Konoha: Uchiha Extremists? Offering Loyalty!

Chapter 15: Offering 'Loyalty' to Hiruzen Sarutobi

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the book he had brought, sat opposite Yuuki, and put his signature pipe in his mouth.

His face wasn't completely covered by age spots yet, and one could still vaguely see a hint of youthful vigor.

"Haha, did I disturb your studies?" Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed as he handed over the book, praising, "I heard you're researching summoning beasts. That's amazing. You're only nine years old and you can already study ninjutsu on your own."

His gaze swept quickly across a stack of books, and when he spotted several newly printed volumes of the 'Will of Fire' series, his smile became even more benevolent.

He's such a good kid!

Yuuki scratched his head in frustration: "Hokage-sama, you flatter me. It's a pity that I haven't made any progress in the research for so long. I'm truly ashamed of the education I received at the Ninja Academy."

That's right, the last sentence was sarcastic.

Since the Ninja Academy implemented reforms six years ago, the ninjutsu knowledge taught has become increasingly superficial.

Reduce the difficulty of acquiring knowledge and support the rise of ordinary ninjas.

From the village's perspective, the policy was not problematic, but it also suppressed the growth of the ninja children.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't catch the sarcasm. Who would think that a cheerful, sunny nine-year-old boy would have bad intentions?

He laughed heartily a few times: "Ninja research can't be rushed. It's good that you, a child, have the desire to do research."

“When I was nine years old, I wasn’t as clever as you.”

If you know it's difficult, then at least update the library's materials!

When Yuuki was reading the books in the library, he was afraid that he might accidentally tear the antiques to pieces.

"Is there anything you don't understand? I can help you with it," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

"Really?" Yuuki asked hopefully, handing a portion of the less important notes to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Before even taking the notebook, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to explain the origins of summoning beasts in a serious and methodical manner: "Summoning beasts are great partners for ninjas to enhance their combat power. After signing a contract, ninjas can summon summoning beasts to assist in combat, or they can have them fight directly, deliver intelligence, and gather information."

Kids are arrogant, what do they know?

Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't believe that Yuuki is really researching summoning beasts.

Even if an orphan has the surname Uchiha, he is unlikely to achieve anything significant!

I doubt he could even get through a few obscure books.

This is no longer the era of seven or eight-year-old children going to war!

Explaining the principles of the technique in passing would probably be enough to appease the child.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke eloquently.

"Summoning techniques require a significant amount of chakra... Summoning beasts can be trained and..."

Yuuki gave an awkward smile.

"Lord Hokage, I understand."

"Is that so? It seems this old man has been too long-winded." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to the first page of his notebook, his smile instantly freezing on his face.

Awkward!

He read quickly, his expression gradually becoming serious.

The thought process is complete!

In theory, as long as we proceed step by step, we can almost certainly cultivate the finished product!

But unfortunately, it's just theory.

The experimental methods involving injecting different amounts of chakra cost an astronomical sum.

The ants themselves are worthless, but their 'houses' are valuable.

However, his childish excuses are probably a bit embarrassing; he needs to show some real skill.

However, his development level was only so-so, so he could only start with ninjutsu techniques.

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice and formed a hand seal with his hands. "Your experimental method is very complete. Let me teach you a technique to save chakra."

"Yuuki, watch closely!" Hiruzen Sarutobi clasped his hands together twice, forming two hand seals. "By channeling chakra like this, you only need two hand seals to activate the Summoning Jutsu!"

"Spiritualization Technique, Monkey!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft shout!

As the smoke cleared, a small monkey, about the height of a calf, appeared.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

Yuuki blinked speechlessly, offering a perfunctory compliment: "Such amazing technique..."

Dispelling the summoning jutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "Don't underestimate this technique; it can save one-fifth of your chakra each time you cast it."

"Saving chakra, huh? Then I'll give it a try!" Yuuki formed the Boar Hand Seal, preparing to unleash a summoning jutsu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. This kid was really impatient. "Without a contract with a summoning beast, you can't..."

Before he could finish speaking...

"Spiritual communication!"

Yuuki calmly formed two hand seals, and mist, symbolizing a summoning technique, rose from the ground!

"what?"

A strange light flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. This child has made a contract with the Uchiha clan's ninja cat?

The smoke dissipated...

The ground, however, looked very clean.

