Chapter 58. Stay Away from Psychopaths

Chapter 58. Stay Away from Psychopaths

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"Ah-choo!"

Walking along the street, Uchiha Setsuna suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose, frowning in confusion. "Strange. Why does my nose feel a little itchy all of a sudden?"

"You've caught a cold."

"Hmph! Are you joking with me?" The Chief Elder sneered disdainfully at Hyuga Hana. "This old body of mine is still as robust as ever. How could I catch a cold?"

"…" Are you an idiot?

Hyuga Hana cast a faint glance at him but didn't say anything further, continuing her slow and steady pace forward.

After walking for a while, a gentle night breeze brushed past, stirring her silvery-white hair.

Hana suddenly halted, causing Setsuna to look at her in confusion.

She elegantly lifted her head, gazing at the starlit Konoha sky. In a calm, wistful tone, she said, "We've grown old, haven't we?"

Her words lingered in the air.

The Chief Elder froze for a moment, then also lifted his head. His cloudy eyes gazed at the bright moon above, and his tone softened, the aged voice sounding wistful. "Yes… we've grown old."

...

"Second Elder."

"Hmph!"

"???"

Shisui blinked in confusion, watching as the Second Elder let out a cold snort and left with his attendants without a word. Hesitant, he asked, "What's wrong with the Second Elder today?"

Normally, when Shisui greeted him, the Second Elder wouldn't say much or smile, but he would at least nod in acknowledgment.

Today? Something seemed off.

"The water runs too deep; he can't handle it," Yuto sighed, a look of someone who had seen it all, as he shook his head. "Don't overthink it. He'll probably be fine in a few days."

The Uchiha clan could be divided into three types of people:

A Dog Licker.

A Little Brother-Con.

A Big Brother-Con.

But without a doubt, almost all of them were a bit unhinged and not to be provoked.

As the only "sane person" in the Uchiha clan, Yuto often found himself utterly exasperated.

Turning to Shisui with a curious look, he asked, "So, what brings you to me?"

"Sorry to bother you, Yuto-senpai."

Although Yuto-senpai often joked about wanting to be his father, Shisui treated it as a joke and didn't take it seriously.

Shisui hesitated for a moment, looking slightly embarrassed. Finally, after some internal struggle, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a heavily worn book, his eyes sparkling with curiosity as he lowered his voice. "Yuto-senpai, why isn't there a next volume of this? I checked the bookstore, but they only have up to this one!"

"…"

Yuto was momentarily stunned, then affectionately patted Shisui on the shoulder. "You silly boy. Liking to read is a good thing. Why are you acting so shy about it?"

So short, and he's already finished the three volumes? The protagonist had already reached Yunlangakure!

[T/N: I haven't read Battle Through the Heavens. Is there a place named Yunlan?]

It seemed Yuto himself hadn't been spending time on these books lately and might need to catch up on these "boring" reads to guide this kid along.

Good boy!

That said, Yuto rubbed his forehead with mild exasperation. "Jiraiya-sensei hasn't finished the next volume yet. It'll probably take some time."

Jiraiya hadn't gone out for inspiration in a while. How could he have the energy to write? And there was also the matter of the ongoing war…

"I see…" Shisui nodded in disappointment, bowing respectfully. "Sorry for bothering you, Yuto-senpai."

With that, he turned and left, taking little Itachi with him.

"What's wrong with Shisui?" Suzune curiously walked over, noticing his dejected expression. "Why does he look so lost?"

Then, she gave Yuto a strange look. Could this be about him wanting Shisui to call him Dad again?

She couldn't help but wonder: why did Yuto enjoy being called someone's father so much?

After some hesitation, she ventured, "Dad?"

Smack!

What are you thinking, girl?

Yuto looked at Suzune in exasperation and flicked her forehead. "You're my secretary!"

"I-I… uh…" Suzune blushed, covering her head in embarrassment. It just slipped out…

Nearby, Nono and Kushina couldn't help but chuckle, casting amused glances at the pair.

Shortly after, Kushina stood up and stretched. Seeming quite cheerful, she smiled and said, "I'm heading back now. Be careful tonight~"

"…"

The three remaining people exchanged speechless looks as Kushina walked off.

"Thank you for the hospitality today." Nono smiled faintly, hesitating for a moment before offering Yuto another soft word of thanks. "Thank you. Take care on your way home."

"???" Yuto scratched his chin, puzzled as he watched Nono leave.

"She seems to have something on her mind," Suzune remarked softly, also watching Nono's departing figure. "I noticed it earlier, even when we were playing mahjong."

"Maybe the orphanage is low on funds, and she's too embarrassed to say," Yuto mused, shaking his head with a helpless smile. He glanced one last time in Nono's direction.

Or maybe… it's the war?

He had heard rumors that during the Chunin Exams, Iwagakure had inquired about Danzo. The details were unclear, but perhaps Danzo felt slighted and sent his top spy into action early?

Sigh… Only, I don't know where Kabuto is now.

But still, Danzo was acting even after the bounty…

"It's still too low."

After all this time, no one had dared to take the job!

"Hm?" Suzune asked curiously. "What's too low?"

"Nothing," Yuto said, snapping out of his thoughts with a smile. "It's getting late. We should head back too."

"Mm." Suzune nodded lightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

As they walked together, Suzune broke the silence after a while.

"Yuto, are you planning to leave again?" she asked softly.

"Yeah." Yuto nodded.

As his secretary, it wasn't surprising she'd know about his schedule. Maybe she had even guessed it.

"There's some business to take care of. I'll need to leave for a bit."

"But the situation outside right now…"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Yuto said with a wink and a confident smile. "I'm strong, remember?"

"I… I believe in you." Suzune smiled back gently. "I'll wait for your return."

...

The Next Day

Yuto visited the orphanage but didn't see Nono. After leaving instructions with the staff, he departed.

Later, he picked up the travel permit Suzune had prepared for him and got ready to set off.

Although the Hokage found it curious that a businessman like Yuto was traveling during such turbulent times, Yuto casually replied, "War is full of opportunities." Satisfied with the answer, the Third Hokage didn't press further.

After all, Yuto was a merchant. It was common for Konoha's local merchants to come and go freely.

In the ninja world, merchants occupied a unique and vital niche.

After delegating his affairs to Suzune, Yuto set out with his bodyguards.

...

Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain.

Yahiko opened a secret letter he had received, his curiosity piqued. After a quick read, a small smile appeared on his face. "Brother Yuto is visiting us in a few days."

"Really?" Konan's face lit up with joy as she jumped up. "Sister Kana, that's wonderful! Brother Yuto is coming again!"

"Mm." Kana paused, then gently patted Konan's head and smiled warmly, like a caring elder sister. "That's great news."

She looked at the three children in front of her, feeling a faint warmth in her heart.

She was deeply grateful for her current life—and for the person who had given her this life, Yuto-sama.

Truly, she was thankful.

Nagato, meanwhile, yawned lazily. Though the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, he always remembered.

He would always remember what Brother Yuto told him.

Stay away from psychopaths.

Elsewhere, another red-haired young man stood silently. His delicate features bore a calm, emotionless expression as he gazed at the misty rain falling gently over the Land of Rain.

"The Land of Rain, huh?" he murmured, his voice soft yet firm.

After a pause, he lifted his foot and began walking forward.