"Thank you, Uncle Teshio, thank you, Auntie Kome, but I've already had breakfast!" Genya said with a smile, declining their offer.
The real estate projects had earned the Uchiha a great deal of money. The clan's living standards kept improving, and there were far more smiles on everyone's faces than before.
He soon arrived at the training grounds.
Other clan members were already training there.
As usual, Genya started with running, followed by push-ups, then lifting iron blocks. Before long, he was drenched in sweat.
Using chakra to upgrade his Sage Body could strengthen his physique, but only moderate exercise would let him precisely control his muscle strength and chakra, fully drawing out his body's potential.
Two hours later.
Training was over.
After returning home for a bath, Genya headed out again.
He had something to do!
Not long after leaving, Genya ran into Itachi and Sasuke.
A year ago, Itachi had graduated from the Ninja Academy and become a Genin. He wore Konoha's forehead protector now. Other than being less handsome and shorter than Genya, he had not changed much.
On the other hand, little Sasuke, now over three years old, had grown quite a bit taller.
"Big Brother Genya!" The moment he saw Genya, Sasuke charged over and threw himself at him.
Aside from Itachi and Fugaku's family, Genya was one of the people Sasuke was closest to. Although Genya often used to pinch Sasuke's cheeks, Sasuke had clearly forgotten all about that.
"Genya." Itachi walked over and greeted him with a smile.
After Genya's repeated brainwashing.
Combined with the previous attack by Root ninja.
Itachi often reflected on himself and had gained a clear understanding of the Will of Fire spoken of by Konoha's higher-ups. He believed it was hypocritical and unrealistic.
At this point, Itachi had formed his own worldview: first protect his family and clan, then expand that circle, and only then better protect the ninja world.
Genya nodded and returned Itachi's greeting.
"Big Brother Genya, where are you going?" Sasuke asked curiously, tugging on Genya's arm.
"I'm going to buy some books to read." Genya smiled as he rubbed Sasuke's slightly chubby cheek.
"We'll come too," Itachi replied upon hearing that.
Itachi knew that Genya had loved making mad dashes to the library back when he was at the Ninja Academy.
Sometimes, Itachi wondered.
Could Genya's innovative ideas, such as the Real Estate Installment System and the Young Eagle Policy, be related to how often he read?
Itachi also hoped to follow in Genya's footsteps, broaden his horizons, and enrich his thoughts.
"Are you sure?" Genya looked at the two of them oddly. After all, these "books" were not those kinds of books.
"We're sure!" Itachi and Sasuke answered in unison. They wanted to read and gain knowledge too!
"Fine." Genya shook his head.
You said it yourselves.
Don't blame me!
The three left the clan grounds.
They soon arrived before a bookstore decorated primarily in dark green.
The bookstore was called Shueido!
Two bookshelves stood outside, displaying books.
"Boss, the newest season of Icha Icha Paradise is in, right?" Genya asked the bookstore owner. The man was middle-aged, tall and thin, with dark circles under his eyes and a listless expression.
"Hehe, it just arrived this morning!" After coming out and realizing the customers were three little brats like Genya, the owner's expression changed. He impatiently waved them off. "Go on, get lost. You're too young. Icha Icha Paradise isn't suitable for your age, so I'm not selling it to you."
"Boss, I have money," Genya replied.
The owner scoffed. "No matter how much you offer, I won't sell it to you. I have moral principles. I will never betray my personal dignity!"
Genya slowly pulled out a thick wad of cash and smiled at the owner.
"Boss, are you selling Icha Icha Paradise?"
The owner froze. Then his eyes lit up brilliantly. He grabbed Genya by the shoulders and shouted, "Selling!"
Genya sighed. "Wouldn't that trample on your moral principles and insult your personal dignity?"
"How could it? Young friend, we hit it off at first sight! You're my kindred spirit. How could I possibly refuse to sell it to you?"
Genya continued.
"Then, boss, pack up every copy of the newest season of Icha Icha Paradise and deliver them to this address!"
Genya left the address of his residence within the clan grounds.
Kakashi had been a little too arrogant yesterday.
So Genya was going to buy up all of his beloved Icha Icha Paradise.
He had even asked clan members to buy out all the Icha Icha Paradise in the surrounding villages!
Whenever a new season came out, he would buy it all.
Didn't Kakashi love Icha Icha Paradise so much he could hardly put it down?
Then Genya would buy every last copy!
He would leave him with nothing to read!
After all, Genya was now so rich he had lost all humanity!
"I'll handle it right away!" The owner's eyes shone blindingly. This young man was truly loaded!
Itachi was puzzled as to why Genya was doing this, but he did not ask. Instead, he opened a copy of Icha Icha Paradise and began reading carefully.
"Hmm???" The more Itachi read, the more something felt wrong.