Not a single lively ninja cat appeared.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. So nothing had actually happened.

He was just about to comfort Yuki.

next moment.

"Lord Hokage," Yuuki said, picking up a few stinging ants from the ground with his index finger, "these are my summoning beasts, the Antidote Stinging Ants."

"This is... the antidote ant?" Hiruzen Sarutobi involuntarily put down his pipe, his eyes widening. "Wasn't the experiment going badly?"

Are you kidding me?

A brand new summoning beast?

A figure flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind—Orochimaru!

Perhaps, this child really can!

A surge of warmth welled up within him, rekindling a desire to support Yuuki and take control of the Uchiha clan! Just like his teacher instructed Kagami!

"It's not going well. I don't have any ideas for improvement." Yushu opened his innocent eyes wide and scratched his head in distress: "It cost nearly a million taels to cultivate three antidote ants. But it takes more than a dozen to achieve the antidote effect."

Yuki didn't hesitate to increase the cost of detoxifying the stinging ants by several hundred times.

"What's the effect now?"

"At most, I can neutralize the Sand Village No. 11 poison; I'm powerless against No. 12. The cost is so high, and the effect is only minimal. Have I done a poor job? Am I wasting the village's resources?"

Yuuki regretfully had to dispel the psychic spell.

"No!"

Who says these detoxifying ants are bad? These ants are amazing!

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head rapidly, his smile more pronounced than an exploding tag, and praised, "Yuuki, you did a great job. Once you join Konoha Hospital, I will arrange something for you regarding the antidote ant project."

Konoha uses a numbering system for the sand venom toxin; the higher the number, the more terrifying the toxicity!

There are only twenty-eight types of toxins worthy of being numbered by Konoha!

The incomplete detoxifying ant can actually target eleven kinds of toxins!

Horror!

"..."

An old man and a young boy stared at each other, while Yushu blinked.

The finished product is out.

You're such a sucker, why aren't you investing your money? You're just making empty promises.

At least reimburse those millions of taels, right?

Youshu cursed secretly.

The reason he exposed his ability to detoxify ants was not only to gain Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust, but also to showcase his talent and secure more funding.

After all, the purpose of Detoxifying Ants 1.0 is to recoup the cost.

How can we function without a qualified sucker?

Stable development?

The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish!

Besides, Mito Uzumaki is still alive, and the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan hasn't deteriorated to the point of assassinating each other's children!

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly took a drag of his cigarette, and his mood instantly calmed down.

"Yuuki, why did you suddenly decide to study summoning beasts? I remember you haven't solved your bloodstain disease yet, have you?"

“It’s really not solved.” Yuki lowered his head in disappointment, his face full of worry. “War is coming soon. I suffer from bloodstain disease and can’t contribute anything to the village. I can only study some antidotes for stinging ants to fight for my companions’ chance of survival.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not deny that war was imminent.

Pointless.

The first son and the head of the Senju family were both killed by the Land of Rain.

So many ninjas were seriously injured or even killed in battle.

You can't believe anyone if they say a fight won't break out!

"Is that so?" Hiruzen Sarutobi praised earnestly, "You are truly a good kid with the mindset of a Hokage."

Old Deng, are you even going to keep the lines the same when you're trying to fool people?

Yuuki was flattered. "Thank you for the praise, Hokage-sama."

"If you encounter any problems at the hospital, you can come to the Hokage's office for answers. Don't be afraid of the trouble." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "I'll go now. Study hard! Do your best to contribute to the village."

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi leave, Yuuki couldn't help but sigh, not forgetting to dig a small hole before leaving.

Reporting to a higher level without authorization is a major taboo in the workplace.

He's just a lowly medical genin, yet he reports directly to the Hokage?

If the report is useful, you might gain a few lackeys.

Reporting is useless; you'll only be targeted and isolated.

Then wouldn't the only person who was kind to him, the third generation, become his sole source of support?

Yuuki pondered Hiruzen Sarutobi's goal and gradually made up his mind.

Initial approval from the Hokage, achieved!

As the Hokage's 'loyal' subordinate.

I must create more trouble for the Hokage to prove my loyalty!

Employees shouldn't make their bosses too comfortable, otherwise the bosses will make things difficult for them.

Wasn't Sakumo Hatake ruined because he was too honest?

If he had just killed the talkative villagers, would the Konoha F4 still be jumping around?