Six years into the shinobi world, Konosuke had lost count of how many times he'd complained about flashy, impractical techniques.
Especially Uchiha Fire Release.
All spectacle—no lethality.
Take Naruto's chakra reserves.
Two hundred Shadow Clones? Easy.
Imagine two hundred Narutos, each holding a blade.
Forget Sasuke—even if the Nine-Tails showed up, they could shave it bald.
Naruto, still dangling from Konosuke's grip, puffed his cheeks and turned his head away in fake anger. He had decided not to talk to this biased teacher.
Watching the performance, Konosuke said casually,
"I developed another technique recently. Extremely powerful. Not sure anyone's worthy of learning it though… maybe I'll just teach it to Sasuke in a few days."
Naruto exploded.
"Sensei! I want to learn! Teach me! That show-off Sasuke already learned one of your techniques—this one should be mine!"
He broke free and clung to Konosuke's leg.
"Please teach me, sensei!"
Konosuke lifted him again.
"I can teach you. But this technique is even stronger than Finger Pistol. It requires extremely refined chakra control. Once you meet the standard, I'll teach you."
"But before that, you'll complete every assignment I give you. Or no technique."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"I promise! I'll do everything! When can I learn it?"
Konosuke only smiled.
Over the past two years, he had indeed developed several techniques.
One of them suited Naruto perfectly.
After watching the original timeline unfold, he'd concluded that the Rasengan was overrated.
It relied too heavily on Naruto's absurd chakra pool.
Without that, it wasn't even as efficient as a chakra scalpel.
Close range.
High setup.
Only later did Sage Mode elevate it.
In Konosuke's view, ninjutsu should exist for one purpose—
To kill.
Strip away unnecessary flourish.
Direct, efficient, and fatal.
If conditions allowed, a blade was still one of the fastest ways to end a life.
Back at the academy, Konosuke assigned self-study and resumed slacking.
Naruto, however, shocked everyone.
He trained relentlessly—climbing trees alongside Shikamaru and the others until his chakra was exhausted.
Shikamaru eyed him skeptically.
"Did something happen to you? This isn't your usual pace."
Naruto grinned proudly.
"If I reach Konosuke-sensei's standard, I can learn his super powerful technique!"
Shikamaru instantly lost interest.
To him, it was probably just some low-level technique.
Clan children didn't lack jutsu. Their family techniques were more than enough.
Learning inferior academy-level skills would just waste time.
After school, Konosuke headed to Ichiraku Ramen.
Shisui wasn't coming home tonight, so he wasn't cooking.
He ordered seafood ramen—and extra noodles. He was starving.
While waiting, he considered Naruto and Sasuke's development plans.
Both were children of destiny.
If they grew stronger faster, he could slack more comfortably in the future.
Still, no need to rush.
By graduation, surpassing Chūnin level would suffice.
Jōnin-level graduates?
Unrealistic.
Even he, with his advantages, couldn't claim that.
Maybe the Otsutsuki could.
But those weren't exactly human.
After finishing his meal, Konosuke headed home.
He intended to sleep well.
Not far along the path, he noticed something off.
Uchiha patrol members seemed to be subtly watching him.
He ignored them and continued.
Once home, he activated his enhanced perception—
A template-granted ability capable of covering all of Konoha.
Within moments, he sensed several individuals monitoring his house.
Close.
Too close.
And this was Sarutobi clan territory.
The Uchiha daring to spy here?
Bold.
Konosuke almost went out to confront them—
Then he laughed.
"Ah. I see. Danzo… you're playing games again."
He changed clothes and stepped outside.
At a corner, he used the Body Flicker Technique.
His target—the watcher.
The Root operative hesitated, debating whether to follow Konosuke into the alley—
Then a foot filled his vision.
One was down, and then three followed.
These Root agents were mediocre.
Within moments, Konosuke knocked them all unconscious.
Before the blows, they wore Uchiha attire.
After losing consciousness, the Transformation Technique dispersed—
Revealing ANBU-style Root uniforms beneath.
Konosuke tied the three together and dragged them toward the Hokage building.
His strange procession drew attention.
Sarutobi clan members watched from afar but said nothing.
He intentionally slowed his pace.
Villagers began asking questions.
He loudly announced their identities—
Claiming they had attacked him.
His goal was simple.
Expose Danzo.
Expose Root.
Rats lose power once dragged into daylight.
And when sewer tricks fail—
It becomes much easier to eliminate the rat.