Uchiha Clan Compound.
Kai's residence.
At this moment, he sat under the warm sunlight, leisurely reading the latest volume of Make-Out Paradise.
Normally, Kai trained diligently—but every now and then, he would read to broaden his horizons.
After all, reading was one of the best ways to accumulate knowledge.
A cup of tea.
A good book.
Refreshing to the mind.
Comforting to the soul.
No wonder Kakashi was so obsessed with Make-Out Paradise—there was definitely something to it.
This book…
was quite substantial…
…
Just as Kai was immersed in reading, a knock sounded at the door.
He raised a brow.
"Come in."
…
The door opened.
Itachi walked in—with an unfriendly expression.
"Oh? Isn't this Uchiha's elite prodigy? What brings you here?" Kai took a sip of tea, casually teasing.
He didn't need to think.
It was obviously about Itachi getting caught reading Make-Out Paradise by Uchiha Izumi the other day.
…
Itachi sat down beside him, looking pained.
"Kai… I didn't expect you to be this kind of person!"
"What kind?" Kai asked innocently.
"You actually read Make-Out Paradise! That kind of book!"
"It's morally corrupt!"
…
Kai rolled his eyes.
"The shop sells it, I buy it. What's the problem?"
"But we're still children! We shouldn't be reading that!" Itachi argued, clearly hoping to steer him back onto the "right path."
…
Kai sighed deeply.
"You think I read Make-Out Paradise for those vulgar scenes?"
"You're too narrow-minded."
"This book contains cultural customs from various nations and villages across the ninja world."
"It reflects lifestyle habits."
"It's an important source of external intelligence."
"You actually think so little of me… I'm truly disappointed."
…
Itachi froze.
"…Really?"
"Of course."
Kai's firm tone made Itachi hesitate.
Had he… misunderstood him?
…
Kai flipped open the book and began explaining seriously—
"Look here. This character portrayal—simple yet profound. It reflects the harsh realities of survival on the battlefield."
"And here—rogue ninja running rampant in broad daylight. A reminder to stay vigilant during missions."
He spoke with complete seriousness—
spinning nonsense like it was gospel.
…
Finally, he patted Itachi's shoulder.
"With our relationship, would I lie to you?"
"I'll even give you a copy. Take it back and study it carefully."
…
Itachi fell into deep contemplation.
Was this… actually reasonable?
In the end, he accepted the book.
And reassured himself:
This is for gathering intelligence.
Nothing else.
I am very pure.
…
After sending Itachi off, another knock came.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
Busy day.
…
The door opened.
Uchiha Yashiro entered—along with someone Kai didn't expect.
Kakashi.
…
The moment Kakashi saw Kai calmly closing Make-Out Paradise, his anger flared.
But before he could act, Yashiro sneered coldly.
"Kakashi, this is Uchiha territory."
"Don't think being an ANBU captain gives you the right to act recklessly."
"If you try anything…"
"That Sharingan of yours won't be leaving with you."
…
Though Fugaku had allowed Kakashi to keep Obito's Sharingan, many Uchiha still resented it.
A bloodline limit in outsider hands was a risk.
Especially since Kakashi belonged to ANBU.
And among the Uchiha, ROOT was the most hated.
ANBU came second.
…
Yashiro leaned in and whispered to Kai:
"Provoke him. Leave the Sharingan here."
A radical through and through.
…
Kai shook his head slightly.
"Not yet."
Kakashi's identity was too sensitive.
If they took his eye, it could trigger a direct clash with Hiruzen.
The time wasn't right.
…
Yashiro didn't press further.
He trusted Kai's judgment.
…
Kai stood up and stretched lazily.
"Kakashi-san, what can I do for you?"
Kakashi sneered.
"You bought out every copy of Make-Out Paradise in the village?"
"Yes."
Kai admitted it openly.
This was fishing.
And the fish had bitten.
…
Kakashi took a deep breath.
"…Sell me one."
"Fifty thousand ryō."
"Fine, I'll—what?!"
…
One book.
Fifty thousand?!
Was this kid insane?!
…
Kai calmly explained:
"I bought out the entire stock. Cost me quite a bit."
"The nearest place you can buy it now is in the Wind Country desert."
"If you don't want it, feel free to go there."
…
He had money.
A lot of it.
Real estate dividends.
He could afford to be unreasonable.
Extremely unreasonable.
…
Kakashi clenched his fists.
"…Twenty thousand."
"I refuse."
Kai sipped his tea, unmoved.
…
"Fine. Just you wait."
Kakashi turned and left angrily.
…
Five minutes later—
he came back.
With a thick stack of cash.
…
Compared to money—
Make-Out Paradise mattered more.
Even if it hurt.
Badly.
…
"Pleasure doing business," Kai said with a grin, handing over the book.
Kakashi grabbed it tightly—
as if it were treasure.
Then vanished instantly.
…
Kakashi's apartment.
On the bed, he read with intense focus.
The story.
The tension.
The emotion.
He clutched a tissue tightly.
"This is amazing…"
…
Then—
he froze.
"…Huh?"
The most crucial part—
was missing.
Torn out.
…
It was incomplete.
A mutilated copy.
…
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
"UCHIHA KAI!!! YOU PETTY LITTLE—!!!"
Kakashi howled in despair.
…
Meanwhile—
in Itachi's room—
Fugaku and Mikoto stood silently, staring at the copy of Make-Out Paradise under his pillow.
…
They exchanged a glance.
…
"…Our son… has grown up, hasn't he?"
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