Chapter 37: Ambush on the Way

Recently, the villagers of Konoha felt like they were having hallucinations. The Uchiha clan, who were usually arrogant and aloof, had learned to smile and greet people.

As people walked along the streets of Konoha, they would encounter not only vendors and pedestrians but also the police department. In the past, the police department was entirely composed of Uchiha ninja, easily identifiable by their distinctive clothing. The Uchiha clan always wore a cold expression, as if they were owed money, and they never seemed to blend in with the crowd.

However, in recent days, almost all vendors and pedestrians have noticed a change in the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha ninja patrolling the streets have donned Konoha's exclusive ninja vests, and they no longer wear a cold expression throughout their patrols. Instead, they wear a softer expression and occasionally even smile.

The Uchiha clan was already a good-looking family, but their previously aloof attitude made people hesitant to approach them. Now that they have suddenly become much gentler, they have attracted the attention of many young female fans. Some Uchiha clan members even received flowers from girls while on patrol.

At first, the Uchiha clan members were skeptical and somewhat dissatisfied with Fugaku Uchiha's order to change their behavior. However, as they felt the people around them no longer looked at them with hostile eyes and even greeted them with smiles, their dissatisfaction quickly disappeared.

Humans are social animals, and in the past, people had no choice but to accept the negative impression of the Uchiha clan that was deliberately created by Danzo and his followers. The Uchiha clan's naturally proud personality made them disdainful of explaining themselves in the face of such slander, and the relationship between the two sides began to deteriorate.

Now that the Uchiha clan has taken the initiative to change, the people of Konoha are surprised and happy. People are visual creatures, and the Uchiha clan members are handsome men and beautiful women. With their personalities becoming much gentler, their reputation in Konoha has greatly improved in just a few days.

Except for Danzo and his followers, the Konoha leadership is pleased with this change, especially since the Uchiha clan has relinquished control of the police department. The families that benefited from this decision are naturally satisfied.

The Third Hokage stood by the window in his office, feeling relieved that the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha was slowly improving. He had just received an urgent message that Hidden Cloud village had begun to withdraw its troops. Under this double good news, the Third Hokage was excited and took out his crystal ball to calm his restless hormones.

Sakura and her companions were unaware of the changes in Konoha. After waiting for several days, they received a ceasefire agreement from Hidden Cloud village and began to pack their bags to return home.

"Please help me discipline Shikamaru and make him more diligent!" Shikaku Nara instructed with a smile. He still needed to deal with some follow-up matters and couldn't go back with Sakura and the others.

"That's going to be difficult!" Sakura wanted to complain. Shikamaru's personality was such that even when he worked as a cashier in a ramen shop, he was still lazy. Changing his nature would be as difficult as convincing Black Zetsu to give up resurrecting Kaguya Otsutsuki.

"Um, please take good care of Ino and don't let any strange boys get close to her!" Inoichi Yamanaka looked worried. During his absence from Konoha, he hoped that no strange boys would have designs on his lovely daughter.

"Inoichi-san, Ino is only four years old this year!" Sakura was exasperated. What was he talking about? Ino was only four years old. How could anyone have designs on her?

"What if there are some psychopaths?" Inoichi Yamanaka was so worried that he wanted to smoke like Asuma, but he knew that his daughter would disapprove.

"Haha, Inoichi, you don't have to worry so much. The village is still very safe!" Chouza Akimichi patted his belly and laughed. "I'm not worried about my own son. He can eat and drink!"

"Well, it's getting late, we should leave now!"

After giving some instructions, Sakura, Kakashi, and a few others started their journey back. Just as they left Shikaku Nara's sight, Kakashi and the others changed their appearance instantly. Shisui took out a bunch of sweets and started eating them, Might Guy took out two dumbbells and began exercising his arms, while Kakashi took out his beloved book and sat on the side reading.

The calm journey continued until noon the next day. At the strong request of Might Guy, they all landed on the ground and walked slowly forward. They didn't need to rush like they did on their way here, so they were happy to walk and relax.

"Kakashi, come and have a youthful competition with me!" Guy jumped around Kakashi, dissatisfied with his lack of enthusiasm.

"No!" Kakashi didn't even lift his head, completely absorbed in his book.

"Kakashi, how can you waste your youth in these books? You should be passionate like me..."

"Someone's coming..."

Kakashi interrupted Guy before he could finish his sentence. He was no longer the lazy person he was before. As soon as he warned Guy, his muscles tensed up, and he took on a fighting stance.

"There are many enemies, be careful!"

Shisui's Sharingan slowly rotated, and his short sword was already out of its sheath. Kakashi, Guy, and Shisui formed a triangle with Sakura in the middle, protecting her.

"My youth has already started to boil..."

Guy shouted, but his expression was serious. He may be carefree, but he wasn't stupid. He wouldn't take the enemy lightly.

One after another, black-clothed people with masks jumped out of the forest. Their faces were hidden, but their eyes behind the masks were cold.

"These people are Root's ninjas!"

Sakura frowned slightly as she felt the familiar soul fluctuations of the enemy. This cold and dead feeling, like that of a dead person, was only present in Root's ninjas. Moreover, the malice emanating from these people was clearly directed at her. If she wasn't mistaken, Danzo had set his sights on her, and the reason was probably related to the Uchiha clan.

"Shisui, your Body Flicker Technique is the strongest. Guy and I will hold them back, you take Sakura and go first!"

Kakashi's eyes were full of seriousness. With so many Root ninjas, it seemed that Danzo was determined to keep them here.

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