The next morning, within the peaceful Uchiha clan grounds, Haruto woke up feeling invigorated. After an eventful day and night as a newlywed, fatigue was nowhere to be seen on his face. He stretched, his body radiating energy as he dressed and prepared for the day.
While brushing his teeth, the familiar voice of his system chimed in.
[Ding! Summary of yesterday's record...]
"Too much detail. Skip to the results," Haruto muttered with a smirk.
[Congratulations! You've broken all previous records!]
Haruto chuckled to himself, spitting out the mouthwash. He admired his reflection in the mirror, his confidence as unshakable as ever. "The Art of Perseverance combined with the Art of Winning—truly unbeatable!"
The system teased. [Why so modest today? You've earned bragging rights. But tell me, why are you even bothering to wear clothes? You'll just end up taking them off later.]
"Not everyone appreciates nudity like you, System," Haruto replied, slipping into his attire. "I've got business to attend to. Today is my first day officially working as one of Konoha's senior advisors. No time for distractions."
Scarlet flashed in his Sharingan as he clenched his fists. "Watch out, Hokage Building. Haruto is coming!"
Grabbing a pair of sunglasses to mask his eyes, Haruto strode out confidently, leaving the Uchiha grounds behind.
---
At the Hokage Building, the morning was in full swing. The hallways buzzed with activity as shinobi and civilians alike attended to their duties.
Haruto entered the main hall, surveying the scene. His first task? To locate his new office. Without hesitation, he began his search, starting with the nearest room.
Pushing the door open, Haruto stepped inside and asked with a charming smile, "Hello, is this the office of the senior advisor?"
The room was filled with young women, all clerical workers judging by their attire. They stared at Haruto, stunned into silence.
"Oops, my mistake. Wrong room," Haruto said with a sheepish grin before walking out.
Undeterred, he moved to the next room and repeated his question. This time, the room was full of male staff, their frail appearances marking them as civilians.
"Sorry to disturb you," Haruto apologized, backing out again.
As he closed the door, faint moans and groans echoed from the first office he'd visited.
"Ugh, my stomach hurts…"
"Same here! What's going on?"
"I can't even move!"
Haruto smirked. "Just endure it for another hour, ladies. Once your maternity leave kicks in, you'll be thanking me."
He continued his routine, systematically working his way through the building. Office after office, floor after floor, Haruto left a trail of confusion and whispers in his wake.
Finally, he reached the top floor. Only three offices remained. Opening another door, he asked, "Hello, is this the office of the senior advisor?"
A shrill, elderly voice replied, "Yes, come in."
Haruto froze. Inside sat Koharu Utatane, one of Konoha's senior advisors. The elderly woman's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Haruto.
"Damn it," Haruto muttered under his breath, cursing his luck.
Recognizing him, Koharu gestured for him to enter. "Haruto, isn't it? Hiruzen mentioned you'd be joining us as a senior advisor. Honestly, I don't understand his reasoning, but we're colleagues now. Let's have a word."
Her condescending tone grated on Haruto's nerves. He despised the old advisors of Konoha, viewing them as meddlesome relics who clung to power while offering little in return.
Behind his sunglasses, his Sharingan flared red. "You're not worth it," he thought, suppressing the urge to act.
Before Koharu could continue, a group of shinobi burst into the office, their expressions frantic.
"Lady Koharu, we have an emergency!"
Koharu frowned, her tone stern. "What's all this commotion about? Compose yourselves!"
"Apologies, ma'am, but something's happening to all the women in the building! They're experiencing severe stomach pain and paralysis!"
"All of them?" Koharu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes, ma'am. Every single one, including the clerks and even the cleaning staff. We suspect it's an enemy attack—possibly poison."
Koharu instinctively touched her own stomach, her face pale. "Why am I unaffected? I'm a woman and an important figure in this building. Shouldn't I have been targeted as well?"
"Uh…" The shinobi hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Haruto bit back a laugh, turning his face away to hide his amusement. "Classic Koharu," he thought, "always assuming she's above everyone else."
---
While chaos spread throughout the building, Haruto quietly slipped out of Koharu's office. The scene below was chaotic, with medics and ANBU scrambling to assess the situation.
Watching from a distance, Haruto smirked. The events unfolding were the result of his carefully orchestrated plan, though none of the victims would ever suspect the truth.
"Let them investigate all they want," he mused. "By the time they figure out what's happening, my influence will already be solidified. Konoha's leadership will have no choice but to bow to me."
Adjusting his sunglasses, Haruto strolled out of the Hokage Building, his confident stride unbroken. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them head-on.
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