After repeated explanations—and several demonstrations—Nawaki finally accepted the truth.
The muscle-packed monster standing in front of him really was his big brother, Hyūga Akira.
For about three seconds.
Then Nawaki's eyes started glowing.
So intensely that Akira instinctively took half a step back.
"Big bro! Big bro! Is this what being strong looks like?!"
"Whoa, big bro, how did you train those biceps?!"
"BIG BRO YOUR BACK MUSCLES CAN TURN INTO A FACE—"
Veins popped on Akira's forehead.
He grabbed Nawaki by the collar.
"SHUT. UP. RIGHT. NOW."
And hurled him straight into the distance.
Far away, Nawaki's voice echoed back:
"I'LL BE BACK—!"
You think you're Team Rocket or something?
Akira rubbed his temples, then pulled a spare set of clothes from his inventory and put them on.
He hadn't expected Ogre Back to remodel his body this aggressively.
The only saving grace was that a max-level Ogre Back required zero chakra to maintain.
Even its Evolution trait was completely passive.
"'Grow stronger through intense combat'…"
"So I'm supposed to become the strongest creature alive?"
"I don't want to go full muscle build, damn it!"
And worse—
Moderate muscles attract women.
Excessive muscles attract men.
"NO THANK YOU."
Debriefing Complete
In the end, Akira finished his post-mission debriefing and received the compensation he deserved.
The only catch was that this mission could not be recorded in his official service record.
As for why—
Those who knew, knew.
Those who didn't, didn't need an explanation.
During the process, Akira couldn't help but notice something odd.
For some reason, the Third Hokage kept looking at him like he'd just bitten a lemon—eyes not eyes, nose not nose.
Did I offend him?
I don't think I did…
Akira scratched his head and dropped the thought.
He wasn't an Uchiha.
No need to stress about Hiruzen Sarutobi holding a grudge.
On the bright side, the payout was generous.
Two million ryō, including mission rewards and compensation.
Enough to rent a proper place this time—
Not the kind of apartment that made you feel like your life was already over the moment you moved in.
However…
When Akira applied for promotion to chūnin, he was rejected.
Konoha chūnin promotions had only one rule:
You passed the Chūnin Exams, or you didn't advance.
The exams never stopped—even during wartime.
They'd simply shifted from multinational testing to internal Konoha evaluations.
Unfortunately, Akira had missed last year's exam.
He'd been deep in Amegakure and couldn't return in time.
Which meant—
He had to wait for this year's Chūnin Exams.
He'd already been operating at chūnin level in Amegakure.
If he hadn't slipped up and exposed himself, he could've pushed for jōnin.
Now it was early Year 37.
Akira looked at Konoha, blanketed in snow.
Unlike Amegakure's endless rain, Konoha had proper seasons.
Snowflakes drifting through the air felt… peaceful.
"Big bro," Nawaki said with a grin, rubbing his nose,
"we'll be rivals in this year's Chūnin Exams!"
Learn not to step on explosive tags first.
Akira patted Nawaki's shoulder.
"Let's hope so."
House Hunting
They spent the entire day looking at properties.
Housing inside Konoha was scarce.
Outside the village, the world was chaos—
Anyone with money wanted inside Konoha's walls.
By evening, Akira chose a place with:
A private courtyard
A pond
And a basement
Perfect.
"Five thousand ryō a month," said the landlord, a middle-aged man with a kindly smile and a very well-fed belly.
Akira nodded. Fair price.
Just as the deal was about to close, a boy ran up to Nawaki.
"Big Brother Nawaki!"
"Oh, Sagara?" Nawaki laughed. "What are you doing here?"
"This is my house!"
The landlord laughed.
"So you know Sagara, huh?"
Akira quietly took one step back.
Not my business.
Definitely not my business.
He'd already noticed the landlord's face darkening.
That 'big brother' sounded dangerous.
"My dad," Sagara continued proudly,
"this is the strongest fighter in the Ninja Academy—Top of the School, Nawaki Senju!"
WHAT IS THAT TITLE.
Nawaki scratched his head shyly.
Akira screamed internally.
YOU'RE EMBARRASSED BUT YOU'RE STILL ACCEPTING IT?!
"Oh! Lord Nawaki!"
The landlord's dark expression vanished instantly, replaced with radiant enthusiasm.
Thank God. No price increase.
Akira wiped sweat from his brow.
Nawaki's name really was useful.
"My son's been in your care," the landlord said warmly.
"I'm just Nawaki," Nawaki replied cheerfully, completely unaware of adult scheming.
"In that case…"
The landlord hesitated, then smiled.
"I can knock two thousand ryō off the rent."
"Really?" Akira's voice shot up.
He grabbed the landlord's hand immediately.
"Thank you so much!"
It's fine.
I'm also a filthy adult.
The landlord's smile twitched slightly.
He'd meant to curry favor with Nawaki, not this Hyūga kid.
Peace, At Last
With housing settled, Akira sat on the wooden porch, gazing at the pond where fish swam lazily.
"Three thousand ryō for this place… what a steal."
Nawaki had already left—
If he stayed out late, Tsunade would absolutely murder him for skipping class.
Akira looked at the sunset.
"I'm finally home."
This moment really needed a cup of tea.
Too bad he hadn't bought anything yet.
The Peace Lasts Exactly One Morning
The next morning, Akira was woken by the doorbell.
Still in his robe, he opened the door.
Standing there was Hyūga Tokuma.
Damn. That was fast.
He'd just moved in, and they were already here.
Tokuma hesitated, staring at the muscle-packed youth whose robe was barely holding together.
"…Sorry. Wrong house."
"Goodbye."
BANG.
The door slammed shut.
That reaction felt… familiar.
Tokuma stared at the door.
"…This is the right address."
The clan had been notified the moment Akira returned to the village.
But that person just now—
Didn't look like Hyūga Akira.
Then it clicked.
The face was similar.
Just… more three-dimensional.
Like someone had wandered in from a completely different art style.
So—
That was him.
Tokuma took a deep breath.
"YOU BRAT—OPEN THE DOOR!!!"
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