Sarutobi Oishi, his collar gripped by Ryoko, took another hit to the face. Both pained and furious, he struggled and shouted, "You... what exactly do you want? Are you really sticking your neck out for an orphan like this?"
"He's just a piece of trash who can only attend school here thanks to Konoha's charity. You're from the Akimichi Clan, right? We're on the same side, so why are you helping an outsider?"
He truly couldn't understand why someone would offend people from several Ninja Clans at once for the sake of a commoner child with no one to rely on.
The Second Ninja World War had only recently ended. While the Village appeared peaceful on the surface, the underlying hostility and competition had not dissipated.
Instances of the strong bullying the weak and clannish exclusion were common among both adults and children.
Their status as members of a Ninja Clan naturally made them superior; what did it matter if they bullied a few orphans with no background or lineage?
Listening to this foul, class-prejudiced rhetoric, Ryoko's chubby face filled with disdain. He landed another punch on the boy's shoulder, making him howl in pain.
"Save it. As long as they're from Konoha Village, they're part of the Village, and they're under this great one's protection." Ryoko's voice was loud, carrying an unquestionable dominance. "Bullying a fellow villager is simply not allowed!"
Of course, the deeper reason was that he despised such behavior from the bottom of his heart.
He came from the twenty-first century, which advocated for equality and friendship. Although he might resort to some 'entrapment' tactics for the sake of a bite to eat, those were always out of necessity.
Seeing this kind of trash bullying their own comrades now, he couldn't help but want to use his fists to set them straight.
Thud! Thud!
Two more punches, neither too light nor too heavy, landed specifically on the fleshier parts. They made Sarutobi Oishi grimace in pain without causing serious injury, his screams echoing clearly through the alley.
The other children from the Ninja Clans shrunk back in fear at the sight, the last of the bravado they drew from their family names completely draining away.
They finally understood that this fat kid from the Akimichi Clan didn't care about their status; he was just a stubborn brute who followed his own logic.
Now, they only hoped Ryoko would cool off after beating Sarutobi Oishi and let them go.
As for Sarutobi Oishi, he was ultimately just a pampered child. How could he withstand the heavy punches of a successor of socialism?
Under the dual assault on his mind and body by Ryoko, he finally broke down and pleaded with a sob.
"Stop hitting me, stop hitting me! I was wrong, I won't ever bully anyone again!"
Ryoko finally huffed, released his collar, and tossed him back into the group like a discarded rag.
Having dealt with the ringleader, his gaze swept over the others like a torch.
The other children trembled under his stare, waving their hands repeatedly to beg for mercy.
"We know we were wrong too, we won't dare do it again."
"Yeah, we've learned that we shouldn't bully our comrades. Please spare us."
"Since you hit Sarutobi Oishi, you can't hit us anymore, okay?"
...
Listening to their pleas, Ryoko gave a cold snort and lowered his raised fist.
"If you can admit your mistakes, there's still hope for you. Now, line up and go bow and apologize to that classmate!"
He pointed to the commoner student nearby, who was still shaken, his clothes somewhat disheveled and torn.
The student looked at Ryoko, who had descended like a savior, with a face full of bewilderment and surprise.
That expression was as if they had seen a miracle descend upon this dark world.
"Also, to make sure you remember this lesson well, each of you must bring me lunch for half a month straight."
Ryoko shook his fist and flashed a "kindly" smile, saying coldly, "If you fail to do so, I'll beat you every time I see you. That is my Ninja Way."
These kids were all from Ninja Clans; their families didn't lack food or drink. Only a heavy penalty would make them feel the sting and remember the lesson.
Upon hearing this, the children's faces immediately crumpled like bitter gourds.
Having to apologize to a commoner they looked down upon and lose half a month's worth of delicious lunches—the double blow made them feel extremely resistant.
But when they looked up and saw Ryoko's sandbag-sized fist and menacing expression, all their reluctance turned into terror.
Ultimately, under the deterrent of absolute force.
Led by Sarutobi Oishi, the children from the Ninja Clans lined up and dejectedly walked over to the commoner student. With muffled voices and awkward postures, they spoke quickly:
"Sorry, we shouldn't have bullied you."
"Yakushi Nono, please forgive us."
"Sumimasen, we are truly sorry. Please, you must forgive us."
Although the apologies sounded completely insincere, for someone who had been bullied for a long time, it was an unprecedented first.
Yakushi Nono waved her hands in a flurry, overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, too nervous to speak.
And upon hearing the name they called out, Ryoko couldn't help but widen his eyes, staring at Yakushi Nono in surprise.
Looking at the timid appearance of that thin, small figure, Ryoko's eyes instantly became perfectly round.
"You're really Yakushi Nono?" He couldn't help but confirm once more, his heart filled with extreme astonishment.
The person he had saved on a whim was actually the future famous 'Walking Maiden'?
But... but didn't the records say this was a woman?
The child in front of him had hair as short as a boy's, and their face was filthy...
He leaned in closer, his gaze scanning the other party like a scanner.
Hmm, although dressed like a little boy, looking closely at the facial features, they were indeed delicate and soft, and there was no obvious Adam's apple...
Hiss, it really is a girl.
It was just that because she was so thin and disheveled, it was truly difficult to tell at first glance.
But according to his fuzzy memories, wasn't Yakushi Nono a Root Ninja?
How could she still be outside the school being bullied by these guys?
His mind raced, and he immediately understood.
That's right, she probably hasn't shown her extraordinary medical and spy talents yet, so she hasn't been recruited into Root for the time being.
However, calculating the time, it should be coming soon.
Thinking of this, Ryoko's gaze toward Yakushi Nono couldn't help but carry a hint of pity.
He knew this girl's future destiny was quite tragic, and she would eventually die at the hands of her adopted son, Kabuto.
But he felt that his arrival might just be able to change her fate.
He turned his head and announced to the Ninja Clan boys still slumped on the ground in an unquestionable tone.
"Listen up. From today on, she—Yakushi Nono—is someone under the protection of me, Akimichi Ryoko. Not only are you not allowed to bully her, but if you see her in trouble, you better help her out for me. Do you hear me?"
How could those children dare say no? Facing Ryoko's absolute suppression of strength and the deterrent of his righteous iron fist, they each nodded like chickens pecking at rice, hurriedly agreeing.
In this era, the concept of the weak being prey to the strong was deeply ingrained. When facing a powerhouse one couldn't resist, obedience was the only choice.
Not to mention they had just been beaten; naturally, they were as well-behaved as could be.
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