Chapter 9: Acquiring Simulation Attempts
It was now the 63rd year of Konoha. Next year would mark the graduation of the nine rookie genin, as well as the year of the Chūnin Exams and the Konoha Crush plot.
According to the original story's progression, Sarutobi Hiruzen would die at the hands of Orochimaru. At that time, Konoha would enter its weakest period, and Akiyama Makoto, as a contract employee, would most likely be laid off due to financial constraints.
Therefore, Makoto not only had to seek out Tenten but also had to build a good relationship with her family. That was where his true future lay.
What Makoto didn't know was that as he walked toward Tenten's house, Sarutobi Hiruzen was watching his every move with the Crystal Ball Technique.
Seeing that Makoto was walking at a calm, unhurried pace, with no intention of using chakra, the Hokage looked thoughtfully at the Anbu operative before him and asked, "Are you certain he has chakra in his body?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I am one hundred percent certain."
Although the Anbu member wore a mask, it did not hinder his sensory abilities. For a person who originally didn't even qualify for the Ninja Academy to suddenly possess chakra and then specifically come to see the Hokage right after, it was enough to make Makoto a key target for Anbu surveillance.
"It seems I was right. The reason for such a great change in him is because he now has chakra."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, contemplating how to handle Akiyama Makoto. While the change in Makoto was rare, the amount of chakra in his body was so minuscule that it posed no threat to him at all. Looking at Makoto's simple, thin family tree, his bit of talent likely held no research value either.
Therefore, compared to the chakra in Makoto's body, Hiruzen still valued his writing talent far more. This was especially true now, with Konoha still in a period of decline and in desperate need of something to soothe the hearts of the people.
However, his subordinate's concerns were also valid. After careful consideration, Hiruzen said, "Who is currently on leave? Send someone to follow him for a while. It will also prevent him from being targeted by Root."
The Anbu member immediately listed several names. When Hiruzen heard one particular name, his eyes lit up.
"Let her do it. Tell her she can make contact with Akiyama Makoto as a civilian if necessary."
"As you command."
Meanwhile, Akiyama Makoto soon arrived outside the main gate of Tenten's house. With chakra, his stamina and mobility had greatly increased. Makoto didn't deliberately hide this fact, because he knew it was impossible to conceal his newfound chakra from the village's sensory ninja.
However, Makoto's background was clean—his family had been Konoha citizens for three generations—so he had no fear of any investigation. Compared to timidly trying to hide the changes, it was better to display them openly. It was more in line with the mentality of a young commoner rising against the odds.
Makoto knocked on the main gate, and after a short while, the old butler of Tenten's family opened it. Seeing Makoto dressed in white, the old butler bowed respectfully and politely inquired about the purpose of his visit.
Makoto presented the letter in his hand and a gift box he had purchased from a pastry shop on the street corner, explaining the situation. The old butler accepted the gift and the letter, informing Makoto that Tenten was currently on a mission. He promised to pass them along as soon as she returned.
This was all within Makoto's expectations. According to the timeline from the simulation, Tenten would likely be back in about three days. With her personality, once she saw his design schematics, she would eagerly seek him out. This would transform their relationship into a friendship of mutual exchange, which was exactly what Makoto was hoping for.
In the simulation, Makoto could freeload at Tenten's house for a lifetime, but that wouldn't work in the real world. He needed to acquire more simulation attempts and make contact with more simulation targets. Otherwise, if he only "tilled the soil" with Tenten, he would only end up becoming a male version of her. That level of strength wouldn't be enough to put his mind at ease.
With his task complete, Makoto returned home, ending his outing for the day. In addition to continuing his writing, he also set aside time to train his body and refine his chakra. What he brought out of the simulation was only the talent; he still had to slowly improve his physical fitness himself. If he didn't want to wait, his only option was to acquire a new bloodline talent, which required more simulation attempts.
As for how to acquire them, Makoto already had a few ideas.
Early the next morning, Makoto went to the Hokage Building to collect the Uchiha clan documents and his work certificate. His official position was just an Archive Administrator, but Makoto also requested that his supervisor write him a letter certifying that he was creating The Biography of Uchiha Madara under the Hokage's guidance. The supervisor even had to ask for Hiruzen's permission for this. In the end, with Hiruzen's tacit approval, the supervisor wrote the document.
At this point, Akiyama Makoto had completed his "core build."
In the afternoon, Makoto organized and recorded the Uchiha documents while continuing his own writing. Since he was essentially just transcribing from memory, the work was very easy for him.
As evening approached, Makoto picked up his certificate, his manuscript, and a variety of candies he had bought in advance. He left his house and went to the children's playground at the end of the street. Many children were playing boisterously, and not far away on benches sat the elders responsible for watching over them. Most were civilians, but a few were civilian-class ninja, and these ninja were Makoto's targets.
"Good evening, grandpas and grandmas."
Makoto politely greeted the elders. Many of them recognized him, and seeing him take the initiative to talk, they immediately opened up, asking him all sorts of questions about the changes in him. In the past, Makoto would have politely answered a few questions before finding an excuse to leave. But now, he pulled over a wooden stool, sat down, and began to chat enthusiastically with them.
Upon learning that Makoto had become a staff member at the Hokage's Office and was writing a biography of Uchiha Madara, all the elders were so surprised their jaws dropped. And when they heard that he wanted to learn about the Uchiha clan during Konoha's founding and the local customs of that era, the elders became as excited as if they had been transported to there youth. Each of them seemed to have endless stories to tell.
Makoto welcomed all of them. While listening attentively, he didn't forget to guide their emotions. Soon, some of the elders became deeply moved and started to cry. Makoto gently held their hands and comforted each of them.
At this moment, before Makoto's eyes, the system prompts that had been silent for days lit up once more. Unfortunately, most of the elders did not meet the system's criteria. Fortunately, Makoto eventually succeeded in finding a suitable candidate.
For example, the old grandmother in the kimono right in front of him was currently holding his hand, telling him the story of her former Uchiha teammate.