"System, I only taught for fifteen minutes. You're not going to withhold my reward over that, are you? If that's the case, I might as well go back to slacking. The Kizaru template is more than enough for me."
[Host, if your slacking time does not meet the required duration, the system will not issue rewards. That has nothing to do with me. I am merely the system spirit, a part of the system. I cannot override its rules. You should think of another solution.]
Konosuke sighed. He had been slacking peacefully before. Why did another system have to show up?
Then something occurred to him.
"By the way, what does Chakra +7 even mean? Give me a comparison. Otherwise I have no idea what that translates to."
[Simple. Chakra +7 is roughly equivalent to Kakashi at full capacity. Once you complete this mission, your Chakra reserves will be double Kakashi's.]
[Continue completing missions and your Chakra will surpass even the Tailed Beasts—perhaps even the Ten-Tails. At that point, you'll be able to use the Glint-Glint Fruit without restraint.]
[And a reminder: the Glint-Glint Fruit consumes an enormous amount of Chakra. With your current reserves, you can barely form the hilt of the Ama no Murakumo sword—and it would vanish after five seconds. As for lasers, you get one shot.]
[Full-body elementalization in the future will require vast amounts of Chakra. So focus on your missions.]
For some reason, after hearing that explanation, Konosuke felt less enthusiastic about the system. Slacking was fine. Teaching was fine. But slacking and teaching at the same time? That was torture.
When he arrived home, he heard a knock at the door.
He didn't even need to think. It was either Shisui or Asuma. Guy was out on a mission, and aside from those three, hardly anyone visited him.
Opening the door, he found Shisui standing there with several boxes, looking embarrassed.
"Konosuke… I've been expelled from the compound by the elders. Clan Head Fugaku told me to stay with you for a few days. He'll try to persuade them."
Konosuke grabbed one of the boxes and turned toward the living room.
"Come in. My parents' room is empty. You can use that."
Shisui stopped protesting and carried the rest of the boxes inside.
Konosuke began preparing dinner while Shisui went upstairs to settle in. He knew the house well enough not to need directions.
The meal was simple—rice balls, a plate of sashimi, and a bottle of cheap sake.
Given Konosuke's finances, this was standard fare. It used to be better—until he was banned from every gambling house in Konoha.
They sat down. Konosuke poured himself a drink. Shisui didn't drink, so he left him out.
Shisui picked up a rice ball, eating absentmindedly.
Konosuke took a sip and frowned. Too bland.
If he ever had money again, he'd brew something strong—real "water of life." Back in his previous life, he'd loved mixing it with soda. The taste was unbeatable.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed when Shisui set his rice ball down.
"Konosuke… why can't the Uchiha just live peacefully? Why does it always have to be confrontation? We're inheritors of the Will of Fire too. Why can't we coexist?"
Konosuke looked at him quietly.
The naivety was almost painful.
"Shisui, the situation between the Uchiha and the village is complicated. And Danzo is stirring the pot behind the scenes."
"There's a saying—good things aren't scary, bad people are. This isn't just about the clan shouting for a coup anymore. Someone is pushing you toward one."
"If you truly want to change the relationship between the Uchiha and the village… then stop interfering entirely."
He leaned back in his chair.
"If communication breaks down, both sides might cool off. When neither side knows the other's strength or intentions, they're less likely to act rashly."
"And you—don't become cannon fodder for the Uchiha. And don't let the Hokage or Danzo use you either."
"As a member of the Sarutobi clan, maybe I shouldn't say this. But I will. None of the higher-ups in Konoha are trustworthy. Especially the Hokage. There are things you'll understand in time."
Shisui stared at him, stunned. He hadn't expected Konosuke to speak that way about the Hokage.
Konosuke finished his drink and set the cup down.
"This is the last time I'll say it. If you want to preserve the Uchiha, cut your ties with them for now. Otherwise, you'll end up as a sacrifice in this political game. And that's something I don't want to see."
He paused.
"And one more thing. Stay away from Itachi."
Shisui stiffened slightly.
"Your little bro isn't the same anymore. He's been thoroughly indoctrinated. Spend too much time with him, and I'm afraid you'll start thinking like him."
"Like I said, give me six years. I'll resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and the village. Now eat."
They finished dinner in silence.
Afterward, Konosuke claimed he was going to check on Asuma and left the house.
Instead, he headed toward the Hokage Monument.
Standing atop the carved stone, he looked down at Konoha below.
"You can come out now. You were listening outside while we ate. Then you followed me here. You must have something to say."
As soon as he finished speaking, a shadow dropped from a nearby tree and landed behind him.
"Sarutobi Konosuke. I have a question. I hope you'll answer it."
Konosuke turned his head slightly.
The masked figure—Itachi.
A cold smile tugged at his lips.
Truthfully, he didn't like Itachi.
A butcher of his own clan.
In the original story, if Itachi had at least killed Sasuke along with the others, Konosuke might have respected him more.
But he spared one person and fed him a mountain of lies.
Enjoying the privileges of the Uchiha while slaughtering them—Konosuke despised that hypocrisy.
Why should Sasuke represent the Uchiha? Even if someone could, why him?
Konosuke turned fully to face him.
"If you can eliminate the hardliners, convince your father to step down as clan head, and let Shisui take the position, then I guarantee I'll resolve the Uchiha-village conflict in six years. That's my promise."
"How you accomplish it—that's your problem."
His gaze sharpened.
"But if you dare lay a hand on the rest of the Uchiha…"
"I promise Sasuke will die on some mission. The Uchiha won't miss one more name."