I Won't Say Another Word

Chen pretended nothing had happened and chatted with Uchiha Shisui for a while, only starting to talk to the system once Shisui had left.

"System, let's negotiate—stop screwing me over. I killed someone from Root; do you really think that old dog Danzo won't come after me? There's a limit to how much you can mess with someone. This isn't even playing with me anymore; it's blatant sabotage."

"What do you mean 'playing with you'? What is there to play with? Can you even get it up?"

"I..."

Faced with a system that would start talking dirty at the drop of a hat, Chen was left completely speechless.

"I couldn't help the mission, and you just heard Uchiha Shisui say it yourself: Danzo has his eyes on you. Even though he doesn't know it was you, he's already started suspecting people within Konoha. So, if you don't want to be discovered, you have no choice but to eliminate the Root members silently. Otherwise, unless you never leave Konoha, it's only a matter of time before you're exposed. If you ask me, you'd better find a way to divert Danzo's attention elsewhere."

The system stopped joking around and patiently explained, causing Chen to nod slightly after listening.

However, what Chen didn't know was that the system was once again wearing a smile of a scheme successfully executed.

Clearly, the reality of the situation was nothing like that at all.

Of course, Chen remained oblivious to this fact.

For Chen, the news that Danzo had begun investigating these matters was far from good.

Although Chen didn't think the investigation would lead back to him, he still had to prepare for the worst.

"Sigh, I'm still too weak. If only I could use cheats, I could just wipe out that old dog Danzo and everything would be so much easier."

Chen grumbled helplessly before making his way to Training Ground No. 7.

Even with the system, Chen understood that training was still essential.

Just as the system had said before, being able to use a technique and knowing how to use it properly were two completely different levels.

As soon as he arrived at Training Ground No. 7, Chen spotted a familiar figure.

"Yo, isn't this our beloved Sasuko, who loves to cry, wet her pants, and wear women's clothing? How come you didn't go out in a dress today? Did you run out of nice clothes? I get it—a woman's closet is always missing that one perfect outfit. Do you want me to lend you some money to buy the clothes you like?"

Chen was already in a foul mood, so seeing Sasuko meant he naturally had to give her a good teasing.

"You bastard, this is all your fault!"

Sasuko's face flushed red, her eyes burning as if they were literally on fire.

If looks could kill, Chen would have died ten thousand times over already.

(System: Can't the Sharingan actually kill with a look? Author: Get lost!)

"Don't use that tone; you sound like a scorned woman. If someone heard you, they'd think I abandoned you after taking advantage of you. You might be misunderstood, but I certainly don't want to be."

"You! You clarify this matter for me right now, or I'll tell my father and have him punish you!"

Sasuko knew she couldn't beat Chen, so she tried to threaten him with her father. After all, Sasuko knew that Chen was an orphan with no backing whatsoever.

"Punish me? Sure, let's go see your father then. I'll just tell Clan Leader Fugaku that I forced you into all of this, alright?"

Hearing Chen's words, Sasuko froze.

Sasuko had clearly seen the disappointment in her father's eyes; if Chen could explain everything, perhaps it could change things.

"Are you really willing to see my father? You aren't planning to keep framing me, are you?"

"How could I? When I see Clan Leader Fugaku, I'll only say, 'Clan Leader Fugaku, the incident where Sasuko appeared on the streets of Konoha in women's clothing wasn't his idea; I forced him.' I won't say a single word more."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I can swear that, aside from that one sentence, I won't say another word when I see Clan Leader Fugaku."

Seeing this, Sasuko hesitated for a moment before deciding to let Chen go see her father to clarify the situation, and Chen followed her obediently.

The two of them entered Fugaku's home one after the other, and Sasuko hurried off to find her father.

Uchiha Fugaku had never held high expectations for Sasuke, and now, with the cross-dressing incident, his irritation had only deepened. Hearing that Sasuke still had something to say, he merely suppressed his rising fury.

"You are Uchiha Chen, correct? Sasuke said you had something to tell me?"

"Y-y-yes, Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku."

Uchiha Chen spoke with a stutter, while Sasuke, standing to the side, felt a vague sense of unease.

"Speak."

"Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, the incident where Sasuke appeared on the streets of Konoha in women's clothing was not his idea; I forced him to do it."

Uchiha Chen delivered the line exactly as promised. Hearing that Uchiha Chen hadn't added a single extra word, Sasuke broke into a smile.

However, what Sasuke received was not Uchiha Fugaku's forgiveness, but an even colder expression from his father.

"Did Sasuke force you to say that?"

"Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, the incident where Sasuke appeared on the streets of Konoha in women's clothing was not his idea; I forced him to do it."

Uchiha Chen did not answer, simply repeating his previous words once more.

If Uchiha Fugaku had only been suspicious when Uchiha Chen rattled off the sentence the first time, he was now absolutely certain that Sasuke had coerced Uchiha Chen into saying it.

After all, someone who stuttered while merely speaking to him had suddenly recited a complete sentence in one breath, and the two responses were word-for-word identical.

To Uchiha Fugaku, it was clear that Sasuke had forced Uchiha Chen to memorize the line; there was no other possibility.

"Fine, I understand. You may go now. I am aware of Sasuke's situation."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke with a darkened face, and the look of excitement on Sasuke's face only served to confirm his suspicions.

"O-o-okay, Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku."

Uchiha Chen finished his stuttering reply and fled from Uchiha Fugaku's room as if escaping.

Uchiha Fugaku cast a cold glance at the excited Sasuke before turning and walking away.

Poor Sasuke still didn't realize that he had been played by Uchiha Chen once again.

"Hey, is it really okay to mess with Sasuke like that?"

The system spoke with a laugh.

"How am I messing with him? I explained the situation exactly as he requested, word for word. I didn't even use a sarcastic tone, so how can you say I'm messing with him?"

Having left the residence, Uchiha Chen was in high spirits, humming a tune as he headed toward Training Ground No. 7.

However, along the way, Uchiha Chen vaguely sensed that something was off.

"System, are there members of Root in the vicinity?"

"You guessed correctly. There are quite a few members of Root nearby, as well as some Anbu. I imagine they are investigating the Flying Thunder God matter. After all, the Flying Thunder God technique is only recorded in the Scroll of Seals; if it has truly leaked, it is indeed no small matter."

"System, how can I upgrade the Flying Thunder God technique? I don't see any proficiency gained whenever I use it, whereas using things like the Great Fireball at least grants some proficiency."

"Do you truly want proficiency for the Flying Thunder God?"

"Uh, never mind. I think it's better if I explore it myself; after all, what one develops on their own is always the best to use."