Kakashi's Recognition

Afternoons always passed so slowly. Sunlight filtered through the branches onto the road, making everything feel peaceful and warm.

The bustling streets of Konoha were as lively as they had been before the war, as if no great battle had ever taken place. The deaths of those ninjas had not affected the civilians' lives at all.

"We both have five wins, so it barely counts as a tie. Let's settle it with this match."

"Sigh, it seems there's no point in saying no. Then I get to choose the event this time, right?"

"What are we competing in? A taijutsu match, a hundred-meter dash, diving? An eating contest works too."

"Forget it. I need to conserve Chakra lately, so let's play rock-paper-scissors."

"I accept. I absolutely won't lose. Kakashi, if you lose, I'll make you walk around Konoha on your hands five hundred times."

"Sigh!"

"Then it's settled."

Rock, paper, scissors. Watching the two idiots playing rock-paper-scissors beneath a tree not far away, Pakura pressed her lips together hard, trying not to laugh out loud.

There were so many idiots in Konoha.

No, my stomach hurts.

I'm Pakura, the hero of Sunagakure. I need to keep my composure.

Two proper ninjas, one the White Fang's son and the other Might Duy's son, were actually deciding the winner of their contest with rock-paper-scissors. These two really were oddballs.

Ever since she had seen how strangely that guy in the black mask behaved, Pakura had wanted to burst out laughing.

Who would have thought that the White Fang, whose name alone made her village abandon missions, and Might Duy, who had once crippled the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist with one kick, would have sons this dim.

They didn't look like they could pose any threat to a village at all.

"If you want to laugh, then laugh."

Uchiha Asuka watched the two playing rock-paper-scissors without expression. He would not stir things up this time. After all, he still had to challenge Kakashi tonight.

He would let him enjoy himself this afternoon.

"Pfft—hahaha! I just never expected the White Fang's son to be like this. If Elder Chiyo learned about this, she'd probably be happy for quite a while."

Hearing that, Uchiha Asuka looked quietly at Pakura's gloating expression and said slowly, "Yeah, they've always been like this. I've been stirring things up for years, but it hasn't done any good."

"Something must have gone wrong somewhere."

Pakura propped her chin up with one hand, pretending to analyze the matter seriously.

"I heard one of Kakashi's eyes was replaced with a Sharingan. Could the Sharingan have affected him?"

"That news made it all the way to Sunagakure?"

"You people in Konoha never hid it. Anyone who pays attention to Konoha intelligence knows that the White Fang's son received a Sharingan."

At that point, a flash of realization suddenly crossed Pakura's mind. She stared into Uchiha Asuka's eyes and asked doubtfully, "Your Uchiha Clan just let an eye leave the clan like that?"

"It doesn't really count as leaving the clan."

Uchiha Asuka shrugged. After getting his bearings, he began walking as he spoke.

"The Sharingan came to him legitimately. It was a gift from a comrade, given of his own free will. Besides, his teacher is the Fourth Hokage. Even if the clan has objections, they can just grumble about it privately.

"And the Uchiha Clan has always been loyal to Konoha. The clan has seen Kakashi's talent too. There's no need to ruin a genius like that over one eye.

"It's only a Two-Tomoe Sharingan. Apart from a few Elders nagging about it, everyone else has chosen to turn a blind eye.

"We're not the Hyuga."

"Cough, cough."

A cough sounded from nearby. Uchiha Asuka stopped and turned toward the Hyuga clansman standing not far from him.

"Lord Hiashi!"

Hiashi nodded. After glancing at Pakura beside Uchiha Asuka, he said in a low voice, "Make sure the Sunagakure ninja does not get hurt. The negotiations will end soon."

"Understood!"

Uchiha Asuka and Pakura stood to the side and watched Hiashi lead a pregnant woman back the way they had come. Pakura crossed her arms, raised her brow, and said, "That's the Hyuga Clan Head?"

"Yeah. The one in his wife's belly is the next Hyuga Clan Head. Honestly, I think he's the one who should get sterilized.

"Think about it. According to the Hyuga rules, after this child is born, every child he has afterward will need to receive a seal. Isn't that screwing over the kids? Sterilization would be great. The whole Hiashi family would be happy, and he wouldn't have to agonize over whether the next generation should become branch family members."

"Tch. The Hyuga Clan really is feudal."

"Mm-hm! Mm-hm!"

"Uchiha Asuka, I recently heard that you advised your Clan Head to get divorced. What was that about?"

