Chapter 26: If I Show Fear Quickly, I Won't Get Hit
On the way to the Hokage Building,
"Old man, you're getting on in years — shouldn't you just stay home, raise some fish, and stop pretending you still matter?"
Aoyama Ryuun's eyes were filled with contempt, his tone unrestrained and full of disdain.
"When the war broke out, where were you? Nowhere to be seen — just hiding in the corner like a coward! Tch!"
"Y-You…"
Koharu Utatane's face flushed red with anger. She trembled as she pointed a finger at Aoyama Ryuun, furious and flustered — because every word he said was true.
Koharu had been a coward, too scared to step onto the battlefield.
"Aoyama Ryuun!"
She roared his name like a demon, completely losing her composure.
"The old man's right here — if you've got something to say, spit it out!"
Compared to the furious Koharu, Aoyama Ryuun just looked bored, utterly unconcerned.
Koharu stormed forward, and everyone nearby instinctively stepped aside, afraid of getting caught up in the crossfire.
Many in Konoha had their own opinions about the two elders — few of them good.
Koharu stopped in front of Aoyama and jabbed her finger at him, shouting insults, trying to show some of the "dignity" expected of a Konoha elder.
No way this punk would actually hit her, right?
But what happened next shocked not only Koharu — the entire office went silent in disbelief.
Before she could finish speaking, Aoyama swung his arm and smacked her across the face.
The blow was so strong that Koharu spun several times in midair before crashing to the ground.
Half her face was already swollen, her eyes wide and dazed — she couldn't believe he'd actually hit her.
Then—
BANG!
"The hell's wrong with you, old woman? Lost all shame already?!"
With every word, Aoyama kicked her again.
Even an untrained eye could see he was holding back — otherwise, Koharu might not have survived.
Still, she tried to hold onto her dignity…
"Elder, my ass!"
Aoyama grabbed the Hokage's desk with one hand and smashed it down on Koharu.
CRASH!
The desk shattered instantly, and Koharu collapsed, completely unconscious.
"Stupid old hag… I told you not to test me."
Aoyama exhaled slowly, brushing imaginary dust off his clothes, his expression one of pure disgust.
The entire office froze in stunned silence.
By the time anyone reacted, Koharu was already out cold.
"Tsunade, can you—?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to her.
"I know, I know."
Tsunade waved her hand impatiently. Honestly, if it were up to her, she wouldn't help — she couldn't stand the old bat either.
Still, Koharu had been one of her comrades once…
After checking her briefly, Tsunade frowned.
"She'll live. Probably. Didn't bother checking too deeply."
From the looks of it, she didn't seem to be in danger anyway.
Tsunade shot Aoyama an irritated glance — she was already regretting getting involved.
"You…"
Homura Mitokado began to speak, but Aoyama's sharp glare shut him up immediately.
"Uh…"
"Tch. What a coward."
Aoyama sighed, disappointed. He thought Homura might at least put up some fight — but no, the guy didn't even give him a reason to throw a punch.
Homura said nothing, but his inner thoughts were screaming:
Don't think I don't know what you're doing! You're just looking for an excuse to beat me too!
Not happening. If I surrender fast enough, you can't hit me.
Sure, it was humiliating — but surprisingly effective.
"Tsunade, Koharu…"
At that point, Hiruzen had no choice but to step forward. As Hokage, he couldn't just stand there while one of Konoha's elders got beaten half to death.
Still… it was impressive that Aoyama Ryuun could beat her so badly without killing her.
"Ha ha!"
Aoyama just grinned, rolling his shoulders as he noticed Tsunade watching him.
"When it comes to beating people up," he said casually, flexing his wrist, "I've got plenty of experience. Want me to teach you?"
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