Versailles Master

It had been twelve hours since Rinto had found creative ways to tell Ippongi he was no good.

Early in the morning, Rinto climbed out of bed feeling refreshed. After cultivating all night, he felt that his total Chakra had increased quite a bit. He was almost on par with that fraud Mizuguma.

And Mizuguma might have been called a Special Jonin, but he was really just a dumb Chunin.

That meant Rinto's total Chakra was about to reach Chunin level.

That was undoubtedly good news for him.

With a larger total reserve, he could be much more lavish when using jutsu.

Besides, Rinto's cells would not die. That meant he could endlessly draw stamina from his own cells and convert it into Chakra.

While getting up, Rinto deftly put a coat on Rie, who was still sleeping soundly.

The little chubby girl was four years old today, right at that sleepy age. She let Rinto dress her and carry her on his back.

Rinto did not dare leave her alone. He was afraid she would be scared, afraid the surroundings would remind her of painful memories. So wherever he went, he carried her with him.

After all, only time could slowly fade such painful memories.

After mooching breakfast at Ippongi's house, Rinto took the still-drowsy Rie by the hand and left the house with Ippongi.

"Uncle Ippongi, are you still mad?" Rinto asked with a shameless grin, sidling up beside him.

The chubby man immediately gave an haughty snort and quickened his pace, trying to leave Rinto behind.

Seeing that, Rinto chuckled to himself. "Ah, I've heard of a way to deal with not being up to the task."

Up ahead, Ippongi's ears twitched. He immediately stopped, turned to face Rinto, and said seriously,

"Well, Rinto-kun, we still haven't discussed your future working hours. How about we talk while we walk?"

Rinto grinned. "No problem. Let's talk while we walk."

"Rinto-kun, when do you plan to work each day? That way, I can arrange a separate forging room for you."

"After four in the afternoon. I'm planning to attend the Ninja School, so I'll only have time after four." Rinto rubbed his chin and explained his plans.

"The Ninja School?" Ippongi cried out. He had thought someone like Rinto would be just like him, concerned only with making money. Who would have thought he suddenly wanted to attend the Ninja School?

"Rinto-kun, do you want to become a ninja? Damn it, don't tell me you want to become an old pervert too!"

Well, the bastard had learned it fast.

Rinto silently rolled his eyes.

"I'm doing it to save money. Think about it—once I have money, won't I need to hire bodyguards?"

"You will. Safety comes first." Ippongi gave an awkward laugh.

"Will one bodyguard be enough?"

"No." Ippongi shook his head. Though he had not reached the point of hiring bodyguards himself, the wealthy people he had seen always had them in droves.

"Then won't hiring lots of bodyguards cost a lot of money?"

"Yes!"

"Will you pay for the bodyguards?"

At that, Ippongi shuddered. His chubby head shook furiously. "I won't pay. Whoever pays is a big fool."

Fuck, I think you're the big fool!

Rinto sighed. "See? If I go to the Ninja School and learn some ninjutsu to protect myself, I'll save at least a hundred million."

Ippongi nodded and temporarily removed the old-pervert crown from Rinto's head.

"By the way, Uncle Ippongi, about how much is your house worth?" Rinto finally asked what he truly cared about.

That courtyard and that Japanese-style house suited Rinto's tastes quite well, so he wanted to ask the price and give himself a small goal.

Hearing Rinto's question, Ippongi's chubby brows immediately furrowed. Tilting his head, he asked in return,

"Which house are you talking about? All the houses around here belong to me. Their prices vary quite a bit."

As he spoke, he waved a large hand, encompassing the entire neighborhood.

Holy shit! Where did this Versailles Master come from? Quick! Drag him out and shoot him for five minutes!

Keeping a straight face, Rinto replied irritably, "The one you live in."

"Oh!" Ippongi suddenly understood. Counting on his fingers in an infuriatingly smug manner, he said, "Around twenty million Ryo. Not that expensive. I just like how quiet it is there."

Fuck!

Rinto stopped talking. He scooped up Rie, pulled a long face, strode past Ippongi, and hurried away.

Ippongi was dumbfounded.

"No, brother, you still haven't told me how to solve the problem of not being up to the task!"

Not being up to the task? Go be a Naruto, then!

After working all morning, Rinto quickly completed the day's quota with Magnet Release, a perfect tool for blacksmithing.

After handing the finished products to the dark-faced Ippongi, Rinto left the Kato Ninja Tool Shop with Rie.

Using the little cash he had left, Rinto and Rie settled lunch.

