Chapter 162:
The Fox Spirit Shuriken appeared in the Fox Spirit Hero's hand and was hurled at the Clown.
Aside from its different construction materials, the Fox Spirit Shuriken's most distinctive feature was its special shape—it was modeled after a sharp fox fang.
"This kind of parlor trick won't work on me, Fox Spirit Hero," the Clown said as he dodged with ease.
"Oh really? Fox Spirit Armor, upgrade." As the Clown evaded, the Fox Spirit Hero immediately pressed the button on his belt. "Perfect Fox Spirit Armor Mode."
A crimson chakra enveloped the Fox Spirit Hero.
Perfect Fox Spirit Armor Mode not only drastically enhanced all his stats, but more importantly, it activated the "Fox Spirit Hand" function.
A hand formed purely from chakra—the Fox Spirit Hand—manifested behind him.
The Fox Spirit Hand clenched into a fist and sent the Clown flying with a single punch, then picked up the control device that had fallen to the ground.
"That really hurt, Fox Spirit Hero," the Clown groaned as he struggled to his feet, staring at the Fox Spirit Hero who remained still. "Fine then, you win this round, Fox Spirit Hero. But don't get cocky—only the one who laughs last is the real winner."
Since he was standing on a trap set by the Clown, the Fox Spirit Hero didn't pursue him.
Only after the Clown had completely left did Naruto disengage the Perfect Fox Spirit Armor Mode, breathing slightly heavily.
The Perfect Fox Spirit Armor placed a considerable burden on Naruto. After all, he hadn't earned the Nine Tails' recognition; he had forcibly extracted its power using technology.
"Kakashi."
"I'm here, sir."
"I'm standing on a trap the Clown set. If I lift my foot, innocent villagers could die. I need your help."
"Understood, sir."
The call ended, and in less than five minutes, Kakashi appeared before Naruto.
"I think you were tricked, sir. This isn't a trap at all," Kakashi said, shining a flashlight on the ground and crouching next to Naruto.
"Is that so, Kakashi? Then please investigate the Clown for me. Honestly, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before." Naruto wasn't angry at being fooled. After the fight, he had already gotten a solid read on the Clown's personality.
Cunning.
"Understood, sir. Also, when will you be back? I'd like to prepare a late-night snack."
"No need. I'm going to patrol the village a bit more."
Naruto said this to Kakashi before getting into the Foxmobile.
A new day dawned, but the Village Hidden in the Leaves remained shrouded in darkness.
"Here's today's paper."
Sarada walked over and tossed a newspaper into the lap of the Jar Merchant, who was lounging comfortably in a rocking chair.
The Village Hidden in the Leaves—breeding ground for villains.
To live comfortably in the village, one had to become a villain.
The Clown, who harmed others at will, was a villain. The Fox Spirit Hero, who used violence without a license, was also a villain.
Now, the Jar Merchant and Sarada had become villains too.
The Jar Gang.
Their defining feature: jars on their heads.
Though a newly emerging force of evil, no one dared to underestimate them.
Because the Jar Gang had been founded upon the blood and tears of other villain groups.
"A party, huh? Sounds fun."
"Want to come?" A playful, unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out. A man dressed as a clown walked up.
"Uchiha Sasuke," the Jar Merchant said suddenly.
Even though the man's face was covered in pale clown makeup, the Jar Merchant recognized him immediately.
"I'm pretty sure we've never met. So how do you know who I am? Tell me, won't you, little jar jar?" the Clown replied in a deliberately revolting, coy voice.
Silence.
Silence was the Cam River of the night.
Sarada felt like she could never look at her father the same way again. Sasuke's image was slowly crumbling in her mind.
"Just a simple deduction. Your Sharingan gives it away. The Fox Spirit Hero will figure out your identity soon enough."
As time passed, and with the upper echelons of the village deliberately covering things up, many had begun to forget the once-mighty Uchiha Clan that had rivaled the Hyūga. But those who truly paid attention would never forget the Uchiha's former glory.
"All right, all right, I have a really fun plan. Want to hear it?"
"As it happens, I have a very half-baked suggestion for your very fun plan."
The Clown and the Jar Merchant hit it off instantly.
Namikaze Manor
Naruto was adjusting his suit, preparing for the upcoming Hyūga clan banquet.
Although he preferred his Fox Spirit Hero outfit and duties, the Hyūga were now the most powerful clan in the village and had many business dealings with the Namikaze Group. Showing proper respect was necessary.
"How do I look, Kakashi?"
Standing in front of a mirror, Naruto smoothed his sleeves.
"Very handsome, sir. Tonight, you'll definitely be the most dazzling presence. I'm sure you'll catch the eye of the Hyūga clan's young lady," Kakashi said.
Although prestigious clans typically forbade their bloodlines from marrying outsiders, this rule only applied to commoners.
The Hyūga clan leader had two daughters, but only one could inherit the title. So, the possibility of the heir marrying outside the clan existed.
"Forget it, Kakashi. Also, how's the investigation I asked for going?"
"There's not much info on Jarlock Holmes and Sarada Watson. All we know is that they recently took down several underground groups in the village and formed the Jar Gang. So far, they haven't caused any trouble."
"What? The Jar Gang?" Naruto looked slightly surprised. "That doesn't sound like an evil organization—it sounds more like a business selling jars. We'll put those two aside for now. What about the Clown?"
"Uchiha Sasuke. That should be his real name. You probably found him familiar because the two of you met as children—your mother and his were close friends."
"My mother's best friend's son, huh…" Naruto murmured, then firmed his resolve.
No matter who the other person was—if they were evil, he wouldn't let them off easy.
The events Naruto had witnessed back then were still vivid in his mind, even causing him to wake from nightmares now and then.
His no-kill policy wasn't just to restrain himself—it was also out of consideration for the families of the criminals.
"Let's go, Kakashi."
"Yes, sir."
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslations.
3 new chapters are released daily—thank you for your support!
Powerstone Event: For every 50 powerstones, 1 chapter will be unlocked.)