Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 179 Superficial discord, but behind the scenes…

In the past, Tsunade might have used the excuse that this was a normal size to give Aokiji a good punch. Now, she can proudly hold her head high, full of confidence:

"Are you blind? If you don't want your eyes, I can gouge them out for you. Anyway, you're so old and you still haven't awakened your Sharingan."

Aokiji scoffed, "Who knows if you used some forbidden technique to modify your body? Otherwise, how could you change so much in such a short time? Do you think I'm stupid?"

"What did you say?!" Tsunade's eyes widened in anger, her voice shaking the earth like a volcano about to erupt.

Seeing that the two looked like they were about to fight, Orochimaru quickly intervened, saying, "It's rare for Aokiji to come back from his trip, so let's not argue."

Jiraiya chimed in, "Yes, yes, we're all comrades, so we can sit down and talk things over."

Orochimaru chimed in, "A new barbecue restaurant recently opened on the street. Let's all get together."

Upon hearing this, Aokiji and Tsunade each snorted and then gave up.

Orochimaru was ashamed and finally stopped the two from arguing any further.

This situation didn't last long. At the dinner table, the two, who had just calmed down, seemed to dislike each other and immediately started arguing again.

It was as if the two of them, having been separated for so long and lacking an outlet for their emotions, were finally getting together to have a good argument.

Seeing that the situation was escalating, Orochimaru quickly changed the subject: "Aokiji, did you hear about a group of people during your travels?"

"Uh...who is it?"

Aokiji, his mouth dry from arguing with Tsunade, drank a glass of water.

Orochimaru slowly spoke: "The Phantom Troupe."

Aokiji paused, put down his water glass, and looked puzzled.

Before Orochimaru could respond, Tsunade spoke first: "The Phantom Troupe? You mean the group that's been committing crimes in various countries over the past six months?"

Aokiji looked completely bewildered: "I haven't noticed before. Tell me about it."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed mischievously: "Want to know? Beg me, and maybe I'll tell you."

Aokiji shook his hand as if swatting away a mosquito or fly, then walked past Tsunade and asked Orochimaru, "What's that Phantom Troupe you were talking about?"

Orochimaru quickly organized his thoughts and said, "Simply put, they are a group of kidnappers who have committed major crimes in various countries. They are so named because they appear and disappear without a trace, and each crime is like a phantom that leaves no clues."

Tsunade threatened, "You might run into trouble one day while traveling alone, and you never know when you might get robbed."

"Those guys would only rob a poor person like me if they had nothing better to do."

Aokiji picked at the particles in his nose with his little finger, flicked them off casually, as if it were none of his business.

That's what he said, but in reality, this organization is actually related to him...

He was the one who planned every kidnapping by the Phantom Troupe.

He and Kakuzu founded "Akatsuki," but he wouldn't be foolish enough to name this criminal gang after an organization.

The Phantom Troupe is a name given to them by others.

Tsunade was very displeased with Aokiji's unseemly behavior: "Aokiji, you're disgusting! We're eating right now, can't you be a little more mindful of your image?"

Aokiji said nonchalantly, "What does it matter?"

Tsunade scratched her head with both hands, looking like she'd had enough: "I really want to know what your future wife looks like, that she would be interested in someone like you."

Aokiji excitedly gestured with his hands: "Is there even a question? She'll definitely be a 36D busty beauty."

Tsunade sneered, "You're quite the dreamer, aren't you? It's broad daylight."

Aokiji grinned, giving him a taste of his own medicine: "But on another note, if I may, I'd also like to know what your future husband looks like, someone who looks like a violent tomboy like you."

Tsunade clenched her fist and waved it, saying fiercely, "Are you looking for death?!"

Orochimaru and Jiraiya exchanged a glance and sighed helplessly, "Ugh... here we go again, those two..."

After the four of them finished their meal, they left the barbecue restaurant.

At that moment, Tsunade had something to attend to: "Sorry, I have training today, so I'll be leaving now."

Orochimaru muttered to himself, "Sigh, even Aokiji rarely comes back..."

"It's not like we'll never see each other again..."

When she said this, Tsunade glanced at Aokiji.

Their eyes met, and without saying a word, Aokiji understood and nodded knowingly: "In that case, let's end the gathering here for today."

Orochimaru saw that Aokiji was also about to leave, so he asked him why.

Aokiji smiled and explained, "Of course I have to go back to my clan first; I haven't been back in a long time."

Having not seen Aokiji for a long time, Orochimaru, who really wanted to talk to him, didn't insist: "That's true. See you tomorrow then."

"Okay, goodbye."

……

……

Upon returning to the Uchiha clan's territory, Aokiji first visited Elder Itachi.

He still respected Elder Itachi very much.

He helped me a lot during my growth process. Not to mention the distant past, he even got me out of prison. I can't forget this kindness.

"Are you planning to stay only a short while again before going on your trip?"

"The world is so big, I want to go out and see it." Aokiji knew that his reason was a bit weak, so he scratched his cheek.

Perhaps because he didn't care about Aokiji's interests as a ninja, Elder Itachi sighed and then said, "You've come back just in time. There's a competition for the younger generation today. Go and participate. I want to see if you've been slacking off these past six months."

"I see."

Without making excuses, Aokiji followed Elder Itachi to the clan's training grounds.

At this time, the younger generation is having a great time.

Someone saw Aokiji arrive and went up to greet him, saying, "Aokiji, you've finally decided to come back!"

Aokiji nodded in a gesture of goodwill.

Having received considerable help from the Uchiha clan in recent years, Aokiji's attitude towards his clansmen has changed significantly; at least he no longer appears overly aloof.

In the past, the younger generation of Uchiha were very resentful that Aokiji received so much preferential treatment. Why should someone who didn't even have a Sharingan be treated so well?

However, this phenomenon was silenced after Aokiji won people over with his virtue.

Ultimately, strength is paramount for ninjas, especially for a clan like the Uchiha that reveres power.

Aokiji looked around, his gaze finally settling on a little boy behind him, and greeted him.

Hearing that someone was calling him, Fugaku found Aokiji with a delighted expression, and the two chatted for a few minutes.

"Go up and demonstrate."

Under Elder Itachi's instructions, Aokiji said nothing and leaped into the center of the competition.

Uchiha Tsuchihan was slightly taken aback when he saw that his opponent this time was Aokiji. He was about two years older than Aokiji and about 1.7 meters tall.

The blue pheasant develops its body relatively quickly, so it is not at a disadvantage in terms of size.

"It seems like this time my opponent is you. This clan competition won't be too boring..."

Uchiha Tsuchien showed great interest: "I've fought against the Snow Clan's Ice Release ninjas before, but I wonder how your Ice Release will fare, given that you have Uchiha blood flowing through your veins."

In comparison, Aokiji seemed uninterested. It wasn't that he looked down on his opponent, but rather that his original plan was to visit Elder Itachi and then go to be with his girlfriend. He didn't have time to fight with a grown man like Aokiji.

But he couldn't refuse Elder Itachi's order, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go on stage.

As soon as the referee called "start," Aokiji made the first move.

Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Technique!

Several fireballs were spat out from his mouth and hurled at his opponent. He would test his opponent's reaction speed with this move.

(End of this chapter)