Following the main road, Rinto arrived at the Hokage Building once again.

This time, Rinto did not rashly walk inside. He merely stood quietly at the entrance, adjusting his condition.

He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi would soon learn that he had come.

Sure enough, not even five minutes later, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked out through the main entrance, looking strangely at the little brat before him.

If Teacher Tobirama had not reminded him yesterday, he might really have fallen for this kid's trick.

Still, one thing was reassuring: this world respected strength above all else. With sufficient strength, all schemes and plots were nothing but clouds.

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi relaxed. He gave Rinto a look, then turned and entered the Hokage Building.

Rinto did not hesitate. He tightly held Rie's hand and led the somewhat frightened girl after him.

As expected, he would most likely meet the legendary Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression just now had already revealed plenty.

Then the person facing him next would naturally be the man behind Hiruzen Sarutobi—Tobirama Senju.

Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not lead Rinto into yesterday's interrogation room. Instead, he turned and took Rinto up to the third floor.

Before long, they arrived at a red wooden door. Sarutobi knocked first, then waited until he heard a steady voice say, "Come in," before pushing the door open and entering with Rinto.

"Teacher Tobirama, Sakuta Rinto is here." Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped aside and let Rinto enter the legendary Hokage's Office.

The first thing Rinto saw upon entering was a massive desk bearing the Konoha Symbol. Behind it sat an exceedingly imposing man. What stood out most about him were his intimidating eyes and silver-white hair.

Handsome!

Even as another man, Rinto had to admit that this guy was genuinely handsome!

After staring into those eyes for a full three seconds, Rinto finally stepped forward with his left foot and entered the Hokage's Office expressionlessly.

If nothing unexpected happened, this would be his first and last time entering this office.

From then on, his days in Konoha would have nothing to do with this center of power.

Thinking of that, Rinto perked up.

Finally! He could finally shake off the mess left behind by his transmigration!

Several people stood scattered around the room—men and women, fat and thin. Overall, they were all young faces.

It looked like Tobirama Senju intended to use him as an experience pack for these newbies.

That was indeed what Tobirama Senju had in mind. Ever since several of his direct disciples had learned about Rinto from Monkey, some had been unconvinced, some thoughtful, and some disdainful.

Therefore, Tobirama Senju had decided to let his disciples exchange a few words with this monstrously clever fellow. At the same time, he could observe him up close.

Rinto was not timid either. Still expressionless, he led Rie to the desk.

Looking at Rinto, who was barely a head taller than the desk, Tobirama Senju suddenly felt a powerful sense of dissonance.

Was this boy really only seven years old?

As he pondered, Rinto spoke.

"Lord Hokage, hello. It is our first meeting. My name is Sakuta Rinto, and this is my younger sister, Sakuta Rie."

Tobirama Senju looked at Rinto without expression.

"What is it, Dark Child?"

Tobirama Senju was reminding Rinto to remember his identity and not make any excessive demands.

Rinto understood. It seemed Tobirama Senju already knew that he wanted to attend the Konoha Ninja School. Clearly, this man did not want him going to school.

But in Rinto's view, anything could be negotiated. As long as he demonstrated his value, he would have the right to make demands.

Since Tobirama Senju had gathered so many people and intended to use him as an experience pack—

Then he might as well give them a performance of Great Ancestor Long Fist. Simple and direct.

Everyone here was an old schemer anyway, so they could let Internal Energy do the talking.

With that thought, Rinto did not intend to stir up any more trouble. He scratched his head and gave a dry laugh.

"It's nothing much. I just want to attend school. In exchange, this is my sincerity."

As he spoke, he took a prepared envelope from his clothes and placed it on the relatively tidy desk.

Tobirama Senju accepted the envelope without hesitation, pulled out the letter, and began reading it swiftly.

The more he read, the deeper Tobirama Senju's frown became, and a chill gradually rose in his heart.

Catching the deeply furrowed brows from the corner of his eye, Rinto found it amusing.

It was clearly just a simple letter, addressed to Lord Hanzo.

As for the contents, it merely explained that he had infiltrated Konoha and was currently posing as a blacksmith.

Furthermore, he had used his employer's connections to arrange the procedures for entering the Ninja School.

At the same time, Rinto asked Hanzo to quickly send more people over. Konoha was short-handed due to the war, making it easy to blend in.

He also included a contact method and agreed to communicate once a month.

In the letter, Rinto also asked Lord Hanzo to send his regards to Mizuguma and thank him for taking care of him all this time.

