Makoto's fingertips tapped a light rhythm on the edge of the table, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips.
As the Uchiha Clan's 'Young Clan Head', its future leader, and currently its most talented member… the future of the Uchiha Clan.
Makoto understood the situation perfectly clearly. If he were abducted to Kumogakure, there were essentially only two outcomes.
The first: forced imprisonment, working full-time as a stud, compelled to 'exchange' bloodlines day and night with talented Kumogakure's Kunoichi.
The second: Kumogakure, recognizing his astounding talent, would try to build bonds with him, openly recruiting him with unlimited resources, aiming to cultivate him into a second Shinobi of the Fabled Era… Uchiha Madara!
No Shinobi Village could resist the temptation of having their own Madara.
They'd probably introduce him to more high-quality girls like Samui and Mabui, making Makoto truly accept Kumogakure from the heart, and establish a Uchiha branch clan in Kumogakure.
Makoto wasn't worried about Kumogakure's choice. If they were unwise, he would give Kumogakure a parting gift… Art is an Explosion! A collective farewell in a violent blast. The thought was somewhat romantic.
Makoto glanced at the pulsating [Art is an Explosion!] icon on the panel, the corner of his mouth lifting.
He decided to purchase this Ninjutsu, make a trip to Kumogakure to acquire their Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, grab some money on the side, and of course, as a player, he had to experience Kumogakure's unique... hospitality.
The charcoal in Yakiniku Q crackled, casting Makoto's profile in shifting light and shadow.
[Loan 10 million Ryo?]
'Loan!' Makoto affirmed inwardly, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing a charred mark on the grill's edge.
The virtual panel hummed and erupted in a burst of golden light, brighter than the fiercest embers in the grill. A progress bar shot to full… instant approval.
[Loan successful! 10 million Ryo credited.]
[Purchase 'Art is an Explosion!'?]
"Yes." Makoto confirmed mentally.
With his confirmation, the pale golden virtual panel flashed with a rich golden light that merged into Makoto's mind. A warm current instantly flowed from his brain throughout his limbs.
The seal-less Ninjutsu, Art is an Explosion!, was instantly engraved into Makoto's very soul.
Makoto could now clearly feel that with just a slight thought, the entire Konoha Village would see a small sun in the night.
And there would be a whole lot more 'acquaintances'… literally 'familiar faces everywhere' journeying together to the Pure Land.
As his future strength increased, the explosive effect of this Ninjutsu would also enhance. Makoto couldn't help but imagine using this move when he reached Six Paths-level...
The thought made the corner of his mouth lift. With this special Ninjutsu, he felt a deep sense of security and even greater anticipation for the future.
Outside, the wind and snow had unknowingly ceased. The moon emerged from the clouds, plating Konoha's heavy snow with a silver glow. The outline of the Hokage Rock was exceptionally clear in the moonlight.
Makoto looked over at the Kumogakure's envoys' table. Mabui was scraping the tabletop with her fingernail, the rhythm as chaotic as an out-of-tune drum.
Samui held a teacup, her blue-green pupils fixed on the window, occasionally glancing at Makoto, but the fingers holding the cup handle were white.
These Kumogakure's envoys were still communicating, undecided about whether to abduct him.
Makoto's lips curved slightly. He decided to show them a glimpse of his talent.
'Hesitation leads to defeat. It seems I'll have to give them a push. No more hesitation.'
After the Kumogakure's envoys finished their barbecue at a leisurely pace, Mabui tapped the table edge with her knuckle, her brow slightly furrowed.
Clearly, no decision had been made, and they planned to continue discussing after returning.
The moment the door hinge creaked open, wind and snow carrying a chill rushed in. The oil spatters on the grill sizzled and jumped like scattered gold dust.
Watching their retreating backs as they trudged through the snow, Makoto followed.
The loan was secured, the divine skill obtained. This time, even if the Kumogakure's envoys wanted to turtle up, they would have their heads forced down to 'abduct' him, their 'treasure'.
Who was the hunter and who was the prey had long since shifted.
As Makoto stepped out of Yakiniku Q, his peripheral vision noted the distant surveillance by Anbu and Root.
The corner of his mouth lifted, his gaze sweeping over Samui and Mabui.
He deliberately quickened his pace, making his stare more obvious.
Samui walked with a straight back, the light gray top shifting with her steps, outlining breathtaking curves, like two clouds tumbling in the snow, dazzling to the eye.
Her long legs, encased in boots, were a dazzling white. Moonlight flowed over her skin, reflecting a porcelain-like gloss.
A few strands of pale blonde hair were blown against her neck by the wind, accentuating that section of her neck like mutton fat jade buried in snow… truly a blonde, fair-skinned stunner.
Mabui beside her was the complete opposite. Her dark skin, paired with her features, had an intellectual beauty. Walking in the snow, the black and white clashed like an ink-splashed snowscape, the contrast making it hard to look away.
Makoto deliberately kept his gaze fixed on the two women, his stare blatant.
