Unexpected Gains, Itachi Uchiha (Hokage Manifestation)

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru."

Uchiha Jun tucked the blade at his waist and gave Orochimaru a solemn bow.

Orochimaru might have ulterior motives, but he really did hand out the good stuff!

There were plenty of swordsmanship specialists in the ninja pool. With this Ninja Blade, if Jun pulled a ninja from the "Wanderer" series in the future, he would not have to worry about lacking a suitable weapon and being unable to fully display his strength!

Orochimaru turned and vanished into the shadows at the village entrance.

Jun straightened up, gripped the hilt at his waist, and a faint smile curled his lips.

Outside the Uchiha Clan Grounds in Konoha.

Rather than returning directly to the cave, Jun headed toward the core area of the Uchiha Clan Grounds, as he had previously agreed with Uchiha Fugaku.

Orochimaru had told him to "report tomorrow," which meant the rest of today was free time.

Perfect. He could go learn Uchiha-style Swordsmanship from Clan Head Fugaku.

Senju-style Swordsmanship was fierce and sharp, but as the saying went, the more options you had, the more paths lay open before you.

He had to learn the Uchiha style and practice the Senju style!

That was what it meant to be well-rounded!

At present, there were no ninjas in Konoha skilled in Senju-style Swordsmanship. Jun was one of a kind, and his traits stood out far too clearly.

If Jun ever did something bad with a blade in the future, there was a good chance he would be exposed.

If he could master Uchiha-style Swordsmanship as well, he would draw less suspicion later on.

After all, the Shinobi World limited event "Sasuke Run" had not happened yet. The Uchiha Clan was still known as Konoha's number one clan!

As for why [Second Pillar (Shippuden)], an Uchiha, did not come with Uchiha-style Swordsmanship by default, one would have to ask that Uchiha super-genius who supposedly "had the mindset of a Hokage at seven."

Jun walked along the stone-paved paths of the clan grounds, pondering his next moves as he went.

He had yet to draw the A-Rank Ninja Fragment from the mission reward, still had nine recruitment scrolls in his pocket, and had saved up seventeen million Copper Coins.

If he used those resources well, he might be able to gather enough fragments for [Second Pillar (Susanoo)]—

"Uchiha Jun!"

A furious shout interrupted Jun's train of thought.

He turned and saw several familiar figures standing at the corner behind him.

At their head was Uchiha Ryota, clutching a Kunai with a smug expression on his face.

Four people stood behind him, all dressed in Uchiha Clan attire. One of them even appeared to be a Chunin.

A Chunin?

Ryota's older brother?

Jun stopped walking and swept his gaze across the group without saying a word.

Ryota stepped forward and pointed at Jun. "Jun, you ambushed me at the Naka River last time and humiliated me in front of the clan! My brother came back specially during his mission today just to teach you a lesson, you—"

"Your brother?"

Jun cut him off, his gaze settling on the Chunin.

The young man was around seventeen or eighteen, tall and lean, with the cold, proud expression typical of the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Tetsu took two steps forward and looked down at Jun. "You're that Water Release Uchiha?"

Jun did not answer. Instead, he looked the group up and down as though assessing their value.

Tetsu frowned, his tone turning colder. "Ryota said you relied on your large chakra reserves to humiliate your clansmen at the training grounds. I only came back to take a look, but since we've run into each other, I'll teach you what respect for rank means."

He waved a hand, and Ryota along with the Genin behind him immediately spread out, surrounding Jun.

Uchiha clansmen on both sides of the street stopped and turned to watch.

Some whispered among themselves, some shook their heads and sighed, while several older clansmen frowned and walked away.

Everyone living on this street knew exactly what Ryota and his group were like, but no one was going to stand up for a dead last who could not even perform a proper Great Fireball.

Jun looked around, then suddenly smiled.

His smile actually made Tetsu pause. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing because you're such good people."

Jun drew the Ninja Blade from his waist. "I was just wondering who I could use to test this new blade. Then you came right to me."

Tetsu's face darkened. "Arrogant!"

A cold smile rose on Jun's lips. Without even moving his blade, he raised his hands and formed seals.

Tiger.

Snake.

Monkey.

"Water Release: Water Wave."

A violent torrent burst up from the ground, transforming into a waterspout that spread outward from Jun.

