Anko Mitarashi

"Oh, right. There's something I need to remind you of, young clan head."

"What is it?"

Fugaku Uchiha was somewhat puzzled. Had he overlooked something?

"I believe that no matter who takes the position of Hokage, we Uchiha cannot abandon the other candidate. Our attitude must remain consistent."

Fugaku Uchiha frowned. "There's no problem with Minato, but supporting Lord Orochimaru requires the Uchiha to spend real money."

"The Uchiha may be wealthy, but we can't be fools, can we?"

"Of course we can't be fools. I didn't explain myself clearly."

"What I mean is that we can exchange benefits on equal terms, but we cannot unilaterally stop providing funds."

"Even if Lord Orochimaru fails in his bid for Hokage, his strength, status, and influence will still be there. We cannot offend him lightly."

At this time, no one would have imagined that Orochimaru, the Third Hokage's disciple and a candidate for Hokage, would betray Konoha. Therefore, Uchiha Gen's words were perfectly reasonable.

Orochimaru's influence absolutely could not be underestimated. In the original story, even more than a decade after he betrayed Konoha, and despite Konoha's efforts to suppress news about him, there was still an admirer like Mizuki.

"Don't worry. I'm not so shortsighted. As long as there are corresponding benefits, there's no harm in continuing to provide funding."

Uchiha Gen's expression shifted slightly. "Young clan head, I didn't mean it that way. I just..."

"Don't overthink it. I know you have the clan's best interests at heart. How could I blame you?"

Fugaku Uchiha was pleased with Uchiha Gen's attitude, though he merely smiled as he reassured him.

Uchiha Gen let out a long breath. "It's getting late, so I won't keep you from handling your official duties any longer, young clan head. I'll take my leave first."

"Go ahead."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded slightly, picked up the fountain pen on his desk, and prepared to review the towering stack of documents.

After leaving the office, Uchiha Gen did not return home. Instead, he went directly to Uchiha Yashiro for help.

First, he borrowed his office to write a calling card. Second, he used the Military Police Force's channels to locate Anko Mitarashi's approximate whereabouts.

For one thing, Orochimaru was elusive; even if he went directly to his residence, he might not find him. For another, for a first meeting, it was more polite to send a calling card through an intermediary.

In truth, Uchiha Gen did not care whether it was polite or not. Given Orochimaru's character of cherishing talent, as long as you were a genius and useful, he would not care about something as trivial as manners.

But now, he represented not only himself, but also the Uchiha Clan. He had no choice but to observe proper etiquette.

After finding Anko Mitarashi's location, Uchiha Gen left the Military Police Force. He exited the clan grounds and headed into bustling Konoha.

About ten minutes later, Uchiha Gen arrived at a shop called "Sweet Home" on Konoha's commercial street.

The shop mainly sold desserts, and its rice dumplings and red bean soup were particularly famous.

"Welcome."

The two waitresses dressed in white and red, in outfits similar to maid uniforms, brightened when they saw Uchiha Gen's handsome face. Their voices were three parts gentler and three parts more enthusiastic than when greeting other customers.

Uchiha Gen smiled faintly. "One bowl of red bean soup and an order of glutinous rice dumplings, please."

The two young waitresses, briefly dazed by his looks, agreed repeatedly, then rushed to the counter to place his order.

Being handsome really had plenty of perks. He had never received treatment like this in his previous life.

After sighing inwardly, Uchiha Gen casually swept his gaze across the room, then walked over and sat beside a girl with light purple hair tied into a bun, dark brown clothes, and a valiant-looking face.

The girl, who had been eagerly devouring rice dumplings and red bean soup, looked up and frowned slightly. "Who are you?"

Uchiha Gen wore a blue shirt and white casual trousers today. With a faint smile on his handsome face, he looked especially fresh and gentle.

"Hello. My name is Uchiha Gen."

"From the Uchiha Clan?" Twelve-year-old Anko shook her head. "You don't really look like one."

"What do you want with me?"

