Public opinion warfare
was never enough to give the Uchiha a new Hokage.
Instead, a new conspiracy quietly fermented.
After day after day of pressure, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally relented. He publicly stated that Uchiha Keishin would be sent to Loulan to question its leadership about the recent incident and demand compensation.
If Keishin could bring their people back safely, he would be considered a candidate for the next Hokage.
Of course—
this was merely Danzo's plan.
Mangekyō Sharingan was powerful, but no matter how strong it was, it would never reach Uchiha Madara's level. Otherwise, Keishin wouldn't need to rely on such political maneuvering just to chase the Hokage position.
This incident stirred anxiety throughout Konoha.
More and more people began to realize one thing:
Konoha no longer truly deserved the title of the strongest ninja village.
As the true mastermind behind everything, Kaito couldn't be bothered by the village's noise.
A Hokage seat had dragged the Uchiha clan around for decades, only to end in emptiness.
"Such a boring farce."
"Hokage really twisted the Uchiha into something pathetic."
Kaito headed to the Konoha Branch Bank, planning to deposit the money he'd earned from recent D-rank and A-rank missions.
It had been a long time since he last saved money.
Mostly because he didn't know how to face Sawa, and she seemed busy as well—rarely leaving the branch manager's office on the second floor.
"Hey."
Kaito looked up.
Leaning casually against a utility pole ahead was Kikako, someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
Kaito smiled politely.
"Long time no see, Miss Kikako."
"So you've been back over a month and now you finally remember to visit the branch?" Kikako crossed her arms, though her tone was noticeably softer than before.
After all, Kaito had refused a dowry worth tens of billions.
That alone demanded respect.
Kaito awkwardly lifted the cash and passbook in his hand.
Kikako glanced at it, sighed, and waved dismissively.
"Do whatever you want."
As Kaito passed by, her voice reached him again.
"Don't waste the time the young lady is giving you."
"She's waiting very seriously."
Kaito paused briefly, smiled faintly, and walked on.
"Sorry sir, you are now classified as a VIP client.
Please proceed to the second floor for service."
"…?"
The teller spoke with absolute seriousness.
VIP?
I've never even had ten million in savings—where the hell did VIP come from?!
He tried another counter.
The clerk smiled helplessly.
"Mr. Kaito, you know we small employees can't offend the branch manager~"
The first teller covered her mouth, stifling laughter.
Kaito: "..."
Fine. I'll go.
Second floor.
Branch Manager's Office.
Knock. Knock.
"Please come in."
The door opened.
Cool air-conditioning washed over him.
Behind the desk sat Fukuyama Sawa, wearing elegant gold-rimmed glasses—obviously real gold and silver.
"I'm here to handle a deposit."
"Please sit. May I see your passbook?"
Kaito sat down and slid over the passbook and cash.
Sawa counted it casually.
"Depositing spare change again?
What—your piggy bank full at home?"
"…You treat VIP customers like this?"
Sawa tapped the page.
"Then tell me—what did you spend the last one million on?"
She pointed to the balance.
"Who has a VIP account with only three hundred thousand left?
Even my New Year pocket money beats that~"
Smile.
Kaito: vein pop.
"You made me VIP."
"Oh? Then explain the one million."
"Private spending. Client confidentiality."
"Tch."
She finished processing the transaction anyway—
then transferred money from her own account and tossed the passbook back.
"This balance embarrasses the Fukuyama family."
"Next time you're short, come to me. Stop taking dangerous missions."
Kaito looked.
Balance: 10,407,000 ryō
"…I don't need it."
"Ignore that. A man without money is useless," Sawa said forcefully, then stood, crouched slightly, and tapped his leg.
"Um…
Kaito—when are we getting married—"
The door suddenly opened.
"Manager, there's a payment from the Akatsuki Merchant—AH!!"
The clerk froze, bowed repeatedly, slammed the door shut.
Silence.
Sawa climbed onto his lap, locking him in place.
"They're not employees. Just rich girls like me, here for experience."
"…Sawa."
"I'm twenty-three.
In a few years, I'll be old."
"Marry me. Okay?"
Kaito hesitated.
"If I can't marry into your family… would you still want me?"
Sawa struggled briefly, then sighed.
"I'd lose my father's support.
My wealth.
Even this position."
"But tell me—would you still want me then?"
She looked straight at him.
Kaito gently stroked her head.
Then leaned close and whispered:
"I have a secret."
He activated his chakra eye, compressing mental energy—
A private illusion space opened.
Within it, Kaito transformed into the Surgeon / All-Powerful Minister.
Sawa stared.
"…You're copying his look?"
She reached up—
Removed the mask.
Silence.
Then a soft smile.
"Welcome home."
Tears formed at her eyes.
"So that's why…
A nameless genin.
Saving money.
Enduring everything."
She hugged him tightly.
"Now… do you accept me?"
"…Yes."
Just like that, Kaito gained another absolute loyal member.
Later that day.
News exploded.
Keishin's mission failed.
A Loulan soldier was killed, two injured.
Keishin's team fled.
Danzo smiled.
But Hiruzen felt only dread.
Meanwhile—
Four figures moved.
Daiwa.
Sai.
Sakura.
Naruto.
They were escaping.
At the memorial stone, Kaito appeared—placing flowers.
"You don't really belong here, do you?"
Naruto nodded.
"We're going back… to the future."
"Then go."
Kaito pointed to an unguarded route.
"I'll stop the ANBU."
Minutes later, Hatake Sakumo arrived.
"Kaito.
Did you see Naruto's group?"
"I did."
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