The next day.
With the mindset of a diligent worker, Kai woke up early.
Over the past two years, the Uchiha real estate project had flourished rapidly. As the one who proposed the idea, Kai had been generously rewarded by Fugaku—receiving dividends worth several million ryō.
At his current level of wealth, he could already live a life free of financial worries.
As for Ichiraku Ramen—
he could eat as much as he wanted.
Of course, he didn't mind having a few "unlucky benefactors" treat him either.
For example—
Sarutobi Daiki.
Or little Naruto.
Kai pondered quietly.
"…Feels like I don't have enough of those 'benefactors.'"
"Maybe I should expand the list?"
Fugaku? Itachi? Or little Sasuke?
After all, Sasuke and Naruto were destined rivals.
Since Naruto had already been "harvested" once…
wouldn't it be unfair if Sasuke didn't contribute too?
Fair distribution for all!
…
After getting up, Kai made breakfast.
He cracked an egg into a frying pan.
This egg—
was the very one thrown at Naruto yesterday.
Recovered by Kai.
Waste not, want not.
…
After eating, Kai headed toward the clan training grounds.
Consistent training was key to strengthening his body.
"Kai! Had breakfast yet? Come try my flatbread!" Uchiha Teyaki called out cheerfully.
"Come, it's still hot!" his wife added warmly.
"Thanks, Uncle Teyaki, Aunt Jing—but I've already eaten," Kai replied with a smile.
With the real estate boom, the Uchiha's living standards had improved significantly. Smiles were far more common now.
…
At the training ground, many clan members were already practicing.
Kai followed his routine—running, push-ups, lifting iron weights.
Soon, he was drenched in sweat.
While upgrading his Asura's Chakra through chakra strengthened his physique, only physical training could refine control over muscles and chakra alike, fully unlocking his potential.
Two hours later, training ended.
After returning home for a bath, Kai headed out again.
He had something to do.
…
Not long after stepping outside, he ran into Itachi and Sasuke.
Itachi had already graduated a year ago and become a genin, wearing his Konoha forehead protector. Aside from being slightly shorter than Kai, he hadn't changed much.
Sasuke, now over three years old, had grown quite a bit.
"Kai big brother!"
Sasuke ran over and leapt into his arms.
Kai was one of the people Sasuke felt closest to—aside from Itachi and his parents. Even though Kai used to pinch his cheeks, Sasuke had clearly forgotten about that.
"Kai," Itachi greeted with a smile.
Under Kai's repeated "guidance," and after the Root incident, Itachi had begun re-evaluating everything.
He now saw the so-called Will of Fire as hypocritical and impractical.
He formed his own belief:
Protect family first.
Then expand outward.
Only then could one truly protect the world.
Kai nodded in return.
"Where are you going?" Sasuke asked curiously, tugging his sleeve.
"To buy some books," Kai replied with a smile, pinching Sasuke's soft cheek.
"We'll go too," Itachi said immediately.
He knew Kai often spent time in the library, and he suspected Kai's innovative ideas—like the real estate system—came from extensive reading.
He wanted to broaden his own perspective.
"You sure?" Kai gave them a strange look.
After all—
these weren't exactly those kinds of books.
"We're sure!" Itachi and Sasuke answered in unison.
"…Alright."
Your choice.
Don't blame me later.
…
The three left the clan district and arrived at a bookstore decorated in dark green tones.
Shueisha Hall.
Two bookshelves stood at the entrance.
"Boss, the latest volume of Make-Out Paradise is in, right?" Kai asked.
The shop owner—a tall, thin man with dark circles and a weary look—stepped out.
Seeing three kids, his expression changed instantly.
"Go away, go away!"
"You're too young for that. I'm not selling it to you."
"I've got money," Kai replied calmly.
The owner scoffed.
"No matter how much you offer, I won't sell it! I have principles! I won't betray my morals!"
Kai slowly pulled out a thick wad of cash.
Smiling.
"Boss… still not selling?"
The man froze.
Then—
his eyes lit up like fireworks.
He grabbed Kai's shoulders.
"Selling! Of course I'm selling!"
Kai sighed.
"Wouldn't that violate your moral principles?"
"Not at all! Young master, I feel like we're kindred spirits! How could I not sell to you?"
…
"Good."
"Pack all the latest volumes and deliver them to this address."
Kai left his clan residence details.
Yesterday, Kakashi had been a bit too arrogant.
So Kai decided:
Buy out every single copy of Make-Out Paradise.
Not just here—
he had already arranged for nearby villages' stock to be cleared out too.
One new volume?
He'd buy them all.
Kakashi loved those books?
Then Kai would make sure—
there were none left to read.
Money?
He had plenty.
Utterly inhumane levels of wealth.
"Right away!" the owner beamed.
This kid—
was a walking gold mine.
…
Meanwhile, Itachi picked up a copy and began reading.
"…Huh?"
The further he read, the stranger it felt.
The content…
was questionable.
Young Itachi had never encountered anything like this.
His face instantly turned red.
"Brother, why is your face so red?" Sasuke asked innocently.
"N-nothing…" Itachi quickly glanced at Kai.
Kai stood there calmly—
as if nothing had happened.
You chose to come.
Not my problem.
…
"Hmm? Itachi-kun, I didn't expect you to like reading too!"
A cheerful voice sounded.
Uchiha Izumi approached, carrying a yellow bag.
She leaned in—
and saw the book.
Illustrations included.
Her face flushed instantly.
"Itachi-kun… I didn't know you were this kind of person!"
She ran off in embarrassment.
"Izumi, wait! It's not what you think!" Itachi panicked and chased after her.
…
Kai and Sasuke looked at each other.
Even Kai couldn't help but think—
her timing was impeccable.
Sasuke tugged his sleeve again.
"Kai brother, I want to read too!"
Bonk.
Kai flicked his forehead.
"No."
Absolutely not.
If Fugaku found out—
he'd be dead.
"Hmph! Fine, I won't read!" Sasuke pouted.
Kai suddenly smiled mischievously.
"Sasuke, want to go eat Ichiraku Ramen?"
"Yes!"
Sasuke's eyes lit up.
He even licked his lips.
"Then let's go."
Kai grinned.
Another… willing benefactor.
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