refreshing!"

Soaking in the steaming pool, Uchiha Gin felt every pore on his body groaning in comfort. He squinted his eyes and placed the towel from his bucket onto his head.

Immediately after, under Hyuga Tenyao's bewildered gaze, he pulled a little yellow duck out of his bucket and placed it on the water's surface.

"Gin-san... you really have a childlike heart~"

Watching the little yellow duck float past him, Hyuga Tenyao hesitated for a long time before squeezing out what he thought was an appropriate evaluation.

"I call this being old in age but young at heart, unlike some brats who are small in stature but big in ego."

Leaning against the edge of the pool, Uchiha Gin changed to a comfortable position and said something inexplicable to the conflicted Hyuga Tenyao.

"Gin-san, what do you mean by that?"

Sensing that there was more to Uchiha Gin's words, Hyuga Tenyao slowly frowned and asked.

"Actually, I came here today with a mission."

Feigning a look around, Uchiha Gin said in a voice only the two of them could hear,

"Nani?"

Hearing this, Hyuga Tenyao's eyes narrowed. Just as he had guessed, Uchiha Gin's trip wasn't as simple as just inviting him to bathe.

"According to my reliable intelligence, a notorious peeping tom is lurking in this bathhouse."

"There is such a thing!"

Peeping is a matter that can be big or small, depending on who the target is. If the target is a famous ninja or a powerful noble, then this guy's fate will be extremely miserable.

"So Gin-san invited me here to find this peeping tom?"

After a moment of thought, Hyuga Tenyao understood. It turned out Uchiha Gin was asking for his help, wanting to use the Byakugan that the Hyuga clan was so proud of to bring the hateful peeping tom to justice.

"I love dealing with smart people."

Uchiha Gin nodded solemnly, and his appreciative gaze made Hyuga Tenyao feel extremely valued.

"What do I need to do?"

Hyuga Tenyao, suddenly feeling a sense of mission, looked extremely serious.

"Don't you want to ask about the reward?"

Not expecting Hyuga Tenyao to be so proactive, Uchiha Gin was caught off guard, thinking he would have to spend more effort to successfully fool this simpleton.

"Doing things for a friend, why talk about rewards? Gin-san, you're being too formal."

Sob sob sob, looking at the bright-eyed Hyuga Tenyao, Uchiha Gin's conscience was actually aching slightly.

"Phew~ in a moment, I will sneak into the opposite side. You help me keep watch. When you see my signal, activate your Byakugan to lock onto the culprit, and we will work together to bring him to justice!"

Letting out a long sigh, Uchiha Gin chose to shatter his conscience into pieces and throw them into the trash can, then gave his instructions.

"Received!"

"Then I'm off. Remember to watch for my signal~"

With someone to help keep watch, Uchiha Gin let loose, and with a Body Flicker, he vanished from the pool.

Gin-san is truly not simple; his Body Flicker speed is so fast that even I couldn't see it.

In the blink of an eye, Uchiha Gin had disappeared. Hyuga Tenyao couldn't help but feel a bit startled, but thinking of the arduous mission he bore, he immediately widened his eyes and stared fixedly at the wall, waiting for the signal from the other side.

Separated by only a wall, the scene in the women's bathhouse was a world of difference from the men's. Not only were there beautiful women everywhere, but compared to the sweat-smelling men's pool, the air in the women's bathhouse carried a hint of sweetness.

In a hidden corner of the women's bathhouse, a small figure was squatting, peeping through a crack with a flushed face.

"Tsk! Why is this mist so thick? I can only hear sounds, I can't see the images clearly."

Maruboshi Kosuke, acting as the guard for the women's bathhouse, was staring openly, executing the hard-won, top-tier mission with a rigorous work attitude. However, due to his limited strength, he couldn't see through the mist to the beautiful scenery, which left the boy sighing and yearning for greater power.

"Damn it! If my Water Release mastery were higher, I could control this mist."

"Young man, do you crave power?"

Just as Maruboshi Kosuke was beating his chest and stamping his feet, he heard a lazy voice suddenly sound in his ear, scaring him so much he nearly jumped. Fortunately, the person who spoke was quick-witted and grabbed him, preventing him from being exposed.

Being touched behind his back without even noticing, Maruboshi Kosuke felt a chill run down his spine. His two small eyes stared straight at the person behind him, and he quietly reached for the short sword on his back. However, upon seeing Uchiha Gin's rare curly hair, he couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice,

"Who... how is it you!"

"Shh~ keep it down!"

Worried that this kid would implicate him and get him exposed, Uchiha Gin immediately made a shushing gesture, then looked at the flushed boy with a teasing expression and joked,

"I didn't see that coming. At such a young age, you have such high peeping skills. Truly, a hero among youths, a bright future, a bright future indeed~"

"This is my duty!"

