Naruto: Fire-Release system

Chapter 96: The People of Konoha Are So Scary!

"Hinata, don't you think this so-called strongest of the six great ninja villages, Konoha, is... kind of low-class?"

"It's nothing compared to our Amegakure!"

"Look at this ground, littered with trash everywhere. Can't they clean it up?"

"And their style! Ugh, it's so gaudy—it's blinding!"

"Ah! Nooo... my white sneakers are dirty now!"

After leaving Uchiha Yi's side, Karin was initially full of excitement to explore the unknown streets of Konoha, eager to soak in the novelty.

But it didn't take long for her enthusiasm to dissipate.

Compared to Amegakure's sleek and modern appearance, Konoha felt like a backwater village, clinging to outdated traditions.

Unable to hold back her disgust, Karin began venting her frustrations out loud.

Her voice carried across the busy streets, loud and unrestrained, making sure that everyone around could hear her unfiltered opinions.

Visitors from other villages were merely taken aback by her boldness and turned to glance at her curiously, not saying much.

But for the residents of Konoha, it was a different story.

In their ears, Karin's words were nothing short of an insult, a direct challenge to their pride.

Faces turned red, emotions flared, and soon a group of villagers was glaring daggers at her.

"Hey, you brat! What nonsense are you spouting?" shouted a certain blonde-haired boy returning from a mission. Naruto Uzumaki rushed out ahead of everyone, his expression indignant.

"Konoha is the best village in the ninja world!"

"Huh? Konoha is the best?" Karin scoffed, meeting Naruto's glare. "Are you trying to make me laugh to death so you can inherit my legacy?"

She pointed at her surroundings dramatically.

"Look around! Trash everywhere! The smell is unbearable!"

"The ground is uneven, the facilities are broken, and no one's bothered to fix or replace them!"

"Compared to Amegakure, this place is a dump!"

Her sharp words struck like a dagger, leaving everyone stunned.

"You're lying!" Naruto shouted, clenching his fists. "Amegakure's just a small village! There's no way it's better than Konoha!"

Sakura Haruno, who had been listening on the sidelines, decided she couldn't stand by any longer. "Yeah! Naruto's right! Stop making stuff up!"

But Karin only sneered.

"Sweetie, I suggest you check your calendar to see what year it is. Maybe ask the adults in your family for an update before making such bold claims," she said with mock pity. "Otherwise, you're just embarrassing yourself."

"You..." Sakura began, only to feel Sasuke's hand on her shoulder, holding her back.

Unlike Sakura, Sasuke was more aware of the current state of the ninja world. He'd paid attention to recent developments and knew that Konoha wasn't what it once was.

If they continued to argue with Karin, it would only make them look worse.

Still, Sasuke couldn't just let this slide.

"You're from Amegakure, here to take part in the Chunin Exams, right?" Sasuke asked, his tone calm but sharp.

Karin ignored his question, instead examining him closely. His face reminded her of someone Uchiha Yi often referred to as "the Second Pillar."

"You're Uchiha Sasuke, aren't you?" she asked with a smirk.

"That's right," Sasuke replied coldly.

"Hah, I knew it!" Karin laughed.

"You're pretty good-looking, but my big brother says you're useless. Your entire clan was wiped out by Uchiha Itachi, and the best you could manage was awakening a one-tomoe Sharingan in response?"

"If it were anyone else in the Uchiha clan, they'd have awakened a three-tomoe Sharingan at least!"

"And look at you! At your age, both Uchiha Itachi and Shisui were already at Kage-level strength, not to mention my big brother!"

"But you? You're still just a genin. How pathetic!"

Her words were like a slap to Sasuke's face, and his eyes immediately turned crimson as the Sharingan activated. A murderous aura enveloped him, focused entirely on Karin.

"Hmph!" Karin snorted, preparing to fight back, but before she could act, Haku stepped in front of her and Hinata.

As a man, it was his responsibility to protect his teammates, especially in moments like this.

Haku didn't respond with hostility, though. He simply smiled warmly, his expression calm and gentle.

Sasuke, already struggling to keep his emotions in check, felt utterly disarmed. Instead of calming him, it made him feel like the villain of the situation.

Gradually, his fury subsided, though resentment still simmered beneath the surface.

"Konoha people are so scary, Hinata!" Karin whimpered, suddenly switching gears.

"So uncivilized! When they lose an argument, they immediately resort to violence. No gentlemanly manners at all!"

"Look at this crowd—so many people ganging up on two poor girls. It's terrifying! I was almost scared to tears! Boohoo!"

"In Amegakure, everyone treats us girls so kindly!"

Her teary performance, complete with trembling hands and watery eyes, was enough to make anyone feel sympathy for her.

The newcomers, unaware of the full context, quickly jumped to conclusions.

Seeing the angry mob surrounding three girls, they assumed the worst and immediately began scolding the Konoha residents.

The villagers, taken aback by the sudden backlash, could hardly get a word in to defend themselves.

Defeated, they could only swallow their grievances in silence.

"What's going on here?"

Spotting the commotion from afar, Uchiha Yi made his way over, curious about the scene. He pushed through the crowd and turned to Karin and her companions.

"Yi-niisan! The people of Konoha are so mean!" Karin cried, running up to him with tears streaming down her face.

"All I said was that the streets were dirty, and they surrounded me, trying to bully me! It was so scary!"

Hearing Karin's tea-flavored exaggerations, Uchiha Yi didn't need to ask for further details. He knew exactly what had happened.

After all, this brand of drama was all too familiar to him.

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