Chapter 122: Making a Name in Konoha
Traveling day and night beneath the stars and moon—
It was just past dawn when Uchiha Kazuki finally arrived at Konohagakure's main gate.
A single ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the wide road leading into the village.
A member of the Konoha Military Police Force responsible for gate security—yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes—stepped out from the guard post to stretch his stiff muscles. But his expression suddenly froze completely. His eyes widened dramatically, staring straight ahead as his mouth slowly dropped open in shock.
When Uchiha Kazuki approached closer and noticed the guard's strange expression, he frowned with mild confusion. "What's wrong, Tekka? Haven't seen me for a few days? Don't you recognize me anymore?"
"No, absolutely not!"
Hearing this, Tekka's face flushed bright red with embarrassment and excitement. "I never expected you'd still remember my name! Welcome back to the village, Kazuki-sama!"
Sama?
Uchiha Kazuki raised an eyebrow slightly, genuine surprise flickering in his eyes.
It was quite remarkable hearing such respectful honorifics from a member of the Military Police Force. His reputation within the Uchiha clan had historically been abysmal—many secretly called him the Hokage's lapdog and a disgrace to the proud Uchiha name.
In the past, security personnel would at most offer him a curt nod when they crossed paths, never displaying such enthusiastic reverence.
"Uh, I sincerely hope you won't hold our past behavior against us." Tekka seemed acutely aware of how poorly they'd treated Kazuki previously. He scratched his head awkwardly, his expression genuinely ashamed. "We all know what you accomplished in Kirigakure now. Truly... you are the genuine hope of the Uchiha clan!"
As he spoke those final words, intense admiration and profound respect shone brilliantly across Tekka's face and in his eyes.
This must be the Hokage's doing. Uchiha Kazuki pondered momentarily, then a knowing smile appeared on his face. He gently patted Tekka's shoulder and chuckled warmly. "Don't worry about it. We're all from the same clan, aren't we? Why would I take such things to heart? Besides, whatever success I've achieved, I owe entirely to our Uchiha bloodline!"
Although somewhat surprised by the dramatic shift in attitude, he had to acknowledge that Hiruzen Sarutobi's political maneuvering had inadvertently benefited him tremendously.
With the Hokage's official support and promotion, he didn't even need to actively seek fame and recognition.
"Yes! Absolutely, Kazuki-sama!"
Tekka felt the reassuring pressure on his shoulder and heard that warm, gentle voice—like a pleasant spring breeze—and clenched his fist with renewed determination.
This is what true charisma looks like!
Kazuki possessed immense combat strength, yet displayed absolutely no arrogance whatsoever.
Elegant manners, kind personality, polite demeanor, genuine respect for those weaker than himself, and magnanimous tolerance toward past slights!
Tell me—where else could you possibly find such a flawless individual besides Uchiha Kazuki?!
At this moment, Tekka felt deeply ashamed of his previous disrespectful words and attitudes. He straightened his posture and gazed at Kazuki with fervent devotion. "Kazuki-sama, thank you sincerely for your forgiveness. My previous rudeness was inexcusable. From this day forward, I am your loyal follower! I genuinely believe only you can lead the Uchiha clan back to its rightful glory!"
In truth, ever since learning of Kazuki's extraordinary accomplishments in Kirigakure, the Uchiha clan's collective perception of him had transformed almost overnight.
The initial derogatory labels like "Hokage's lapdog" and "Uchiha traitor" gradually transformed into positive descriptions like "humble and powerful," "the clan's rising star," and "hope for the future." A substantial number of younger clan members had even begun openly idolizing him.
Tekka represented just one among countless new devotees.
After all, a sixteen-year-old Jōnin who single-handedly infiltrated Kirigakure, eliminated the elite Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and successfully assassinated the Third Mizukage himself—
Such extraordinary feats were exceptionally rare, even looking back several decades into shinobi history.
The crucial factor was that Kazuki was only sixteen years old this year—nowhere near his physical or technical peak. It wasn't difficult to imagine how monumentally powerful he'd become given another decade of development!
Perhaps the only historical figure who could rival such potential was the legendary Uchiha Madara himself!
But compared to the fearsome Shura of the Shinobi World, the gentle and approachable Uchiha Kazuki was clearly far superior as a role model!
