Vigilance

The afternoon session was an outdoor class. Since the students had just enrolled, the curriculum avoided intense taijutsu that might lead to injury, focusing instead on simple running to build physical stamina. The remaining time was left for the students to engage in free activities.

Ueda Shin finally had the chance to meet with Senju Kotoha alone for a private conversation.

Ito Makoto, who was nearby with Sakura, noticed the two huddling together and realized they were planning something.

He silently adjusted his position to face them, activated his Sharingan, and began reading their lips to decipher their conversation.

"How is it? When are you planning to make your move?" Ueda Shin asked Senju Kotoha.

"Naturally, when there's no one around after school," Senju Kotoha replied casually. "What about you? When are you planning to act?"

"Same as you. There are too many people in school; too many eyes," Ueda Shin said, finding a flat patch of ground to lie down on. "I'm not an idiot. Why would I make a move while still at school?"

"Speaking of which, your Harem Plan includes Yamanaka Ino, right?" Senju Kotoha asked curiously. "Regardless of whether Yamanaka Masami is a transmigrator, she is still Yamanaka Ino's biological sister. If you make a move on Yamanaka Masami, how do you expect to win over Yamanaka Ino's heart in the future?"

"I couldn't care less if she likes me," Ueda Shin said flatly. "I want her body, not her heart. As long as I have her, that's enough. Once I have the strength, I can force her to submit in the future. She'll have no choice but to comply."

"You wouldn't use force, would you?" Senju Kotoha frowned. She detested such disregard for women; being a woman herself, she felt a sense of empathy. "Konoha and the Third Hokage would never allow such behavior."

"Hahahahaha—" Ueda Shin burst into laughter.

"Kotoha, why are you so naive? We've both seen the original plot. In this world, having strength means you can do whatever you want. As long as I have the power to kill the Hokage, who could possibly restrain me?"

"As long as I am strong, what's wrong with having a harem? If I become the strongest in the world, I will force my harem into existence. Who among those women would dare to refuse?"

Hearing Ueda Shin's words, Senju Kotoha found herself unable to refute him. In this strange world, perhaps that was indeed the case.

Strength could trample order, law, morality, and dignity—it could trample everything beautiful born in this world.

The strong did as they pleased, while the weak could only struggle to survive in the cracks, left to be bullied and controlled by the strong.

But looking at the smug Ueda Shin before her, she couldn't help but retort with sarcasm.

"Even if strength allows you to do as you please, what makes you think you're the strongest? There are plenty of monsters in this world, and geniuses are as numerous as carp crossing a river."

"Is it just because of that Mera Mera no Mi from One Piece? Don't joke around. Your fruit wouldn't even be able to beat me right now."

"Besides, the earlier physical training showed that your stamina is only in the lower-middle tier among all the students. You only got first place in the entrance exam by cheating with your flames, didn't you?"

"If I'm not mistaken, you rarely train your body, do you?"

"You're right. I never train my body; I wouldn't touch that exhausting, back-breaking work even if I had to. Not only do I skip physical training, I don't train at all," Ueda Shin said, sitting up with a nonchalant tone.

"Then on what grounds do you think you'll become the strongest in the future?" Senju Kotoha mocked. "During this free time, the students who performed poorly are still putting in extra work. Even Ito Makoto and Sakura are training their stamina, yet you're already hiding here to rest."

"Even if you're strong now, can't they surpass you in the future?"

Ueda Shin let out a cold snort.

"I'm not like you ordinary people. I am the chosen one; you are all just mediocre fools."

"And," Ueda Shin added, his voice laced with hidden rage, "don't compare me to that Ito Makoto. What right does that loser have to be mentioned alongside me?"

"The fact that a piece of trash like him dares to stay by Sakura's side... I'll snatch Sakura away from him sooner or later."

This Ueda Shin really dared to think of anything! Reading his words from afar, Ito Makoto felt a surge of fury.

He treated Sakura like his own sister and held familial affection for her.

Now, this piece of human trash, Ueda Shin, was targeting Sakura and plotting against her.

Given his cautious nature and preference for keeping a low profile, even he felt a flicker of murderous intent.

Should I take the risk and finish this guy off? Ito Makoto seriously considered the thought.

He didn't fear Ueda Shin. Although Ueda Shin possessed a Logia-type fruit that allowed him to ignore physical attacks, ninjutsu and natural energy should still be effective.

Senju Kotoha had previously used Water Breathing to coat her blade with natural energy to attack Ueda Shin. According to her, if Ueda Shin hadn't separated his head in advance, she was certain her blade would have severed it.

Ito Makoto possessed Water Style, which could defend against fire attacks. While he lacked offensive Water Style ninjutsu, he could utilize Sage Mode.

As long as he bought a ninja blade and imbued it with natural energy, given his current taijutsu proficiency, Ueda Shin—with his pathetic physical skills—would have no chance to react before being decapitated.

However, what truly held Ito Makoto back wasn't Ueda Shin himself, but the attitude of the Konoha high command and the Third Hokage.

Just as Senju Kotoha would be executed by the Third Hokage if she killed him, Ito Makoto would face the death penalty if he killed Ueda Shin. Although he possessed the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to escape—and had even added his mother's name to the contract scroll so he could take her with him—they would become rogue ninjas, facing endless pursuit from Konoha.

To protect one family member only to put his mother in danger? He felt he owed his mother too much to do that.

Damn it, Ito Makoto rubbed his temples. Why did someone like him have so many constraints and ties when trying to deal with a person? Conversely, scum like Ueda Shin, who had no parents, family, or friends, could act with total impunity.

Suppressing his anger, Ito Makoto calmed his murderous intent for the time being. After careful thought, he realized his urge to kill was a bit excessive. The current situation hadn't reached the point of flipping the table. Ueda Shin's methods were still within his control.

However, he couldn't afford to be unprepared. His vigilance against Ueda Shin needed to be raised to a higher level, and the protection for Sakura had to be strengthened. Furthermore, he needed to accelerate the acquisition of a ninja blade and the practice of his Breathing Technique to avoid any sudden emergencies.

With comprehensive precautions in place, Ueda Shin wouldn't be able to do anything dangerous.

Additionally, Ito Makoto planned to step up his surveillance of Ueda Shin. Although the Anbu patrols in Konoha were airtight, even the tightest net had holes.

He intended to send his Golden Eagle to monitor Ueda Shin's movements long-term. Once an opportunity arose, he wouldn't miss it; he would use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to arrive on the scene and kill him instantly.