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"This is interesting… I didn't expect the Hokage to personally show up over something this trivial,"
Akira muttered, watching Sarutobi Hiruzen make his dramatic entrance with all the flair of a seasoned legend. He didn't look happy about it.
Just then, the familiar system chime rang in his mind.
[Ding… Temporary mission triggered!]
[Mission objective: Make the always-unshakable Sarutobi Hiruzen lose his temper—by any means necessary!]
[Mission reward: +2 sign-in attempts]
Oh snap! Another mission!
Two sign-ins still isn't much, but this one seemed simple.
Making Hiruzen lose his cool? That should be easy… Akira stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Tokuma hit the ground hard, but he didn't even care about his sore behind.
He was overcome with righteous indignation, launching into a dramatic confession directly at Hiruzen.
"Lord Third! I've suffered terribly! Not only was I beaten mercilessly, but I was publicly humiliated! If you hadn't stepped in to save me, I don't think I'd even have the courage to live on!"
Then, trembling with anger, he pointed at Akira and shouted,
"The culprit—the one responsible—is this kid! Lord Third, you must not let him get away!"
"Don't worry! As Hokage, I cannot allow anyone to harm a fellow village member. I will make sure justice is served!"
Hiruzen's words of reassurance immediately brought tears of gratitude to Tokuma's eyes.
He had made up his mind—he would join the Anbu, dedicating his life to serving the Hokage!
Once the emotional scene was settled, Hiruzen turned his gaze to Akira, his expression stern.
"Though I don't know why your power suddenly surged, it doesn't give you the right to attack your fellow villagers!
"As a member of the Konoha family, the strength you possess should protect your comrades, not harm them.
"But look at what you've done, Uchiha Akira! You not only injured a fellow shinobi severely, you humiliated them as well. That's absolutely unacceptable!
"Your actions are tantamount to open rebellion. You'd be hunted down by all of Konoha for this!"
Hiruzen's face was heavy with sorrow, a twinge of regret in his eyes.
"To think someone so young would carry the stigma of betraying their village… what a waste! Truly a waste…"
Akira crossed his arms, expressionless, silently watching Hiruzen perform his grand speech.
Seeing no reaction, Hiruzen quickly changed tack.
"However, considering your age, and the fact that this sudden power has made you lose your way…
"I can understand why you acted as you did.
"Still, you've made mistakes, and even at your age, you must take responsibility for them."
He paused for dramatic effect, feigning deep thought before continuing.
"Join the Anbu. There, I will personally train you to become a proper Konoha ninja. Serving the Anbu means serving the village as a whole.
"This way, you will grow stronger, and your past mistakes can be redeemed."
Akira rolled his eyes. So after all that drama, Hiruzen's plan was just to recruit him.
On second thought, it made sense. That old fox of a Hokage—seeing a powerful, talented child—would naturally want to bring him back into the fold and shape him.
After all, Uchiha Itachi had been a perfect example of Hiruzen's… persuasive tutoring.
"This… isn't right!"
Hyuga Tokuma said weakly.
Wasn't the Hokage supposed to avenge him? How did it turn into trying to recruit that little brat into the Anbu? And from the sound of it, the kid might even become a personal disciple!
What was happening? He was completely dumbfounded.
"I have my own plans!"
Hiruzen brushed him off with a wave, ignoring him entirely.
A regular Jonin's words couldn't compare to a prodigy like Akira.
Then Hiruzen extended a hand, his face blooming with a benevolent, grandfatherly smile.
"Come, little Akira. Let me teach you the Will of Fire. With your strength, you are meant to shine for Konoha!"
In his mind, a personal invitation from the Hokage, so gracious and respectful, would surely compel Akira to accept immediately.
Another capable, loyal subordinate in the making—Hiruzen felt a surge of satisfaction.
"Get lost! Stop making that disgusting face at me! I almost threw up my leftover food just looking at it!
"And don't call me anything so gross! One more word from you, and I swear I'll smash that ugly mouth of yours!"
Hiruzen's warm smile froze. Since becoming Hokage, no one had ever spoken to him like that.
He reminded himself—stay calm. The kid was just a child speaking without filter. Parents were mostly to blame for this bratty attitude.
Hiruzen's gaze then turned to Fugaku, who had been watching silently.
"Fugaku, is this the son you've raised? How did you teach him? He has no respect for his elders, daring to speak to the Hokage like this!"
Fugaku didn't even blink, continuing to watch the drama unfold. He secretly enjoyed seeing the old fox get called out.
At that moment, the head of Hiruzen's guards couldn't hold back any longer.
To let the Hokage be publicly humiliated? That was unthinkable. He stepped forward, fury in his voice.
"You brat! Watch your tone! It is a great honor that the Hokage recognizes your talent! And yet you have the audacity to insult him—"
Slap!
Crack!
"When did a dog like you get to interrupt?"
In an instant, Akira appeared before the guard captain, slapping him so hard he flew several meters.
The guard's mask shattered completely, his nose twisted, teeth scattered, blood gushing from his face as he passed out cold.
"Uchiha Akira! To strike a fellow villager in front of me—is this your idea of becoming a traitor to Konoha?"
Hiruzen shouted in fury, his eyes burning with anger.
To attack a guard in front of him? The audacity!
Too arrogant! Too reckless! This wasn't just a brat—this was a little demon!
Sure enough, most Uchiha were naturally born troublemakers.
…
Well, looks like he's mad now… Akira raised an eyebrow.
And just like that, the system chimed.
[Ding… Mission complete. Sign-in attempts +2]
"..."
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