Ryota and one of the Genin were blasted away before they could even scream. They slammed heavily into the walls along both sides of the street, then slid limply to the ground, drenched from head to toe.

The remaining two Genin instinctively retreated half a step.

Tetsu's eyes narrowed. He flashed behind Jun in an instant, thrusting his Kunai toward the back of Jun's neck!

"An ambush?"

Jun did not even turn his head. He swung his blade backward!

Senju-style Swordsmanship: Reverse Slash!

Blade and Kunai collided, sending sparks flying.

Tetsu felt a tremendous force explode against the web of his hand. The Kunai in his grip was violently knocked away.

His pupils contracted. He tried to retreat, but the icy blade was already pressed against his throat.

The cold edge touched his skin, and a fine layer of sweat seeped across his neck.

"You—" Tetsu's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice trembling as disbelief filled his face. "What kind of swordsmanship is this?!"

Jun did not answer. He merely pressed the blade a little closer.

"Six million."

Tetsu froze. "Wh... what?"

"Your brother said last time that he wanted another fight with me. The loser would pay six million ryo as a wager."

Jun's expression was utterly serious. "But he didn't bring the money, so that bet has been on hold ever since. Now that you're his brother, you can pay the debt."

Tetsu's face instantly turned liver-colored.

Six million ryo!

Forget him—even a Jonin from the clan could not produce that amount on short notice!

An A-rank mission only paid one million ryo at most!

Damn it, Uchiha Jun was seriously addicted to gambling!

"I don't have—"

"No money?"

Jun narrowed his eyes. "Then hand over everything valuable you have on you!"

"You offended me and still want to walk away unscathed?"

Tetsu gritted his teeth, but the icy sensation at his throat ultimately forced him to empty everything he could from his ninja tool pouch.

Three bundles of Explosive Tags, six Shuriken, a pouch of Kunai, and roughly several hundred thousand ryo in mission payment.

Jun nodded in satisfaction and stored everything in his Storage Scroll. Then he turned toward Ryota and the other two Genin sprawled on the ground.

"You three too!"

Ryota was soaked through and still dazed from being blasted around by the water. Now Jun grabbed him by the collar and stripped him clean as well. His eyes reddened with rage, tears threatening to spill over.

After collecting his protection money, Jun sheathed his blade and patted Tetsu's cheek. "You know what's good for you. Once you save up enough money, come challenge me again! I'll welcome you anytime!"

With that, he turned and left.

Tetsu was left sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.

He looked down at his hands—the web between his thumb and forefinger had split open, and drops of blood slid through his fingers.

"Wh... who the hell called him one of Konoha Twin Districts?! Is this guy someone Obito can compare to?"

Tetsu's voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with terror. "That draw speed, that kind of force..."

Across the street, a white-haired Uchiha elder had watched the entire conflict from beginning to end.

He turned and whispered a few words to the young clansman beside him. The young man nodded and hurried toward the depths of the Uchiha Clan Grounds—toward Uchiha Setsuna's residence.

Uchiha Fugaku's residence stood in the core area of the Uchiha Clan Grounds. The courtyard before it was immaculately swept, and the Uchiha fan crest hung above the entrance.

Jun straightened his collar at the door and made sure his clothes were neat before knocking.

Uchiha Fugaku himself answered the door.

He wore a black casual kimono, his expression as calm and stern as ever.

Seeing Jun, Fugaku gave a slight nod. "You're back? How did the mission go?"

"An A-rank mission. I did not disgrace your expectations." Jun bowed respectfully.

A trace of satisfaction flashed through Fugaku's eyes. He stepped aside. "Come in."

Jun followed Fugaku into the residence, passed through a corridor, and entered the living room.

The room's furnishings were simple yet elegant. A calligraphy scroll reading "Will of Fire" hung on the wall, and a tea set rested on the low table.

But what truly caught Jun's attention was a child seated beside the tea table.

He was around four years old, still with baby fat on his cheeks, yet his eyes were extraordinarily clear, as though they could see through a person's heart.

Hearing the footsteps, he looked up and glanced in Jun's direction.

A chill suddenly ran up from the soles of Jun's feet.

Itachi Uchiha.

Four-year-old Itachi Uchiha.