Maruboshi Kosuke, left speechless by Uchiha Gin's words, suddenly remembered his identity and couldn't help but straighten his back, answering seriously. Then, looking at the highly suspicious naked man before him, a look of disdain flashed across his face.

"On the contrary, you're the one hiding naked in the women's bathhouse. If you're not a pervert, who would believe it!"

"Oh? Is your duty to let you commit theft while guarding?"

Regarding this quibbling brat, Uchiha Gin shook his head in disdain, exposing his true colors on the spot. Then, he shook his "dragon" and said in a matter-of-fact tone,

"As for why I'm naked, doesn't that just prove that I'm just a warm-hearted bathhouse guest~"

"You..."

Uchiha Gin's sophistry left the young and ignorant Maruboshi Kosuke unable to process it, and his underdeveloped brain stalled on the spot.

"Thump!"

"You what? Still want to quibble, you perverted brat!"

Seeing Maruboshi Kosuke still wanting to speak, Uchiha Gin gave him a rap on the head to make him shut up.

Realizing the gap in strength between the two, Maruboshi Kosuke could only cover the large bump on his head and look at the triumphant Uchiha Gin with a look of grievance.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

If it were just because of yesterday's confrontation, the other party wouldn't have come all the way here to hammer him. This curly-haired guy must have other motives.

No, there really are people this petty.

"Nothing, just purely wanting to hammer you to vent my anger, and by the way, experience your work environment."

Satisfied, Uchiha Gin withdrew his fist, raised an eyebrow, and answered casually.

"Hmph~ so you're also a perverted peeping tom!"

Also?

You kid are a man who dares to act and take responsibility; you didn't lose face for the Genin men.

"Thump!!"

"Ugh... ouch, what are you doing!"

Covering the new bump on his head, Maruboshi Kosuke finally couldn't hold back his tears and started sobbing softly.

"I call this observing the people's conditions, using my eyes as a ruler to measure the growth and development of the Leaf's female compatriots, and formulating the best policies for women's healthy growth, aiming to benefit the vast number of female comrades."

"Oh oh? Oh!"

Hearing this confusing statement, Maruboshi Kosuke was shocked three times in a row.

After a brief moment of bewilderment, Maruboshi Kosuke slowly raised his head and stared at Uchiha Gin with a look of concern for the mentally challenged.

"Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

"Three-year-olds can't pull off peeping."

"I haven't even seen anything yet!"

Although he had the intention to peep, he had never seen through the thick mist from beginning to end. Maruboshi Kosuke curled his lip and muttered in protest.

"Oh?"

"This damn mist, it's all white, I can't see anything."

Since he was already exposed, Maruboshi Kosuke gave up and didn't fear Uchiha Gin's mockery.

"Young man, how can you shrink back because of a little mist? Do you feel worthy of the God of Peeping in the heavens?"

God of Peeping?

Is there such a deity?

"Then what can I do? I'm just a Genin who catches cats and dogs!"

Maruboshi Kosuke rolled his eyes and spread his hands, giving up.

"Tsk! For the sake of our shared interests, I'll teach you a trick."

Because he had been rained on, he always wanted to hold an umbrella for others. Uchiha Gin looked at the boy before him and decided to help him realize a wish he couldn't fulfill in his youth.

"Master, help me!!!"

Even if Uchiha Gin was just fooling him, Maruboshi Kosuke accepted it.

"Alright, I see you have some talent for Water Release, so I'll teach you this Hidden Mist Technique. I hope you use it well in the days to come."

As he spoke, Uchiha Gin slowly began to teach the Water Release technique capable of generating and controlling mist to the boy without reservation.

"Thank you, Master!"

Maruboshi Kosuke, who already had some Water Release mastery, bowed excitedly.

Although this Hidden Mist Technique wasn't high-level, it was considered a secret technique of the Land of Water. The curly-haired man before him teaching him this technique must have seen his extraordinary talent.

"Huh? Don't call me that, I didn't want to take you as a student~"

Grabbing Maruboshi Kosuke by the head, Uchiha Gin rolled his eyes and directly rejected the other party's forced attempt to acknowledge him as a master.

"Master..."

"Stop! Just don't mention me if you get into trouble later."

Waving his hand to stop Maruboshi Kosuke, Uchiha Gin instructed.

"..."

With an inexplicable look in his eyes, Maruboshi Kosuke ultimately nodded.

"Alright, practice while you can, so I can monitor the development of our female compatriots!"

Seeing Maruboshi Kosuke stop pestering him, Uchiha Gin patted his shoulder and urged him.

"Okay!"

Thinking Uchiha Gin was patting his shoulder to encourage him, Maruboshi Kosuke felt a burning fighting spirit ignite in his heart. Looking at the mist permeating the women's bathhouse, he steeled himself, and the chakra in his body began to refine rapidly as his hand seals changed.

Ox-Snake-Ram

"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"

The boy's talent for Water Release was indeed not low; he successfully performed this D-rank technique on his first try.

