Chapter 44. Through Love, Nothing is Impossible!
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"Welcome to the Chunin Joint Exams, proudly sponsored by the leading brand Yuto Milk Tea! Enjoy milk tea, watch the matches, and cheer for your favorite ninja!"
"Refreshing passion, limitless energy!"
"Let's welcome the lucky participants who've advanced to the third stage of the competition!"
As the host's enthusiastic voice echoed, the audience in the stands froze in stunned silence.
This… this… was unlike any Chunin Joint Exams they had ever seen!
Especially the team leaders from other villages. Thinking about the unfair treatment their young ninjas had endured in the Forest of Death just days ago left them seething with anger.
They're just kids!
How could they suffer such a fate?
The reports they had received left them trembling with fury, drenched in cold sweat, and paralyzed with shock. Seeing their ninja lying face down on hospital beds, with their butts sticking up, clenching the sheets with their teeth in unspeakable agony that could not be described in words only deepened their anger.
Konoha has fallen!
Rumor had it that even the Legendary Sannin nearly attacked the kids during the ordeal.
This… this was truly unforgivable!
These were heroes—heroes who dedicated themselves to their villages.
The scabs on their pants and the dirt on their bodies were symbols of their heroism.
The already fallen Konoha was unfit to shoulder the future of the number one village. Kumo/Kiri/Iwa were determined to take its place!
Many leaders from other villages smirked as they watched the ridiculous spectacle unfold. The stench of merchants had already permeated the entire Konoha.
Konoha… is it even a pure ninja village anymore?
Sipping the free milk tea labeled Yuto Milk Tea in their hands, they shook their heads and muttered to themselves:
"Konoha… has fallen."
Then, they took another sip of the milk tea, a sneer curling on their lips.
...
On the Konoha side.
For this opening ceremony that was unlike any before, all their faces twitched.
How on earth did that Uchiha Yuto pull this off?
How could the Hokage agree to this? This didn't seem in line with the Will of Fire!
Little did they know, Sarutobi Hiruzen himself was wearing a forced smile amidst the spectators' stares. He had thought Yuto merely wanted to hang a few banners in the Forest of Death—it was spacious enough, after all. But he hadn't expected Yuto to involve the event's announcer in his advertising campaign.
Though his face maintained the calm demeanor of the leader of the First Ninja Village, inwardly Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed: I didn't charge him enough.
...
"Brother, why are you looking at me like that? Eat some fries and fried chicken! Today is mainly about relaxing—don't think about other things."
"…"
Uchiha Fugaku stared at his cheerful brother, silent for a moment, before speaking with the same expressionless face. "How… did you manage this?"
"What do you mean, how did I manage this?" Yuto was stunned for a moment, then nodded as realization struck. Looking at Fugaku seriously, he replied, "All my wealth was earned through hard work with my partners. I didn't take a single ryo from the family!"
"I didn't ask you that." Fugaku's mouth twitched. He glanced at Yuto indifferently, pointing at the banners and then at the announcer below. After a pause, he repeated, "How did you manage this?"
It wasn't just the advertisements everywhere. Even the announcer was promoting Yuto's brand. Would the Third Hokage and his council have agreed to this?
Impossible!
However, seeing Fugaku's persistence, the corners of Yuto's mouth curled up slightly. With a faint smile, he replied calmly: "Through love!"
"Lord Hokage was moved by my ardent love for Konoha and my fiery dedication to the Will of Fire. So, he gave me this chance. Thank you, Lord Hokage, and thank you to all Konoha ninjas."
"...Heh."
I don't believe you!
Fugaku snorted, clearly not buying it. He gave up trying to reason with Yuto but couldn't help feeling conflicted as he looked at his brother.
That once-earnest little brother…
He was so cute, so diligent, training and studying with utmost sincerity. How had he turned into such a smooth-talker? What had he experienced to become like this?
The proud Uchiha clan was known for being direct and forthright…
Fugaku's musings were interrupted by the announcer's voice:
"Next, the Konoha ninja, Uchiha Obito, will face the Kusagakure ninja..."
