Sarutobi Hiruzen froze.
White Fang's words also caused a stir among the crowd.
"Who is Uchiha Kin?"
"He's from the Uchiha clan, not someone..."
The speaker was immediately met with a barrage of glaring eyes, some even turning red with the activation of the Sharingan, forcing him to swallow his words.
The Uchiha clan—truly terrifying.
Kin himself glared coldly at the man who had spoken.
I'll remember you.
While the civilians were still confused, a shinobi quickly clarified Kin's identity.
"He's the developer of the Basic Internal Energy Technique."
"They say he's an Uchiha comparable to the Second Hokage."
"I've heard many on the frontlines survived thanks to that technique."
Among the shinobi, Uchiha Kin's name carried significant weight.
But among the civilians, few knew of him.
Listening to the shinobi's discussion, the civilians were left scratching their heads.
They didn't know what the Basic Internal Energy Technique was, but the fact that shinobi claimed it had saved lives made them take notice.
After all, nearly every household in Konoha had at least one shinobi.
Hiruzen now found himself in a tight spot.
Had White Fang named anyone else—even a civilian shinobi with questionable background—he could have agreed without hesitation.
But Uchiha Kin was different.
The techniques recorded in the Scroll of Seals could not be leaked to the Uchiha. What if someone from their clan grew stronger using them?
Even if Kin himself became stronger, it would still be troublesome.
Hiruzen had already suppressed Kin's opportunity to view the Scroll of Seals, despite knowing Kin's strained relationship with his clan.
But blood was thicker than water.
Looking at White Fang's impassive expression, Hiruzen couldn't tell if this was deliberate.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kin, standing among the crowd, was equally stunned.
Wait.
How did this involve him?
He was just a bystander enjoying the show.
But...
This was also an opportunity. He decided to see how things unfolded.
As for whether Hiruzen would hold a grudge?
Did Uchiha Kin care about that?
Besides, he had already planned something similar. Offending Hiruzen was inevitable sooner or later.
White Fang, noticing Hiruzen's hesitation, added, "Lady Tsunade also agreed to support Uchiha Kin's request."
This only deepened Hiruzen's headache.
He wanted to delay the matter, but White Fang's demeanor and the piercing gazes from the Uchiha made refusal impossible.
If he refused now, not only the Uchiha but also the shinobi present would spread the word.
His hard-earned reputation would be tarnished.
Behind the scenes, he could suppress things, but once they were brought into the open, he couldn't ignore them.
It feels like White Fang and I are destined to clash.
Tsunade's support meant he couldn't stop Kin from viewing the Scroll of Seals.
After all, the "Princess of Konoha" sometimes held more sway than the Hokage himself.
Those old fossils from the clans were still around, after all.
"Very well," he said, forcing a calm nod.
He could always find a way to delay things later.
Just as Hiruzen thought the matter was settled, Uchiha Kin stepped forward from the crowd.
"Then, Hokage-sama, let me see it now."
Kin grinned at Hiruzen, his words like a bucket of cold water dumped over the Hokage's head.
The two advisors behind Hiruzen were at a loss, silently watching him for a solution.
"Right... now?"
"Since White Fang's commendation ceremony is already over," Kin cut off Hiruzen's attempted excuse.
Kin knew all too well that some opportunities vanished if you hesitated.
"I..."
Beads of sweat formed on Hiruzen's forehead as his mind raced.
Kin waited patiently, amused.
A man who rises to power on reputation is also bound by it.
Dealing with Hiruzen didn't require overwhelming strength—just the right leverage.
This had been Kin's plan all along, though White Fang had beaten him to it.
"Or is it because I'm an Uchiha—"
"Fine." Hiruzen interrupted before Kin could finish, his voice tight.
Some things couldn't be said aloud.
Hiruzen studied Kin with newfound wariness.
This Uchiha isn't as hot-headed as he appears.
"Homen, take him to see the Scroll of Seals."
Mitokado Homura stood up, his face dark.
"Follow me."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Kin's cheerful tone only made Hiruzen's blood boil.
The Hokage forced a smile, though his face alternated between green and red.
Pathetic.
Kin followed Homura out of the Hokage Building.
As they walked, a large estate came into view.
"Isn't that the Third Hokage's home?"
"That's the Hokage Residence. Only the Hokage may live there. The original copies of all Konoha's jutsu are stored inside."
"Hokage Residence..."
Kin sifted through his memories of the Naruto series.
If he recalled correctly, the Fourth Hokage and his wife had lived in an ordinary house.
If that was true...
Hiruzen really is shameless.
"Tsk tsk." Kin couldn't help but click his tongue.
Hiruzen can't be whitewashed. Absolutely not.
Hearing the sound, Homura turned, his brow furrowed.
"Are you sure you want to see the Scroll of Seals? The Uchiha clan's collection of jutsu might rival Konoha's."
Homura was making a last-ditch effort.
"And you should know—the Scroll of Seals is a village secret. After you've seen it, you'll be under constant ANBU surveillance."
"I walk the straight and narrow. I've got nothing to fear."
Kin didn't back down.
If more Konoha shinobi had access to the Scroll of Seals, I wouldn't need to go through this.
Homura gave him a long look before pushing open the door and leading the way.
They descended into the basement, where a door marked "Seal" stood before them.
"Wait here."
Homura entered alone.
Through the crack in the door, Kin glimpsed rows of shelves lined with scrolls.
If those were all jutsu...
Now I understand why Orochimaru said no one could master every technique in a lifetime.
Soon, Homura returned with the Scroll of Seals.
"Here. You have one hour to study its contents."
That was enough time to memorize a single technique—the standard allowance for all applicants.
"Here?"
Kin glanced at the dimly lit corridor, the underground location making it hard to see clearly.
"Here," Homura confirmed, his tone firm.
This was the most he could restrict Kin's access.
Kin smirked at the bespectacled man.
You crafty old bastard.
Well played.
...
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(End of Chapter)