Thump.
The moment he heard those words, Hiruzen turned and walked away without a second thought.
Four years ago, when he met Jin, he could still smile and joke with him, trying to pass down the Will of Fire.
Two years ago, all he could do when he saw Jin's little face was feel a headache coming on.
Now, he had no desire whatsoever to chat with the youngster, who had grown into a teenager.
He hadn't managed to pass down the Will of Fire. Instead, that kid had nearly talked him into questioning his own life.
So he turned and left.
But he was still a step too slow.
The instant he turned, the sound of "pitter-patter" footsteps came from behind him.
Those were the quick, light steps of someone running at full speed.
"Ugh..." Hiruzen sighed. When he turned around, his aged face was once again filled with warmth and kindness. "It's little Jin. Is there something you wanted to ask me?"
"Third Hokage, I heard you have a second son?"
Jin gave him a bashful smile, then drove the knife straight into his heart.
The crow beside them nearly fell apart from fright when it heard those words.
What kind of son went off to serve as the daimyo's guardian, then turned around and tried to assassinate his own father?
The Third Hokage's second son really was that kind of son!
Asuma, the younger one, had made quite a name for himself in the daimyo's service.
But soon, the crow fell silent.
Something felt off...
A son assassinating his father in the name of some so-called justice?
That plot seemed strangely familiar...
The crow's dark pupils flickered, and the resolve Itachi had settled on suddenly wavered.
On the village streets.
Jin glanced at the disappearing crow from the corner of his eye, but paid it no mind.
Instead, he continued, "I haven't met your second son, but... what about your eldest son, Third Hokage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: ...
So he really was an evil Uchiha brat by nature!
That little mouth of his was as sweet as honey.
Hiruzen drew a deep breath, trying to bring back his kindly smile.
But he failed.
His second son had tried to assassinate him, and his eldest son refused to show his face for some reason...
In just two sentences, the white-haired old man had taken a heavy blow.
In the distance.
The two Anbu saw what was happening and made no move to help.
Instead, they patted their chests and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Thank goodness, a scapegoat had shown up!
Three minutes later.
[Conversation target: Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.] [Analyzing copyable traits...] [Reaper Death Seal (Black), Will of Fire (Gold), Triple Seal (Purple), Monkey King Enma (Blue), Fire Style Mastery (Blue), Earth Style Mastery (Blue), Water Style Mastery (Blue)...]
Soon, these traits appeared before Jin's eyes.
There were so many Five Nature Transformations that he couldn't even take them all in.
"As expected of the Five Nature Transformations ninja known as the Shinobi World Professor..."
Jin shook his head and kept talking.
Over the years, he'd occasionally run into the Third Hokage, but he hadn't had many chances to talk with him.
In fact, the few times they had talked, he'd failed to copy a trait.
That was why he figured he had to get another haul from him before the Uchiha Massacre began.
Ten minutes.
[Ten-minute conversation. Attempting to copy a trait.] [Success. Congratulations, host. You have obtained the Legendary Trait Monkey King Enma (Blue).]
Jin: ???
He glanced at the Third Hokage, who looked visibly more haggard.
The bags under his eyes were bigger than his eyes themselves.
This time, he'd really gotten the monkey out of him.
"Third Hokage... wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns on!"
He rose onto his toes, stretched out an arm, and patted Hiruzen on the shoulder.
Like a little old man, he kept shaking his head.
Then, under Hiruzen's baffled gaze, he turned and walked away.
Hiruzen was left standing there, the words he'd been about to say stuck in his throat.
After a long while, he finally forced a few words through his teeth. "No, seriously, what's wrong with him?!"
For the first time, he felt that hearing those words from a brat's mouth was so... grating!
After leaving Konoha Headquarters, Jin was in a pretty good mood.
It wasn't that Monkey King Enma was especially powerful. It was the joy of finally getting something out of him.
Like a multimillionaire from his past life celebrating after successfully chopping fifty yuan off a Pinduoduo deal.
In that good mood, he wandered down the streets once more.
Tap.
Suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder.
It wasn't a hard tap. If anything, it was a little soft and squishy.
At the same time, a soft, sweet voice came from beside his ear. "Jin... Jin... h-hello..."
Hmm?
That voice was...
Jin turned around, puzzled. Behind him stood a blue-haired girl with pale eyes. Her delicate features seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.
When she saw Jin turn around, she quickly lowered her head and shyly twined her fingers together.
A flush spread across her cheeks.
"Protagonist... Oh, Hinata? What are you doing here?"
Jin was a little surprised. Shouldn't Hinata be at the Ninja Academy at this hour?
When had she started skipping class like those other delinquents?
Damn it!
It was all because of Itachi and his chronic class-skipping. He'd even corrupted a well-behaved young lady!
Across from him.
Hinata twisted her two index fingers together even faster.
She was utterly conflicted.
At last, she clenched her teeth and said, "Um... um... Jin, my... my father would like to invite you over."
"The Hyuga Clan Head wants to invite me over?"
To be honest, Jin was momentarily bewildered.
He hadn't met Hinata all that many times.
Ever since he'd copied the Byakugan, the young lady had been kept within the clan grounds and rarely went out.
He hadn't had another chance to get close to her.
But now... why had the Hyuga Clan Head suddenly made this offer?
Puzzled, he nodded and smiled. "Sure. Let's go."
A trait delivered right to his door was a trait he'd be foolish to turn down!
And when he saw Hinata's flushed little face, he couldn't help finding it amusing.
Then, without the slightest warning, he took Hinata's hand and led her away.
He even gave it a squeeze.
So soft, smooth, and delicate.
Whoosh!
Hinata's face turned even redder.
She looked ready to burst into flames.
But she didn't stop him.
She only hurriedly raised her other hand and waved it behind her.
To the right and behind them.
One of the Branch Family attendants darkened with anger. "How dare he disrespect the young lady! I'll tear that brat apart!"
As soon as he spoke, the other attendant grabbed his arm.
He pointed at Hinata's hand signal. "Shh, look at the young lady's gesture. Don't move."
"Huh? That's strange. The young lady's letting a stranger hold her hand?"
Murmuring in confusion, the two quietly followed.
Step.
Step.
Step.
As they approached, the Hyuga Clan compound gradually came into view.
Creak.
When the gate was pushed open, Jin finally saw the home of the most powerful clan in the village.
It was steeped in old-world elegance, with pavilions and towers.
A grand estate, just as you'd expect.
Comparing it to this, Jin could only reach one conclusion:
"Fugaku needs to come see this!"
"They're both great clans of the Leaf. How can the gap between them be so huge?"
Even among the great clans, there were differences.
Before the Nine-Tails attack, the Uchiha clan might not have been quite as impressive, but it wouldn't have been far behind.
But now...
Compared with the Hyuga Clan, he felt like Granny Liu in the Grand View Garden.
Swish.
As the doors to a luxurious reception room slid open, the long-haired Hyuga Hiashi appeared before them.
He glanced at Jin, then gestured toward the tea table and smiled.
"We finally meet, Uchiha Jin."
"Or should I call you... my daughter's lifesaver?"
Before you continue