Shiki couldn't help but marvel at how extraordinary this world was. Even someone as accommodating as him could still draw jealousy from so many people.
He had no intention of further entangling with Kousen Fujino, so he quickly paid and bade Tenten farewell before leaving the ninja tools shop.
At the bookstore, Shiki kept glancing toward the adult section. The perverted skinny middle-aged store owner mistook him for a kid with impure thoughts but too timid to act on them.
Only Shiki himself knew what he was really looking for—whether Kakashi was there. After all, [Make Out Paradise] was Kakashi's favorite book.
Or perhaps Jiraiya might want to check out other works for some "reference."
Unfortunately, both were absent, which disappointed Shiki. Truthfully, he longed for guidance during this period.
As a ninja, many things weren't as simple as books described.
And certain matters would definitely be better explained by those seasoned experts. They could even chart out a better cultivation path for him.
"It seems I have to work harder by myself for now," Shiki sighed helplessly.
He also knew that someone his age wouldn't get trained by Kakashi or Jiraiya unless he could somehow impress them.
Just like Lee impressed Guy.
After yet another unsuccessful attempt, Shiki gave up and bought a book titled [Basic Hand Seals], then left.
Upon returning home, Naruto stared intensely at Shiki, making him slightly uncomfortable.
"Hey Naruto, can you stop staring at me like that?" Shiki finally asked, unable to bear it anymore.
Naruto shook his head firmly, "No way! I need to figure out why you got stronger. Then maybe Sakura will like me too!"
Like she actually likes me already...
Shiki thought helplessly. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto, how about I tell you a way to become stronger?"
"Really? Hurry up and tell me!" Naruto eagerly responded.
Smirking mischievously, Shiki said, "Alright then, start counting sheep! Once you reach ten thousand, you'll get stronger!"
"Seriously?" Oblivious as ever, Naruto didn't realize Shiki was tricking him and actually started counting sheep.
Later,
Watching the sleeping Naruto, Shiki mused, "Now that I think about it, living alone all this time... maybe nobody ever taught Naruto how to fall asleep?"
Sighing softly, Shiki finally focused on the [Basic Hand Seals] book he'd bought.
The twelve basic seals seemed very simple, yet Shiki found himself captivated.
He imitated each seal while reading, thoroughly intrigued.
Two hours gradually passed, and Shiki felt he'd nearly mastered hand seals, becoming somewhat proficient even.
Suddenly recalling the hand seals for [Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu]—Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Hawk → Tiger.
A sudden urge came over him to try it, though he probably couldn't perform this ninjutsu yet.
Looking around the rundown house, he finally restrained himself with great effort.
Stepping outside, he prepared to find a suitable spot for practice.
P.S. Alright, the third update for today is done. There will be four updates each for tomorrow and the day after to make up for the unstable schedule from the past two days. Please recommend this novel!
Chapter 22: Joining Root?
Time flew by without him even noticing—Shiki had already turned ten. The graduation exam from the Ninja Academy was only two years away.
But Shiki didn't feel the slightest bit worried—he'd already mastered the Three Body Techniques.
No matter which ninjutsu he drew during the graduation exam, he could pass effortlessly.
Compared to that minor issue, what truly concerned him was Danzo. Even though that man had made a promise with the Third in Konoha Hospital—that once Shiki graduated, he would be allowed to choose whether or not to become a member of "Root."
If it were truly up to Shiki's own choice, he would never join "Root." Even joining the Third's Anbu would be better than falling into Danzo's hands.
Only, Shiki couldn't truly believe that Danzo Shimura would actually give him a choice.
After all, this was the same man who'd forced Shisui Uchiha to give up his eyes.
Without Danzo's interference, the tragedy of the Uchiha clan could have been completely avoided. At the time, Shisui had been preparing to use the most powerful genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, to stop the rebellion plan of the Uchiha clan.
Yet Danzo ambushed Shisui precisely at that moment, seizing one of his eyes.
Knowing there was no longer any chance, and fearing others might fight over his eyes, Shisui gave his other eye to Itachi, along with Kotoamatsukami as well. He then pretended to destroy his own eyes and committed suicide by jumping into the Naha River.
Every time Shiki thought about Shisui and Itachi, he found the idea that the Uchiha were a clan born of hatred utterly wrong.
At the very least, hatred was not the unavoidable destiny every Uchiha must carry.
And regarding Danzo being considered an anti-hero, Shiki didn't agree with that either.
Except for the moment when Danzo died—when he did display his dedication to Konoha—nearly all his other actions were driven by personal interests. He competed with the Third for leadership of Konoha and even sent Yamato to assassinate the Third.
Was he really acting for Konoha?
Or was it just for the name "for Konoha"?
Believing himself to carry Konoha's greatest burden, Danzo used ruthless methods without restraint. In Shiki's opinion, Danzo didn't even understand the fundamental meaning of Konoha's existence.
In his hands, Shiki knew he would certainly be forced to accept so-called "sacrifice for the sake of Konoha!"
Thinking about this, the relatively pleasant mood Shiki had earlier became somewhat gloomy.
His hands moved rapidly through a sequence of seals—"Snake, Horse, Monkey, Boar, Bird, Tiger!"
Chakra continuously gathered in his throat. His expression grew serious as he sensed his chakra reaching its peak.
Suddenly, he thrust his head forward. From his mouth erupted a massive fireball, roaring and burning before him.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu.]
Over these past two years, Shiki had long since mastered this C-ranked ninjutsu. Compared to others, his chakra reserves were far greater.
As a result, his Great Fireball Jutsu burned far larger than even Sasuke's.
Yet, despite all that power, Shiki still felt deeply unsatisfied.
"Three years have passed, and I'm still stuck like this."
With only a C-ranked jutsu under his belt, he stood no chance against Danzo whatsoever.
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