The birthday banquet for Fugaku Uchiha...
Everyone attending the banquet was a prominent figure in Konoha Village—most were middle-aged or came from distinguished clans.
At the very least, minor figures from the Hyūga clan like Hyūga Masutari were not qualified to participate.
The banquet was about to begin, and Uchiha Yuuya stood outside the door, waiting anxiously. "It's almost time now—why hasn't the Captain arrived yet?"
"Hasn't Aoi Ren come yet?"
When questioned by the elders of the clan, Uchiha Yuuya could only lower his head and reply, "He will come. The Captain promised me he would."
Everyone knew that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Aoi Ren would one day carry the future of Konoha and become the Hokage.
For this occasion, the clan had even made an exception and reserved a seat among the special guests of the Uchiha high-ranking members specifically for him...
This was exactly why Uchiha Yuuya was so nervous!
"Please don't stand me up, Captain!"
But in the end, as three gongs sounded, the banquet officially began. All the guests had taken their seats in the general seating area, yet Aoi Ren still had not appeared...
No matter how much Uchiha Yuuya trusted him, he could only turn around and leave.
Who would have expected that five minutes later, Aoi Ren would appear at the gates of the Uchiha compound looking utterly helpless?
He had never imagined that browsing the system shop would cause him to lose track of time and arrive late...
But fortunately, it seemed he was still just in time!
Aoi Ren stepped forward, ready to enter the Uchiha residence. However, before he could even cross the open ground in front of the building, he was stopped by a member of the Uchiha clan.
"Kid, this isn't a place for you to play ninja games!" The Uchiha clansman wore an icy expression, glanced disdainfully at the Konoha headband on Aoi Ren's forehead, and shoved him roughly backward.
But how could he possibly move Aoi Ren with his strength? Aoi Ren stood completely unmoved and continued walking toward the gate. Yet the immense force that had been applied to him would have sent any ordinary child tumbling to the ground.
For a moment, Aoi Ren felt his temper rising. He frowned and asked, "You're pushing me around without even asking what's going on—aren't you afraid you'll get yourself into trouble?"
"Get into trouble?"
Uchiha Moni sneered contemptuously. "There's nothing the Uchiha clan is afraid of. Remember my name—Uchiha Moni. When you grow up, come and seek your revenge against me!"
Hearing these words, Aoi Ren's anger flared even higher. The Uchiha clan was useless at many things, but when it came to provoking others, they were exceptionally skilled. There was something about their innate sense of superiority that naturally made people feel disgusted...
"No wonder they were completely wiped out within a few generations."
Aoi Ren shook his head helplessly. Normally, he would have simply turned and walked away. After all, there was no need to waste words with a group of people destined to die. But since he had given his word to Uchiha Yuuya, he could not leave so easily...
"Aren't you going to at least consider whether or not I have an invitation?" Aoi Ren tried to make Uchiha Moni stop and think.
However...
"Hmph!"
Uchiha Moni sneered disdainfully. "How dare you come to the Uchiha clan trying to get a free meal at such a young age? All the guests have already taken their seats—where would there possibly be a place for you?"
Aoi Ren glanced inside. While all the seats for ordinary guests were indeed filled, one of the special seats on the raised platform still stood empty.
"Perhaps... that seat is meant for me?" Aoi Ren pointed toward the distant platform. He refused to believe that the Uchiha clan's arrogance had made them completely blind to reason.
However...
"Hahaha!" Uchiha Moni burst out laughing. "What outsider would ever be qualified to sit in that seat at a Uchiha banquet?"
"Do you think you're the First Hokage or something?" It seemed that in the face of the Uchiha's mindless pride, only the name of Hashirama Senju carried any real weight.
"They really did deserve to be wiped out..."
Aoi Ren shook his head helplessly and turned around, preparing to leave. It wasn't that he was breaking his promise, but rather that he had no desire to turn this matter into a major conflict.
With a clan that was destined for destruction, he could certainly make trouble—but there was no need to do so...
Just at that moment, a familiar shiny bald head poked its way over cautiously.
"Is that Lord Aoi?" The obsequious voice of the Bald Head Director was instantly recognizable; Aoi Ren knew exactly who it was the moment he heard it.
"Baldy, what are you doing here?" Aoi Ren turned around, looking completely surprised. Was the Bald Head Director's status even high enough to qualify for such an esteemed Uchiha banquet?
"Haha, it's all thanks to you, Lord Aoi!" The Bald Head Director leaned close to Aoi Ren's ear and whispered flatteringly, "Lord Aoi, I have already arranged employment for nearly a hundred young ladies from respectable families that you introduced to me last time."
"Oh?"
Aoi Ren nodded in satisfaction. Looking at the director's wrinkled face that resembled a wilted chrysanthemum, he realized what the man was doing—he was trying to take credit for himself!
"When I have time, I'll send you another batch of medicines that cure all illnesses!"
Upon receiving Aoi Ren's promise, the Bald Head Director rubbed his hands together in excitement.
The previous batch of miracle medicines had almost sold out these past few days, and the director had been worrying so much that his hair was falling out even faster.
In just a few days, he might have to change his title to the Completely Bald Director...
But running into Aoi Ren here today was nothing short of a miracle!
Just then, a confused voice spoke up from the side...
"Director Maeda, are you sure you're not making a mistake?" Uchiha Moni forced a dry laugh, his face turning pale.
"This little brat is nothing but a fraud and a beggar trying to swindle his way in here!"
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