Therefore, the younger generation of Uchiha clan members universally regarded Kazuki as their idol and firmly believed only he possessed the capability to restore the Uchiha to its former glory.
Facing the seemingly fanatical Tekka, Uchiha Kazuki felt genuinely uncomfortable and could only manufacture a convenient excuse about needing to report his mission results to quickly escape from this overzealous admirer.
He genuinely feared that if they conversed any longer, Tekka might try to crown him clan head on the spot.
On the journey toward the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Kazuki profoundly experienced both the benefits and drawbacks of sudden 'fame.'
The benefit was immediately apparent—nearly every shinobi who passed by smiled warmly and nodded respectfully at him. Their eyes filled with genuine awe and admiration, as if overnight he'd become a universally recognized hero.
The significant downside was that certain individuals proved excessively enthusiastic in their adoration.
For example, Obito and Kakashi—those two young students—seemed dangerously close to becoming obsessive fanatics.
"Being stared at with such intense hero worship is somewhat unbecoming for a 'Spectator,'" Uchiha Kazuki sighed inwardly, feeling genuinely helpless about the situation.
He wasn't Adam, lacking inherent Uniqueness and angelic authority, nor was he a genuine King of Angels.
To successfully alter the tides of history according to his designs, he had to create those changes himself through careful manipulation.
What defines a Spectator?
They are simultaneously actors performing on stage and directors orchestrating events from behind the scenes—manipulating and observing the entire drama from a detached, third-person perspective.
Lost in contemplative thought, he arrived at the Hokage Administration Building.
"Well done, Owl!"
His ANBU handler seemed to have been waiting specifically for his arrival. Seeing Kazuki approach, he clapped him firmly on the shoulder and teased good-naturedly: "However, you went just slightly overboard with your interpretation of the mission. The Hokage was absolutely furious with you initially."
"Eh, please don't praise me like that." Uchiha Kazuki's expression turned bitter and resentful as he sighed dramatically. "You have absolutely no idea how dangerous that mission truly was. I nearly died in Kirigakure multiple times. As for the Mizukage's assassination... well, I was completely forced into that situation by circumstances."
His words dripped with profound helplessness, as if he'd barely survived repeated brushes with death on the battlefield through sheer desperate luck alone.
Observing Kazuki's genuinely troubled demeanor, the ANBU operative immediately conjured vivid mental imagery of the harrowing ordeal.
Uchiha Kazuki being relentlessly pursued by Kirigakure hunter-nin, narrowly escaping death countless times, grievously wounded and teetering on the edge of death, forced to a metaphorical cliff's edge before unleashing his full desperate power, ultimately surviving purely through miraculous fortune.
And that cunning, treacherous Mizukage—like a cruel cat toying sadistically with a helpless mouse—manipulating Kazuki's every move throughout the deadly encounter.
"I apologize sincerely. I made it sound far too simple." The operative's smile faded into solemn empathy. He pulled Kazuki into a tight embrace, his voice dropping low and grave. "Don't worry—you absolutely won't suffer in vain. This grievous insult... our Konohagakure, and Hokage-sama himself, will definitely avenge you properly!"
"It's all in the past now. Let's not dwell on it further."
Uchiha Kazuki maintained his troubled expression and sighed softly. "It was merely some hardship and suffering, but thankfully I managed to return alive. I haven't failed Hokage-sama's trust in my abilities!"
"I understand completely!"
The operative immediately empathized, having endured similar dangerous missions himself. "Come on, I'll escort you to find Hokage-sama immediately."
With that declaration, he prepared to lead Kazuki outside.
"Eh?"
Uchiha Kazuki appeared genuinely confused. "Wait a moment—where are we going? Isn't the Hokage... inside the building?"
"Uh, this is... well, Hokage-sama is..."
The operative's lips twitched uncomfortably. He hesitated repeatedly, an extraordinarily complex and incomprehensible expression crossing his masked features.
"Did something happen to Hokage-sama?"
Uchiha Kazuki frowned immediately, displaying appropriate concern.
"No... this particular matter is rather... complicated."
The ANBU operative covered his forehead, bowing his head low as he spoke in a barely audible whisper: "While you were away on your mission, a rather unusual incident occurred. Danzo somehow transformed into a woman, and the Hokage has, ahem, been spending essentially all his time with her lately, um..."
Uchiha Kazuki: "???"
[End of Chapter 122]
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