Uchiha Gen did not beat around the bush. He directly took out a white calling card and got straight to the point. "I would like to meet your teacher, Lord Orochimaru."

"I represent not only myself, but also the entire Uchiha Clan."

"Could this serving of rice dumplings and red bean soup count as my thanks?"

Just then, a waitress happened to arrive with the food, and Uchiha Gen casually pointed at it.

Anko Mitarashi's eyes lit up. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and she casually patted Uchiha Gen's shoulder with a grin. "You sure know how to do things. I accept your request."

"Please enjoy."

Uchiha Gen nodded slightly, then waved his hand. The waitress left while looking back over her shoulder every few steps.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

"We may very well become fellow disciples in the future."

As he spoke, Uchiha Gen pushed the rice dumplings and red bean soup over to her.

"Fellow disciples?"

"Teacher Orochimaru has very high standards for taking disciples."

Anko looked Uchiha Gen up and down, her expression quite proud.

So Anko had not followed Orochimaru into the Third Great Ninja War. No wonder he had not seen her on the Cloud battlefield. Otherwise, she should have heard at least something about him.

It made sense. Orochimaru still retained some humanity at this point, and after witnessing the death of his previous disciple Nawaki on the battlefield, he naturally would not easily let Anko, who was still a Genin, put herself in danger.

With Orochimaru's identity, strength, and status, he was more than capable of protecting Anko.

"It's fine. I believe I can meet the requirements."

"I hope so. You seem pretty agreeable. Having a junior brother wouldn't be bad."

"Why can't I be your senior brother?"

Anko stared at Uchiha Gen in disbelief and solemnly emphasized, "I joined first."

"But I'm older than you. I'm thirteen this year, and I should be stronger than you too." Uchiha Gen smiled.

"You are indeed a year older than me, but what makes you say you're stronger?"

"I'm really strong!"

Anko put down her dumplings and spoon, waved her fists, and spoke with a serious expression.

Resting his head on his right hand, Uchiha Gen said casually, "But I'm already a Jonin."

A... Jonin?

Anko was struck dumb, completely stunned!

How was that possible?

He was only a year older than her, yet he was already a Jonin?

Could this guy be some super genius like Kakashi?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

"Anyone can brag."

"I could say I'm about to become Hokage too."

"Want to make a bet?"

"What are we betting?"

"If I'm a Jonin, then you'll be my junior sister from now on."

"If I'm not a Jonin, then you'll be my senior sister. And from now on, I'll cover all your dessert expenses."

Whether she became his senior sister or junior sister did not matter. If she won, wouldn't she be able to eat desserts whenever she wanted, and as much as she wanted?

He had to be bluffing. Anko, cheer up. Don't be afraid of him!

"Fine, I'll bet."

Uchiha Gen smiled, then sat up straight and formed hand seals with both hands.

With a bang, a cloud of white smoke appeared and quickly dispersed, revealing another Uchiha Gen.

The sudden commotion drew the attention of the customers inside, but they soon looked away again.

They were all residents of Konoha, so they occasionally saw ninjutsu.

Of course, there was still some quiet chatter, expressing curiosity about ninjutsu and yearning to become ninja.

"I'll go home and get my Jonin certification."

"Okay."

Watching Uchiha Gen's departing back, Anko asked uncertainly, "Was that a Shadow Clone just now?"

"You know your stuff. That's right."

Anko's little face immediately fell at his words. The Shadow Clone Technique was a B-Rank Technique that ordinary ninja found difficult to learn. She might really end up becoming his junior sister.

"Hey, don't look so miserable. Isn't having a senior brother a good thing?"

"If someone bullies you, your senior brother will definitely help you get even."

"I have a teacher. I don't need your help."

"Do you think it's appropriate to trouble Lord Orochimaru over ordinary matters?"

"If he sees how incapable you are, do you think Lord Orochimaru would be disappointed?"

Anko shuddered. She absolutely could not let her teacher down!

Looking at it that way, having a senior brother really was not a bad thing.

With that thought, Anko became cheerful again.

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