Chapter 40. Uchiha Yuto Will Go Bankrupt Eventually
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When the Konoha Jonin arrived, the commotion quickly came to an end.
The Kumo Ninja Team Leader scolded his subordinates, ordering them to stop, and exchanged a few polite but hollow words with Minato. And with that, the matter was settled, and they went on to enter the Yuto BBQ joint.
No tables available?
The server promptly cleared a spot as soon as that odd black-haired young man appeared.
But—
Uchiha Yuto?
Are members of the Uchiha clan without ninja talent going into business? But after gathering information from their earlier observations, the Kumo ninjas understood the purpose of those banner ads.
Being able to advertise during such an important time… that person must be something else.
Could it be that he's using the Uchiha clan's name?
As expected.
A ninja clan going into business like this is simply irresponsible!
Even the noble Uchiha clan of Konohagakure has fallen. It seems Konohagakure's back-to-back wins in the Ninja World Wars have made them arrogant, teaching them only to indulge in pleasures.
This time…
Maybe it truly is the chance Kumogakure has been waiting for!
You must know that since their repeated defeats by Konoha, their great Raikage had begun to work hard to govern the village, quietly strengthening it and intensifying the training of Kumo ninjas.
As one side gains, the other loses… With Konoha declining as Kumo gains strength… they would be victorious!
"Namikaze Minato…" the Kumo Ninja Team Leader muttered, deep in thought, "Such unbelievable speed!"
Earlier, he hadn't even noticed Minato's arrival. Rumor had it that a Konohagakure ninja had learned the space-time jutsu of the Second Hokage, and that ninja's name was… Namikaze Minato!
And that little Uchiha is his student…
Judging by the reactions of the Hokage's son and other Konoha ninjas, that Uchiha kid must possess some terrifying jutsu or extraordinary skill. But from his scuffle with Omoi and Nii Yugito just now… he seemed rather ordinary.
Why is that?
Could he be hiding his true strength?
Or perhaps he's a jutsu-based prodigy?
The Kumo Ninja Team Leader couldn't be sure if his guess was right, but there was no doubt… another genius had appeared in Konoha!
Even earlier, Minato had watched his student with an intensity that suggested he was expecting something serious to happen if Obito used that jutsu.
That scene was just too odd!
Even the Jonin looked tense!
A genius! A genius, no doubt, of extraordinary caliber.
And then there's Kakashi, a famed heir of the Hatake clan, along with the Hokage's son.
Konohagakure truly lives up to its reputation as the cradle of geniuses!
It's clear now that for the upcoming Chunin Exams, Konohagakure intends to showcase its strength and its future prospects to the other villages.
After analyzing the information gathered so far, the Kumo Ninja Team Leader's face shifted uncertainly before he sighed, shaking his head, and murmured, "Konohagakure… truly a cradle of geniuses."
"Bah! Genius?!" Omoi, standing beside him, scoffed disdainfully. "That kind of skill is 'genius'? Don't be ridiculous! Is that all Konoha ninjas are capable of? They're just full of themselves."
"Shut up!" the Kumo Ninja Team Leader shouted, glaring at Omoi. Looking back at the other Kumo ninjas, who seemed equally unimpressed, he frowned. "Is that what you all think?"
"Sensei, isn't that right?" Omoi looked bewildered as his teacher's tone suddenly turned serious. "Even the one they were most afraid of, I sent flying with a single kick. As for the others… heh."
"If you all think that way, you'll suffer a great loss! Fools!" the Kumo Ninja Team Leader laughed bitterly. Noticing the confused expressions of his subordinates, he took a deep breath and continued, "Remember the Konoha Jonin just now? When that little Uchiha was about to use his jutsu, even the Konoha Jonin was deadly serious! That means that kid is definitely hiding a terrifying jutsu!"
"?!" The Kumo Genin snapped to attention, remembering that moment… those Konoha ninjas did seem genuinely fearful that the kid would use some kind of jutsu.
Could it be…
He really was hiding his strength?!
Omoi also frowned, because at that moment he remembered the sight of those scarlet eyes.
In that instant… he'd felt an inexplicable fear!
A chill ran down his spine.
It was as if something terrible was about to happen.
Hearing this, Omoi muttered to himself in confusion, "What kind of terrifying jutsu could it be?"
"Insufficient intel; even I don't know it either," the Kumo Ninja Team Leader shook his head and, looking solemnly at his subordinates who were beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation, said, "But without a doubt, it's a very dangerous jutsu—at least A-rank, maybe even a forbidden jutsu!"
For someone so young to have learned such a formidable technique, there was no question about it: "He's absolutely a genius!"
"So, Sensei… what should we do?" The Genin participating in the exam also grew serious.
"Don't worry." Seeing the concern on his subordinates' faces, the Kumo Ninja Team Leader offered a reassuring smile. "Now that we're aware of it, he won't be able to catch us off guard… Konoha's geniuses have quite a few villages watching them. Tomorrow, if you get the chance, strike first—don't give him the time to perform his jutsu. And if there's an opportunity..." A flash of malice appeared in his eyes, "Kill him!"
A genius? Only a genius who survives is a true genius! And besides, they have secret weapons.
The Kumo Ninja Team Leader glanced at the blonde-haired girl on his team, then looked deeply at the grill in front of him and murmured, "A Konoha genius… Uchiha Obito, is it?"
...
"Obito… you've awakened the Sharingan?" Minato looked at Obito in front of him with relief.
He did seem more mature.
Was it because he had grown up?
However—
"Didn't I tell you not to use that jutsu unless there's a real danger?" Minato said seriously, looking at Obito. "Why did you use it again?"
With so many watching, including ninjas from other villages… if he'd ended up using it against a female ninja from Kumogakure… did Obito realize how serious the consequences could be?
However, Obito stayed silent, offering no explanation or answer.
In that moment…
He only wanted to win!
If he were a genius like Kakashi… would Rin then join him for milk tea?
No! I'm not the same as before!
He became determined again and thought of that philosophical saying in his mind, yet a moment later he recalled Rin's sweet smile, leaving him conflicted.
Women? Or Ninjutsu? He felt lost. As expected… was it that his resolve wasn't strong enough?
But to everyone else, he looked deeply troubled, almost helpless. Even Minato, who had been ready to give him a serious lecture, softened his tone, speaking gently. "Obito, are you dealing with something difficult? If it's hard to handle alone, share it—Sensei will help you!"
"That's right, Obito!" Rin said, taking his hand with a look of genuine concern. "If you have any worries, please share them. We're here to help you, Obito."
Seeing Rin's concern only made Obito feel more torn. In that moment, the confidence his Sharingan gave him seemed to fade away. As expected, Rin still does have me in her heart. A warmth filled his heart, and that silly smile appeared. Taking the chance to confess his feelings, he started, "Rin, I…"
But before he could say more—
Thwack!
A sudden smack on the back of his head.
And a familiar, exasperated voice chimed in, "Why are you so sentimental at such a young age? Feeling down? If you're unhappy, I'll take you out to have fun! Your Minato-sensei is an old customer and knows all the best spots for a good time! Let him take you out to relax!"
Ah, an Uchiha with psychological issues, just as expected. This silly kid was getting all philosophical, even when he's only unlocked a single tomoe!
Damn it!
And with that—
"…"
Everyone stared at him in silence, and Minato awkwardly scratched his head. "Yuto's just kidding. I have no idea what he's talking about."
As for Obito…
"Ahhh! You bastard, it took so much for me to gather that courage!"
Obito was back to his usual self. He scratched his head in frustration, glaring at Uchiha Yuto. Remember this! When I become Hokage, that'll be the day you go bankrupt!