Chapter 71
The Third Boss's Reward, A Moment's Visit
"Mo, you've worked hard."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, smoking a pipe and sporting a kind smile.
Mo nodded to the old man without speaking, but Asma immediately chimed in:
"Old...Lord Hokage, we've killed quite a few enemies this time. Teacher Mo has made such a great contribution. You promised there would be a reward, you can't go back on your word, can you?"
Asuma has undergone more trials than in the original story, and his mind has matured considerably. He even knows how to speak appropriately now.
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed loudly in response:
"Hahaha! Of course I would never go back on my word. In fact, I was already prepared."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage opened a drawer on the right side of the table, took out a small scroll, and handed it to Uchiha Mo.
"Mo, this is the list of forbidden techniques in the village. Although you're still a bit lacking in skill, I believe your future performance will definitely make up for it. So, think about which one to choose first, and tell me your answer before your next mission."
Mo was somewhat surprised to hear this. He stepped forward, took the scroll, glanced at it, and then put it into his ninja tool pouch.
Although it was just a glimpse, Mo was certain that, apart from the unethical Reanimation Jutsu, techniques such as Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tags were all included.
In fact, Mo could probably guess that the order issued on the Cloud Hidden battlefield half a year ago was most likely issued by the Third Hokage.
The purpose is quite simple: fame!
The most essential thing to become Hokage is reputation, and Uchiha Mo's performance on the battlefield has even surpassed Minato's. He has clearly laid the foundation for challenging for the Hokage position. Most importantly, Mo is not even twelve years old!
That's why there was that order that caused his reputation to cool down for a while.
Clearly, the Third Hokage did not want any possibility to arise regarding the positions of the Uchiha clan and the Hokage, and it was not unreasonable to temporarily concede on the battlefield of Kumogakure for this reason.
If that's the case, the Third Hokage should be a smiling tiger full of malice and prejudice against the Uchiha. So Mo didn't really expect to actually get the reward.
However... judging from the previous invitation and his current unreserved attitude towards the reward, the Third Hokage seems to genuinely appreciate and value Uchiha Sumi, even though he is just a pure Uchiha.
"This is a contradictory old man."
This is Uchiha Mo's opinion.
Weakness and toughness, cowardice and courage, prejudice and justice—these contradictory and opposing qualities all coexisted in the same person.
Perhaps it was because he wasn't old enough and still retained some of the demeanor of a "heroic ninja," or perhaps he was just pretending; he was indeed a treacherous and cunning politician, but Uchiha Mo didn't care about any of that.
After completing his registration, he left the group and embarked on his journey back to the Uchiha clan's territory alone.
More than half a year has passed, and Mo stands on the streets of Konoha, gazing at the clan's territory. The Uchiha clan is still the same as before.
"Huh? Is that ink?"
"Huh?! It really is! Mo's back!"
"Mo, you're back! The guards are throwing a drinking party tonight, do you want to come?"
Several men with the Uchiha clan crest tattooed on their shoulders immediately surrounded Mo after recognizing him; they all appeared to be members of the Uchiha Security Force.
"Kazuya! What did you say? Sumi is still a minor, how can she drink alcohol?"
"Pshaw! What's the big deal? Tiehuo is a year younger than Mo! We can just tell Yaowei, it'll be fine."
Mo turned and glanced at everyone, replying calmly:
"No, I have something to do."
After saying that, Mo turned and walked towards the gate of the clan's territory.
Uchiha Tetsuo was still the same as always, selling pancakes near the entrance of the clan compound. In fact, he provided breakfast for most of the clan's children. Even Mo, a few years ago, often frequented this Uchiha pancake shop when he got up for training in the mornings.
Therefore, most of the children in the clan knew this kind middle-aged man, and he often gave the children in the clan preferential treatment.
At that moment, the man saw Mo walk in through the door, immediately grabbed a pancake, and waved as if to say something.
With a glance, Mo saw this scene and vanished from the spot in a flash.
Uchiha Tessai stood there stunned for a long time before scratching his head.
"Am I really that scary...?"
On the other side, Mo had already returned to his own doorstep, but the first thing he saw was a sprightly old man.