"Done!"

However, this warm mist suddenly appearing in the women's bathhouse instantly caught the attention of some female ninjas with decent sensory abilities.

"Something's fishy!"

In the women's bathhouse, Yamanaka Minako, who was leaning against the warmth of the pool to wash away the day's fatigue, suddenly sensed traces of someone using chakra nearby. She subconsciously covered her three vital points, glared with her beautiful cyan eyes, and searched for suspicious signs.

"Sisters, someone is peeping!"

"Where, where!"

Soon, many more female ninjas noticed the anomaly and began to check their surroundings vigilantly, trying to find the peeper.

"Ah? How dare they covet this lady's jade body, they deserve to die!"

An old aunt from the Akimichi clan roared in indignation, her mountain of white flesh rising and falling with her anger.

"Damn it, you're exposed, kid!"

The moment Maruboshi Kosuke performed the Hidden Mist Technique, Uchiha Gin was already holding his forehead and sighing. This kid's method of controlling chakra was still too rough, and the overflowing aura easily attracted the attention of sensory ninjas.

"Ah! What should I do?"

Not expecting to be discovered before even seeing any beauty, and then being caught in the act, wouldn't his reputation be ruined forever? The title of "peeping tom" would be like a black pot he'd carry forever.

"Consider yourself lucky, kid; fortunately, I have a backup plan~"

Because of Maruboshi Kosuke's clumsy operation, many female ninjas were already sniffing out the trail and heading in their direction. It was easy for Uchiha Gin to escape, but this brat would certainly have a miserable end.

For the sake of his young age, Uchiha Gin, unable to bear it, made a decision that went against his ancestors.

Uchiha Gin's right hand lifted slightly, tracing a flash of lightning.

Hyuga Tenyao, who was waiting bitterly on the other side of the wall, kept his eyes open, not daring to blink, terrified of missing the signal from Uchiha Gin.

In the bathhouse, a clueless little boy pointed at Hyuga Tenyao and asked his father, who was washing his hair,

"Dad, why is that person staring at the wall?"

"Heh, maybe he's fantasizing that he has X-ray vision, able to see through the wall and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the other side."

Just as Hyuga Tenyao was about to give up, he suddenly saw a flash of lightning in the air and immediately regained his spirit.

【Byakugan: Activate】

Fierce veins bulged around his eyes, Hyuga Tenyao widened his eyes, and his pupil power spilled out as if it were free.

"Gin-san, I'm here to help you!"

The thick wall before him was as nothing in Hyuga Tenyao's eyes. His vision quickly pierced through, and with his X-ray vision active, he quickly searched for Uchiha Gin's figure.

Inside the women's bathhouse

"Over there! The peeper is over there!"

Compared to the traces of Maruboshi Kosuke's ninjutsu, the pupil power soaring into the sky on the other side of the wall was even more eye-catching. The female ninjas with stronger sensory abilities immediately turned their focus, locking their targets onto the unsuspecting Hyuga Tenyao.

"Hmph! Audacious peeping tom, watch me bring you to justice on the spot!"

The Akimichi aunt roared, her massive body suddenly growing larger. In an instant, she rose higher than the wall, and her huge head peered over the open-topped wall, immediately spotting Hyuga Tenyao, who was widening his Byakugan and peeking around.

"Why is there another wall behind the wall? But why are there meridians on the wall?"

Hyuga Tenyao, fully focused on his X-ray vision, mistook the body of the Akimichi aunt, who had performed the Multi-Size Technique, for another wall.

"Sisters! The peeping tom is from the Hyuga clan!"

The Akimichi aunt was well-informed and recognized Hyuga Tenyao's identity at a glance, then informed the sisters in the women's bathhouse.

"Ah? It's actually the Hyuga clan, doesn't that mean we've been seen through?"

"Wuwuwu, I haven't even gotten married yet?"

"Damn it! Catch him and send him to the Security Force!"

"That's too easy on him, let him suffer a bit first!"

The sisters, learning the culprit's identity, were all filled with righteous indignation, swearing to make the peeping tom pay the price. If Hyuga Tenyao didn't lose a few organs today, he probably wouldn't be leaving.

"Ah? The peeping tom is actually from our clan? What a disgrace to the family!"

Also hearing the sounds from the women's bathhouse, Hyuga Tenyao, unaware that the black pot had been accurately placed on his head, felt a sense of guilt in addition to his surprise.

"Kid, you're safe for now."

Uchiha Gin's move to shift the blame had temporarily eased the crisis.

"What did you do?"

Even with his butt, he could guess it was Uchiha Gin's doing. Maruboshi Kosuke couldn't help but ask.

"Don't ask, get back to your job."

Patting the brat's head in annoyance, it was all this guy's fault that he didn't get to see the beautiful scenery.

"My job?"

"Time to catch the peeping tom~" (End of chapter)