Chapter 374

374. Chapter 366: You probably won't be able to freeload for long

"Huh? This young lady only drinks boba milk tea with taro balls."

Hearing a familiar voice, Tsunade turned her head and looked at the white-haired brat in the corner of the lobby waving a straw at her, her beautiful eyes rolling back in a huge eye-roll.

"Besides, I always pay in full. Only stingy guys like you would split the bill with others."

"Little Tsunade, is that a friend?"

Uchiha Gin, who was waiting in line, patted the haughty-looking little Tsunade, his dead-fish eyes sweeping over the faces of the few children in the corner, a hint of playfulness in his expression.

"They're just classmates from the academy."

Little Tsunade, with her arms crossed over her chest, pouted and explained.

The Konoha Academy was a school jointly invested in and established by the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha. The Land of Whirlpools was responsible for the money, and Konoha was responsible for the personnel. Any child of age in the village could attend school for free.

These four or five-year-old children, if they had no talent for ninjutsu, would be sent to regular classes to learn to count and read, receiving basic education. Children with talent for ninjutsu would be assigned to ninja classes to receive systematic ninja education and training.

Although attendance at the academy was not mandatory, whether they were from prestigious clans or humble families, everyone chose to send their children there to receive an education.

For no other reason than that the Hokage and the Village Secretary would regularly go to the Konoha Academy to give public lectures, tailor future plans for talented children, and patiently answer their questions about cultivation.

With such a good thing, how could anyone miss it?

Five-year-old Tsunade had joined the Konoha Academy's ninja class not long ago, becoming a glorious first-year freshman. She was naturally very active, and with all her peers in the class, she quickly hit it off with a few like-minded little friends.

"Since they're classmates, go say hello~"

"Alright."

Ruffling little Tsunade's hair, Uchiha Gin led her to the few children.

"Mister, who are you?"

Seeing the usually cocky Tsunade acting so timid in front of this curly-haired man who reeked of "middle-aged uncle" vibes, the boisterous Jiraiya asked in surprise.

"Jiraiya, be polite in front of adults."

Kato Dan, with his blue hair, hurriedly tugged at Jiraiya's sleeve. Although Uchiha Gin looked harmless, the man had a shiny forehead protector hanging on him. One had to know that ninjas could not be judged by common sense.

What if this curly-haired guy was a ruthless pervert?

"That clan emblem..."

The quiet Orochimaru on the side had been secretly observing the details of Uchiha Gin's attire. After discovering a familiar fan, his body subconsciously tensed up. He had heard his father mention that the Uchiha clan were not easy people to get along with.

"Uchiha?"

Hatake Sakumo, who also recognized Uchiha Gin's identity, narrowed his eyes slightly, his brain beginning to analyze the relationship between the person in front of him and Tsunade.

As a member of the Senju clan, why would Tsunade be walking with an adult Uchiha, and even coming to drink milk tea?

Could it be...

Hatake Sakumo's gaze suddenly sharpened, his mind instantly filling with countless discordant images, and his body emitted an inexplicable aura that made Uchiha Gin, who was sizing them up, feel a sudden sense of familiarity.

Why does this grey-haired brat have the same vibe as Brother Brother Erlang?

"Tsunade, is he your dad?"

After his wide eyes wandered between Uchiha Gin and Tsunade for a while, the honest and simple Might Dai asked something shocking.

"Dai, are you an idiot? Tsunade has straight hair~"

Orochimaru covered his face helplessly. According to genetics, curly hair would most likely only produce curly hair.

"Exactly, how could such an uncle be Tsunade's father?"

Jiraiya nodded in deep agreement.

"Although I'm indeed not, kid, are you being polite?"

Uchiha Gin didn't usually get angry easily, unless he was truly angry. Sure enough, only white-haired people could disturb his Dao heart, so he raised his hand and gave the white-haired brat a flick on the forehead.

"Thump~"

"Ouch~ What are you doing?"

"Sorry, my hand just can't control itself when I see white hair."

After withdrawing his hand, Uchiha Gin said he was sorry, but there was no hint of apology on his face.

"Then, Mister, who are you?"

Seeing the large bump rising on Jiraiya's head, Kato Dan swallowed his saliva in fear. Sure enough, ninjas were such fickle people. Worried about angering Uchiha Gin again, he hesitated for a moment before asking.

"He's my grandfather~"

No longer wanting to watch her little friends continue to act stupid, Tsunade took the initiative to reveal the identity of Uchiha Gin beside her.

"Huh?" *5

Upon hearing this, the five little ones immediately opened their mouths wide in surprise, their wide eyes filled with disbelief.

"Don't lie to us. Although he's an uncle, he shouldn't be that old, right?"

Jiraiya rubbed his eyes, his suspicious gaze sweeping over Uchiha Gin's smooth, fair face full of collagen. So firm, and you're telling me he's your grandfather?

