Chapter 59: Naruto Arrive
Akiyama Makoto was completely baffled. Since when did he wear makeup? He touched his chin, and then suddenly realized something.
Feeling amused, he crooked a finger at Sasuke. "Come here, little brother. I'll tell you a secret about Itachi."
Sasuke paused, but still leaped down and came to his side. Before he could say anything, a large hand had already pressed him down, slamming him onto the grass. Sasuke tried to resist, but with the enhancement of the Yin Seal, Makoto's strength was a level higher than it was yesterday. What chance did Sasuke have to fight back?
"Let go of me! What do you want?!"
Looking at Sasuke's angry but powerless expression, Makoto finally spoke. "Although me teaching you fighting techniques is just a transaction, and I don't expect any respect from you," he said.
"But I hope you at least understand that the ninja world is a place where strength matters. Not everyone will tolerate your sensitive and irritable temper."
"Next time, remember to show respect for my strength. Otherwise, I won't hold back."
After he finished speaking, he released Sasuke.
Sasuke flipped over and jumped away, glaring at him angrily, but he didn't dare to speak so arrogantly again. The current Sasuke could still be reasoned with, but that might not be the case after he was provoked by Itachi again in the future.
"Now, tell me again what you saw just now," Makoto asked calmly.
Sasuke hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "You look different from yesterday. I can't quite put my finger on it."
Just as I thought, Makoto said to himself.
Although the eternal youth effect of the Yin Seal wouldn't be working on him yet, the effect of optimizing his physical functions to their peak state must have already taken effect. This meant he would always be full of vitality and in good health. While this buff seemed insignificant, it laid the foundation for his future arduous training.
"Very good. Next time, remember to speak like this when facing someone stronger than you."
Makoto straightened his clothes, preparing to go with Sasuke to the Hokage's Office to complete the transfer paperwork.
But at that moment, Tenten leaped out of the window. She was about to say something to him when she saw Sasuke.
"Huh? Uchiha Sasuke, what are you doing here?" As a famous figure at the Ninja Academy, Tenten naturally knew his name.
Sasuke glanced at Tenten, then back at Makoto. That punchable look reappeared in his eyes. Clearly, the guy thought he had discovered the reason for Makoto's "change."
"Wait, Sasuke, it's not what you think..." Tenten's face flushed red as she tried to explain, but Makoto pulled her aside and began to explain in his own way.
A minute later, Sasuke, sporting a fresh black eye, flipped over the wall and left. He decided he would go to the Hokage's Office by himself first. As for whether Makoto came or not, he didn't care anymore. At worst, he would just sign the papers himself.
"Pfft, is that really okay? Sasuke is the most handsome guy in school. What if he gets his fans to laugh at me?"
"Also, it's only been a short while, how did you get so strong...? I feel like you're almost catching up to me." Tenten had more or less figured out the relationship between him and Sasuke by now. Although she didn't know why he had suddenly become a teacher-like figure to Sasuke, seeing the person she cared about being more outstanding than him filled her with pride.
"Handsome? Is he handsome? Is he more handsome than me?"
Makoto directly took her hand, no longer pretending. The system itself had already verified their current relationship, after all.
Tenten subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, but after struggling a few times, her strength faded. She just kept her head down, not daring to meet his gaze.
"You still haven't answered me, Tenten. I'm not letting go until you do."
Only then did she look up and glare at him with mock anger. She then poked his chest. "You're more handsome, alright...? Honestly, why didn't I realize before that you were such a... big bad wolf!"
"I don't accept that title. If I were a bad wolf, I would have done more than just hug you just now."
Tenten thought of what had just happened, and her whole body felt weak. She quickly squeezed his hand and put on a serious face. "Right, what on earth happened to you? Why is your house in such a state?"
"Actually, I'm planning on renovating my... okay, just kidding." Makoto, withered by her glare, dropped the clumsy lie. "I can't explain the details right now. How about I tell you after I've studied it for a while?"
"Don't worry, I've already confirmed it. This is only beneficial to me." Makoto decided to use the excuse that he had awakened some kind of power to gift a bloodline to Tenten in the future. As the person he trusted most, he would inevitably start his experiments with her.
"Okay, I trust your judgment. But you have to take care of your body." Tenten's tone was gentle. Then, it changed. "Also, I came to give you this."
She handed him a scroll. He opened it and saw it was a sealing scroll.
"There are five Fragmentation Kunai inside. They're from the first successful batch. I brought them for you for self-defense."
"Well? Aren't I thoughtful?" Tenten looked at him with a radiant smile, as if asking for praise.
In the past, although she and Makoto had been on good terms, she had always been the one taking care of him. It was rare to see her act so girlish like this.
"Then how should I praise you..."
Makoto spoke as he lowered his head. Seeing the cornered Tenten's eyes begin to spin, he finally said, "Let's go. I'll take you shopping. You can buy whatever you want."
"Don't worry about saving my money. That Sasuke guy saved me 500,000 Ryō. I'm ridiculously rich right now."
The two of them finally left the house. He also explained what had happened with Sasuke, and soon, her silvery laughter rang out.
For the entire morning, they spent their time shopping and having fun. Although they hadn't explicitly defined their relationship, the change was already understood without words.
When Makoto arrived at the Hokage's Office in the afternoon, the papers signed by Sasuke were already waiting for him. He quickly signed them and completed the procedures. Before long, the renovation and expansion of his house could officially begin. He also submitted his application to hold a book signing, which was approved by the Hokage shortly after. The date was set for next weekend.
In the following days, he began a new life, free from writing, as he waited for his house to be renovated. During this time, the old house was very noisy. He used this as an excuse to spend most of his time training in the Konoha forests.
Ino, Sakura, and Sasuke, knowing this, would occasionally come and train with him. And when it came to Sasuke, Makoto showed no mercy at all.
"Didn't you eat? The last seedling of the Uchiha clan can't even climb a single tree?"
Not far away, Ino and Sakura, who had long since climbed up a large tree, were watching Sasuke and whispering and laughing. They no longer saw him as the academy's idol.
Sasuke struggled to sit up. He was about to retort when another boisterous laugh rang out, a laugh that felt very familiar.
"Yeah, yeah! The number one genius of the Ninja Academy can't even climb a single tree! Aren't you ashamed?!"
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