Chapter 9: Earning Money to Support Mikoto

After arranging the follow-up matters, Zhixiang went to the cave entrance and said to Mikoto, who came to see him off:

"This is Konoha's Forest of Death. I will come to find you in a while and bring some supplies. Until then, take good care of them and don't wander around. If Konoha finds you, there's nothing I can do."

"I will have it catch some prey for you and guard the surroundings," Zhixiang said, clapping his hands.

A giant centipede's head emerged, the very one Zhixiang had tamed during the day.

"I understand," Uchiha Mikoto replied respectfully. Zhixiang, satisfied, jumped onto the centipede's head and left the place.

As long as those children were there, Mikoto would follow his arrangements obediently.

Given time, she might even become an ally with Mangekyo Sharingan.

As for the possibility of Mikoto turning against him after awakening the Mangekyo,

Zhixiang wasn't worried at all.

Because he had already planted Phosphorus Devourers inside her.

In the short term, Mikoto couldn't resist him.

And it wouldn't be long before Zhixiang believed he could completely win over Uchiha Mikoto.

...

Early the next morning.

Zhixiang looked at himself in the mirror, feeling a bit troubled.

Because his body couldn't accommodate the vast energy feedback from the Phosphorus Devourers,

his body had rapidly matured, making him look like an eleven or twelve-year-old boy.

He was no longer the eight-year-old child he used to be.

This meant he couldn't face his acquaintances and classmates looking like this.

"Sigh."

"What a mess."

After transforming back to his previous appearance using the Transformation Jutsu, Zhixiang sighed helplessly.

That day,

Zhixiang didn't see Sasuke at school.

And on Konoha's streets, there was an inexplicable sense of tension.

Zhixiang knew.

News of the Uchiha massacre had spread throughout Konoha.

Most clans had heard about the Uchiha being annihilated overnight.

Konoha had issued an S-rank bounty for the perpetrator, Uchiha Itachi.

Thus, thirteen-year-old Itachi began his life as an S-rank rogue ninja, becoming 'Suzaku' of the Akatsuki organization.

But this was of no importance to Zhixiang.

He took the opportunity to bring some supplies to Mikoto, instructing her to stay hidden.

Then, he used his insects to investigate how the village was handling the bodies of the Uchiha clan.

After hours of searching, Zhixiang finally found the bodies in a shrine within the Uchiha grounds.

Root members had temporarily discarded the bodies there, waiting for orders on how to proceed.

Zhixiang wouldn't miss this opportunity, quietly sending some Phosphorus Devourers to the shrine to continue devouring the bodies.

He felt no guilt about this.

He had saved over a dozen Uchiha children; collecting some interest was fine.

After all, the Uchiha didn't need these bodies anymore.

The energy feedback from the Phosphorus Devourers significantly increased Zhixiang's chakra reserves and accelerated his physical growth.

Eventually, his body stopped changing after reaching the appearance of a twelve-year-old.

The Uchiha bloodline in Zhixiang also grew stronger, making the use of his Sharingan feel increasingly effortless.

After devouring some of the bodies, Zhixiang stopped to avoid arousing suspicion.

To avoid unintentionally revealing his Sharingan, Zhixiang started wearing sunglasses like a true member of the Aburame clan.

A few days later,

Sasuke returned to school.

His expression hadn't changed much, but his demeanor had.

If Sasuke's previous coldness was an imitation of Itachi,

the current Sasuke was genuinely cold.

Dedicated to avenging his clan, he had become a true avenger.

But this didn't stop Naruto from continuing to pick fights with him.

Though he was always beaten by Sakura and other girls,

Naruto still picked on Sasuke daily, continuing their love-hate rivalry cycle.

Perhaps because of this, Sasuke, although still cold, was no longer completely unapproachable.

In this regard,

Zhixiang fully supported Naruto's actions.

If Sasuke were to call him 'father' in the future, he hoped Sasuke would have a better life.

Of course, hope was one thing, but Zhixiang wouldn't waste time dealing with Sasuke.

He continued his activities methodically.

Finding a new place for Uchiha Mikoto and the others.

Figuring out ways to earn money to support Mikoto.

Getting closer to Mikoto.

Studying the Aburame clan's secret techniques.

Learning summoning jutsu.

Raising insects.

He had plenty to keep himself busy and no interest in unnecessary distractions.

Thinking of this, Zhixiang put down the secret technique scroll and gazed at the blue sky outside the classroom.

"Maybe it's time to start a money-making organization."