"Yeah, Tsunade, aren't your grandfathers the Hokage and the Village Secretary?"

Kato Dan blinked in confusion. As a good student who excelled in both character and learning, he had grown up reading the Will of Fire, so he was naturally as clear as could be about the founders of Konoha.

Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo nodded secretly in their hearts upon hearing this. The curly-haired man in front of them was an Uchiha; how could he be related to the Senju clan?

"It's hard for me to explain the reason for this to you, but I am indeed Little Tsunade's grandfather."

Uchiha Gin shook his head, his gaze falling on the cup of lemonade the little ones were sitting around. Seeing the poor Snow King with a stick-like object stuck in its mouth, still forcing a smile, he couldn't help but feel a bit heartbroken.

"Since you are Little Tsunade's classmates, then Grandfather will treat you. Whatever you want to drink, just order~"

These little ones didn't look like bad kids at all. Uchiha Gin, in a fit of kindness, waved his hand, indicating that all consumption today would be paid for by Uncle Gin.

"Really?"

Jiraiya's eyes widened, forgetting to continue questioning Uchiha Gin's identity. His peripheral vision couldn't help but drift toward the three-topping milk tea on the menu on the wall. That price of 1,000 ryo was something a child with his special status could only look at but never reach.

"I love telling the truth, buddy~"

"But..."

"So wordy. If I tell you to order, then order. Uncle Gin is a well-known philanthropist; what is this little bit of money?"

Seeing that someone actually dared to question her grandfather's strength, Tsunade immediately went up and gave the white-haired brat an elbow strike. With a displeased face, she kicked Jiraiya, who was rolling on the ground, and raised her head to say to the others who were trembling in fear,

"Follow me!"

"Then we won't be polite."

The little ones looked at the groaning Jiraiya, took a step back in unison, exchanged glances, bowed to Uchiha Gin, and hurriedly followed Tsunade.

"Hello, boba milk tea with extra taro balls, thanks~"

After skillfully ordering her own, Tsunade turned her head and said to her uneasy classmates,

"What do you want to drink?"

"Please give me a cup of Mango Pomelo Sago."

Kato Dan replied cautiously, not daring to meet Tsunade's eyes for more than a second.

"I want the Fresh Orange Smash!"

Might Dai, clenching his fists, looked around and chose the drink that sounded the most powerful.

"Iced Americano."

Orochimaru was very curious about the legendary Americano coffee that only adults could drink. It was said that the adults who drank it all praised it as "too cool~".

"Peach... Four Seasons Spring~"

This name didn't sound very serious at all, so Hatake Sakumo chose it.

"Do I... deserve... a cup of... three-topping milk tea?"

Enduring the sharp pain in his ribs, Jiraiya, who had crawled over like a maggot, raised his hand tremblingly.

A moment later, the little ones returned fully loaded, holding their favorite drinks in their hands, with the smiles that children should have on their faces.

Except for that grey-haired brat, why is he panting heavily with a flushed face? Is he imagining something?

"Thanks for the treat!"

The children were quite polite, bowing in unison to thank Uchiha Gin.

"It's nothing, I should thank you for taking care of my Little Tsunade~"

"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare!!!"

Upon hearing this, the little ones' expressions changed immediately, their hands shaking like helicopters.

"Little Tsunade, how do you usually get along with your classmates?"

Uchiha Gin frowned, looking at Little Tsunade, who was sipping her milk tea and looking away.

"Just the very normal kind~"

"Which kind?"

"The normal punch and normal kick that Great-Grandfather taught me..."

There was no other way. Little Tsunade had to gesture in the air a few times, a faint blue light on her fist, suspected to be innate super strength.

"Uh... you guys have worked hard. If you want anything else to drink, go order more."

Scratching his curly hair helplessly, Uchiha Gin understood why these little guys looked so terrified. However, being able to survive under Little Tsunade's fist, one could only say they were worthy of being the famous characters in the future plot.

"Really?"

Jiraiya, who had taken a big gulp of milk tea, instantly had his eyes light up. Before he could swallow the toppings in his mouth, he immediately asked. As a result, as soon as he opened his mouth, a black pearl hit Tsunade squarely.

"Ji! Rai! Ya!"

"Ah ah ah! I didn't mean it!"

"Normal punch!"

Thump!

"Tsk~ Next time you want to drink, just come and report my name. You can put it on my tab."

Looking at the white-haired brat flying into the sky, Uchiha Gin felt a great sense of guilt. He turned to promise the children, who looked like frightened chicks,

"Can we do it anytime?"

Kato Dan gathered his courage and asked.

"As long as you are in Konoha and still alive, you can keep drinking."

"Yay! Thank you, Grandpa Gin!"

The little brats didn't have an intuitive feeling about life and death yet; they just felt that they could freeload on drinks for a long time, and were incredibly happy.

