Adolescent Troubles

The next morning.

After finishing breakfast, Sōgetsu cleaned up and prepared to go see the Third Hokage.

"Morning, Brother Sōgetsu."

The moment he stepped out the door, Sōgetsu ran straight into someone.

Looking down, he saw a kid about ten years old, with messy black spiky hair like a hedgehog and goggles that covered half his face.

As a qualified transmigrator, he naturally knew a bit about the plot.

This slightly shy and innocent child before him was none other than the future greatest villain of the ninja world, the famous pure love enthusiast of anime, the one who single-handedly sparked the Fourth Great Ninja War—Uchiha Obito!

"It's Obito. Coming to see me this early, what's up?" Sōgetsu's gaze was calm as he reached out and ruffled the boy's hair, speaking gently.

Hearing this, Obito blushed and stammered, "Uh... I want to experience... Wish Fulfillment."

"Oh? My treatment isn't cheap, you know."

Sōgetsu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Even the lowest-tier trial version costs at least fifty thousand ryō. Do you have it?"

"Of course! Don't underestimate me, Brother Sōgetsu." Obito lifted his head proudly and pulled a wad of large-denomination bills from his pocket. "This is fifty thousand ryō I earned from missions!"

"Oh, right. I forgot you're already a genin."

Sōgetsu pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd been too busy lately to keep close track of the plot's progression.

But the overall direction of events wouldn't change. Judging from Uchiha Obito's graduation, the Third Great Ninja War was drawing very near.

"I graduated ages ago, okay? Brother Sōgetsu!" Obito grumbled with a face full of black lines. "Don't treat me like a kid!"

"I get it, Obito." Sōgetsu gave the kid's hair a firm ruffle and smiled. "But sorry, not right now. I need to go see Lord Hokage. Another time, okay?"

[Side Quest: Adolescent Troubles]

[No matter how hard he tries to show off, Obito can never win the girl's favor. He's finally made up his mind.]

[Reward: Fate Doll (Blocks fate, allowing the holder to defend against curses, detection, and seeking-type effects).]

Glancing at the side quest description, Sōgetsu had a pretty good idea what "wish" Obito wanted to fulfill.

"Oh..." Obito drooped his head, a little disappointed.

"Next time, Obito."

Sōgetsu reached out and ruffled his hair again, Chuckled. "I'll give you a discount. Thirty thousand ryō."

"Thanks, Brother Sōgetsu!"

Hearing he'd saved twenty thousand ryō, Obito perked up again in an instant.

Uchiha Sōgetsu walked through Konoha's shopping streets with his hands in his pockets.

He'd only recently consumed the potion, causing his Spiritual Power to leak out a bit. Though he was trying his best to rein it in, it would still take some time to adjust.

Deep within his pitch-black, profound eyes, it was as if an unfathomable vortex lurked, like ripples spreading across a calm pond. If not for the special glasses on his nose, any passerby on the street who met his gaze, even for an instant, would have their mind completely drown in it.

"I still need to strengthen my control." Sōgetsu rubbed his throbbing temples as Spiritual Vision swept across the entire street.

Red, yellow, blue. Like pigments mixed into a pool of water—that was the aura of living beings' Ether Bodies, the effect manifested under Spiritual Vision.

Compared to his days as a Sequence 7 Psychologist, where he could only observe the color of an Ether Body's aura to gauge a creature's psychological state, now that he'd advanced to Sequence 6, he could see deeper into a target's mind.

"Hey, did you hear? That big thing!"

"You mean... ah, I heard. It's actually true!"

"What a shame... sigh."

"Tell me about it. Sigh."

The conversation between two people on the roadside caught his interest.

Uchiha Sōgetsu's eyes shifted slightly, and a deeper layer of mental power silently seeped into both of their brains.

Psychological Suggestion!

The two offered almost no resistance, instantly falling into a dazed state.

"Can you tell me what you were talking about?" Sōgetsu asked.

"Hatake Sakumo... committed suicide at home out of shame."

Hearing this news, Uchiha Sōgetsu was momentarily stunned.

So it was already Konoha Year 44.

Only four short years remained until the Third Great Ninja War.

"I need to speed up the plan."

Sōgetsu's expression turned subtle, and he let out a meaningful Chuckled. Then, after dispelling the Psychological Suggestion, he quickened his pace toward the Hokage Building.

The Third Great Ninja War was a Once in a Lifetime opportunity.

If he missed this one, the next wouldn't come for over a decade. He couldn't wait that long.

Hokage Building, outside the office door.

"Lord Hokage, I am Uchiha Sōgetsu."

Sōgetsu knocked on the door, then waited respectfully.

"Come in."

A somewhat aged voice came through.

Sōgetsu pushed the door open and entered, only to find that besides the Third Hokage, Danzo was also present. His brow furrowed slightly.

A flicker of displeasure passed through him, but he concealed it well.

Even back when he was still Sequence 9, he had been able to control his expressions and emotions perfectly—so well that even the Sharingan couldn't detect them.

"Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo." Sōgetsu greeted them both with a gentle expression.

Seated behind the desk, the Third Hokage was still in his prime, not yet the frail, indecisive old man he would become over a decade later. He still carried the domineering presence and ambition befitting a ninja hero.

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, blowing smoke as he waved a hand. "Uchiha Sōgetsu, right? I remember you. In several missions, you refused to abandon your comrades, volunteered to stay behind as the rear guard, maintained an extremely high mission completion rate, and are skilled in Medical Ninjutsu. A rare jonin."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage. This is all just what I ought to do." Sōgetsu smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his head as if a little embarrassed.

"Not bad. A good kid. No need to be so formal."

The Third Hokage grew even more pleased with his demeanor, praising him, "In you, I seem to see the future of Konoha. It's because of young people like you that the First Hokage's Will of Fire has been passed down and sustained to this day. I am truly gratified."

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will continue to work hard!"

Sōgetsu seemed inspired by his superior's encouragement, a slight flush rising on his face, his tone barely concealing his excitement. "I will surely inherit the First Hokage's Will of Fire and protect the village and everyone with my life!"

"Heh heh, I believe you, Uchiha Sōgetsu."

The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction. "Though you are still young, you are already able to think from the Hokage's perspective."

"Please, Lord Hokage, don't say that." Sōgetsu rubbed his nose bashfully. "I've merely often listened to your teachings and pondered them—that's all."

"Hahahaha!"

The Third Hokage laughed heartily. This flattery had landed quite smoothly.

"Hmph."

Danzo, standing to the side, could no longer stand it. He snorted coldly through his nose.

What bullshit Will of Fire!

What 'often listened to teachings'!

Weren't the Uchiha supposed to be arrogant and proud?

How was this brat laying on the flattery the moment he walked in? Where was your aloofness? Where was your pride?

Damn Uchiha brat.

Danzo, who already hated the Uchiha Clan, now hated this little bastard even more. A deep, venomous malice flickered in his eyes.

Danzo's malice, of course, could not escape Sōgetsu's perception.

His Ether Body aura manifested as an extremely deep black, surging with thick, violent malice, burning like flames.

Does this Old Thing have a problem?

When did I ever provoke him?

Sōgetsu was a little baffled. In all these years, he had only met Danzo three times. Where was this undying hatred coming from?

The Third Hokage, annoyed at being interrupted, shot a glance at Danzo beside him, clearly displeased.

But with an outsider present, the Third Hokage said nothing more. He cleared his throat twice. "Uchiha Sōgetsu, I am pleased that you are willing to join the Anbu. In a moment, 'Elephant' will take you to the Anbu. Get familiar with things first; we'll discuss other matters later."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Sōgetsu nodded, then withdrew from the office.