He wore a light-colored robe with a black haori draped over his shoulders, the collar of which bore the Uchiha crest. His posture was upright, and his expressionless face conveyed a serious yet dignified air.
However, the moment the old man saw Uchiha Mo, the wrinkles on his face melted away like snow, revealing a kind smile.
"ink."
Uchiha Mo walked up to him and nodded.
"Elder, is something the matter?"
She nodded instantly and took out a black-covered book from behind her back.
"There are some things."
Mo glanced at it and realized that it was the ancient book that Sha Na had been reading that day.
"Let's go inside and talk."
With that, Mo stepped into the courtyard and knocked on the door.
A moment later, the door clicked open, and seven-year-old Da Dou Ding Zhi Shui stood behind the door. He looked up and saw his older brother standing in the doorway, and instantly smiled.
"Brother! You're back!"
Mo handed the ninja sword and ninja tool pouch from his waist to Shisui and stepped into the house.
"Put your things away. The Grand Elder is here too. Go make him a cup of tea."
Mo changed his shoes expressionlessly, walked to the table in the living room and sat down. A moment later, he followed closely behind and said:
"No need for that. Just pour me a glass of water, Xiao Shishui."
"Okay!" Shisui replied.
She turned around in an instant, placed the black book on the table, and pushed it in front of Mo.
Mo didn't look down at the book, but instead turned to look at Sha Na with a puzzled expression.
She took the water glass from Shisui's hand and took a small sip.
"No rush, how's the situation on the battlefield?"
Mo withdrew his gaze and replied calmly, "Not bad, Yunyin's strength is average."
"Hahaha!"
Uchiha Setsuna laughed twice, "After all, it's you..."
After saying that, he chuckled and shook his head, then continued:
"Your battle has excited many of the younger members of the clan. Many of them now believe that you might be able to succeed Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Fourth Hokage and improve the situation within the clan."
What do you think?
She smiled and looked into Mo's eyes.
"Children always like to deceive themselves with naive fantasies." Mo remained expressionless.
He quickly looked away, his face showing little surprise.
"Okay, I'll try to control the public opinion around this. You should take a look at this book, and remember to read it with your Sharingan."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, smoking a pipe and sporting a kind smile.
Mo nodded to the old man without speaking, but Asma immediately chimed in:
"Old...Lord Hokage, we've killed quite a few enemies this time. Teacher Mo has made such a great contribution. You promised there would be a reward, you can't go back on your word, can you?"
Asuma has undergone more trials than in the original story, and his mind has matured considerably. He even knows how to speak appropriately now.
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed loudly in response:
"Hahaha! Of course I would never go back on my word. In fact, I was already prepared."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage opened a drawer on the right side of the table, took out a small scroll, and handed it to Uchiha Mo.
"Mo, this is the list of forbidden techniques in the village. Although you're still a bit lacking in skill, I believe your future performance will definitely make up for it. So, think about which one to choose first, and tell me your answer before your next mission."
Mo was somewhat surprised to hear this. He stepped forward, took the scroll, glanced at it, and then put it into his ninja tool pouch.
Although it was just a glimpse, Mo was certain that, apart from the unethical Reanimation Jutsu, techniques such as Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tags were all included.
In fact, Mo could probably guess that the order issued on the Cloud Hidden battlefield half a year ago was most likely issued by the Third Hokage.
The purpose is quite simple: fame!
The most essential thing to become Hokage is reputation, and Uchiha Mo's performance on the battlefield has even surpassed Minato's. He has clearly laid the foundation for challenging for the Hokage position. Most importantly, Mo is not even twelve years old!
That's why there was that order that caused his reputation to cool down for a while.
Clearly, the Third Hokage did not want any possibility to arise regarding the positions of the Uchiha clan and the Hokage, and it was not unreasonable to temporarily concede on the battlefield of Kumogakure for this reason.
If that's the case, the Third Hokage should be a smiling tiger full of malice and prejudice against the Uchiha. So Mo didn't really expect to actually get the reward.
However... judging from the previous invitation and his current unreserved attitude towards the reward, the Third Hokage seems to genuinely appreciate and value Uchiha Sumi, even though he is just a pure Uchiha.