You guys are happy too early~

Uchiha Gin looked at the jubilant little brats and shook his head thoughtfully.

The farce ended, and the world where only Jiraiya was injured was achieved. Tsunade glared at the disheveled white-haired brat and turned to say to Uchiha Gin,

"Grandpa Gin, they are the guys I mentioned before who worship foreign things!"

"Oh?"

Sipping a cup of triple-sugar lemonade, Uchiha Gin looked with slight surprise at the little brats in front of him who had given their all for Konoha. If we were talking about the Will of Fire, they should be the strongest batch, right?

"Tsunade, what nonsense are you talking about? I am a Konoha person with a red-rooted seedling!"

Jiraiya bared his teeth, ignoring the sharp pain coming from his body, stood up and retorted.

"Then why don't you like the Nine-Tails Knight?"

"Huh?"

The little ones looked at each other, not expecting that the matter of chasing idols would be elevated to such a height by Tsunade.

"We didn't say we don't like the Nine-Tails Knight? It's just..."

"Just what?"

"Compared to the other knights, the Nine-Tails Knight hasn't walked in the Ninja World for a long time~"

Sticking out his tongue, Orochimaru, with a bitter expression, explained. Afterward, looking at the Iced Americano in front of him, he regretted his attempt. It turned out that the adults who drank this didn't say it was "too cool," but "too bitter~".

Uchiha Gin realized with a start that it was all his cousin's fault. Thinking that he was the acting Hokage and the only designated successor of the Second Hokage, he couldn't continue to show his face, so he had rarely gone out on official business as a knight over the years, leading to his reputation being buried.

"That's not it at all!"

"Grandpa Gin, you be the judge. Who is the strongest Tailed Beast Knight!"

Tsunade, who was angry, tugged at Uchiha Gin's sleeve, her little face full of grievances.

"It must be Grandpa Madara, right?"

"The Hunter Knight Sword is..."

"Hmm?"

Jiraiya just wanted to speak up to vindicate his idol, but seeing Tsunade glare, he was so scared that he hurriedly covered his mouth.

"Alright, alright, you guys don't need to struggle with this question anymore. Who is strong and who is weak among the Tailed Beast Knights is not something you or I can decide, unless..."

"Unless what?"

The little ones raised their heads, their little eyes looking at Uchiha Gin in unison. Following his voice, none of them dared to even breathe loudly.

"Fight! Isn't the final winner the strongest Tailed Beast Knight?"

"Sigh~"

They thought Uchiha Gin would have some high-level insight, but they didn't expect it to be just some vulgar words. So they lowered their heads in disappointment and continued to taste their drinks.

"Your three-topping milk tea, please take it~"

The short gathering came to an end. Jiraiya shamelessly packed a portion of milk tea with extra toppings. Uchiha Gin didn't care, but Tsunade rolled her eyes in anger.

"You guy, eating and taking, your skin is really thick."

"Yeah, Jiraiya, you're really going too far by doing this."

The other little ones also stood on Tsunade's side, condemning Jiraiya's greedy behavior.

"..."

Jiraiya, pointed at by thousands, lowered his head. For once, he didn't argue, silently put away the packed three-topping milk tea, bowed deeply to Uchiha Gin, and ran out of the shop without looking back.

Only Uchiha Gin, looking at Jiraiya's thin back, had an inexplicable light emerge in his eyes. Afterward, he flashed and disappeared from where he was.

"Uh?"

The remaining little brats, seeing Uchiha Gin suddenly disappear, all had expressions of confusion.

Holding the warm milk tea, Jiraiya was running hard on the small path. Suddenly, a large hand pressed on his shoulder, scaring him so much he almost stumbled.

"Who!?"

"Kid, if you want to drink in the future, just put it on my, Uchiha Gin's, tab. And your friend who didn't come."

Looking at Jiraiya, who had a look of horror on his face, Uchiha Gin ruffled his prickly hedgehog hair and said softly.

"You... how did you know?"

Not expecting Uchiha Gin to know why he wanted to pack a cup of milk tea, Jiraiya felt a sourness in his nose. His eye sockets, which hadn't moistened even when he was beaten up by Tsunade, were now overflowing with tears.

"Alright, go quickly. It won't taste good if the milk tea gets cold."

Uchiha Gin had also heard some faint muttering when Jiraiya was packing, the gist of which was that his good friend hadn't come, and he must let him taste the milk tea he liked.

"Thank you, Grandpa... Gin."

Jiraiya bit his lip, bowed to Uchiha Gin, and then turned and disappeared into the small alley.

"Grandpa Gin, what did you just go do?"

Beside the Snow King, Tsunade, who had been waiting for a little while, looked at Uchiha Gin, who was strolling over slowly, and pouted her little mouth in anger.

"Just went to send some warmth to the lonely." (End of chapter)