Chapter 62. The Chubby Boy

Chapter 62. The Chubby Boy

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After the battle…

Yuto patted Nagato on the shoulder with a mixture of seriousness and satisfaction. Then, he instructed everyone to quickly clean up the battlefield before heading back with their restrained captive and the puppet in tow.

Not long after, they returned.

"So, this guy might actually be the one who killed the Third Kazekage and sparked the Third Ninja World War?" Yahiko froze, staring down at the human puppet lying on the ground. His eyes flashed with shock as he muttered, "I thought it was just a unique puppet, but to think… it's actually the Third Kazekage?!"

When he first saw the puppet using Magnet Release, Yahiko had felt something was off. After all, the Third Kazekage's death was a widely discussed mystery, with Konoha suspected as the culprit.

Now, seeing a Suna ninja controlling a puppet that could use the Magnet Release Bloodline Limit—how could that not seem suspicious?

After all, it's Magnet Release!

A bloodline limit!

Not something just anyone could learn.

Yahiko hesitated, murmuring, "If that's the case, then—"

Before he could finish…

"It's definitely no ordinary puppet." Kana sighed, speaking with a mix of amazement and unease. "After a brief examination, it's highly likely… Yuto-sama's earlier guess was correct."

What could she say?

It was both astonishing and terrifying!

As her words fell, the group exchanged glances, their expressions filled with disbelief.

Who would've thought that the Third Kazekage, rumored to have been assassinated by Konoha, had actually fallen at the hands of one of Sunagakure's own young ninja?

For a moment, silence filled the air.

Everyone seemed shaken, struggling to process the revelation.

After all, this was the Third Kazekage.

A Kage of one of the Five Great Ninja Villages!

It wasn't until a while later that Yahiko finally broke the silence. His expression now serious, he looked at Yuto and asked, "So what do we do next, Brother Yuto?"

"What else can we do? Pretend like we don't know anything." Yuto shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not like we can send the guy's body back to Sunagakure, can we?"

Even if Sunagakure showed gratitude, they'd expose themselves in the process.

There was no need for that.

They didn't need Sunagakure's petty sand, after all.

Besides, they were all ninja. As long as they carried love in their hearts, the rest was… negotiable—for the right price.

No mission, no deal.

"Besides," Yuto continued, "the war isn't going to stop just because the Third Kazekage's death gets clarified. Even if he hadn't died, it wouldn't have prevented this war."

After all, Kumogakure had been biding its time for ages, confident in its abilities. They weren't going to halt their advance easily.

And, unexpectedly, this war had nothing to do with the Third Kazekage's death. Instead, Kumogakure was waging it under the banner of 'Konoha's Lack of Ninja Ethics.'

Yahiko nodded in understanding. Smiling faintly, he added, "We've just captured a rogue ninja infiltrating the Land of Rain. We don't know anything else."

With that, Konan nodded in agreement, while Nagato yawned indifferently.

For some reason, even though the war had ended, Nagato felt an uneasy premonition brewing in his heart—a strange and disconcerting feeling.

It left him worried something bad was on the horizon.

"What about… that Sasori?" Yahiko asked, glancing at Sasori, whose mouth was gagged, limbs tied in an awkward position, and who was hanging unconscious. He chuckled awkwardly. "What are we going to do with him?"

This ropework… clearly the handiwork of the ever-resourceful Brother Yuto.

"Mining!" Yuto grinned cheerfully. "With looks that handsome and fair, it'd be a shame not to put him to work mining."

Hearing this, he slung an arm around Nagato, who was still yawning, causing Nagato to jump in shock.

Fully awake now!

"Come on, Nagato! I didn't expect your mastery of the Rinnegan to reach this level already. Let Brother Yuto check it out and teach you some advanced Yuto theories!"

"No, no… That's really not necessary," Nagato stammered, his face pale.

"Nagato! Don't slack off now! Getting a little power and then slacking is unacceptable! Are you getting complacent? This won't do!" Teacher Yuto scolded him sternly. "The Yuto Theory is derived from the secret techniques of a Legendary Uchiha Ninja. Don't underestimate it! Reciting it daily with focus will yield remarkable results, trust me."

"Can I refuse?"

"Nope! Since you're so eager to learn, I'll even teach you an ancient Uchiha body technique—the Uchiha Dance Technique! This technique can enhance your reaction speed and agility! Do you know why the Legendary Uchiha Ninja's taijutsu was so strong? It's because of this!"

"I… have something I'd like to say, but I don't know if I should."

"No need for thanks! As your Brother Yuto, there's no need for formalities! In fact, I'll even build a dance hall here in a few days so you can practice whenever you want!"

"Mmmm!"

"Excited? Great, come on, let's start now!"

And so, amidst everyone's helpless expressions, Yuto dragged Nagato away.

Kana covered her mouth with a smile and shook her head. "Yuto-sama… he's still the same as ever."

"Yeah… he is," Yahiko and Konan both sighed with wry smiles.

Poor Nagato.

But then again, learning some… alternative skills wouldn't hurt either.

…

At this time.

Konoha.

The Yuto Dance Hall had been open for a few days, and it seemed lively inside.

Passersby walking outside could hear peculiar songs emanating from within—both electrifying and stimulating.

Unfortunately, since Yuto had left before the grand opening and no official ceremony was held, the launch wasn't as bustling as the opening day of Yuto BBQ.

Luckily, the system had lent a hand.

Many people passing by would pause, standing curiously outside for a moment.

Their curiosity eventually got the better of them, and they ventured inside.

Of course, now wasn't the best time to hold an elaborate opening ceremony in the village, given that most of the village's ninja were away. A grand event might have sent the wrong message.

On the first day, the Uchiha Chief Elder arrived with a membership card, bringing along Hyuga Hana to take a curious look.

Not bad.

The sound system was pretty loud!

...

Today.

It was a bright and sunny day, with a gentle breeze and clear skies.

At home, a bored little chubby hamster was sunbathing in the courtyard when the Chief Elder approached and whisked him away.

The reasoning?

Children should stay active.

Otherwise, they might gain weight too easily.

Itachi didn't mind. After all, his mother was out playing mahjong with Sister Suzune, and his father was busy working. He was alone at home with nothing to do.

Tagging along with the Elder seemed better than staying bored at home.

However…

It was too noisy here.

Sipping a cup of milk tea, Itachi idly swung his legs as he stared at the Chief Elder in the center of the dance floor, dressed in peculiar attire.

The pants were tight at the knees but flared widely at the ankles, resembling the morning glories growing in the garden corners.

So strange.

Where had the Chief Elder even bought such a thing? He'd never seen anything like it before.

Still, as Itachi watched, it seemed oddly amusing.

So, he kept watching.

What he didn't notice was…

Nearby.

A small girl rested her chin in her hands, blinking her sparkling eyes. A tiny teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her right eye added a playful charm to her adorable demeanor.

She swung her little legs, curiously observing the quiet boy sipping milk tea not far away.

That chubby little boy—he seemed so cute!

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Everyone, Happy Christmas! 🎄 🎅