Chapter 17: The Amnesiac Elder

Uchiha Aozora had originally expected to see the boy's happy face.

Who would've guessed the boy would casually knock over his pinwheel, glance sideways, and say, "You think I'm a three-year-old?"

Aozora didn't bother getting upset with the child. He simply replied, "Then what?"

"I'm already four! And next year I can attend the [Ninja Academy]!"

The boy stood with hands on his hips, trying his best to stand tall on his toes as he looked up and spoke.

Watching the boy try so hard to act mature, Aozora found it amusing—but also realized his strategy had been off.

Children in the [Ninja World] tend to mature early—some start learning Ninjutsu at four or five years old, and some even go into battle at six or seven.

Thinking about how he had specially bought lollipops, pinwheels, balloons, and other things in advance, he suddenly felt rather foolish.

Before Aozora could get sentimental, the boy asked, "Are you guys ninjas?"

"That's right!"

"Then show me two Ninjutsu techniques!"

"—" The three remained silent.

"So you don't know any after all. What a shame—you're ninjas but total newbies!"

"…"

Ever since Lady Ayame left home, the boy had completely changed—transforming from an obedient young master into a little troublemaker who not only got sassy all the time but also came up with endless pranks.

One moment he wanted to go out for fresh air, the next he wanted to play ninja games, then again he insisted on visiting the [Ninja Academy] ahead of schedule.

Whenever the trio failed to meet his demands, he'd threaten to tell his parents they were mistreating him, giving them negative reviews from his mother.

Initially, the three tried to accommodate him patiently, but eventually Inuzuka Aya finally snapped and gave him a firm spanking before he finally calmed down.

After that, he started clinging to Inuzuka Aya, calling her "boss lady" every other word, obeying her unconditionally.

With Inuzuka Aya now the kid's "boss," their second mission was easily completed.

After completing the task, Aburame Shibi announced two days off for Team Three to rest and recover.

Aozora held the new reward of fifteen hundred ryō coins in hand but wasn't particularly happy.

Because he hadn't earned any [Droplets] during this second mission.

On his way home, Aozora carefully contemplated the [Droplet] issue.

"What exactly went wrong?"

"Did the kid fail to express gratitude?"

"Or does taking care of kids just not count as doing good deeds?"

"Could it be because my contribution this time was too minor?"

Doubts arose one after another in his heart, unfortunately without any reference answers—he could only guess.

While pondering, Aozora's thoughts were interrupted by noise from ahead.

"What happened? Why is everyone stuck here?"

"It seems a carriage overturned, blocking the intersection."

"How did it flip over?"

"An old man blocked the middle of the road. The driver couldn't control the horses, so the carriage flipped."

"The elder still stands there in the middle of the road and refuses to listen to anyone's persuasion."

"Forget talking. Here come the Uchihas—let's see how they handle this."

"How else? They'll just arrest him directly, no doubt."

He originally had no intention of joining the commotion, but Uchiha Aozora faintly caught the name "Uchiha."

After thinking for a moment, he still pushed through the crowd.

"Pardon me, excuse me!"

Relying on his nimble and powerful physique, Uchiha Aozora quickly reached the inner area.

Before him lay a crossroads where an elderly grandmother stood at the center, with an overturned cart beside her.

Two black-haired Ninja wearing flak vests were speaking separately with the old woman and the cart owner.

Soon, the cart owner shook his head, sighed, and then let one of the black-haired Ninja help lift the cart back up.

The driver's issue seemed resolved, but the elder's problem remained unsolved.

Many stopped carts had gathered around them.

Uchiha Aozora immediately identified those wearing flak vests as members of the Police Force.

As complaints grew louder from behind, Aozora approached to learn more.

One of the black-haired Ninja stepped forward to stop him. "Business of the Police Force. Keep away!"

Seeing the man's cold, standoffish look, Aozora could easily see why the Uchiha had become unpopular in Konoha.

It was already Year 49 in Konoha— even the Hokage pushed a customer service smile policy, yet the Uchiha still clung stubbornly to their original strict standards.

He didn't get angry though, directly introducing himself, "I'm Uchiha Aozora. Is there anything I can assist with?"

Hearing he was a family member, the other man's attitude changed instantly.

His tone became noticeably warmer as he patted Aozora's shoulder. "A fellow clansman! Glad to see you."

Then he explained with frustration: "This Grandma just won't listen. No matter what we say, she refuses to move."

Nodding, Aozora drew closer to hear how the other Uchiha was trying to reason with her.

"Obaa-san, this is a crossroad—you shouldn't block here."

"Keep this up, and I'm sending you straight to Konoha Jail."

...

The Uchiha negotiating kept emphasizing the importance of the location, occasionally threatening the old woman.

Yet she remained indifferent toward his threats, her eyes fixed only into the distance.

Aozora had a hunch, and whispered to the Uchiha nearby: "Can I try? I've got some ideas."

"Oh, Aozora, you've got thoughts on this? Then please do. Let me talk with Sozu for a moment."

After saying that, he walked over and whispered something to the negotiating Ninja Sozu while pointing at Aozora.

The other Ninja glanced back at Uchiha Aozora, who kindly smiled in return.

After thinking for a moment, the man came over with his usual stern face. "So you're Aozora?"

Aozora nodded quickly.

"Yuichi said you have ideas? Give it a shot. Doesn't matter if you fail."

Aozora gave him a surprised look—turns out he was all bark and no bite.

Approaching the grandmother, he asked gently, "Excuse me, what are you doing here?"

Without turning, the old woman replied, "Waiting for someone."

"For whom?"

"I'm waiting for my son. He went to school—I'm waiting for him to come home for dinner."

Aozora's eyes lit up. He asked further: "You're waiting for your son? Which school does he attend?"

"He goes to the Ninja Academy," the grandmother answered proudly. "Already in third grade this year—almost graduating!" Her wrinkled face glowed happily as she spoke about her son.

How come a lady in her sixties has a kid in the third year of Ninja Academy?

Uchiha pondered. If his guess was right, this old lady might have amnesia.

This condition wasn't common in the Ninja World, mainly because there weren't many long-lived elders around, so it was normal for both Uchihas not to understand.

Convinced by his deduction, Uchiha Aozora decided to play along and help the old lady get home.

He checked out her clothes—they looked tidy and were made of some fine material he couldn't recognize.

His initial thought was that she must have family taking care of her, and they were likely well-off since she didn't seem to work.

But given his limited experience, that's about all Aozora could figure out. To help the elderly woman return home, he needed more details.

Aozora started by complimenting her son, which instantly brightened the old lady's face before he went on, "So, where do you live? Your son might've already gone back! School ended quite a while ago."

"Oh—dear, you're absolutely right. Ken might've gone home already."

"I wanna go home."

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