Chapter 144

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"I've already signed you up for the Chunin Exam, but before that, I have a method here that can enhance your strength. Consider if you want to use it."

Before Yōichi could finish, Akane raised her hand and said, "Yōichi-sensei, I'll use it!"

"So decisive? I haven't even said what it is yet."

Rumi spoke up, "Anyway, Yōichi-sensei wouldn't harm us. Since sensei has suggested it, it must be suitable for us."

Kazuhito also nodded in agreement; they were all Genin, what would be so significant that Yōichi-sensei would think of them?

"Well, since you all are willing, that's fine, but I still have to tell you, I'm preparing a trump card for life-and-death situations for you, called the Sage Transformation."

After explaining the Sage Transformation to the three, Yōichi also cautioned them not to rely too heavily on it.

He then described the method to activate the Sage Transformation, which was an improved version by Orochimaru. First, they must slowly integrate senjutsu chakra into their bodies.

Sealing senjutsu chakra every three days, combined with improved pills, they would be able to activate the Sage Transformation with their own chakra mixed with senjutsu chakra after three times.

This type of transformation doesn't cause any physical changes but forms a sinister pattern of Sage Transformation on the face.

However, the power it grants is comparable to activating Sage Mode, greatly enhancing chakra levels, boosting the power of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, as well as enhancing sensory abilities and reducing the sensation of pain.

These are the benefits of Sage Mode.

Among the three students of Yōichi, Rumi might see the most significant enhancement from activating Sage Mode, given her already Chunin-level taijutsu skills. With the increase in speed and strength, she could easily dodge enemy ninjutsu.

Activating Sage Mode, however, consumes a great deal of physical energy; with their current physical condition, they could last about five to six minutes.

After the first session of chakra sealing, all three were exhausted, their bodies soaked with sweat.

"That's enough for today. Although it's the first time we've sealed senjutsu chakra, you must not relax in your training. You should start to feel the changes in your body. Go and rest for now."

Yōichi thought for a moment and decided to offer them a reward: "If any of you ranks first in the Chunin Exam, I will personally award you a highly defensive ninja suit."

"This suit is currently only worn by Uchiha clan members, and even within the Uchiha clan, not everyone has been outfitted."

Although the production of the ninja combat suits had increased slightly, there were still only a few more each month, not enough to equip all clan members, but Yōichi could still set aside one.

Hearing this great news, the eyes of Akane and the others lit up, and they unanimously exclaimed, "Thank you, Yōichi-sensei!"

They knew Yōichi-sensei was never stingy. Offering such a reward for first place was surely something valuable.

They couldn't wait to train hard for the upcoming Chunin Exam in just over ten days.

This area behind Yōichi's house was basically marked as his restricted area, where he typically trained or taught his students.

Having just sealed Senjutsu chakra, the trio was too drained, so after bidding farewell, they slowly made their way out, heading home.

As they left, they ran into Yugito returning.

Lately, Yugito had been wandering around Konoha. Although her seals had been released, allowing her to use chakra and reconnect with the Two-Tails, the idea of returning to her village had been utterly dismissed.

The recent assassination attempt had completely dashed her hopes of returning to the Cloud Village. Yugito feared that even if she returned, the Cloud ninjas wouldn't trust her and would still want to forcibly extract the Two-Tails.

Facing a village that wanted her dead, even if Yugito set aside all grievances, the village would still doubt her loyalty.

After grabbing a bunch of food from the fridge to replenish her energy—since switching to a Konoha forehead protector, her treatment had improved significantly, at least never lacking food in the fridge, and it tasted pretty good too—Yugito prepared to head back to her room.

Just then, Yōichi returned and, seeing Yugito, called out to her, "Yugito, the Chunin Exam is coming up soon. But this time, the Cloud ninjas will participate, and I suspect they're here for you. If you don't want to see them, just stay in the Uchiha district."

Hearing that the Cloud ninjas were coming, Yugito instinctively showed a look of repulsion.

After a moment of silence, she continued towards her room but not before saying, "Understood. I won't leave the Uchiha district during that time."

