Chapter 15: Simulating Uzuki Yūgao
Only then did Shikamaru reluctantly explain the "wonderful job" to Ino.
"Long story short, we have to find a way to become his friend, teach him chakra control techniques, and do it without letting him realize it's an order from the Hokage."
Ino's eyes immediately lit up.
She had no interest in the handsome boy Shikamaru was talking about. Even if Akiyama Makoto was handsome, there were different kinds of handsome. A pretty face without strength was, at best, like a movie protagonist—worth a single glance and nothing more. Besides, Ino had lived in Konoha her whole life; she didn't think there were any hidden gems she had missed.
What she was truly interested in was the book Makoto was writing, or rather, the information he was gathering. The Uchiha clan was gone, and everything related to them was a topic even her own parents were reluctant to discuss. Ino felt that her lack of knowledge about Sasuke was an obstacle to becoming his friend.
Now, an opportunity to change everything seemed to have appeared.
"Hmph! This job is mine now. How dare you two hide it from me! You won't get a single Ryō of the mission reward!"
Shikamaru and Chōji hung their heads, looking dejected as they walked away. The moment they turned the corner, the two immediately covered their mouths, laughing happily. They slung their arms over each other's shoulders, ready to find a place to celebrate.
Only Ino remained, hiding a few dozen meters away from Makoto's house, secretly observing everything. She wasn't in a hurry to meet him now; it wasn't like he was going to run away. Since it was a mission from Lord Hokage, she had to find a way to complete it perfectly.
The scene shifted back to Akiyama Makoto. His Storyteller's Tea Hall was beginning to take shape. Of course, he hadn't hung up a sign yet; he didn't have that much money to splurge at the moment. But Makoto was confident that once he finished The Biography of Uchiha Madara this month, he would receive a handsome income.
While busy with the construction of his teahouse, Makoto hadn't forgotten to take stock of the gains from his last simulation and consider his future strategy.
The current Akiyama Makoto had essentially inherited and understood the decade-plus of chakra training and control experience he had accumulated in the simulation. He had also memorized the practical application methods for things like Tenten's family's ninja tool manipulation, their space-time scroll sealing jutsu, and many other low-difficulty ninjutsu. Although his hand seals would be a bit clumsy when using them, he would have no problem casting the jutsu successfully.
In other words, at this moment, Akiyama Makoto already possessed strength that surpassed a Genin. In a little while, as his physical fitness improved, it wouldn't be a problem for him to reach Chūnin level strength before Konoha 64.
This finally gave Makoto a sense of security. At the very least, Konoha was not in immediate danger of being destroyed. He could fully strive to reach Jōnin level before the Rookie 12's Chūnin Exams next year. When that time came, he would be able to protect himself even when facing Sunagakure's Konoha Crush plot.
"Grandma, thank you for your story."
Makoto looked at the prompt indicating he had gained another simulation attempt and showed a sincere smile.
"Why don't you stay for dinner tonight? I'm planning on making grilled fish."
Hearing Makoto's words and seeing him reach for some milk candies, the old woman immediately understood he was hinting for them to leave. She chuckled and said there was no need. She then took her granddaughter by the hand, accepted the candy, and left with the other elders, chatting and laughing. Makoto provided them with a free place to drink tea and rest, and was willing to listen to their stories, so the elders didn't want to cause him any trouble.
After everyone had left, Makoto had a hearty meal, returned to his bedroom, and sat cross-legged, pretending to refine his chakra. In reality, he was contemplating whether to run a simulation with Uzuki Yūgao.
After two days of preparation, he had gained another simulation attempt, and simulation attempts could be exchanged for guidance opportunities. At this point, simulating with Tenten again wouldn't yield much improvement for Makoto. Although an heir could potentially break through their parents' talent ceiling, Makoto felt the probability was low and would be limited by Tenten's own maximum potential. He could only simulate with Tenten again after he found a way to raise her talent ceiling.
The only remaining simulatable target was Uzuki Yūgao.
Of course, there were many other female ninja with excellent talent in Konoha at this time. Not to mention the nameless ones, there were the famous ones like the Hyūga sisters, Hinata and Hanabi; the two best friends, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino; and the older generation, Yūhi Kurenai and Mitarashi Anko.
But it wasn't easy for Makoto to get close to them, let alone have a "chakra exchange." Even the opportunity to simulate with Yūgao was a fluke; he didn't think he'd be so lucky again. According to his plan, the Chūnin Exams next year would be a good opportunity to make contact with these people. Whether it was helping them break a genjutsu or, after learning medical ninjutsu, healing their injuries, these were all simple and convenient excuses.
So in the end, it still has to be Yūgao... because Uzuki Yūgao knew medical ninjutsu.
Having made his decision, Makoto thought about how to have an heir with Yūgao in the simulation.
The first hurdle he couldn't avoid was Gekkō Hayate. Although Hayate would die next year, sometimes the dead carry more weight than the living. Makoto had to seriously consider whether to help Hayate survive.
The second was how to approach Yūgao reasonably. At this time, she was an Anbu under the Hokage's direct command, assigned to monitor him. It was already difficult for Makoto to get close to her, and now there was the added restriction of mission secrecy.
Finally, and most crucially, if he could never become Yūgao's lover, could he still have a child with her, bypassing that stage?
After all... Miss Yūgao, you wouldn't want to just watch as the man who killed Gekkō Hayate, Baki, leaves Konoha while you can do nothing about it, would you?
This matter was certainly less than moral, but it was just a simulation, after all. Of course, if Makoto were powerful enough, there were even more immoral methods. It was just that for now, he was far from needing to go to that extent.
Having run through all the scenarios in his mind, Makoto began his third simulation.
The familiar characters appeared again, only this time, the target had changed.
[Simulation starting...]
[Remaining Simulation Attempts: 1]
[Simulation Target: Uzuki Yūgao]
[Initial Relationship: A Healer's Benevolence. She is worried about your physical condition.]
[Ding! The simulation is about to begin. You have three free opportunities to guide the simulation's direction.]
[Guide the simulation's direction now?]
Seeing their initial relationship, Makoto was slightly taken aback. As a member of the assassination unit, Yūgao's view of him was one of... concern?
That's right. This was Yūgao's true personality. Strong yet gentle. The position of an Anbu really didn't suit her.