Some very strange content appeared in the book.
Young Itachi had never encountered such things before, and his face instantly flushed red.
"Big Brother, why is your face so red?" Sasuke asked curiously when he noticed the change in Itachi.
"It's nothing..." Itachi looked toward Genya and found him staring at his nose, his nose staring at his heart, pretending not to notice anything.
You're the ones who insisted on coming along.
What does that have to do with me!?
"Itachi, I didn't expect you to enjoy reading too. What book are you planning to buy? Let me take a look!" Uchiha Izumi happened to pass by with a yellow bag in hand. When she spotted the three of them, she walked over with a smile.
She moved behind Itachi and lowered her head to look at the book in his hands. The illustrated content immediately made Uchiha Izumi blush furiously.
"Itachi, so this is the kind of person you are. I was wrong about you!" Uchiha Izumi fled in embarrassment, her face crimson.
"Izumi, listen to me!" Itachi ran after her.
Genya and Sasuke looked at each other. Even Genya had to admit that Uchiha Izumi's timing was rather perfect...
Sasuke tugged on Genya's clothes and said cutely, "Big Brother Genya, I want to read books and gain knowledge too!"
Genya directly flicked his little head.
He refused without hesitation.
"No."
If Fugaku found out he had let Sasuke read Icha Icha Paradise, he would definitely give him a beating. Better not cause trouble.
"Fine, I won't read it then. Hmph!" Sasuke sulked a little.
A strange smile suddenly appeared on Genya's face as he said to Sasuke, "Sasuke, don't be mad. Do you want to eat Ichiraku Ramen?"
"Yes!" Sasuke's mouth parted slightly, anticipation shining in his eyes as he involuntarily licked his lips.
"Then let's go!" Genya said with a smile...
Ever since Genya had taught him a lesson, Kakashi had been in a poor mood.
Not because he resented Genya.
Rather, Kakashi had realized that over the years, he truly had not fulfilled his responsibility to look after his little junior brother, Uzumaki Naruto.
At that moment, Kakashi felt a trace of guilt in his heart.
Today was a day off.
The sun was bright.
Kakashi removed his mask, took off the standard Anbu uniform, changed into ordinary clothes, and pushed open the door to leave.
The brilliant sunlight shone on his face, allowing Kakashi, who had long walked in darkness, to feel a different kind of warmth.
Over the years.
First, Hatake Sakumo had abandoned a mission to save his comrades, leading to his vilification by the villagers and ultimately his decision to end his own life.
Then, Uchiha Obito had been "killed" by an Iwagakure Ninja using Earth Style while saving Kakashi.
Next, Rin Nohara had willingly died by Kakashi's hand to prevent the Three-Tails from rampaging through Konoha.
Finally, the Fourth Hokage and his wife had also died miserably beneath the Nine-Tails' claws.
In ten years.
Everyone Kakashi held dear had died.
The blow had devastated him.
From a proud young man, he had gradually become an Anbu ninja devoid of emotion.
Every day, aside from routine missions, he lay in his apartment staring blankly with wide-open eyes. His only interest was reading Icha Icha Paradise.
Those painful experiences had also pushed Kakashi's mind to the brink of collapse, causing him to completely overlook Naruto's upbringing.
Following the familiar path.
Kakashi headed toward Naruto's apartment, climbed the stairs, and arrived outside it.
Kakashi did not knock. Looking through the window, he saw that little Naruto was not inside.
After thinking for a moment, Kakashi vaulted through the window and entered Naruto's home.
On the table.
There were all kinds of empty instant noodle cups.
Cockroaches crawled beneath the table as well.
The living conditions were terrible.
"Eating instant noodles all the time won't do. You need vegetables for balanced nutrition. What a troublesome kid," Kakashi said, shaking his head with a soft sigh.
Yesterday, when Naruto had been bullied and humiliated, Kakashi had considered stepping in. But Naruto still bore the identity of the "demon fox," and Kakashi did not dare defy the Hokage's rules. He could only stand by and watch.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen was Kakashi's direct superior, and Kakashi had to obey orders.
Kakashi walked over to the dining table, stared at the carton of milk, and said speechlessly, "The milk is already expired."
"This child is really careless. He'll probably get diarrhea."
Shaking his head, Kakashi left.
Kakashi felt that perhaps he should report to the Hokage and offer a suggestion. Naruto could not continue being treated like this!
After all, Naruto was the Fourth Hokage and his wife's child...
"Let's go to Shueido!" The past two days were when the newest season of Icha Icha Paradise went on sale. The relationship between the male and female leads had reached a particularly worthwhile stage, and Kakashi had waited more than two months for it. He was eagerly looking forward to it!
Yesterday, Kakashi had been assigned a mission, so he had not had time to buy it.
Ten minutes later.
Before you continue