Finally, Rinto shamelessly asked Hanzo to send him Fifty Thousand Ryo in operational funds.

After reading the letter, Tobirama Senju passed it to the eager Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him.

Strangely, after Hiruzen Sarutobi finished reading it, a faint smile appeared on his face.

At Tobirama Senju's signal, the letter made a full round among the crowd before finally ending up in the hands of a man with an explosive ponytail.

"Shikajiro, what do you think of Rinto-kun's sincerity?" Tobirama Senju slowly asked, looking at the man with the explosive ponytail.

At that, not only did the man named Shikajiro Nara fall silent, but everyone else in the office also sank into thought.

After a long while, just as little Rie began to yawn, Shikajiro Nara slowly raised his head and said in a low voice,

"Lord Tobirama, I think his sincerity is more than sufficient."

"Is it sufficient for Rinto-kun to enter the Konoha Ninja School?" Tobirama Senju asked in return.

"Mm, I think it is." Shikajiro pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Seeing this, Tobirama turned to Rinto, his brow furrowing even more deeply.

Honestly, killing this fellow would be very easy. But abandoning the card that was Rinto would be extremely unwise.

The logic was simple. Rinto represented not only himself, but also Hanzo of the Salamander—the only person in the Shinobi World, after his elder brother's death, who could bear the word "God" in his title.

Though Tobirama might surpass Hanzo of the Salamander in strength alone, who could refuse such a powerful fighter?!

As long as Konoha controlled Rinto, his intelligence would most likely allow him to influence Hanzo of the Salamander's decisions.

Then, across the entire western side of the Land of Fire, Konoha would face far less pressure from Sunagakure and Iwagakure. The village's comrades would also suffer far fewer casualties.

Rinto was a trump card!

That was also where Rinto's brilliance lay.

He subtly expressed his dissatisfaction with Amegakure, delighting Konoha.

He displayed his abilities, making Konoha tempted while preventing them from casually imprisoning him.

He demonstrated that he could influence Hanzo of the Salamander's decisions, exciting Konoha.

At the same time,

he displayed his abilities, earning Hanzo of the Salamander's trust.

He exposed his weakness, earning Hanzo of the Salamander's reliance.

Then,

through his own importance, he would protect Sakuta Mizuguma.

Through his own importance, he would protect his own safety and freedom.

Through his own importance, he would give Sakuta Rie a healthy and happy childhood.

Everyone knew Rinto was a Dark Child, a spy, an undercover agent. Yet everyone wanted to use him to accomplish their own goals.

Thinking of that, Tobirama Senju felt a headache coming on.

This fellow was not even a ninja yet! If he became a powerful ninja, who the hell could keep him in check?!

Most importantly, he was only seven. Barring any surprises, the bastard could live another forty or fifty years!

By then, once he became older and even craftier, who could possibly outplay him?

Subconsciously, and helplessly, Tobirama could only put himself in Hashirama Senju's shoes.

What would his elder brother do instead?

That foolish elder brother would probably start dancing with joy the moment he heard that fewer comrades might die for the village, then agree immediately!

With that thought, Tobirama decided to solve the problem using the mindset of the elder brother he deeply admired.

"Rinto-kun, I agree."

He only hoped that Konoha's Will of Fire could reform this damnable fellow.

Hearing Tobirama Senju's words, Rinto immediately broke into a broad grin, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth.

But at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Teacher, I object."

"Who?!" Before Tobirama Senju could even react, Rinto had already cried out in exasperation.

"Shimura Danzō."

A young man stepped out from the crowd, his face filled with righteous resolve.

"Damn it, no one with 'Zō' in their name is any good!" Rinto rolled his eyes hard and muttered.

Only at moments like this did he look like a real child.

Shimura Danzō did not even spare Rinto a glance as he said to Tobirama Senju.

"Sensei, I suggest we imprison him and control him with curse techniques, using him to manipulate Hanzo of the Salamander. That would be more effective."

Danzo spoke with righteous conviction, utterly unconcerned that Rinto was right there.

In his eyes, this was a perfect opportunity to impress his teacher. A weakling like Hiruzen would never be able to make such a decision.

At that moment, Danzo thought he looked incredibly cool.

Rinto watched Danzo's performance coldly as malicious thoughts churned in his gut.

Honestly, he did not particularly dislike someone like Danzo. He just felt the man went a little too far.

But today, this guy actually wanted to use him to show off—and show off in a way that would cost lives. That was his own fault.

If I don't trick you into a lasting shadow, so that you'll walk around me whenever you see me in the future, then my surname isn't Sakuta!