Become My Confidant

It was 6:00 AM.

Uchiha Kō figured that Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito should be awake by now, so he prepared to end his training. He sat on the ground and began to circulate the Uchiha Clan's chakra extraction technique.

This chakra extraction technique was naturally no secret within the Uchiha Clan; almost everyone possessed it. However, it could not be shared with outsiders, as that was the rule of the great clans.

Uchiha Kō sat cross-legged, circulating the chakra within his body to adjust himself to the most comfortable state, then began to extract chakra from his surroundings.

This was the first time Uchiha Kō had attempted self-cultivation since transmigrating. He discovered that this thing called chakra was somewhat like the internal energy described in wuxia novels—generated from the air and integrated into the body through breathing exercises.

He opened his eyes. According to the original owner's memories, chakra extraction should be very difficult, with only a tiny amount extracted per day. Why did he feel it wasn't that hard? Moreover, the chakra he extracted during this session was even purer and denser.

After thinking it over carefully and finding no reason, he stopped dwelling on it, closed his eyes, and continued to breathe in and refresh the chakra in his body.

Uzumaki Mito was somewhat surprised. "Nine-Tails, look, is Uchiha Kō extracting chakra? But the density and quality—it shouldn't be this powerful!"

Nine-Tails observed Uchiha Kō through Uzumaki Mito's perception, his brow furrowing. "Mito, this brat is indeed extracting chakra, but this level of chakra is not something a mere Genin should be able to withstand!"

"Oh? What do you mean, Nine-Tails?" Uzumaki Mito was intrigued by Nine-Tails' words.

"That little brat is extracting natural chakra—oh, what you humans call Sage chakra. This stuff can only be absorbed by Tailed Beasts and those who have trained in the Three Great Sage Regions' sage arts. His Uchiha Clan has a contract with the Ninja Cat Clan, but I've never heard of anyone from the Ninja Cat Clan breaking through to become a sage. This kid..." Nine-Tails was completely baffled.

A glimmer of light flashed in Uzumaki Mito's eyes. Sage chakra—she didn't possess it herself, but she knew her husband did. Furthermore, as far as she knew, other than Jiraiya, no one in Konoha currently extracted Sage chakra.

If this kid could extract it now, it was proof enough that he would surely become a powerhouse in the future. She had originally been worried about whether anyone would bully Tsunade and Nawaki after she was gone; now it seemed she needed to find a way to help Tsunade build a good relationship with him.

Uchiha Kō spent about an hour extracting chakra. After replacing the last bit of ordinary chakra in his body with the higher-quality version, he opened his eyes.

He clenched his hands and discovered that his physique had also improved significantly. The corners of his mouth curled upward; in this damned meat grinder of a war, he had gained one more chance at survival!

At this moment, Uzumaki Mito pushed open the door, a smile on her face. "Little Kō, come over quickly, breakfast is ready!" As she spoke, she beckoned to Uchiha Kō.

Uchiha Kō hurriedly stood up, straightened his clothes, and bowed. "Lady Mito, would that not be too much trouble?" He kept his head low, his etiquette perfect, while the Anbu in the trees recorded the interaction based on Lady Mito's lip movements.

Uzumaki Mito first glanced at the Anbu, then looked back at Uchiha Kō and smiled. She stepped forward to straighten Uchiha Kō up, took his hand, and said, "Grandma Mito knew that you and little Tsunade were heading to the battlefield today, so I prepared the ingredients last night and made this for you both this morning. You must eat plenty later."

"Lady Mito, how could I accept this!" Kō hurriedly tried to refuse, but no matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free from Uzumaki Mito's grip.

"Little Kō, there's no need to be so formal. From now on, you can call me Grandma, just like little Tsunade does!" As soon as Uzumaki Mito said this, it shocked not only Uchiha Kō but also Tsunade, who had just finished dressing and stepped out the door!

Tsunade, dressed in her combat gear, looked at her grandmother in astonishment, then looked at Uchiha Kō. What was going on? Had things really progressed this quickly?

"Lady Tsunade!" Uchiha Kō looked as if he had seen a savior. He grabbed Tsunade's arm, his eyes pleading. Just as Tsunade was about to speak, she saw Uzumaki Mito cast a cold glance at her. She closed her mouth, painstakingly pried Uchiha Kō's hand off, and sat to the side to start eating.

Cold sweat broke out all over Uchiha Kō. He swallowed hard and, under Uzumaki Mito's strong insistence, sat opposite Tsunade, right next to Uzumaki Mito.

Seeing Uchiha Kō's cautious and careful appearance, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help but want to laugh. Was she really that scary? Look at how she had frightened this child.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Uchiha Kō began to eat. At this moment, the system notification sounded.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the achievement: The Senju Household's Breakfast. Reward: 1,000 points. Current balance: 1,550 points.

Ding! System quest issued: Due to the extreme danger of the Second Shinobi World War, please join the Sannin's squad. Reward: 5,000 points. (Optional)

At the same time, Uzumaki Mito gave Tsunade a look, signaling her to speak quickly. Under her grandmother's gaze, Tsunade put down her bowl and chopsticks and suddenly said, "Kō-kun, I have a request, and I hope you will agree to it."

After speaking, Tsunade stared at Uchiha Kō with a serious and earnest expression. Hearing this, Uchiha Kō looked over, put down his own bowl and chopsticks, and sat up straight.

"Please instruct me, Lady Tsunade. If it is something I can do, I will certainly not refuse." Kō's gaze was solemn and serious as he looked into Tsunade's eyes.

Hearing his words and seeing Uchiha Kō's stance, Tsunade couldn't help but feel relieved. She said kindly, "The Hokage has ordered me, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru to each lead one thousand ninja as the vanguard to the Land of Rain. We are each allowed to select a trusted aide from the village, so..."

Uchiha Kō's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly stood up. "If you need me, I, Uchiha Kō, am willing to go through fire and water for Lady Tsunade, and I will not refuse!"

Tsunade was stunned upon hearing this. Although Uchiha Kō's strength wasn't very high right now, he certainly knew how to talk. "Go through fire and water, will not refuse"—what great determination that was!

Even Uzumaki Mito, sitting to the side, had her eyes crinkled into slits after hearing Uchiha Kō's words. A trusted aide—that was a good start.

Tsunade wore a smile as she said, "Then, I look forward to working with you on this mission! Kō-kun."

"Yes! Lady Tsunade." Uchiha Kō's heart was filled with joy. Truly, he had searched for it everywhere, only to find it without any effort at all.

Ding! System detects that the host has completed the quest. Reward: 5,000 points. Current balance: 6,550 points.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for achieving the milestone: Small Success (5,000 total points). Reward: B-rank Ninjutsu: Magnet Release: True Sight Eye (Referencing the ninjutsu used by Gaara during the exams to cheat).

He actually received this reward! Uchiha Kō looked delighted. With this detection-type skill, he would surely be able to avoid many risks!

He looked up at Uzumaki Mito, who was eating slowly and methodically, and suddenly thought of something, but hesitated to speak.

Oh, right, how was he supposed to warn Lady Mito about the matters concerning the Uzumaki Clan?