Absolute Loyalty

Eiji opened the door to find Inaho standing outside, holding quite a few things in his hands.

He felt a bit surprised. "Brother Inaho? What brings you here?"

Inaho pointed at the gift boxes in his hands. "The clan elders sent me to bring you some things."

"Oh," Eiji made a welcoming gesture. "Please, come in quickly."

If this had been before, Eiji might not have been so warm.

After all, the two weren't really close, and they'd even exchanged a few harsh words over some matters earlier.

But then again, today Inaho had come bearing gifts.

That showed enough sincerity.

Not letting him in would have been too rude.

Of course, next time he could just skip the visit and have a Ninja Cat deliver a message—Eiji could pick things up from the Logistics Office himself.

Leading Inaho to sit on the sofa, Eiji chatted with some empty pleasantries while rummaging through the cabinet for tea leaves.

"You didn't have to bring anything, just coming was enough."

"The place is a bit messy, Brother Inaho, don't mind it."

"Sit, sit, sit. I remember Elder Yashiro gave me a box of tea leaves the year before last. I've never had the heart to drink them. Perfect timing—you're here, so we'll try them together."

Inaho said there was no need to go to the trouble, but quietly took in Eiji's home.

A bed, an old sofa, a table with chipped paint.

The refrigerator in the corner had no idea how many years it had served, letting out an annoying hum from time to time.

Inaho's gaze suddenly stopped on a blade. The sword body was a pure, translucent white, and the edge was exceptionally sharp.

Just looking at it, he could almost feel the killing intent radiating from the sword.

"Fine blade!"

Inaho stood up and walked over to the sword, squinting as he examined it carefully.

"Eiji, this sword must have cost a pretty penny."

"You mean Xiao Er? It's a keepsake my father left me."

Actually, Eiji wasn't wrong—after all, the word "father" was in "foster father," wasn't it?

Hearing this, Inaho nodded.

That made sense. Eiji was a Genin who had only done jobs like unclogging drains or cleaning up for old ladies—barely scraping together a few coins after exhausting himself.

Still, the name of the sword felt a bit too casual.

While Inaho waited, Eiji was wrestling with the tea leaves.

The tea, unopened for three years, had gotten damp and clumped into dark green bricks.

Eiji pulled out a kunai and secretly poked the "bricks" into crumbs.

Inaho was stunned by this display. Maybe they should just skip the effort—plain boiled water would be fine.

Watching Eiji fumble with the tea, Inaho couldn't connect him to the guy who'd charged at Itachi swinging that blade.

In the quiet room, only the clinking of tea utensils could be heard.

Soon, the water boiled.

The scalding tea brewed, releasing a not-so-pleasant tea fragrance.

Eiji carefully picked up the teacup and brought it to Inaho, whose expression was complicated.

"Please."

Inaho lifted the cup, hesitated for a moment, then downed it in one gulp.

"Hiss..." Inaho's features twisted together.

Those who knew it was tea might think Eiji had poisoned him.

Seeing Eiji about to pour another cup, the tough guy Inaho panicked.

He shifted the topic to today's Chunin Exams, naturally setting the cup down.

"I heard from some clan comrades that you performed quite well today."

Inaho paused, a hint of surprise in his tone. "I never expected you could wound Itachi like that."

Now it was Eiji's turn to feel uncomfortable. Could you people just drop it already?

Itachi was the big bastard who'd massacre the entire Uchiha clan in a few years—what was wrong with Eiji beating him up?

"Itachi... is he okay? Should I buy some fruit or milk and go see him?"

Inaho clearly didn't catch Eiji's sarcasm. He just waved his hand and said, "Getting hurt in sparring is normal. And you didn't do it on purpose, right?"

Eiji didn't answer. Oh, but I absolutely did.

If there hadn't been so many people around, I'd have given him a couple more cuts.

The two chatted for a while. Inaho, feeling the time was about right, pointed at a few square boxes placed by the door.

"Now that you're a Chunin, you'll have to take on more difficult missions. The clan elders have prepared some scrolls and tools for you, hoping they'll be of use."

Hearing this, Eiji was moved on the spot.

Three years!

The elders had finally figured out who actually needed help!

Back when he applied for subsidies, the clansman in charge always said the clan's funds were tight lately and to wait a few more days.

They told Eiji the subsidies weren't being withheld, just distributed slowly, according to a plan.

The situation was special now, they said, and hoped Eiji could tough it out.

Then they'd register him and tell him to go home and wait for notice.

But Eiji wasn't an idiot. No matter how poor the Uchiha got, they couldn't be too broke to spare a single kunai.

Those bastards had definitely pocketed it all.

Of course, Eiji didn't say much. He just swiped a pack of Explosive Tags from Itachi while he was out.

Anyway, with a clan head for a father, Itachi definitely wouldn't miss them.

Thinking about how he'd almost used Itachi's Explosive Tags to blow up Itachi's father today, Eiji couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.

Inaho didn't get it and assumed Eiji was just too excited.

At the same time, he also felt Eiji was really pitiful.

Just how poor was this kid, getting this happy over a few scraps?

So Inaho took out another envelope and placed it in front of Eiji.

Eiji put on a confused look. "Brother Inaho, what's this?"

"I specially applied to the clan and got you an extra allowance for living expenses. Buy whatever you need."

Hearing this, Eiji really wanted to kowtow to him.

Good man!

Inaho was a truly good man!

A good man like Inaho was definitely going to live to a ripe old age!

"Eiji, if you ever need anything, feel free to contact me."

Eiji understood that Inaho and the elders weren't suddenly being friendly out of a guilty conscience.

They wanted to win him over.

That was fine too. At least he could thoroughly fleece the clan for all it was worth.

"Thank you, Senior Inaho. Please tell the elders that I will be absolutely loyal to the Uchiha forever."

Hearing this, Inaho broke into a genuine smile.

It was like he was saying, "Kid, you're catching on."

After Eiji thanked Inaho and the elders for a good while longer, Inaho made an excuse to leave.

He really couldn't stand drinking Eiji's tea anymore!

After seeing Inaho off, Eiji returned home and wiped the smile off his face.

Defeating Itachi so spectacularly today had probably caught the attention of not just the Uchiha clan.

More importantly, the higher-ups in Konoha must have noticed him too.

But there was no helping it.

Ever since the Nine-Tails Incident, relations between the Uchiha and Konoha had grown increasingly tense.

Not only were they pushed to the edge of the village, but tall buildings were erected all around the Uchiha Clan Compound to monitor their movements.

And that old bastard Danzo, always itching to wipe out the Uchiha.

I, Uchiha Eiji, will stab you to death sooner or later!

But for now~

I've got money. Time to eat something good to celebrate.

Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

"Uncle Teuchi, one bowl of ramen, the deluxe!"

"Please wait a moment."

That's right. Eiji's idea of luxury was a bowl of ramen with extra toppings.

While Eiji was waiting, under the eaves not far away, a little blondie was stroking his growling stomach, occasionally glancing at Ichiraku Ramen.

He fished a few coins out of his pocket and counted them seriously, over and over.

"With this little money, I can't even afford one bowl of ramen."

At the same time, an electronic voice rang out in Eiji's mind again.

[As an important weapon for protecting the village, the Jinchuriki must receive the protection he deserves]

[New Mission: Help the Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto, master the power of the Nine-Tails and guide him onto the right path]