Chapter 16: Shopping and Spy.

He genuinely disliked the ninja attire from the bottom of his heart, especially those sandals that expose the toes.

In Konoha, the freedom of dress is a symbol of status.

Those with strength and status rarely wear ninja uniforms anymore, like the future Sannin, Danzo, and the Twelve Guardians.

Wherever he walked, people constantly greeted Hanma, indicating that his reputation had spread.

Hanma enjoyed this brief peace, feeling a sense of relaxation akin to strolling in his neighborhood after work.

The core area of Konoha village, in his past life equivalent, is about the size of two or three mega-universities.

After all, there are only about ten thousand ninjas, including civilians, the population wouldn't exceed a hundred thousand.

At the market, he greeted a familiar vendor.

"Hey, boss, got any good stuff? I need to entertain an important guest."

The chubby man waved his boning knife and, upon seeing Hanma, smiled and replied, "I saved the best for you, premium Cloud Beef from the Land of Lightning, usually reserved for the Daimyo's residence. I pulled some strings to get it."

Hanma nodded, handed over a stack of silver notes, and said, "Thanks, as usual, deliver it to my estate."

Hanma maintained a good relationship with the civilians and lower-rank ninjas in the village, showing no arrogance, and treated them kindly.

The rest of the Uchiha, however, are almost loathed and unwelcome.

The current trend of "prices increasing whenever Uchiha buy anything" was not unthinkable.

With their aloof nature, harsh words, and responsibility for village security, frequently fining and arresting people, it's no wonder they couldn't get along well.

Continuing to carefully select items at the market, he spent a substantial amount of silver to prepare a meal for Tsunade.

Delicacies from the Land of Wind, Land of Earth, Land of Water, and Land of Fire were all rare and delicious.

From the marketplace in Konoha, one could tell that it is the financial and commercial center of the entire ninja world.

Merchants from various major countries gather here, and almost all goods and ninja tools are available in Konoha.

Occasionally, there are unknown ninjutsu scrolls or gossip from other surrounding villages.

As long as your goods are valuable, there will be someone to offer a fair price.

Unlike places like Sunagakure or Kirigakure, where bringing good items in would result in you being thoroughly devoured.

Merchants, driven by profit, won't turn down money, so making big profits in Konoha is preferable to going anywhere else.

Isn't this what's called "capital flight"?

Hanma chuckled, recalling the term from his past life.

This also reflected Konoha's dominant position, subtly enhancing itself while weakening others.

Hanma breathed the fresh air, walking leisurely, with thoughts of the "Heaven-Earth Furnace" evolution on his mind.

Heaven-Earth Furnace: As a ninja, chakra is not your foundation. You can absorb this energy to stabilize and strengthen your body and soul.

This was the crux of Hanma's hope, his way of breaking through the shackles of being a ninja.

After acquiring it, he almost abandoned using chakra against enemies, focusing solely on using chakra to enhance his physical body.

Hanma continued shopping, preparing not only for Tsunade but also for Minato, the little foodie, and even certain discussions with the Third Hokage and Danzo.

"—Stop!"

"—In the name of the Security Force, I warn you with lethal force!"

A sharp voice rang out from the street. A female Uchiha with a security armband was confronting a fleeing vendor with an icy expression.

"Please, sir, let me go. I just want to make some money to feed my family."

The vendor cried out desperately, his speed far exceeding that of an ordinary person, pushing a cart and fleeing towards the crowded market center.

The female Uchiha, none other than Uchiha Mikoto's younger sister, Uchiha Mitsuki, activated her blood-red Sharingan, with two black tomoe rotating slowly in her eyes.

She took out a large iron whistle and blew it hard, the sharp sound echoing through the center of Konoha.

The barrier overhead immediately sounded an alarm, issuing a deafening alert. Surrounding Konoha ninjas dropped their tasks, gradually forming a encirclement.

Other vendors looked on with fear, their faces sorrowful, at their damaged goods.

Hanma sighed, carrying large and small bags of foodstuff, and followed the commotion like a curious middle-aged man.

The fleeing vendor, making his way to the market center, was filled with people, including many high-ranking officials from the Daimyo's residence.

He turned back fiercely, glaring at Uchiha Mitsuki, pulling out a stack of explosive tags and threatening loudly:

"Everyone stay still! See what this is? Let me go, or we'll all die!"

Uchiha Mitsuki hesitated, her heart filled with panic.

She was only thirteen years old, just having passed the Konoha Security Division's test, and this was her second month on duty, now encountering such a situation.

The vendor noticed Mitsuki's immaturity and hesitance, using it as an opportunity to further his threat, his right hand forming seals while he continued waving the explosive tags with his left hand.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

Tall earth walls blocked the civilians' escape route, trapping dozens of civilians inside, including some noble ladies.

Mitsuki forced herself to concentrate, her slender neck covered in cold sweat, desperately searching for a solution.

This spy knew to lower his gaze when facing an Uchiha.

Mitsuki could only helplessly stand off against the Rain ninja.

Judging from his accent, he was definitely from Amegakure. How bold had they become?

Watching Mitsuki's fumbling, the Rain ninja relaxed considerably.

In his mind, he was thinking that as long as he delayed a bit longer, his companions would surely escape. For Lord Hanzo's great cause, they must assist!

Hanma, observing from afar, put down his bags in a swirl of motion, instantly appearing before the Rain ninja.

The Rain ninja only saw darkness before losing consciousness.

"Pow."

A light elbow strike.

Like cracking a rotten watermelon, the Rain ninja's head burst open.

To avoid blood ruining the precious ingredients for the upcoming dinner, Hanma controlled his strength, sending the red and white matter splattering to one side, leaving the earth wall filthy.

The Rain ninja's head was shattered, yet his arm still swung as if he could threaten or buy time for his teammates.

Hanma sighed softly; such is the twisted world of ninja.

Everyone has their supposed ninja way, whether vile or insane.

Normal people are peculiar in this world, but abnormal ones all have their reasons.

He took the explosive tags, crushed them in his palm, the violent explosion suppressed in his hand, emitting only a muffled noise.

Mitsuki, staring blankly at Hanma, recognized him. She had attended clan meetings and heard rumors.

Before, she thought they were exaggerated tales, because which Uchiha wouldn't value their Sharingan?

This senior who killed as casually as grocery shopping had recently become a hot topic in the village.

Mitsuki mustered her courage and approached, "Clan Elder Hanma, thank you for your help."

Hanma glanced back at Mitsuki, a stranger clan member.

She had a pretty yet slightly heroic face, just beginning to develop, but too young.

Nodding, he pointed to the food bags in the distance, "Deliver these to Uchiha Courtyard No. 2, I'm going after the enemy."

Mitsuki watched Hanma flash and disappear, picked up the food bags, and blushed suddenly.

"Hanma-senpai, so cool."