Damn it!!! Bastard!!!
Hiashi Hyūga cursed endlessly in his heart, absolutely seething with rage.
There's a saying: "Don't hit people in the face, and don't expose their scars."
But Rukawa had done both—uncovering his wounds and pouring salt into them for good measure. He was absolutely unbearable!
Hiashi wanted nothing more than to kill this arrogant little brat on the spot—but when he considered the vast gap in their strength, he could only fume in silence.
Rukawa, ignoring Hiashi's impotent rage, turned to the Uchiha behind him and said:
"Someone go get me a rope!"
He hadn't expected anyone to actually comply—but no sooner had he spoken than a young Uchiha excitedly stepped forward.
"I've got one! I've been prepared!"
The boy, about sixteen or seventeen, ignored the sharp glare from Fugaku. With a thick rope in hand, he happily trotted over.
"Here you go, sir! My family runs a pig-slaughtering business—this rope is used for tying pigs. It's strong and tough!"
Rukawa accepted the rope with an intrigued look and glanced at him.
Seeing Rukawa's curious expression, the young Uchiha explained:
"My brother was once ambushed on a mission with a Hyūga comrade. That coward from the Hyūga clan ditched him and ran, which led to my brother's death."
"So seeing the Hyūga clan embarrassed like this really brings me joy."
Rukawa nodded in understanding. So it was personal—no wonder the kid was so cooperative.
As he coiled the rope, he casually asked:
"Kid, I like your attitude. Tell me your name. From now on, I'll look after you."
The Uchiha teen was overjoyed—this was exactly what he'd been hoping for. Being called "kid" by a seven-year-old didn't bother him at all. In the ninja world, strength was everything.
He quickly responded:
"Sir! My name is Uchiha Nijū (Second Pillar)!"
...What kind of stupid name is that? Rukawa silently ridiculed the name. No wonder he was so enthusiastic—it was destiny in his name.
"Good name," Rukawa nodded, then waved him away.
Rip!!
With one swift motion, Rukawa shredded Hyūga Makino's clothes.
A pair of pink underwear with a cartoon pig design greeted the stunned crowd.
Whoa. No one expected a grown man to be into that sort of thing...
Everyone looked on with great amusement.
Without a hint of hesitation, Rukawa expertly tied Makino up in a full hogtie with the rope.
Apparently, the ropes were tight enough to rouse Makino from unconsciousness.
The moment he opened his eyes, he was met with a crowd—everyone gawking at him with smirks and mocking eyes.
Where... where am I? Why are they all looking at me like that?
Still dazed, Makino struggled to understand what was going on.
Then he felt the tightness around his body—and looked down at his exposed self.
Pink piggy briefs. Tied up in front of everyone.
And just like that—he understood why they were staring.
"AHHHHH!!!!"
He let out a blood-curdling scream. The shame and fury twisted his face like a demon.
At that moment, he fully understood how Hyūga Daju (his cousin) had felt during his own humiliation.
"You bastard! What are you doing?! Don't go too far! Let me go! Let me down right now!!"
Makino shrieked in utter humiliation.
Being hung up like this—this was worse than death.
"Shut up, mutt. Wasn't this your own punishment suggestion?"
"I'm just following your plan. If anyone's to blame—it's you."
Rukawa grabbed the end of the rope, leapt up, and landed atop Konoha's front gate.
He looped the rope over a wooden beam and pulled it tight.
Makino was yanked into the air, now dangling fully exposed above the gate.
"Please! PLEASE! I was just joking earlier! I didn't really mean for this to happen—please, have mercy!!"
As he hung above the gate, more and more villagers began to gather below.
Makino felt like he might die of shame right then and there.
He started begging Rukawa desperately.
But Rukawa ignored him completely.
Once the rope was secured, he calmly declared:
"This guy will hang here for two full days and nights. No one is allowed to take him down early."
Then his voice suddenly turned cold, and a terrifying aura rolled off him like that of a tyrant king descending upon the world.
"If anyone dares take him down early—don't blame me for hanging up a second person to keep him company."
As he said this, his gaze remained locked onto Hiashi.
Hiashi's expression turned extremely ugly.
That was a blatant threat!
And Hiashi believed it.
If he dared to order someone to save Makino...
This little devil would absolutely strip him and hang him up too.
After that warning, even if Hiashi gave a direct order, none of his people would dare to act.
The threat of being publicly humiliated like this was far too terrifying.
No one wanted to experience it for themselves.
"Heh. Looks like it's working."
Seeing the fear in everyone's eyes, Rukawa nodded in satisfaction.
He turned and began walking back toward the Uchiha compound, a relaxed smile on his face.
He was genuinely pleased with how well this "courtesy returned" plan had gone.
But he hadn't gone far when—
Whoosh!
A shuriken suddenly flew through the air at high speed.
Snap!
The rope was cut—and Makino came crashing down.
Rukawa's smile instantly vanished. His expression darkened.
His good mood disappeared without a trace.
Someone dared challenge him... in front of everyone?
"What now? Do you plan to hang me up there too, boy?"
A calm, aged voice drifted over before the person even appeared.
"It's the Third Hokage! Lord Hiruzen has arrived!"
"Yes! Lord Third is here—let's see if that arrogant brat dares act out now!"
"Please, Lord Third—you must stand up for us Hyūga!"
The injured Hyūga shinobi all began cheering in excitement.
The onlookers erupted into murmurs as well.
The Hokage himself had been drawn into the scene. This was going to be good.
Then, under countless respectful, admiring, and fearful gazes...
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, slowly walked into view—wearing his signature kage hat and robes, with several ANBU members closely following behind.