บท 11: Fury

The barbecue restaurant buzzed with laughter and murmurs, the air heavy with the scent of grilled meat.

The table where Chen, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya sat was littered with empty dishes.

Leaning back in his chair, Chen let out a burp that echoed through the venue and said sarcastically, "Thanks for the meal, Uncle Jiraiya! It was delicious."

Jiraiya, gazing at the vast array of dishes in front of Chen, could only offer a dry smile. "Yeah... you're welcome," he replied, trying not to think about the bill.

With a smile, Tsunade leaned over and touched Chen's shoulder. "Are you okay, Chen? You ate an incredible amount," she remarked, impressed to see that Chen's stomach wasn't bulging at all.

Chen flashed an innocent smile, though inwardly he felt Tsunade was a bit odd. "I'm fine, sister. Just have a big appetite."

Orochimaru, always the observer, frowned slightly. "Chen, do you have any special training? Your ability to consume and digest so much food is... unusual."

Shrugging, Chen maintained his facade. "Nothing special, just blessed with a good metabolism, I guess."

Tsunade chuckled, tapping the table lightly. "A good metabolism, he says! Well, whatever it is, I'm glad you enjoyed your meal."

Jiraiya, still reeling from the financial shock, decided to change the subject. "So, Chen, what are your plans now? You don't seem like the kind of kid who just sits around."

Chen replied with a carefree smile. "Oh, I'll just keep training and exploring since I don't know much about the village. There's so much I can learn."

Tsunade nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit. Perseverance and a willingness to learn are key for any ninja."

Orochimaru, however, couldn't shake off his curiosity. "Chen, your eyes... they're quite unusual. Have they ever caused you any trouble?"

Chen stayed cool, although he was getting tired of Orochimaru's probing. "No, not really. Most people just think they're pretty."

Tsunade intervened, her voice sweet. "And they're right. But remember, Chen, if you ever need help, you can count on us."

Chen nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, sister. I'll keep that in mind."

Just then, the restaurant owner approached their table with a nervous smile. "Ah, folks, would you like anything else? Perhaps some dessert?"

Jiraiya raised his hands in surrender. "I think we've had plenty for today, don't you think?"

Chen chuckled softly. "Yes, I believe I'm full. But thanks for the offer, boss."

The owner nodded, though clearly disappointed. "Very well, very well. I hope you enjoyed your meal."

As they got ready to leave, Tsunade leaned toward Chen and whispered, "I hope we meet again soon. You've really made an impression on me, little Chen."

Chen smiled, feeling that this Tsunade wasn't as aggressive as in the Canon. "I look forward to seeing you again too, sister Tsunade."

With that, they stood up and headed to the door, greeted by the setting sun. Walking alongside the three future Sannin, Chen felt a mix of satisfaction and caution.

He knew he had caught their attention but hadn't revealed any of his abilities just yet.

As they finally stepped out of the restaurant, Tsunade turned to Chen once more. "Take care, Chen. And keep training hard."

Chen nodded. "I will, sister."

As they parted ways and each went their own direction, Chen couldn't help but smile; it had been an interesting day indeed.

The restaurant owner, watching from the doorway, sighed deeply. "If I hadn't given that 30% discount, I would have made much more…" he murmured, disappointed.

---

Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya walked through the bustling streets of Konoha, moving away from the barbecue restaurant. Tsunade, wearing a look of irritation, was the first to break the silence.

"I can't believe how rude you both were to Chen!" she exclaimed, glaring at her companions with fury. "How could you treat such a sweet, well-mannered kid that way?"

Jiraiya, feeling unfairly accused, raised his hands defensively. "Hold on, wait! I was just trying to make sure we weren't being duped. That kid is too... perfect."

Tsunade scowled. "And that justifies your behavior? You intimidated him for no reason!"

Orochimaru, always the voice of calm, interjected with his soft tone. "Tsunade, Jiraiya has a point in being cautious. Chen is not an ordinary child. His eyes, his demeanor, even his physical capabilities... everything about him is unusual."

Tsunade crossed her arms, looking at Orochimaru with disapproval. "So what? That's no excuse for mistreating him. He's just a child, Orochimaru."

Jiraiya sighed, scratching his head. "Look, Tsunade, I admit, maybe I was a bit harsh on him. But I can't shake the feeling that there's something off about that boy. I don't know, a sort of dangerous vibe."

Orochimaru nodded, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "I agree with Jiraiya on this. Chen possesses a distinct aura, something I've not seen in anyone else, not even the Hokage. He intrigues and concerns me simultaneously."

Tsunade let out a sigh, softening her stance slightly. "I get that you have your suspicions, but that doesn't mean you should be rude or distrustful. Maybe we should try to get to know him better instead of judging him so quickly."