"Now, please invite the ninjas from both sides to come onto the stage!"
Hearing the host's words, Fugaku's expression stiffened again. He stayed silent, watching the young man wearing the Uchiha Clan crest step onto the stage. His gaze grew more complex, and he let out a soft sigh.
"Sigh…"
"Sigh..."
A sigh came from beside them.
Uchiha Yuto turned to look curiously at the blond youth wearing a peculiar sun-shaped mask, who had arrived with Kushina. He was stunned and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Minato, what's with the mask? What's wrong with you?"
Did he suddenly get freckles or something?
"Yuto, Clan Leader Fugaku," Minato greeted them in his usual calm tone, though there was a faint bitterness underlying his voice. Still wearing the mask, he added, "Excuse us; we're sitting here too."
"Mm," Fugaku responded with a nod, acknowledging the greeting, but his gaze lingered on Minato, finding some strange mix of emotions in his eyes.
Sympathy? Helplessness? Annoyance?
How strange!
"Your students are competing up there," Yuto said, puzzled. "As their team leader, is it really okay for you to be sitting here as a spectator? Shouldn't you be keeping an eye on them?"
"It's better if I don't show up during this period," Minato replied with a slightly awkward laugh. "Don't worry, I've arranged for other Jonin team leaders to assist."
If he showed up now, it might cause chaos.
Didn't they see those ninjas from the other villages leaning over the railings with their butts sticking out? Yes, those same ninjas who, just days ago, had been confined to hospital beds.
"Alright, I understand what's going on," Yuto said, offering a polite smile. After a brief pause, he added, "I'm sure things will only get better from here!"
With that, he perked up excitedly, taking out the bag of snacks he had asked Suzune to prepare. Without hesitation, he stuffed them directly into the hands of the two kids next to him—Itachi and Shisui.
Yuto couldn't help but notice how thin Itachi looked. Was it just him, or had the boy lost weight since the last time he saw him?
"Brother, did you starve the child at home?" Yuto asked in dissatisfaction, ruffling Itachi's hair. "Look how skinny he's gotten! Come on, eat more! If there's anything you want in the future, just come to your uncle!"
"..."
Starving? What nonsense. Telling lies with open eyes.
Couldn't he see Itachi's chubby cheeks?
Still, Fugaku said nothing, folding his arms and maintaining his stoic gaze on the arena below.
And Itachi... hesitated, then gently shook his head. "Uncle, I've already eaten. I can't eat these."
"It's okay, snacks go into a different stomach. Don't listen to your dad—kids should eat plenty. That's how you grow up strong and healthy!"
As your uncle, how could I harm you?
With a kind smile, Yuto patted Itachi on the head. "Such a sensible child! Brother, how could you deprive him of snacks?"
Look how cute he is now. How did he turn into that... peculiar adult later on?
"I..." Itachi froze, unsure of how to respond.
"No excuses! Eat! If you don't, you're disrespecting your uncle!"
"…"
Faced with such insistence, Itachi glanced at his father, who said nothing, and then nodded, breaking into a happy smile. "Thank you, Uncle!"
Honestly, he quite liked snacks.
But Shisui, on the other hand, politely declined, shaking his head with a warm smile. "I'll pass, Yuto-senpai. I'm currently in training and need to watch my diet."
"Training is all the more reason to eat!"
Was this kid seriously bringing the Will of Fire into snack time?
Kid, what do you want to do?
Yuto's eye twitched slightly, but he maintained his benevolent demeanor. "Eat more! You need food to grow. Don't hold back—this is what our family does, after all."
"I..."
"No 'I.' Just eat! Oh, right!"
As if recalling something, Yuto suddenly pulled out a book titled - The Tale of Ninja Perseverance. With a sly smile, he said, "Shisui, since you love reading so much, I have a book for you. It's written by the great ninja world author, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, Lord Jiraiya, the inheritor of the Will of Fire. This book captures his profound thoughts on the Will of Fire. I'm sure you'll love it."