Entry: Enma! The Hyuga Clan's Invitation

Clunk.

At those words, Hiruzen turned and walked away without a second thought.

Four years ago, when he first met Jin, he'd still smile and joke with the kid, trying to pass on the Will of Fire.

Two years ago, just looking at Jin's little face left him with nothing but a headache.

Now, he didn't want to chat with this brat who'd grown into a teenager at all.

The Will of Fire hadn't been passed on—instead, the kid had nearly made him question his own life with their talks.

So he turned and left.

But he was still a step too slow.

The moment he turned, footsteps slapped behind him—pat, pat, pat.

The sound of feet slapping the ground fast.

"Sigh..." Hiruzen let out a breath, and when he turned back, his aged face was already wearing a kindly, benevolent smile. "Is it Little Jin? Got a question?"

"Lord Third, I hear you have a second son?"

Jin smiled shyly, driving the point straight into Hiruzen's heart.

The Crow beside him nearly scattered in fright at those words.

What kind of good son runs off to serve as a daimyo's guard and then tries to assassinate his own father?

The Third Hokage's second son was exactly that!

Asuma, the second son, was living it up in front of the daimyo.

But soon, the Crow fell silent.

Something felt off...

A son trying to kill his own father for the sake of his so-called justice?

That script seemed a little familiar?

The black crow's pupils flickered, and Itachi's once-firm resolve suddenly stirred with ripples.

On the village street.

Jin glanced sidelong at the vanishing crow but didn't pay it any mind.

Instead, he spoke again: "Haven't met the second son, so... Lord Third, what about your eldest son?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: ...

Truly a naturally evil Uchiha brat!

That little mouth was like it'd been dipped in honey.

He took a deep breath, trying to restore his loving smile.

But he failed.

The second son's assassination attempt, the eldest son refusing to show his face for certain reasons...

Two short sentences dealt a heavy blow to this white-haired old man.

In the distance.

Two Anbu ninjas saw this and had no intention of stepping in to help.

Instead, they patted their chests and vanished in puffs of smoke.

Perfect, a scapegoat had arrived!

Three minutes later.

[Conversation Target: Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.]

[Copyable Traits being analyzed.]

[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.

Especially the five nature transformations—there were too many to even take in.

"No wonder they call him the Shinobi World Professor, a master of all five elements..."

Jin shook his head and kept pushing.

He'd run into the Third a few times over the years, but the chances to talk were rare.

And the few conversations they'd had had ended in failed copies.

So he figured he'd squeeze one more out before the Uchiha massacre came.

Ten minutes.

[Ten-Minute Talk reached. Attempting to copy trait.]

[Success. Congratulations, host has obtained Legendary Trait: Monkey King Enma (Blue).]

Jin: ???

He glanced at the Third Hokage, who looked noticeably more haggard.

The bags under his eyes were bigger than his actual eyes.

At this rate, he really was becoming a dug-out Monkey.

"Third Hokage... where leaves of Konoha dance, the fire burns on!"

He stood on tiptoe, stretched out his arm, and patted the Third Hokage on the shoulder.

Like a little adult, he kept shaking his head.

Then, under the Third Hokage's bewildered gaze, he turned and left.

Leaving the Third Hokage frozen in place, the words he was about to say stuck in his throat, neither up nor down.

After a long while, a few words finally squeezed through his teeth: "Seriously, is he sick?!"

For the first time, he felt that those words, spat out from a brat's mouth, were so—grating!

After leaving Konoha Headquarters, Jin was in a somewhat cheerful mood.

It wasn't because the Monkey King was so powerful, but rather—the joy of finally getting some wool off the sheep.

Like the happiness of a millionaire in his past life, getting fifty bucks from a Pinduoduo slash.

And in that joy, his figure once again wandered through the streets.

Pat.

Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder.

The force was light, even a bit soft.

At the same time, a soft, sticky voice came from beside him: "Jin-kun... h-h-hello..."

Huh?

That voice is...

Jin turned around in slight confusion. Behind him was a girl with white eyes and blue hair. Her delicate facial features seemed to shimmer under the sunlight.

Seeing Jin turn, she quickly lowered her head, shyly fidgeting with her hands.

A blush crept across her cheeks.

"Protagonist... ah, Hinata? What are you doing here?"

Jin was a bit surprised. At this time, shouldn't Hinata be at the Ninja Academy?

When did she start skipping class like those bad students?

Damn it!

It's all that Itachi's fault, always skipping class, even leading the good Young Lady astray!

Across from him.

Hinata's two intertwined index fingers spun faster.

She was deeply conflicted.

Finally, she gritted her teeth heavily and said, "Um... um... Jin-kun, my... my father wants to invite you over."

"The Hyuga Clan Head is inviting me over?"

To be honest, Jin was stunned for a moment.

He hadn't met Hinata that many times.

Ever since he copied the Byakugan, this Young Lady had been kept within the clan, rarely going out.

He hadn't had a chance to interact with her again.

But now—what was the Hyuga Clan Head suddenly pulling this for?

With doubts, he nodded and said with a light smile, "Alright, let's go."

A free word entry, no reason to refuse!

At the same time, looking at Hinata's blushing little face, he found it amusing.

Then, without any warning, he directly grabbed Hinata's small hand and walked out.

Even giving it a little squeeze.

Soft as boneless, tender and smooth.

Whoosh!

Hinata's little face turned even redder.

Almost bleeding.

But she didn't stop him.

He hurriedly reached out with his other hand and waved it behind him.

To his right rear.

A Branch Family attendant following behind darkened his face. "How dare you defile the Young Lady! I'll tear this brat apart!"

As he spoke, another attendant quickly grabbed his arm.

Pointing at Hinata's hand gesture, he said, "Shh, look at the Young Lady's signal. Don't move."

"Huh? Strange, the Young Lady actually allowed a stranger to hold her hand?"

In the midst of their puzzled murmurs, the two quietly crept closer.

Step.

Step.

Step.

As their footsteps drew near, the Hyuga Clan estate gradually came into view.

Creak.

As that large gate swung open, Jin finally laid eyes on the current foremost clan of the Leaf.

Antique elegance, pavilions and terraces.

A grand mansion, nothing less.

Comparing this, Jin could only draw one conclusion:

"That bastard Fugaku should come see this!"

"Both are major Leaf clans—how can the gap be this huge?"

Even among great clans, there are differences.

The Uchiha Clan before the Nine-Tails' rampage, even if not a match, wouldn't have been far behind.

But now...

Compared to the Hyuga Clan, he felt like Granny Liu in the Grand View Garden.

Swish.

As a luxurious reception room slid open.

Hyuga Hiashi, with his long hair, appeared before him.

He turned his head, gave a Byakugan glare, and pointed at the tea table with a smile:

"Finally meeting you, Uchiha Jin."

"Or should I call you—my daughter's savior?"