Just after Yugito entered her room, Mina returned.

Mina had come back at noon at Yōichi's call. Upon entering the house and seeing Yōichi, she ran up and hugged him, rubbing her face against his chest affectionately.

"Yōichi-sama, did you call me back at noon because you missed me? I missed you too—"

Smack, smack, smack, smack!

Yōichi immediately lifted Mina's skirt and gave her several slaps, even causing her flesh to ripple.

Mina gasped, her face quickly flushing red, as she gazed adoringly at Yōichi.

"Today we have serious matters to discuss, so let's talk properly."

Yōichi lifted Mina and sat down on the sofa, letting her sit on his lap. Mina, on her own initiative, placed her silk-wrapped legs on his hand.

"Orochimaru has obtained the Hashirama cells and a test subject. Use the method you developed in the Dream Realm to create a Wood Release bloodline for him, then give him the technique. After that, bring the Hashirama cells back."

Hearing Yōichi's instructions, Mina asked with a blush, "Yōichi-sama, there are three fusion methods. Which one should I use?"

"Use the least effective one. Orochimaru will likely conduct his own research, and since he's already made a large profit, there's no need to give him the best one. Once you bring back the Hashirama cells, we'll use them for me, you, and Mikoto."

As Yōichi spoke, he played with the silk-clad legs that Mina had placed in his hands.

Mina, her cheeks still flushed, asked, "Understood. Then I'll leave a shadow clone at the hospital in Konoha. But, Yōichi-sama, is there a reward for completing this task?"

Smack, smack, smack!

The last time he had to deal with Mina clinging to him, draining his strength, and then like an octopus, preventing him from secretly visiting Mikoto, it was all Mina.

Yōichi gave her a few more firm slaps and then said, "There's no reward, but there will be punishment if it's not done well."

The three methods for fusing Hashirama cells that Mina had developed in the Dream Realm were all effective, but the best involved external fusion—using Yōichi's cells and Hashirama cells cultivated together.

By achieving a balanced fusion before transplanting it back into the body, they could fully inherit the power of the Hashirama cells, unleashing the potent life energy within the cells.

This method was complicated and required various medicinal agents to inhibit the encroachment of the Hashirama cells. Otherwise, the potent life force within the cells could overwhelm the recipient's cells, eventually turning the person into a massive tree.

Fortunately, a complete transplantation method and the necessary medicinal agents had been developed, thanks in part to the miraculous capabilities of the Dream Realm.

In the afternoon, Mina let only a shadow clone go to the hospital. After the war ended, the number of injured had sharply decreased, and the Konoha Hospital wasn't as busy.

And since Mina was now a medical jonin and the head of the Second Medical Squad, she didn't need to concern herself with minor injuries and ailments on a daily basis, so she went to Orochimaru's research base that afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mikoto was also meeting with some people in her office next to the super market, where she usually worked.

Now, clan members in charge of specific business operations would come there to consult with Mikoto, and if she couldn't handle something, they would turn to Yōichi for a decision.

Mikoto was currently meeting with representatives from the orphanages around Konoha, totaling four, to which the Uchiha clan planned to provide funding.

The largest had over eighty children, and the smallest also had more than thirty, combining for over two hundred orphans across the four orphanages.

The Uchiha clan intended to donate seven thousand ryō per child to help these orphanages continue operating.

The directors of these orphanages were deeply moved when they heard the news today, and they hurriedly thanked Mikoto.

Konoha's allocation for them was only a hundred thousand ryō per month, and two directors were continuously taking in orphans, making this amount utterly insufficient.

Sometimes this allocation would be delayed for a long time. While Konoha took excellent care of the orphans of ninjas, ensuring they received their pensions without delay, the orphans in these institutions were all civilian children.

Some were even adopted from outside Konoha, and the village did at most ensure they didn't starve, with no chance for anything better.

The expenses for orphans of this age group were not very high; three thousand ryō per month could feed them, and the seven thousand ryō Mikoto provided could even allow for better meals and new clothes occasionally.

"Thank you so much, Mikoto-sama."

"Indeed, we're grateful to the Uchiha clan; otherwise, it would have been hard to keep running."

