Hiroki walked out of the archives and stretched lazily.
After finalizing the "translation software" deal with the Nine-Tails, he was in an excellent mood. Since he'd already promised, he decided to honor it immediately—taking this desktop pet, which hadn't seen the outside world for decades, out for a stroll.
Kurama (rolling excitedly on the desktop):[Oooh, I'm out! I'm finally out! Quick, turn left—I see a fox poster!]
Hiroki ignored the noise in his head. As he walked down the street, his thoughts returned to the Ninjutsu combinations he'd just finished organizing.
One cast cost about 1,350 Chakra, and while it was essentially a downgraded version of Flying Thunder God, it was still practical. Once he truly mastered Flying Thunder God, he probably wouldn't bother with Water Clone anymore.
But until then, it remained a crucial life-saving technique.
As for Poison Swamp, its code structure was surprisingly similar to Swamp of the Underworld. Hiroki figured he could splice in some of the Underworld Swamp's control effects, the same way he'd once modified Noise Wave. That way, he could restrain enemies without relying on Earth Release.
While he was still thinking, several ninja suddenly blocked his path.
They wore the uniforms of the Uchiha Military Police.
The man standing at the front looked familiar—the father of the Uchiha kid he'd scared a few days ago.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Hiroki brows knitted instinctively.
…Here we go?
Classic novel setup.Beat up the kid, the father shows up.Beat the father, the whole clan appears.Beat the clan, every Uchiha in the village hunts him down, forcing him to massacre them all and harvest a mountain of Sharingan eyes.
That would be troublesome.
Not because of the fighting—but because there'd be too many Sharingan and nowhere to store them.
As his thoughts drifted in that direction, Chakra began circulating quietly through his body. In his mental space, the chibi Nine-Tails icon immediately sat upright, grinning.
Kurama (mocking):[Relax, kid Hiroki. They're not hostile. You're the one getting hostile first. Honestly, you're more Uchiha than they are.]
Not hostile?
Hiroki exhaled, half relieved and half disappointed.
…Great.…Terrible.
Kurama (laughing):[Shameless humans, as expected.]
Ignoring the fox's commentary, Hiroki looked at the stern-faced Uchiha ninja and asked calmly,"Is there something you need?"
Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath, then suddenly bowed ninety degrees.
"Lord Hiroki!" His voice was loud and formal. "I apologize for troubling you. A few days ago, my unruly son offended you. I have already punished him severely."
He straightened slightly, then bowed again.
"Today, I've prepared a small gift as an apology. Please don't refuse it."
Several Military Police officers stepped forward at once. Each held an exquisitely wrapped brocade box, offered with both hands.
They bowed in unison."Please accept it, Lord Hiroki!"
…
Huh?
Hiroki froze.
Even though Kurama had already warned him there was no hostility, he hadn't expected this.
Gifts?
From the Uchiha?
For a ten-year-old?
Hiroki stared at them, momentarily stunned.
Weren't the Uchiha supposed to be born troublemakers?(Second Hokage cold laugh.jpg)
How had they suddenly become so reasonable?
If they'd always behaved like this, would there ever have been a clan massacre in the first place?
Seeing Hiroki hesitate and noticing the unopened boxes, Uchiha Fugaku misunderstood. His jaw clenched, and he pulled out a bulging wallet from his waist.
"Lord Hiroki!" He bowed even lower, both hands extended. "I know these gifts are insufficient. Inside is one hundred thousand ryō. Please accept it and forgive my son's rudeness!"
…
Hiroki fell silent.
Then, without ceremony, he took the nearest box and opened it on the spot.
He was a pragmatist. Since someone was offering gifts, it made sense to check what they were first.
After all, this wasn't bribery or a shady power deal. The Uchiha were clearly just afraid of retaliation and offering compensation.
Inside the box were no jewels or flashy treasures.
Just a neatly stacked pile of freshly printed banknotes.
The most practical ninja resource of all.
Hiroki nodded, closed the lid, and said calmly,"All right. I accept."
The Uchiha's fear was understandable. During the Chunin Exams, he'd displayed near-unbeatable power. At ten years old, he'd killed Rasa head-on.
Anyone would be terrified of what he might become in the future.
Of course, Hiroki knew the truth. His strength wasn't flawless. His Chakra pool was still his biggest limitation, his mobility wasn't top-tier, and against a true Kage he'd have to go all out just for a slim chance of victory.
But his age?
That was his greatest asset.
Kage-level at ten.What about eleven? Twelve?
By eighteen, maybe he'd be punching Ōtsutsuki and kicking Kaguya.
Since they were offering goodwill—and something genuinely useful—there was no reason to refuse. He had no interest in holding a grudge against a clueless child, and rejecting the gift might only make the Uchiha more nervous.
Most importantly—
No one turns down free money.(Serious face.)
"Thank you, Lord Hiroki." Uchiha Fugaku visibly relaxed, his smile finally becoming genuine.
"We won't disturb you any further."
He bowed once more and led the Military Police away.
Hiroki weighed the box in his hand before tucking it into his ninja pouch.
Kurama:[Tch. You really don't have any shame, kid.]
But just as Hiroki watched the Uchiha leave, a voice spoke behind him.
"Lord Hiroki."
An ANBU wearing an animal mask stood there silently.
Hiroki paused and frowned."Something urgent?"
The ANBU answered directly to the Third Hokage. If he was here now, did that mean another mission?
Assassinate the Third Tsuchikage?Storm Kumogakure?Trigger another international incident?
Was he about to be thrown into another blood-soaked assignment the moment he stepped outside?
"Report!" the ANBU said crisply. "The Sandaime has assigned me as your personal ANBU—codename Dragon-Four. If you need anything, issue the order. When you require me, clap three times and I'll appear immediately."
Then he added,"I must also report that a Hyuga youth is currently tailing you with his Byakugan. Shall I apprehend him at once?"
Hiroki blinked.
…That's it?
No mission?
He felt an unexpected twinge of disappointment.
But a Hyuga kid tailing him?
He didn't even know anyone from that clan.
What did they want?
He stood there, genuinely baffled.
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