Which Commoner Was Trying to Harm Me

"So you're saying that Narak, that brat, took care of Ido in just a few moves?"

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage took a long drag on his pipe while seated in his chair. He let the smoke linger in his chest for a moment before slowly exhaling it.

The fatigue from working with his head buried in paperwork for so long eased a little with that puff of smoke.

Standing before the desk was Kurenai Yuhi, who had come to report the details of the mission. After listening to her report, the Third Hokage asked quietly,

"Yes. Ido, who left us completely helpless, was utterly powerless before Narak. She was beaten from beginning to end without the slightest chance to fight back!"

"Kakashi is known as Konoha's genius, and Lord Third often praises me as a genjutsu genius as well. But before Narak-kun, I feel that we geniuses are nothing at all. You have to understand, Narak-kun is only ten years old! How could he be so monstrously talented?"

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I absolutely wouldn't have believed it."

Kurenai Yuhi gave a bitter laugh as she answered the Third Hokage's question.

"Don't say that it's only you. In front of that boy, I feel that perhaps I really am getting old!"

"I've tested that boy again and again, only to discover each time that he seemed to have even more trump cards hidden away."

"According to what you've said, Narak has a tremendous advantage when dealing with entities such as spirits and consciousnesses. That's something we didn't know before, either."

"Sigh, the younger generation surpasses the older, and the older generation dies on the beach!"

The Third Hokage took another melancholy drag on his pipe.

Clearly, Narak's excellence made him both happy and troubled.

What made him happy was that Narak was a Konoha shinobi, as well as a member of Konoha's great Hyuga Clan. The Hyuga Clan had always been one of the Third Hokage's staunchest supporters, so Narak would never do anything detrimental to Konoha.

What troubled him was that the boy was far too lazy. During the previous Jonin assessment, if he hadn't told Narak that failure would result in punishment, the boy probably would have muddled through it without putting in any real effort.

"By the way, did you say that little Yakumo has moved into the Hyuga Clan compound?"

Kurenai said, "Yes. Narak said that he can treat Yakumo, but it will take some time."

"Considering the environment at Satomi Hill Manor, as well as the convenience of treatment, we decided to have Yakumo stay at Narak-kun's home."

The Third Hokage said, "Heh, that boy is even this skilled at healing? The doctors throughout Konoha were helpless before Yakumo's condition, yet he has a way to resolve it!"

"Could his medical ninjutsu rival Tsunade's? I really want to know—what is there that he can't do?"

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe, knocked out the ash, then rose and looked at Kurenai Yuhi.

"All right, let's leave this matter here. Remember not to reveal Yakumo's situation to anyone in the village."

"As for Narak, I had originally planned to send him on a mission in the next few days. But now that he has to treat Yakumo, we'll put it off for the time being. We'll send him out once Yakumo's health is no longer a problem."

"I understand everything now. You may leave."

The Third Hokage waved Kurenai Yuhi away.

"Yes, Lord Third!"

Kurenai Yuhi turned and left the office.

After Kurenai Yuhi left the office, the Third Hokage sat back down in his chair.

He interlaced his fingers beneath his chin and closed his eyes in contemplation.

"Hm! Narak, you brat, you really never stop surprising me! No, I can't let you waste your talents like this. I have to get you moving!"

After a long while, the Third Hokage opened his eyes and muttered to himself.

At the Hyuga Clan compound, Narak brought Yakumo before his father and told him that she would be staying with the Hyuga Clan for some time.

The expression on Hyuga Hiashi's face was marvelous.

He naturally knew of Yakumo of the Kurama Clan. After all, the Kurama Clan had once been one of Konoha's prestigious clans, scarcely inferior to the Hyuga Clan, and Yakumo had been the treasured daughter of the Kurama Clan head.

However, beginning more than a decade ago, the Kurama Clan had suffered a decline in talent, to the point that it could not even produce a single Jonin.

The head and his wife had also died in a mysterious fire several years ago. After that, Yakumo had vanished from the village without a trace.

But now, his own son had actually brought her home. What was going on?

Could it be that he was about to become a grandfather so soon?

Apparently seeing what his father was thinking, Narak began to explain. "Father, because of Yakumo's condition, Lord Third has had her living elsewhere for treatment all these years. But the results have been poor, and there hasn't been much progress."

"Today, I went with Miss Kurenai Yuhi to visit her. I discovered that I can cure Yakumo's illness, but it will take some time. So I brought her home to stay for a while, making it more convenient to treat her."

"Oh, so that's how it is!"

After hearing Narak's explanation, Hiashi suddenly understood.

"Miss Yakumo, feel free to stay with the Hyuga Clan. Don't worry about whether it's only for a while—if you're willing to remain here permanently, that's fine too. Just treat this place as your own home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask!"

Hyuga Hiashi warmly welcomed Yakumo.

Seeing his father's enthusiastic attitude toward Yakumo, Narak curled his lip. Even after explaining everything, it seemed that he had explained nothing at all.

"Achoo!"

Just then, Narak's nose itched, and he let out a tremendous sneeze.

"Who? Which commoner is plotting to harm me?"

Narak rubbed the tip of his nose, suddenly on guard.

Come to think of it, ever since I killed those men working for Danzo half a month ago, that old schemer hasn't made a move. He's probably plotting something nasty. Yeah, it must be him. I'd better stay alert!

"Narak, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and show Miss Yakumo to the guest room!"

Seeing Narak standing there blankly without knowing what he was doing, Hiashi could not help speaking up.

Honestly, his son was a genius when it came to cultivation, so how could he be so dense when dealing with girls?

"Miss Yakumo, please come with me. I'll show you to the guest room!"

"All right. Sorry for the trouble, Narak-kun! Lord Hiashi, I'll take my leave first."

"Go on, go on. You young people should spend more time together!"

Watching the two of them leave together, Hyuga Hiashi could not help smiling.

After leaving the reception hall, Narak walked through the rear courtyard of the Hyuga Clan compound with Yakumo.

"My father just likes to say things without thinking. Don't listen to his nonsense."

Seeing Yakumo's face flushed with embarrassment because of Hyuga Hiashi's misunderstanding, Narak thought for a moment before explaining.

"Ah... Mm-hmm..."

Yakumo answered incoherently.

Narak pressed a hand to his forehead and said nothing.

Yakumo really was a pretty girl, but she was far too easily embarrassed. Whenever she was with him, her face would turn red at the slightest thing. In that respect, she was rather similar to his younger sister, Hinata.

If he were thinking about marriage, a girl like Yakumo would be a pretty good choice. She would certainly grow into the virtuous-wife-and-good-mother type.

But that was something for the future.

As for the current Yakumo, she was only about ten years old at most, roughly the same age as him.

It would be far too wicked to have any such thoughts about her. Having received nine years of compulsory education in his previous life, Narak absolutely could not do something like that. Besides, Narak was not a lolicon.

After settling Yakumo in the guest room, Narak left first.

After that, Yakumo stayed at Narak's home and received treatment.