"How many spies have you planted in Konoha? Why would news like that get out too?"

"A lot. You should be careful when you go to Sunagakure this time. Don't let them dig out your eyes."

"Sigh, without Uchiha blood, using the Sharingan comes with serious side effects."

The two walked into the distance beneath the setting sun, their shadows stretching long, long behind them. The civilians walking along the streets lowered their heads toward the ground and could vaguely see the shadows cast there wildly gesturing at something.

The gentle spring breeze blew into Konoha, rustling the treetops.

Congratulations, Host. Through perseverance and ingenuity, you have allowed Kakashi to see your talent.

Although your talent falls somewhat short of Uchiha Itachi's at the same age, Kakashi still believes that with sufficient time to grow, you will surely be able to raise your strength to the point where you can stand alongside Uchiha Itachi.

You have now gained Kakashi's recognition. Would you like to claim your reward?

Indeed.

Using strategy to force Kakashi to attack him had somewhat gone against the other party's wishes.

Thinking of how he had used the excuse of teaching Kakashi about the Sharingan to make him use it and rapidly drain his own Chakra, then knocked him down within just a few minutes, Uchiha Asuka sighed. Watching Kakashi's departing back, he tugged at his clothes, letting the cool breeze flow into his chest and disperse the heat within.

Kakashi's use of the Sharingan was getting stronger and stronger. He had barely managed to fight him for ten minutes.

"Claim it!"

The moment he spoke, Uchiha Asuka felt another stabbing pain in his eyes. As the pain intensified, his Sharingan activated on its own and began spinning rapidly.

The boost from the warm current this time was also terrifying, nearly twenty times greater than last time.

If the Sharingan's progress were quantified, before he obtained the system, his progress toward awakening the Mangekyo had been 3000/10000.

After completing the first mission, his progress toward awakening the Mangekyo had been 3000.5/10000.

After completing the second mission, his progress toward awakening the Mangekyo had been 3120.5/10000.

Then after completing this mission, his progress toward awakening the Mangekyo was 3320.5/10000.

It had increased by a full two hundred.

If he completed another mission next time, it probably would not reach four thousand, right?? That would be far too terrifying.

The thought that he might awaken the Mangekyo after just two more missions made Uchiha Asuka's arm freeze in midair.

He did not have a brother. What would he do if he went blind after awakening the Mangekyo? Clatter!

At that moment, a crisp sound rang out. Looking toward it, he saw an antique bronze key on the ground.

A Mysterious Key: It can open a Mysterious Box of Uchiha Secrets. Inside, there may be forbidden techniques capable of increasing your strength.

???

Uchiha Asuka gripped the key tightly. After standing up and searching the surrounding area several times, he returned to where he had started and silently asked, System, where's the box??

A light breeze drifted past. Uchiha Asuka stared at the system, which had fallen silent, and his face gradually darkened.

You give me the key but not the box? Where the hell am I supposed to find a box this key can open? Looking down at the key in his hand, whose craftsmanship appeared quite ancient, Uchiha Asuka's mouth twitched twice before he stuffed it into his pocket, feeling utterly speechless.

As an elite jonin of the Uchiha Clan, he knew most of the Uchiha secrets. But he had never heard of the Uchiha Clan possessing a box that could not be opened. Could the box be in the Clan Head's house or the clan treasury? Raising his head to look at the moon in the sky, Uchiha Asuka wore a thoughtful expression as he muttered to himself, "I've bled for the clan. I've rendered service to the clan. Next, I'm about to head out for the clan to fight in Sunagakure. It should be fine if I go to the clan treasury tomorrow and pick out a few things, right?

"The clan treasury is in the Clan Head's house. I'll take a look then."

Afterward, he turned his gaze to the exchange coupon.

Once You've Had It, You'll Love It (Extra-Stinky, Extra-Spicy Luosifen)

Unlimited supply, ready-made version. Open the lid and eat.

Whoosh.

Without a sound, an enormous bowl of Luosifen appeared directly in front of Uchiha Asuka.

A familiar, long-missed stench rushed at him. It was loaded with pickled bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, pickled long beans, and other toppings, along with greens, peanuts, and snail meat. Its colors were bright, and it looked excellent.

"Not bad. This exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be the kind of deceptive packaged stuff."

Holding the Luosifen, Uchiha Asuka could not resist taking a big gulp of the broth before he started slurping down the noodles. Soon, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Mm, the spiciness was just right, and the flavor was good too.