Minato was just planning to find Mikoto and ask her what was going on when several figures suddenly blocked the middle of the road.
Minato's gaze swept over them and noted that the newcomers were all youths in their teens. Their clothing bore the Uchiha Clan crest, which closely resembled a red and white table tennis paddle.
"Minato Namikaze!"
The leading youth glared at Minato with obvious hostility. "What is your relationship with Mikoto?"
As expected, was it because of Mikoto?
A flash of realization crossed Minato's eyes as he processed the situation. He could understand young men being jealous over a crush, but he did not like the other party's aggressive attitude.
"And you are——"
"My name is Uchiha Homura, a Chunin of the current Police Force!"
A Chunin—
He was running up to someone who just killed the Third Kazekage to act tough.
This clan is truly reckless to the point where even if an author wrote it, they would be flamed for lowering the characters' intelligence.
They might as well change their name to 'U-Reckless-ha'. Where is the intelligence in this?
However, Minato was only complaining in his heart. 'Uchiha' originated from a variation of the word for a round fan, which is the Uchiha Clan crest.
Furthermore, there was another layer of meaning to the syllables: I, we, my side—
Understanding it this way, the names of the Uchiha Clan became very interesting to his cynical mind.
Uchiha Itachi: I am a weasel.
Uchiha Sasuke: I am the Third's father!
No wonder the clan was eventually wiped out—
"So? What my relationship with Mikoto is—what does it have to do with you?"
Minato sized up the arrogant youth before him. His tone was calm and polite, but his words were quite blunt.
The phrasing was a bit of a tongue-twister, but Minato felt the other party should understand his meaning well enough.
"What did you say?"
Uchiha Homura was instantly enraged by the dismissal. "I'm warning you, Mikoto has an engagement with the Young Clan Chief. If you know what's good for you—"
"An engagement——did Mikoto agree to it?"
Minato suddenly spoke up, interrupting him mid-sentence. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Uchiha Homura with a faint, mocking smile on his lips.
Uchiha Homura instantly froze, caught off guard by the question.
"To tell you the truth, Mikoto and I are dating. With Mikoto's personality, if such a thing really existed, she wouldn't have kept it from me, yet she never mentioned it."
As Minato spoke, he gave a light chuckle and leisurely crossed his arms. He looked the Chunin in the eye and said frankly: "But even if there were one, it wouldn't matter. Mikoto is the person I like. Whoever dares to coerce her, I will kill them. Do you want to try?"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Uchiha Homura waved his hand violently, fuming with rage. "I've heard of you! You're clearly entangled with that girl from the Uzumaki Clan, yet you dare to mess with a girl from our Uchiha—"
Minato tilted his chin up, his tone unable to hide his dark pride. "That's right, I am dating them both at the same time, and they have both agreed. Is there a problem?"
"Pfft—"
At the entrance of a Tamagoyaki shop by the roadside, the shop owner was watching the commotion while holding a teacup. He spat out a mouthful of tea in total shock.
Even Uchiha Homura and his companions looked dumbfounded, clearly shocked by this blatant news.
"Now, move."
Minato spoke with unquestionable authority, slowly raising his index finger. A brilliant, searing light blossomed at the tip.
"Otherwise, die!"
Uchiha Homura's face instantly turned bright red, but he clearly hadn't completely lost his mind. He knew Minato was far beyond someone he could challenge.
He clenched his fists, glaring at Minato through gritted teeth. The people behind him also wore expressions of shared indignation and frustration.
Reason told them that even if they attacked together, they would not be Minato's match.
But the pride of youth made it hard for them to back down. It was like a blade that had been drawn and was now difficult to sheathe.
Fortunately, at that exact moment, a figure suddenly appeared on the scene.
Uchiha Fugaku appeared just in time. He stood in front of Minato and looked at Uchiha Homura and the others with a somber face. "What are you all doing here?"
"Brother Fugaku!"
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku's arrival, the group instantly seemed to find their backbone.
Uchiha Homura pointed at Minato, accusingly. "This guy is messing with Mikoto—"
"And what does that have to do with you? I heard everything just now. Who told you that Mikoto and I have an engagement?"
Uchiha Fugaku scolded them harshly. "And even if there were an engagement, so what? If she doesn't like it, are you going to take her by force? Have you forgotten your status as members of the Police Force? Do you think you're bandits?"
Hearing this, the group lowered their heads sheepishly.
"Go back and write a self-reflection!"
Fugaku scolded in a deep voice. It was clear he held high prestige among the Uchiha's younger generation. The group didn't dare to argue and slunk away.
"I apologize, Minato Your Excellency."
Uchiha Fugaku turned to look at Minato. His tone carried a hint of a genuine apology. "These guys believe every rumor they hear, causing a misunderstanding. I apologize to you on their behalf."
"It's fine."
Minato shook his head, maintaining his mask. "I'm just curious, what misunderstanding are you referring to, Senior?"
Uchiha Fugaku sighed. "I presume Your Excellency knows that to ensure the purity of the Bloodline Limit, internal marriage within Bloodline Limit clans is common. The relationships between families are quite harmonious."
"My father admires Mikoto very much and previously joked about wanting her to marry into our Family, but it was just a joke."
Minato looked at Fugaku with some curiosity. "Then, Senior——"
"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but I have a rigid personality and am not good with words. Usually, my mind is focused on Cultivation, and I simply don't have time to think about such things."
Fugaku shook his head helplessly. "Mikoto is five years younger than me; I've always viewed her as a younger sister. These guys claim to be standing up for me, but in reality, they just have feelings for Mikoto and were afraid to express them because of the rumors, so they took this opportunity to vent their emotions."
"I see——"
Minato nodded. He calculated that the other party shouldn't be lying.
Although Fugaku and Mikoto were a couple in the original story, that should have been something that happened later. At Fugaku's current age of $17$, his preferences should be geared toward older women.
Furthermore, with his personality, the possibility of a Family arrangement was indeed higher.
"Mikoto is very popular in our clan."
Seeing that Minato wasn't angry, Fugaku tried to force a friendly smile, but it looked incredibly stiff.
"When you brought Mikoto back yesterday, your behavior was quite intimate and was seen by clan members. After it spread this morning, these guys couldn't help but get restless."
Uchiha Fugaku said, shaking his head once more. "I am truly very sorry——"
"Don't mention it."
Minato waved his hand lightly, being polite. "I'm the one who should apologize. I lost my temper just now and offended the Uchiha's dignity."
"You are too kind."
Hearing Minato's humble words, Uchiha Fugaku's expression softened further. "I guarantee that such a thing won't happen again. I also hope Minato Your Excellency won't mind the offense of those fools. If there's a chance, we should interact more often—"
As the two were talking, a figure hurried over.
The newcomer was Mikoto. Seeing Minato and Fugaku talking without any apparent conflict, the girl's urgent pace slowed slightly.
"Minato, Brother Fugaku."
Mikoto quickly walked to Minato's side. "I heard someone was looking for trouble with you?"
"It's nothing, just a small misunderstanding."
Minato affectionately smoothed Mikoto's slightly messy hair. "Get ready, there's a mission."
"Mm!"
Mikoto didn't ask more and quickly packed her things. Minato also took his leave from Fugaku.
Watching the two of them walk away, Fugaku breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart.
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