Thud.
The moment he heard those words, Hiruzen didn't hesitate—he turned around and walked away.
Four years ago, when he first met Jin, he could still smile kindly, joke with the boy, and try to pass on the Will of Fire.
Two years ago, just seeing Jin's little face already gave him a headache.
Now?
Now he absolutely did not want to chat with this kid who was already growing into a teenager.
The Will of Fire hadn't been passed on at all—
instead, he'd nearly been talked into questioning his own existence.
So yes, he turned and left.
Unfortunately… he was a step too slow.
Just as he turned, rapid pat-pat-pat footsteps sounded behind him.
The unmistakable sound of bare feet flapping at full speed.
"Ah…" Hiruzen sighed.
When he turned back, the old man's face was once again filled with kindness and benevolence.
"It's little Jin. What seems to be the problem?"
"Third Hokage-sama, I heard you have a second son?"
Jin smiled shyly—
and stabbed straight into the heart.
The crow nearby nearly scattered on the spot when it heard that.
What kind of good son runs off to serve the Daimyō's guards…
and then turns around and tries to assassinate his own father?
The Third Hokage's second son just happens to be that kind of person.
Asuma Sarutobi—living it up in front of the Daimyō.
But very quickly, the crow fell silent.
Something felt… off.
A son killing his father for the sake of "justice"?
That script sounded strangely familiar.
The dark pupils of the crow flickered, and the resolve Itachi had just steeled… began to waver.
On the village street—
Jin glanced with his peripheral vision at the crow disappearing into the distance, not paying it much mind.
He continued casually:
"Haven't seen the second son… so then, Third Hokage-sama, what about your eldest son?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."
As expected—
a naturally evil little Uchiha brat!
That sweet mouth of his was sharper than poison.
Hiruzen took a deep breath, trying to restore his benevolent smile.
He failed.
Second son tried to kill him.
Eldest son, for certain reasons, refused to show his face…
Just two sentences—
and the gray-haired old man took a critical hit.
Not far away.
Two ANBU saw the scene and made absolutely no move to help.
Instead, they patted their chests in relief and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Great—there's a scapegoat now!
Three minutes later—
[Conversation Target: Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen]
[Analyzing copyable traits…]
[Reaper Death Seal (Black), Will of Fire (Gold), Four Symbols Seal (Purple), Monkey King · Enma (Blue), Fire Release Mastery (Blue), Earth Release Mastery (Blue), Water Release Mastery (Blue)…]
One trait after another appeared before Jin's eyes.
Especially the Five Nature Transformations—there were so many he could barely take them all in.
"As expected of the so-called Professor of the Ninja World…"
Jin shook his head inwardly and kept talking.
Over the years, he'd run into the Third Hokage occasionally, but chances to converse were rare.
And the few conversations they did have all ended in copy failures.
Now that the clan massacre was approaching, he figured he might as well squeeze out one more harvest.
Ten minutes passed.
[Conversation lasted ten minutes. Attempting trait copy…]
[Success! Congratulations, host has obtained Legendary Trait: Monkey King · Enma (Blue).]
Jin: "???"
He looked at the Third Hokage, who looked noticeably more haggard than before.
The bags under his eyes were bigger than his eyes themselves.
Yeah… this really was stealing his monkey.
"Third Hokage-sama… where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn forever!"
Jin tiptoed, stretched his arms, and patted Hiruzen on the shoulder—
like a little adult, shaking his head in deep "wisdom."
Then, under Hiruzen's baffled gaze, he turned and walked away.
Leaving the Third Hokage frozen in place, the words he was about to say stuck in his throat.
After a long while, a few words finally squeezed out between his teeth:
"…What the hell is wrong with that kid?!"
For the first time in his life, he felt that hearing those words from a child's mouth was indescribably—
grating.
Leaving the Hokage Tower, Jin was in a great mood.
Not because Monkey King Enma was particularly powerful—
but because of the joy of finally harvesting something.
Like a multimillionaire in his previous life successfully cutting fifty yuan off a Pinduoduo deal.
Bathed in that joy, he wandered the streets once more.
Tap.
Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder.
The strength was light—almost soft.
At the same time, a gentle, timid voice sounded by his ear:
"J-Jin… Jin-kun… h-hello…"
Hmm?
That voice…
Jin turned his head in confusion.
Behind him stood a blue-haired girl with pale white eyes.
Her delicate features shimmered in the sunlight, almost seeming to flow.
When she saw him turn around, she immediately lowered her head, nervously twisting her fingers together.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
"The crown pri—uh, Hinata? Why are you here?"
Jin was genuinely surprised.
At this point in time, shouldn't Hinata be at the Ninja Academy?
When did she start skipping class like the bad kids?
Damn it!
It's all Itachi's fault—always skipping school and corrupting this well-behaved young lady!
Across from him—
Hinata's intertwined index fingers twisted even faster.
She hesitated, struggled… then finally clenched her teeth and spoke:
"U-um… Jin-kun… my… my father wants to invite you to visit."
"The head of the Byakugan clan… inviting me?"
Honestly, Jin froze for a moment.
He hadn't met Hinata many times.
After copying the Byakugan, the young lady had been kept within the clan compound, rarely venturing out.
He'd had no chance to interact with her since.
So now—
What was the Hyūga clan head suddenly playing at?
With curiosity, Jin nodded and smiled.
"Sure. Let's go."
A trait delivered to his doorstep—why would he refuse?
At the same time, looking at Hinata's flushed little face, he found it oddly amusing.
Without any warning, he reached out and grabbed her small hand, pulling her along.
He even gave it a squeeze.
Soft boneless tenderness—smooth and gentle.
Whoosh!
Hinata's face turned even redder.
So red it looked like it might drip blood.
But—
She didn't resist.
She only hurriedly raised her other hand and waved backward.
Behind them—
A branch family retainer's face darkened.
"Outrageous! How dare he defile the young lady—I'll tear this brat apart!"
Before he could move, another retainer quickly grabbed his arm.
Pointing at Hinata's hand gesture, he whispered,
"Shh. Look at the young lady's signal—don't act."
"Huh? Strange… the young lady is actually allowing a stranger to hold her hand?"
Filled with confusion, the two followed quietly.
Step.
Step.
Step.
As their footsteps advanced, the Hyūga compound gradually came into view.
Creak.
As the grand gate opened, Jin finally laid eyes on the residence of Konoha's number-one clan.
Ancient elegance. Pavilions and terraces.
High gates and deep courtyards.
A noble house, indeed.
Comparing it to this, Jin could only reach one conclusion:
"Fugaku really should come take a look."
"Both are major clans of Konoha—how is the gap this huge?"
Even among noble clans, there were differences.
Before the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha might not have surpassed the Hyūga—but they wouldn't have been far behind.
But now…
Compared to the Hyūga, he felt like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden.
Whoosh.
As the door to a lavish reception hall slid open—
A long-haired man stepped into view.
Hyūga Hiashi.
He turned his pale eyes toward Jin and smiled faintly, pointing at the tea table.
"So we finally meet, Uchiha Arata."
"Or should I call you—
my daughter's savior?"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/CanonBreaker