Chapter 3: The Troubles of a Teenager
The next morning, after finishing breakfast, Kazuki tidied up and prepared to visit the Third Hokage.
"Good morning, Kazuki-nii!"
Just as he stepped out of his room, he nearly collided with someone.
Looking down, he saw a boy around ten years old with short, spiky black hair that stuck up like a hedgehog's quills, and orange goggles covering half his face.
As a qualified transmigrator, Kazuki naturally knew something about the plot.
The slightly naive and innocent boy standing before him was none other than the future greatest villain of the shinobi world—a hopeless romantic who would single-handedly trigger the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Uchiha Obito.
"Oh, Obito. What brings you here so early?" Kazuki's expression remained calm as he reached out to ruffle the boy's hair gently. "Something on your mind?"
Hearing this, Obito's face flushed slightly as he stammered, "Um, I wanted to try it. The 'Wish Fulfillment' thing..."
"Oh? My services aren't cheap, you know."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow with mild amusement. "Even the basic trial version costs at least 50,000 ryo. You have that kind of money?"
"Of course! Don't underestimate me, Kazuki-nii!" Obito proudly puffed out his chest, pulling a thick wad of bills from his pocket. "This is 50,000 ryo I earned from missions!"
"Ah, that's right. I forgot you're already a genin."
Kazuki rubbed his temples. He'd been too busy lately to keep track of timeline details.
Still, the general flow of events wouldn't change. Based on Obito's graduation, the Third Great Ninja War was rapidly approaching.
"I graduated ages ago, okay?!" Obito protested, his face darkening. "Stop treating me like a little kid!"
"I know, I know, Obito." Kazuki ruffled the boy's hair with a smile. "But sorry, not today. I have to meet with Lord Hokage. How about next time?"
[Side Quest: Teenage Troubles]
[No matter how hard he tries, Obito can't win the girl's affection. He's finally decided to...]
[Reward: Fate Doll (Blocks fate interference, allowing the holder to defend against curses, divination, and tracking effects)]
Glancing at the quest description, Kazuki had a pretty good idea of what Obito's "wish" was about.
"Oh..." Obito's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Next time for sure, Obito."
Kazuki reached out and ruffled his hair again with a chuckle. "Tell you what—I'll give you a discount. 30,000 ryo."
"Really?! Thanks, Kazuki-nii!"
At the news of saving 20,000 ryo, Obito immediately perked up again, his grin returning full force.
Uchiha Kazuki walked along Konoha's bustling commercial street with his hands in his pockets.
Having recently consumed the advancement potion, his spiritual power was still somewhat unstable. Although he was working to control it, full adjustment would take time.
His dark, profound eyes seemed to contain unfathomable depths—like swirling vortexes beneath still water. If not for the special glasses perched on his nose, passersby would likely be completely entranced the moment they made eye contact.
"Need to improve my control," Kazuki muttered, rubbing his throbbing temples as his spirit vision swept across the entire street.
Red, yellow, blue—like paints swirling together in water—these were the manifestations of people's emotional auras visible through his spirit vision.
Compared to his time as a Sequence 7 Psychiatrist, where he could only observe aura colors to understand someone's psychological state, advancing to Sequence 6 allowed him to perceive much deeper layers of a target's mind.
"Hey, did you hear? That terrible news!"
"You mean... oh, yeah. I heard. Can't believe it's actually true!"
"What a shame... such a waste."
"No kidding. Really tragic."
The conversation between two villagers on the street caught his attention.
Kazuki's eyes flickered slightly as deeper spiritual power silently flowed into their minds.
Psychological Suggestion.
The two barely resisted before their thoughts went blank, their expressions glazing over.
"Tell me what you were discussing," Kazuki said softly.
"Hatake Sakumo... committed suicide at home. Out of shame."
Upon hearing this news, Kazuki's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
So it was already Year 44 of Konoha.
Only four short years remained until the Third Great Ninja War would begin.