"This is a contradictory old man."
This is Uchiha Mo's opinion.
Weakness and toughness, cowardice and courage, prejudice and justice—these contradictory and opposing qualities all coexisted in the same person.
Perhaps it was because he wasn't old enough and still retained some of the demeanor of a "heroic ninja," or perhaps he was just pretending; he was indeed a treacherous and cunning politician, but Uchiha Mo didn't care about any of that.
After completing his registration, he left the group and embarked on his journey back to the Uchiha clan's territory alone.
More than half a year has passed, and Mo stands on the streets of Konoha, gazing at the clan's territory. The Uchiha clan is still the same as before.
"Huh? Is that ink?"
"Huh?! It really is! Mo's back!"
"Mo, you're back! The guards are throwing a drinking party tonight, do you want to come?"
Several men with the Uchiha clan crest tattooed on their shoulders immediately surrounded Mo after recognizing him; they all appeared to be members of the Uchiha Security Force.
"Kazuya! What did you say? Sumi is still a minor, how can she drink alcohol?"
"Pshaw! What's the big deal? Tiehuo is a year younger than Mo! We can just tell Yaowei, it'll be fine."
Mo turned and glanced at everyone, replying calmly:
"No, I have something to do."
After saying that, Mo turned and walked towards the gate of the clan's territory.
Uchiha Tetsuo was still the same as always, selling pancakes near the entrance of the clan compound. In fact, he provided breakfast for most of the clan's children. Even Mo, a few years ago, often frequented this Uchiha pancake shop when he got up for training in the mornings.
Therefore, most of the children in the clan knew this kind middle-aged man, and he often gave the children in the clan preferential treatment.
At that moment, the man saw Mo walk in through the door, immediately grabbed a pancake, and waved as if to say something.
With a glance, Mo saw this scene and vanished from the spot in a flash.
Uchiha Tessai stood there stunned for a long time before scratching his head.
"Am I really that scary...?"
On the other side, Mo had already returned to his own doorstep, but the first thing he saw was a sprightly old man.
He wore a light-colored robe with a black haori draped over his shoulders, the collar of which bore the Uchiha crest. His posture was upright, and his expressionless face conveyed a serious yet dignified air.
However, the moment the old man saw Uchiha Mo, the wrinkles on his face melted away like snow, revealing a kind smile.
"ink."
Uchiha Mo walked up to him and nodded.
"Elder, is something the matter?"
She nodded instantly and took out a black-covered book from behind her back.
"There are some things."
Mo glanced at it and realized that it was the ancient book that Sha Na had been reading that day.
"Let's go inside and talk."
With that, Mo stepped into the courtyard and knocked on the door.
A moment later, the door clicked open, and seven-year-old Da Dou Ding Zhi Shui stood behind the door. He looked up and saw his older brother standing in the doorway, and instantly smiled.
"Brother! You're back!"
Mo handed the ninja sword and ninja tool pouch from his waist to Shisui and stepped into the house.
"Put your things away. The Grand Elder is here too. Go make him a cup of tea."
Mo changed his shoes expressionlessly, walked to the table in the living room and sat down. A moment later, he followed closely behind and said:
"No need for that. Just pour me a glass of water, Xiao Shishui."
"Okay!" Shisui replied.
She turned around in an instant, placed the black book on the table, and pushed it in front of Mo.
Mo didn't look down at the book, but instead turned to look at Sha Na with a puzzled expression.
She took the water glass from Shisui's hand and took a small sip.
"No rush, how's the situation on the battlefield?"
Mo withdrew his gaze and replied calmly, "Not bad, Yunyin's strength is average."
"Hahaha!"
Uchiha Setsuna laughed twice, "After all, it's you..."
After saying that, he chuckled and shook his head, then continued:
"Your battle has excited many of the younger members of the clan. Many of them now believe that you might be able to succeed Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Fourth Hokage and improve the situation within the clan."
What do you think?
She smiled and looked into Mo's eyes.
"Children always like to deceive themselves with naive fantasies." Mo remained expressionless.
He quickly looked away, his face showing little surprise.
"Okay, I'll try to control the public opinion around this. You should take a look at this book, and remember to read it with your Sharingan."