Be My Confidant

It was 6:00 AM.

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

This was Uchiha Xiao's first attempt at self-cultivation since transmigrating. He discovered that this thing called chakra was somewhat like the internal energy described in martial arts 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 to refresh the chakra in his body.

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

The Nine-Tails observed Uchiha Xiao through Uzumaki Mito's perception, his brow furrowing. "Mito, this guy is indeed extracting chakra, but this chakra shouldn't be something a mere Genin could handle!"

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

"That little guy is extracting natural chakra—oh, what you humans call Sage chakra. Only Tailed Beasts and those who have trained in the three great sacred sites can absorb this. The Uchiha clan has a contract with the Ninja Cats, and I've never heard of anyone from the Ninja Cat clan breaking through to become a Sage. This kid..." The Nine-Tails was utterly baffled.

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

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

Uchiha Xiao 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 realized his physique had also improved significantly. The corners of his mouth curled up; 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. "Xiao, come over quickly, breakfast is ready!" As she spoke, she beckoned to Uchiha Xiao.

Uchiha Xiao hurriedly stood up, straightened his clothes, and bowed. "Lady Mito, would that not be too much trouble?" He kept his head low, his etiquette impeccable, while the Anbu in the trees recorded the interaction by reading Lady Mito's lips.

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

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

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

Tsunade, wearing her combat gear, looked at her grandmother in astonishment, then looked at Uchiha Xiao. What was going on? Was progress moving this quickly?

"Lady Tsunade!" Uchiha Xiao 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, so she shut her mouth, gingerly pulled Uchiha Xiao's hand away, and sat down to eat.

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

Seeing Uchiha Xiao's cautious and wary appearance, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help but want to laugh. Was she really that terrifying? Look at how scared she had made this child.

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

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

Ding! System mission issued: Due to the extreme danger of the Second Shinobi World War, please join the team of the Sannin. 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, "Xiao-kun, I have a request, and I hope you will agree to it."

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

"Please, Lady Tsunade, tell me. If it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse." Xiao's gaze was solemn and serious as he looked into Tsunade's eyes.

Hearing his response and seeing Uchiha Xiao's commitment, Tsunade couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She said kindly, "The Hokage has ordered Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and me to each lead a thousand ninjas to the Land of Rain as the vanguard. We are allowed to choose one trusted aide from the village, so..."

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

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

Even Uzumaki Mito, sitting to the side, squinted her eyes into slits upon hearing Uchiha Xiao's words. A trusted aide—that was a good start.

Tsunade's lips curled into a smile. "Then, I look forward to working with you on this mission, Xiao-kun!"

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

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

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

He actually received this reward! Uchiha Xiao's expression brightened. With this detection-type skill, he would surely be able to avoid many risks!

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

Oh, right, how was he supposed to warn Lady Mito about the affairs of the Uzumaki clan?