Chapter 65: Konan and Uchiha

Konan sat on Hanma's broad shoulders, curiously looking around, occasionally tugging at Hanma's clothes, asking questions in excitement. Everything here felt incredibly novel to her. 

Hanma wore an expression of helplessness, allowing Konan to guide him around the clan grounds, musing to himself, "Do women love shopping since childhood?"

After the war ended, Hanma had initially planned to stay home for a few days, discussing some new insights on taijutsu with Tsunade to further deepen their relationship. 

However, to his surprise, Mito Uzumaki sent Nawaki to summon Tsunade, saying that they wanted to honor Hashirama Senju together. Hanma could only show respect for Mito Uzumaki. This old lady was the current pinnacle of combat power in the ninja world. 

Hanma first picked up Konan, and as soon as they arrived at the clan grounds, Konan looked at him with adorable eyes, indicating, "I want to go shopping."

The current Uchiha clan grounds were not the new territory built in the outskirts of Konoha after the Kyuubi incident as ordered by the Third Hokage. Instead, it was the old clan grounds constructed during the peak of Madara Uchiha's leadership. 

During that time, the Uchiha clan was at its zenith, sparing no effort in terms of manpower and materials for construction. Bluestone and redwood were considered the most basic materials. The entire clan grounds resembled a closed manor, where both residences and businesses had an ancient yet luxurious style. 

Konan saw sights she had never seen before. 

In Konan's eyes, everyone here wore smiles and dressed elegantly. 

Konan widened her eyes, taking in the lively and bustling street scenes, seemingly unable to get enough of it. 

Nearby, in a food establishment, freshly fried pork cutlets were piled into a small mountain, drizzled with sauce and emitting a hot aroma.

Men in the shop drank beer, boasting about their exploits, while the owner loudly advertised his specialties at the entrance to attract customers. 

In a distant tailor shop, several graceful girls were picking out clothes, admiring each other's figures in the mirror, and laughing as they teased one another.

Children on the street skillfully darted into the ninja tool shop, eyeing the swords and shuriken they had longed for and pleading with the owner for a discount. 

Konan longingly observed all of this, enchanted by the prosperity and vitality of the surroundings. 

"Is this... heaven?" 

In the Land of Rain, she had only seen relentless rain, rust-covered buildings, and fierce ninjas. Hunger and inadequate clothing were the norm for most lives. 

Hanma, seeing the longing and slight panic in Konan's eyes, patted her head and softly said, "No need to envy. This place will be your home too." 

Konan nodded happily, the most joyful period since the death of her loved ones. 

Hanma smiled and added, "In a few days, I will become the head of the Uchiha clan. Then, I will order that you be added to our family registry; you will have a surname." 

Konan blinked in confusion. In this ninja world, commoners did not have surnames, only given names. Surnames and family registries were beyond her knowledge. 

"In simple terms, you will be a member of the Uchiha clan from now on." 

"People of the Uchiha clan will be your friends, family, and support. However, you must also contribute to protecting the Uchiha clan." 

Hanma patted Konan's head and pointed to the clan emblem on a distant clansman. 

Konan, listening in a daze, didn't find centuries of history important. She only knew that the people on these streets would be her family, and she would no longer be alone. 

Hanma saw the tears in the corners of Konan's eyes and sighed inwardly. 

"In the ninja world, countless civilians suffer endlessly. Even with chakra, most ninjas have a hard time meeting a good end." 

"War breeds hatred, and hatred fuels war, creating a vicious cycle without an end." 

"The first war in the ninja world stemmed from the ideology clash between Asura and Indra, with the Sage of the Six Paths supporting the former." 

"Neither Indra nor Asura was satisfied, and they kept reincarnating over thousands of years, leading their factions into chaos and embedding hate and war into every ninja's bones." 

Although the Sage of the Six Paths saved the ninja world from Kaguya, Hanma didn't think he genuinely had the world's well-being at heart. 

The entire ninja world seemed like an experimental ground, an endless struggle reflecting the ideological battle between Asura and Indra. 

These semi-divine beings always gathered formidable forces and led numerous allies into conflict. 

Over the centuries, Asura seemed to understand that in a world of superhumans, love and peace were but empty words, and strength was paramount. 

Indra also seemed to realize the importance of comrades, gradually cherishing his kin, earning the Uchiha clan the reputation of the clan of love. 

Yet, the Sage of the Six Paths remained aloof, overlooking the ninja world from the heavens without intervening to stop the unending war. 

He seemed to forget that he ignited it all by empowering Asura. 

Indra had already proven that strength was the foundation of peace, but the Sage lent power to Asura and told Indra, "This is the power of comrades." 

Maybe, to the Sage, people in the ninja world were mere whetstones for his sons or experimental subjects in his quest for peace. 

Hanma set aside his thoughts. Given the current situation, the level of the Six Paths was not yet his concern. 

But the arrogance of the Otsutsuki clan was deeply imprinted in his mind. 

One day, he would shatter their hypocrisy and arrogance with his fists! 

Hanma took out a thick wad of cash and began to show Konan the daily life of Uchiha. 

After a round of shopping, Konan was completely transformed, now looking like a rich Uchiha girl. 

Konan wore a dark blue Uchiha clan outfit, her hair neatly pinned by the tailor shop's lady, adorned with cute hairpins and a shiny necklace, holding and happily eating a skewer of dango. 

"Hanma-nii, have a bite too!" 

Konan offered a skewer to Hanma. 

This heartwarming scene, however, caused some misunderstanding. 

Tsunade, returning from Mito Uzumaki's, happened to witness this, her mind whirling in confusion. 

"Hanma-kun, you already have a child?!" 

(End of the Chapter)