Mikoto gently shook her head and said, "This is the clan leader's order; I'm just following it. Also, the clan leader mentioned that if there are children suitable to become ninjas, the Uchiha clan will also sponsor their education at the ninja academy."

"Thank the Uchiha clan leader; this gives the children hope."

"Thank you, Mikoto-sama, and the Uchiha clan leader."

The orphanage directors thanked her profusely. Although being a ninja involved risks, for these orphans, it represented the best possible path forward.

One of the directors, who resembled Mikoto in demeanor, adjusted her ample chest and thought with relief, 'With the financial issue resolved, I can comfortably leave the Root now.'

Yakushi Nono had long planned to leave the Root organization and had even submitted a request to the Third Hokage. However, Root repeatedly withheld funding from her orphanage, forcing her to continue gathering intelligence for them in exchange for financial support.

With the donation from the Uchiha clan, she could now peacefully spend her days at the orphanage with the children.

After receiving a donation form, the four directors left Mikoto's office while continuously expressing their gratitude.

This amount of money was not significant for the Uchiha clan, and even ninjas like Yaonoyu, who took frequent missions, could afford to support these orphanages.

However, this small sum could enhance the Uchiha's reputation significantly. After the donation, Yōichi had the event reported in the newspapers of the Fire Country.

There's no need to hide good deeds. Now, whenever the Uchiha clan did something commendable, they made sure to promote it. Although not many ninjas read the newspaper, persistent publicity would eventually spread their good reputation.

After the directors left, Mikoto continued to work on various matters. The business operations of the Uchiha clan were expanding.

Pharmaceuticals, ninja games, the super market and food districts within Konoha, a magic goat breeding farm, and now three bookstores, a newspaper, and a television station had been added. They had also invested in a computer-related factory, although it had yet to produce any results.

But according to Yōichi, computers would play a critical role in the ninja world in the future, potentially becoming a key industry controlled by the Uchiha.

Mikoto worked until dusk, still processing documents when she suddenly felt a pair of hands reaching around her waist from behind.

"Who? Yōichi-kun, don't scare me like that next time~"

Initially startled, Mikoto relaxed when she saw it was Yōichi and playfully scolded him.

"It's gotten late, Mikoto, let's go home."

Yōichi advised, "You can't finish all this work in one day. Find a few clan members to help you. I've heard that many of them feel embarrassed about receiving so much from the Uchiha welfare system and want to contribute to the clan."

"I understand. Let's leave it at that for today."

Feeling the warm breath near her ear and the hands gradually moving up her waist, Mikoto's cheeks flushed.

Then, she tidied up her office a bit and followed Yōichi home.

The two now acted like a married couple, and although Mina was also part of their lives, Mikoto still felt blissfully happy.

If she ever came home late, Yōichi would immediately come to find her. This feeling of being valued was something Mikoto had never experienced before.

"Huh?"

Mikoto suddenly stopped, prompting Yōichi to ask, "What's wrong?"

"I think I forgot something."

"Did you leave something in the office?"

"It seems so, but maybe not."

"Let's check it tomorrow then. It won't go missing anyway, and there are guards patrolling at night."

Reassured by Yōichi's words, Mikoto nodded and stopped worrying.

After walking a bit more and seeing that they were almost home and that the road was deserted, Mikoto boldly reached out and grabbed Yōichi's hand, whispering, "Let's go home, Anata~"

----------------

In the darkness of the night, a gentle moonlight shone through the window, casting its light on Mikoto's figure.

On the other side, bathed in moonlight, a young boy sat on the doorstep. It was deep into the night, but he had not gone to sleep.

"Itachi, why aren't you sleeping yet? Is something on your mind?"

Shisui approached Itachi, who was sitting there. Being up so late meant he must be troubled, perhaps missing his parents.

"It's nothing, I'll go to sleep now. Shisui, you should sleep early too."

Itachi stood up, patted his trousers, and prepared to return inside. But before he did, he glanced one last time down the road.

It was dark, but the figure he had long been waiting for was not there.

(End of Chapter)