Hokage Tower.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and reached out to wipe away the image inside his crystal ball.
"First comes the Hokage of the village, then the father of my son..."
"One who never truly knew me still grasps the Will of Fire..."
"What an intriguing boy."
As Mirai Uchiha predicted, Hiruzen wasn't bothered by what had happened to his son Asuma Sarutobi. Nothing in the village could escape his notice.
The incident yesterday was clearly Asuma's fault.
If someone could teach him a lesson, well, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Thinking thus, Hiruzen pulled out a scroll from beside his desk and wrote down Mirai Uchiha's name.
Originally, he had planned for Mirai to join the Konoha Military Police Force after graduating from the Ninja Academy, but now he changed his mind.
He wanted to keep Mirai close under constant supervision for further observation.
"Mirai Uchiha, who claims such deep understanding of the Will of Fire, let's see how profound your awareness truly is."
Hiruzen's eyes darkened with thought.
With his gradual withdrawal from the core power structure of the village, discontent among the Uchiha Clan had been growing louder.
Although currently it was only a few murmurs from certain Uchiha members, to prevent the worst-case scenario, it was time for him to start making preparations.
Mirai Uchiha would be the needle he planted early on.
...
Ding ding ding!
The school bell rang, and the classroom immediately buzzed with chatter.
Mirai Uchiha opened his drowsy eyes, thought for a moment, then walked toward Kurenai Yuhi.
"Move aside!"
Feeling someone approach, Kurenai Yuhi kept her head down while packing up her things.
However,
After waiting quite some time, the person beside her hadn't moved at all.
Kurenai lifted her head ready to scold whoever it was, only to see Mirai silently watching her.
"Mi-Mirai?"
"Sorry, I thought you were..."
Mirai waved a hand. "No explanation needed. Want to train together?"
"Eh?"
Caught off guard by Mirai's invitation, Kurenai felt surprised.
This Mirai, who always trained alone, was actually inviting her to train with him?
Could this be real? Was she dreaming?
Or perhaps... Could it be... He liked her?
Her heart couldn't help but pound rapidly.
Noticing Mirai's expression gradually showing impatience, Kurenai suddenly remembered she hadn't given him an answer yet, so she quickly nodded.
"I'd love to."
"Didn't you say you wanted to make it up to me earlier?"
"I've figured it out."
"Then let's go."
Mirai Uchiha watched Kurenai Yuhi agree, then turned and stepped outside.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Asuma Sarutobi silently clenched his fist.
"Mirai Uchiha, just you wait."
"I'll definitely defeat you in front of everyone and repay you a hundredfold for this humiliation!"
...
Walking through Konoha's streets, Mirai stopped at a secluded forest behind the village's back mountains.
Before him stretched an open field dozens of meters wide, with several wooden stumps scattered around its edges.
Further ahead flowed a crystal-clear stream.
"Future, is this where you normally train?"
Kurenai asked curiously while examining the scene.
"Yeah."
"Attack me. Let me see what you've got."
Without wasting words, Mirai simply beckoned to Kurenai.
All day long,
he had tried various methods but hadn't triggered his Plunder System even once.
Recalling yesterday's situation, Mirai guessed that only through battle could he obtain plundered gains.
This was also why he had actively invited Kurenai to train together.
"Well then, be careful."
Kurenai said confidently.
Several seconds later.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Successfully Plundered Reward: Spirit Power +1!]
Hearing the system's prompt echoing in his mind, Mirai's lips curled upward slightly.
Got it.
His guess had been right after all.
Only by fighting could he activate the Plunder System.
Mirai felt his mind sharpen, as though a warm current had surged through his eyes.
"Future, your eyes..."
"Huh?"
At Kurenai's words, Mirai looked puzzled.
Kurenai pulled out a small mirror and handed it over. Only then did Mirai discover that his eyes had transformed into double-tomoe Sharingan.
"So spiritual power not only boosts mental strength, but also enhances Sharingan power and chakra regeneration speed..."
"Not bad at all!"
Each time the Sharingan evolved, there would be an adaptation period. During this time, the Sharingan couldn't be voluntarily deactivated.
Therefore, Mirai didn't pay much attention and gestured again to Kurenai: "Again!"
...
Ten or so minutes later.
Kurenai crouched on the ground, her eyes red-rimmed.
"No more!"
What kind of sparring match was this?
This was supposed to be a training session—yet she'd been getting pummeled the entire time.
This guy has no idea how to handle a girl with care.
And besides…
He clearly already lost, yet insisted on continuing to spar with her.
If it weren't for him rescuing her yesterday and treating her to such delicious meals afterward, she would've turned around and left long ago.
"A flower that can't withstand hardship will only wilt before dawn."
"If you can't even persist through such minor difficulties, I suggest you give up on being a ninja altogether."
Mirai Uchiha remarked coolly.
Based on his past life's experience, he knew better than to try comforting her now—it might only make things worse.
"Who said I can't persist!"
"One day, I will definitely defeat you."
After hearing Mirai's words, Kurenai immediately wiped her tears and firmly replaced her wronged expression with a determined one.
She didn't even notice how subtly she had just been emotionally manipulated.
"I'll be waiting for that day."
"For now, let's rest."
People who missed out on basic education are just too naive.
Mirai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Sitting beside Kurenai, he began pondering questions about the System.
Out of the dozen or so battles just now, only the first successfully yielded plundered rewards.
From this, he deduced the Plunder System could probably only trigger once per day.
This completely discouraged Mirai's idea of rapidly farming rewards through continuous fighting.
However, Mirai didn't feel particularly disappointed.
Although only one reward could be obtained daily, that was actually quite good already.
After all,
These were permanent stat boosts—real and tangible improvements!
Thinking thus, Mirai silently brought up the System interface.
[NAME: Mirai Uchiha]
[Physique: 8]
[Spiritual Power: 21]
[Chakra: 7]
[Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan]
[Ninjutsu: …]
[Others: …]
Watching his stats steadily rise every day was joy enough by itself.
"Oh right, Kurenai."
"You mentioned earlier you've decided how I should compensate you."
"Tell me about it."
Feeling good after another power boost, Mirai cheerfully moved closer and struck up a chat with Kurenai.
"I like eating your cooking."
"If you cook me another meal like yesterday's, I'll forgive you for stealing that kiss."
Just thinking about yesterday's dishes made Kurenai involuntarily drool slightly.
So fragrant.
Being such a huge foodie, there was no way she could resist.
"That's all?"
"Mm-hmm."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded seriously, though her throat tightened slightly in embarrassment.
Damn, she's too cute! That little girl vibe is unreal!
Seeing Kurenai's daimeng expression, Mirai Uchiha suddenly felt a playful urge inside.
He suddenly cupped both of her soft cheeks before she could react, quickly pecked her forehead several times, and then declared boldly, "You're all mine for meals this whole week!"
"Kyaa! You're asking for it!"
Kurenai blushed furiously and jumped away.
What kind of twisted logic does this bad guy have in his head?!
"I'm not talking to you anymore."
Turning around upon seeing Mirai's mischievous grin, Kurenai ran off.
"Then do you still want me to cook for you?"
"Skip one meal and I'll never forgive you!!!"
Watching her fleeing figure disappear in a flustered hurry, Mirai rubbed his lips thoughtfully.
Come to think of it…
Girls really do smell nice.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!