"The plan needs to accelerate," Kazuki murmured, his expression turning somewhat complex. He gave a meaningful smile before releasing the mental suggestion and hurrying toward the Hokage Tower.
The Third Great Ninja War represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If he missed this window, the next major conflict wouldn't occur for over a decade. He couldn't afford to wait that long.
Hokage Tower, Office Entrance
"Lord Hokage, it's Uchiha Kazuki."
Kazuki knocked politely on the door and waited respectfully.
"Come in."
A slightly aged but still commanding voice called out.
Kazuki pushed open the door and entered, immediately noticing that besides the Third Hokage, Danzo was also present. His brows furrowed slightly.
A flash of displeasure crossed his face, though he concealed it expertly.
Even back when he was only Sequence 9, he could control his expressions and emotions perfectly. Not even the Sharingan could detect the deception.
"Lord Hokage. Lord Danzo." Kazuki greeted them with a warm, respectful tone.
The Third Hokage seated behind the desk was still in his prime—unlike the frail, indecisive figure he would become a decade or two later. He still possessed the commanding presence and ambition befitting the title "Professor" and "God of Shinobi."
The Third Hokage, pipe in hand, took a puff and beckoned him forward. "Uchiha Kazuki, yes? I remember you. In several missions, you refused to abandon your teammates, volunteering to stay behind and cover their retreat. Your mission completion rate is exceptionally high, and you're skilled in medical ninjutsu. You're a rare talent among the jonin."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'm only doing what any shinobi of the Leaf should do," Kazuki replied with a shy smile, scratching the back of his head as if slightly embarrassed by the praise.
"Good, good! Don't be so modest, young man."
The Third Hokage seemed even more pleased with his humble demeanor. "In you, I see the future of Konoha. It's because of young people like you that the First Hokage's Will of Fire continues to burn bright. I'm very gratified."
"Yes, Lord Hokage! I'll continue to work even harder!"
Kazuki's face flushed slightly as if encouraged by his leader's words, his tone unable to hide his excitement. "I will definitely uphold the First Hokage's Will of Fire and protect the village and everyone in it with my life!"
"Heh, I believe in you, Uchiha Kazuki."
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction. "You're still young, but you already think with the perspective of a Hokage. That's rare."
"P-please, Lord Hokage, you're too kind," Kazuki stammered shyly, rubbing his nose. "I just try to listen carefully to your teachings and reflect on them."
"Hahahahaha!"
The Third Hokage laughed heartily, clearly pleased with the flattery.
"Hmph."
Danzo, standing off to the side, couldn't take it anymore and snorted coldly.
What nonsense! "Will of Fire" this, "listening to teachings" that!
Aren't the Uchiha supposed to be arrogant and conceited? How is this brat laying it on so thick right from the start? Where's your pride? Where's your aloofness?
Disgusting Uchiha brat!
Already harboring deep suspicion toward the Uchiha clan, Danzo now hated this particular boy even more. Deep malice flickered in his visible eye.
Of course, Danzo's malice couldn't escape Kazuki's perception.
His aura was pitch black—a churning, intense malevolence like dark flames burning out of control.
Is this old bastard insane?
When did I ever offend him?
Kazuki was genuinely confused. He'd only encountered Danzo three times in all these years. Where was this hostility coming from?
The Third Hokage, interrupted mid-laugh, felt a flash of annoyance. He glanced at Danzo beside him with visible displeasure.
However, given they had an outsider present, the Hokage didn't say anything further. He simply cleared his throat twice. "Uchiha Kazuki, I'm pleased you're willing to join ANBU. 'Elephant' will escort you to headquarters shortly. Familiarize yourself with the operations first, and we'll discuss further assignments later."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Kazuki bowed respectfully, then turned and left the office.
As the door closed behind him, his pleasant smile vanished completely, replaced by cold calculation.
Danzo Shimura... what a troublesome old fossil.
Author's Note: The plot thickens! Kazuki's journey in ANBU begins. Thanks for reading!
[End of Chapter 3]
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