The Anbu and Root's members, noticing Makoto leaving Yakiniku Q with the Kumogakure's envoys, stirred behind the cherry tree and immediately went to report.
The remaining Anbu and Root's members continued observing from a distance.
In the Hokage's Office, the kerosene lamp cast a dim, murky light.
Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, the ember in the bowl burning brightly. The air was thick with the pungent smell of tobacco.
His mind was still occupied with the matter of the Kumogakure's envoy dying in the Hyuga Clan's compound.
"Hokage-sama!"
The white-haired Anbu hurried in, kneeling on one knee. "Uchiha Makoto encountered the Kumogakure's envoys at the barbecue shop... He is now following them."
Hearing this, Hiruzen's fingers holding the pipe paused. He only reacted when the ember in the bowl burned his thumb.
He tapped his pipe on the table, ashes falling rustling. "Did they interact?"
"No. Zero communication the entire time." The white-haired Anbu's member fell silent after speaking.
Hiruzen frowned, reaching up to stroke the beard on his chin, his thumb rubbing against the coarse stubble. He twisted his pipe, thinking subconsciously, 'An Uchiha conspiracy?'
But he instantly dismissed it.
'If the Uchiha Clan truly wanted to conspire with Kumogakure, they wouldn't do it so openly within the village.'
'Wouldn't it be better to find a mission or excuse to leave the village, or use the Reverse Summoning Technique, and make contact with Kumogakure outside?'
'Moreover, Makoto didn't seem like someone capable of handling serious business or important missions...'
Hiruzen mentally considered it from all angles but found no sign of a conspiracy.
"Kakashi, what do you think?" Hiruzen looked up at the white-haired Anbu before him.
Hearing this, Kakashi couldn't help but complain inwardly, 'Why are you asking me that?'
Seeing Kakashi's silence, Hiruzen tapped his pipe, "Any unusual behavior?"
Hearing this, Kakashi reported, "Hokage-sama, that Uchiha Makoto... he kept staring at the chests and hips of those two Kumogakure's Kunoichi. He was practically drooling."
Hiruzen, upon hearing this, actually relaxed, taking a puff of his pipe. "It seems he was captivated by those two Kumogakure's Kunoichi."
This was normal. Back in the day, he and Danzo used to sneak off to the hot springs to watch people bathe when they were just two and a half years old.
But Hiruzen still didn't let his guard down entirely. He said gravely, "Continue having the Anbu watch them. Report immediately if there's any movement."
He then continued, "You go watch Danzo. Report any situation to me at any time."
Hiruzen was afraid his dear friend Danzo would push the Hyuga Clan too hard, lest other clans develop a 'if the hare dies, the fox mourns' mentality, which wouldn't be good for Konoha's unity.
Appropriate discipline was fine, but pushing the Hyuga Clan to desperation would be counterproductive.
Kakashi nodded in acknowledgment. As he turned, his white hair brushed against the doorframe, stirring a breeze. His mind was still on the scene he had witnessed.
The way Makoto stared at Samui and Mabui was like a wolf eyeing lambs, but the smile on his lips didn't seem like simple lust... For him, it was a bit strange.
Root's Base.
Danzo sat on a wooden chair, his knuckles pressed against his brow. After a whole day of verbal battle with the Hyuga Clan, his throat was as dry as if on fire, his tongue practically peeling.
His mind was still calculating tomorrow's rhetoric… he needed to think of an even more high-sounding reason to lure the Hyuga Clan's geniuses into Root to serve Konoha.
"Sir, Uchiha Makoto and the Kumogakure's envoys have gotten together," A Root's member reported, kneeling on one knee, his voice slightly hurried.
Hearing this, Danzo lifted his eyelids, his turbid single eye flashing. "Explain clearly."
"Uchiha Makoto is following the Kumogakure's envoys. He keeps staring at the chests and hips of two girls in the delegation."
Hearing this, Danzo was first stunned, then his throat moved, a cold sneer twisting his lips as he pondered inwardly.
'This inherently evil Uchiha brat is as fond of women as Hiruzen! Women only hinder a man's magnanimity!'
'But anyway, he doesn't have many days left. I'll take his life once the negotiations with Kumogakure are over.'
But then another thought occurred to him. Danzo's perpetually furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, 'Fond of women? That was a great weakness. Having a weakness made him easier to control, even to cater to his preferences.'
'This Uchiha Makoto brat, though rotten, had a sharper tongue than anyone. If he could be used... wouldn't that be more valuable than killing him?'
'I, Danzo, was not a petty man. For the future of Konoha, as long as this inherently evil Uchiha brat was willing to serve him, I would reluctantly spare the boy, bring him into Root, and focus on nurturing him.' Thinking this, Danzo prepared to send Root's 'flower' to make contact with Makoto.
At the street corner, the snow crunched underfoot. Makoto followed leisurely, his gaze glued to the retreating figures of Samui and Mabui.
The Kumogakure's envoys were still exchanging glances, their opinions still not unified.
The moment they turned the corner, the view of the Anbu and Root's members was blocked by the wall.
Hum…