Tsunade, You've Ruined Me! [Seeking Collection and Flowers~]

Obviously, Hikaru and Tsunade would become the fuse for a conflict between the two great clans.

Shaking his head, Hikaru returned home, took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and put the money away, planning to return it to Tsunade when school started.

As for himself, if things didn't work out, he could just apply for early graduation directly.

The best outcome would be gaining the Third Hokage's favor; if not, at worst he'd end up in a random squad or become a wanderer.

With his mind made up, Hikaru headed toward the Clan Shrine. Since they were using him, why not take the reward of two jutsu?

"Uchiha Hikaru?"

The Clan Shrine was always guarded by experts of the Uchiha Clan. Outsiders couldn't enter—only high-ranking members and those with permission could, and identity verification was required.

"That's right. The Great Elder rewarded this disciple with entry to the shrine to select two jutsu scrolls for study."

Hikaru nodded, stating his purpose.

"Go on in."

The shrine guard had clearly been notified in advance and didn't give Hikaru any trouble, letting him enter directly.

"Higher-level jutsu aren't always better. The one that suits you is the best."

"Thank you for the advice, senior."

Those words were true enough, but unfortunately, they weren't very useful. Hikaru thanked the guard and entered the shrine. For a child picking jutsu scrolls, it was obvious they'd mostly be low-level techniques.

High-level jutsu were rare and kept elsewhere—they wouldn't be laid out for just anyone to choose.

If S-rank and A-rank jutsu were placed alongside C-rank and D-rank ones, who would bother picking D-rank or C-rank?

After all, the contribution points needed for an A-rank or S-rank jutsu were staggering. Even a jonin would need to work hard for a long time. With that in mind, how many children could resist the temptation and not go for the high-level techniques?

Hikaru wasn't wrong. Guided along, he arrived at the selection area—an underground chamber filled with stacks of scrolls. As a long-established great clan, the Uchiha had a vast collection of jutsu scrolls.

And that was after donating many when Konoha was founded.

"The jutsu that suits you is the best"—that saying was correct. Often, higher rank didn't mean better.

Hikaru began his selection.

Before coming, he had thought it over for a long time. He quickly found the scrolls he needed: two C-rank jutsu, neither too high nor too low. Both were attack-type techniques, common within the Uchiha Clan, and the scrolls were relatively simple to produce.

Fire Style C-rank jutsu: Great Fireball Technique and Fire Dragon Technique. The Great Fireball Technique was quite standard, while the Fire Dragon Technique was a pseudo-B-rank jutsu—labeled C-rank but capable of unleashing B-rank power.

Many Naruto fans tended to confuse the Fire Dragon Technique with the Great Fire Dragon Technique. In reality, the Great Fire Dragon Technique was just an enhanced version of the Fire Dragon Technique. Used properly, this jutsu could even burst out with A-rank power, not just B-rank.

Madara Uchiha was the best example.

That's why Hikaru chose it. For now, his priority was learning the Great Fireball Technique; the Fire Dragon Technique was a backup.

This kid's not bad, thought the guard following Hikaru. Seeing that Hikaru didn't waver but directly picked up the Great Fireball Technique and Fire Dragon Technique, he knew Hikaru had made a well-considered choice. Two C-rank jutsu, with the Fire Dragon Technique's high potential—it was the most suitable pick.

Having selected his scrolls, Hikaru took them and left. Though he wanted to sit there and study them slowly, that was impossible. He didn't have that privilege, and he could only regret it.

With his chosen jutsu, Hikaru left the Clan Shrine and headed home, planning to practice both techniques thoroughly before returning the scrolls.

If they were accidentally lost or damaged, he'd have to pay a hefty fine—that was the most annoying part.

"Look, that's Uchiha Hikaru. I never thought he'd be able to get along with the Senju Clan's Little Princess, Tsunade."

"Not just that—his parents are dead, his finances are tight, and Tsunade even gives him money to spend."

"Tsk tsk, impressive."

Leaving the shrine and walking down the road, Hikaru heard some clan members whispering. Their gazes were strange—some surprised, some admiring, some contemptuous.

Surprised that Hikaru could get along with Tsunade, admiring that he could make Tsunade willingly give him money, and contemptuous because they thought he had no backbone, spending someone else's money.

Hikaru was famous again, and this time the news spread even wider than before. No doubt, wherever he went, he'd be the center of attention—though that attention came because of Tsunade, and it wasn't a good thing.

Tsunade, Tsunade, you've really screwed me over with this move.

Shaking his head, Hikaru ignored these people and went straight home. He had already stashed Tsunade's money away, planning to return it to her at school. He'd have to be careful about how he returned it, or his reputation would be ruined. But that wasn't a problem—just a small issue.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!!!"

With the scrolls for the Great Fireball Technique and Fire Dragon Technique in hand, Hikaru started practicing as soon as he got home.

"..."

As expected, all that talk about super geniuses was nonsense. Hikaru shook his head and kept trying. Attempt after attempt, he failed every time. Not even the Fire Dragon Technique—he couldn't even master the Great Fireball Technique.

While Hikaru was learning his jutsu, news of Tsunade giving him money had already spread throughout Konoha. The Senju Clan was furious and dragged Tsunade back. Of course, the money she had stolen—aside from what she gave Hikaru—had mostly been handed over to the casinos, not a single coin left.

"Hokage Lord, the Senju Clan is very displeased about this. And the Uchiha Clan refuses to back down."