Jiraiya slowly nodded. "You're right, Tsunade. Perhaps we should give him a chance. But I can't help but stay on guard. I don't want us to end up regretting our trust."

Orochimaru, with a cryptic smile, added, "Perhaps getting to know Chen better will reveal some interesting secrets. Who knows, he might possess abilities that could be useful to us."

Tsunade looked at her two enthusiastic companions and sighed. "Fine, fine then. Promise me that next time you'll be kinder and more open with him. Chen deserves at least a chance to show who he really is."

Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged looks and finally nodded.

"Agreed, Tsunade," said Jiraiya, with a slight smile.

"Me too," added Orochimaru, his expression serious.

Tsunade smiled, satisfied with her companions' response. "Thank you. I hope we can be good friends and allies to him in the future."

With that agreement, the three Sannin continued their walk.

---

As Chen neared his home, he heard thumping and movement at the Hyuga clan's training ground. It was unusual for anyone to be training so late at night.

Intrigued, Chen stealthily approached the source of the noise.

Upon reaching the training grounds, he was surprised to see young Hyuga Hizashi, his age-mate, vigorously practicing punches and kicks against a wooden post.

Hizashi, his dark hair tied back and a forehead protector obscuring his brow, was drenched in sweat. Each strike he delivered to the wooden post echoed with a force and determination unusual for a four-year-old.

Chen watched silently for a few moments before approaching. "...Hizashi, what are you doing training at this hour?" he asked.

Hizashi didn't immediately respond, focusing on punching the wooden post with intensity.

Chen frowned, noticing the force behind each strike. "Looking at you, it seems like you're venting!" Chen remarked, attempting to draw Hizashi's attention.

Finally, Hizashi stopped, turning to face Chen. His eyes briefly showed surprise before hardening with disdain. "Chen, what does it matter to you? I'm training because I need to be stronger. I can't afford to rest."

Chen moved closer, observing the forehead protector on Hizashi. "Is it because of the seal?" he inquired curiously.

Hizashi clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the wooden post. "Yes. I'm from the branch family of the Hyuga clan. My fate is to protect the main branch, and that means I need to be stronger. I don't have the luxury of rest like others."

Chen felt a twinge of empathy upon hearing Hizashi's words but also detected the resentment in his voice. "I understand how you feel. The pressure of expectations can be overwhelming, but it's also important to rest and take care of oneself."

Hizashi looked at him, his eyes softening slightly. "You're also from the branch family, Chen. But you seem so... carefree. How do you manage it?"

Chen gave a slight smile, though there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "It's not that I don't care, but I've learned that to truly be strong, one must find a balance."

Hizashi remained silent for a moment, processing Chen's words. But looking at Chen's unmarked forehead, his eyes filled with resentment. "It's easy for you to say that! You're not a true Hyuga. You don't have our clan's typical hair or eyes. You just carry our name. You're a disgrace to us!"

Chen stood frozen by the harshness in the young boy's words. He felt the sting of disdain in Hizashi's voice but maintained his composure. "I understand you might feel that way. My appearance isn't typical of our clan, but that doesn't mean I don't understand your responsibilities and challenges."

Hizashi stared at him, his resentment evident. "Every time I see you, it reminds me of my own situation. The seal on my forehead, my destiny to serve the main branch... and you, who seems to carry no visible burden, walk around as if you have no worries. I envy you!"

Chen nodded slowly. "Tsk, Tsk, look how far we've come, I just wanted to give you some words of support, but look how you treat me."

After saying that, he walked away towards his house, celebrating not only that his Chakra had reached the rank of a Kage but also because today was his birthday.

Though no one remembered his birthday, he did.

In a few hours, he would turn four years old, and the system would grant him a chance to spin the roulette and 10,000 coins.

After a year of research, he discovered there was no other way to get coins.

This has its pros and cons. The advantage is that he doesn't have to spend all day doing tasks and having the system force him to do ridiculous things.

But the downside is that there's no way to get coins, and he can only wait for the system to give them away.

As he happily headed home, Hizashi watched him go, still upset.

Feeling that Chen had come just to mock him, that idea infuriated him.

And with anger, he raised his fist and struck Chen on the back, not caring about the reaction.

Chen, naturally aware of Hizashi's movement behind him thanks to his Tenseigan, let it happen.

Feeling a fly on his back, Chen turned to look at Hizashi with a smile on his angelic face. "Did you hit me, huh?"

Hizashi blushed and hid his reddened fist behind his back, concealing his embarrassment.

The punch he had just delivered felt like hitting a wall, enduring the pain without daring to make a sound. He was afraid to open his mouth and let out a scream.

Chen chuckled to see his face red as a tomato and said, "Since you hit me, I have to return the favor."

_______

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