Chapter 30. An Unexpected Incident
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A few days later...
The weather was bright and breezy, a crisp autumn day.
Aside from the somber atmosphere in the village due to the war, it was actually a pretty good day.
Early that morning, Yuto was having a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku Ramen and took the opportunity to discuss business strategies with the owner.
Although Ichiraku Ramen wasn't yet as popular as his own milk tea and barbecue joints, sharing a bit of business insight never hurt.
Especially when it came to him—
Uchiha Yuto!
Konoha's Legendary Businessman!
In just a few short years, he'd built a massive business empire with the help of… well, his internal system, and it was still growing strong. The future looked promising~
For many, Uchiha Yuto had become a role model in business.
If he were to publish a book on his business philosophy, it would likely sell out immediately.
Who cares if he got help from his system and didn't have much hands-on business experience?
As long as he was successful, people would cheer even if he shared the most basic business advice.
Just like now—
"This has been truly eye-opening!" Boss Ichiraku said gratefully as he put away his notebook, looking at Yuto with admiration. "Lord Yuto, you're indeed a business genius, rising to become one of Konoha's wealthiest in just a few years. That VIP membership idea has really opened my eyes!"
"Just exchanging ideas, just exchanging ideas!" Yuto laughed awkwardly as he finished his soup, wiped his mouth, and said, "I'm done, so I won't bother Boss Ichiraku any longer."
Ichiraku Ramen… maybe they could try a one free bowl for every month of visits promotion~
Or perhaps a spend 100, get 50 free deal?
Maybe in the future, there'd even be a chain of Ichiraku Ramen shops.
Waving off the owner's invitation to stay, Yuto strolled toward his milk tea shop.
…
These days…
Other than overseeing the construction of new branches, there wasn't much else going on.
And with all the ninjas coming and going, it seemed the outside world wasn't exactly safe, so he decided to stick around the village for now.
In a few days, he'd go back to the Uchiha clan to bring some high-calorie snacks for his nephew. After all, he was a caring uncle.
He wanted little Itachi to eat enough and become plump.
"Yuto~"
"???" Hearing his name, Uchiha Yuto stopped and turned, surprised to see Minato's team back in town.
But—
Why was Kakashi, the cool-headed kid, being carried by Minato?
Even Obito wasn't injured, yet somehow Kakashi was?
What a mystery!
"You're back?" Yuto smiled, then, with a hint of hesitation, asked, "What happened to Kakashi…?"
He didn't get to finish.
Rin's face turned bright red, Obito looked down in guilt, Kakashi looked away, not wanting to explain, and Minato just smiled awkwardly, clearly not keen on elaborating either.
So… what happened?
"He got a little hurt on the mission," Minato quickly explained, "I'm taking him to the hospital now."
"…"
But from the looks of it… there didn't seem to be any visible injuries.
And wasn't Rin a medical ninja herself?
It must've been bad if they needed to take him to the hospital for treatment.
Yuto was taken aback, his curiosity about the future Sixth Hokage growing even stronger. "Where's he hurt?"
"Haha~" Minato laughed awkwardly, glancing away before sprinting ahead with Kakashi on his back. "Sorry, Yuto, we'll catch up another time! Kakashi's injuries are quite serious; he needs medical attention right away!"
"I don't see any serious injuries… but that stoic expression looks surprisingly pitiful." Yuto muttered, watching Minato's team rush away, and noticing that Obito hadn't followed them. "Your close friend is hurt, and you're not going with him?"
And also… what kind of injury was it, exactly?
"I… I'll go later!" Obito replied with an awkward laugh, a hint of guilt in his eyes. "I just thought I'd buy him a milk tea before visiting Kakashi."
"Really? You truly are a good friend!"
"Who said he's my friend?" Obito, displaying typical Uchiha pride, lifted his chin. "I just feel sorry for him, that's all! It's just… I'm only apologizing because I feel like I should!"
"What did you do to feel guilty towards him?"
"..." Why does that sound so strange?
Obito stared speechlessly at the annoying guy in front of him but eventually fell silent. Hesitating, he asked, "That technique you taught me… was it really from the Legendary Uchiha Ninja?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Uchiha Yuto replied confidently. "What's the matter? You don't believe me?" Remembering Kakashi's pitiful expression from earlier, Yuto paused, looking at Obito, who seemed to be showing a hint of guilt. "You didn't actually use it on Kaka..."
Before he could finish—
"No!" Obito denied it immediately, laughing awkwardly, eyes shifting. "No way! I, Uchiha Obito, would never do something like that! Let me tell you—"
"Alright, alright, don't get worked up!" Yuto patted him on the shoulder and sighed, shaking his head. "I was just going to remind you that technique is too powerful to use recklessly, that's all."
So Uchiha Obito really did try it on Kakashi… what a twisted fate!
Could it be that, in the future, Kakashi saw shades of Obito in Naruto and decided to teach him a lesson in return?
With a serious tone, Yuto continued, "You have to understand the personality of that Legendary Uchiha Ninja who left this technique behind. He was exceptionally powerful, and his forbidden techniques were hidden for a reason. They're not to be used lightly."
"I-I-I know that!" Obito said, lifting his head defiantly. "I was just asking, that's all!"
"Remember the chant passed down by that Legendary Ninja!" Uchiha Yuto said solemnly, "Kunai smeared with [Beep-], the ninja god will be reborn. Grab the [Beep-] with bare hands, the Six Paths will be in distress. Use explosive tags for the kill in [Beep-], the tailed beasts will suffer. Strike his [Beep-], he'll collapse in pain. [Beep-] on his face, the god will descend. Speak no more, and you're sure to win. Keep women out of your heart, and your ninjutsu will ascend! Terrifying, isn't it?"
"Wait, why is there an extra line?"
"I just didn't finish last time."
"This is nonsense! Why would having a girlfriend be a problem?"
"Think of that Legendary Ninja. Did he have a girlfriend until his death?" Yuto looked off into the distance with a wistful gaze. "That's why I abandoned my dream of being a ninja!"
"Then I…" Obito began, flustered.
"The path of a ninja is a deep and all-encompassing path. Women will only slow the speed of your ninjutsu. Without full dedication, how can you become a powerful ninja?"
"But the First Hokage had a wife! And the Third Hokage has a spouse too!"
"Think about it… who did the First Hokage spend more time with—his wife or that Legendary Ninja?"
"I…"
"According to the Konoha records, not long after he left, the First Hokage passed away too. That's the power of bonds!"
"I thought the First Hokage died of an illness?"
"That was just to throw people off. With his Sage Mode and God-like physique, do you really think he would die so easily?"
"?!"
Uchiha Obito stood there, stunned.
Could it really be true?