Aoki Yoru glanced at Kakashi, who was still leaning lazily against a tree, completely immersed in his so-called "philosophy of life."
He shook his head helplessly.
Some people never change.
Turning away, his gaze fell on the three members of Team 7.
At this moment, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were all looking at him with curious and slightly excited expressions.
After the previous briefing, they already knew—
This man in front of them was no ordinary ninja.
He was a rising legend.
After a brief hesitation, Sasuke stepped forward.
His posture was straight.
His expression serious.
Then—
He bowed deeply.
"Senior Aoki," Sasuke said, his voice firm yet respectful, "may I ask… how can I become stronger as quickly as you did?"
The question hung in the air.
Naruto and Sakura both turned to look at Sasuke in surprise.
This was the first time they had seen him lower himself like this.
Sasuke didn't care.
After returning home that day, he had investigated Aoki Yoru thoroughly.
From the records—
Aoki Yoru had been nothing special during his academy years.
No outstanding talent.
No exceptional achievements.
And yet—
Within a single year—
He had risen to such a terrifying level.
There had to be a reason.
Sasuke's eyes burned with determination.
He needed that answer.
Aoki Yoru raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
He hadn't expected Sasuke to ask so directly.
Especially not with that level of humility.
For a moment, Aoki Yoru rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Then—
He spoke.
"Let me ask you something first."
"Why do you want to become stronger?"
A brief pause.
"Is it for Uchiha Itachi?"
The moment that name was spoken—
Sasuke's expression changed.
Hatred.
Cold.
Sharp.
Burning.
His Sharingan activated instantly, spinning silently in his eyes.
"That's right," he said through gritted teeth.
"I will kill him with my own hands."
"And restore the Uchiha Clan."
Aoki Yoru nodded slowly.
"I see."
Then—
He asked calmly:
"Let's say you gain enough power to kill Itachi."
"How exactly do you plan to restore the Uchiha Clan?"
"…."
Sasuke froze.
For a moment—
He didn't answer.
Then—
He spoke again, his tone rising with emotion.
"After I kill him…"
"I will become the strongest!"
"At that time, the name of Uchiha will shake the entire Ninja World!"
Aoki Yoru stared at him.
Then—
He smiled faintly.
"Is that so?"
His tone was neither approving nor dismissive.
Instead—
He turned.
"Hey, Naruto."
Naruto blinked.
"Huh?"
"Do you know who Uchiha Madara is?"
Naruto scratched his head.
"No idea… Is he Sasuke's relative?"
"…."
Aoki Yoru turned to Sakura.
"What about you?"
Sakura shook her head.
"I've never heard of him either."
Silence.
Aoki Yoru looked back at Sasuke.
"You see?"
"Uchiha Madara."
"The man who stood alongside the First Hokage."
"The co-founder of Konoha."
"And yet…"
"Almost no one remembers him."
Sasuke's pupils shrank slightly.
"And Itachi?"
Aoki Yoru continued.
"Outside of the ninja world…"
"How many people even know his name?"
Sasuke's breathing became heavier.
Aoki Yoru stepped closer.
"Even if you become the strongest…"
"So what?"
"At best, you'll become another Madara."
"And when you grow old…"
"Your name will fade away just the same."
Sasuke's face turned pale.
His entire plan—
Everything he had believed in—
Was shaken.
"…Then…"
His voice trembled slightly.
"Senior… do you have a better way?"
"Please teach me."
Aoki Yoru looked at him.
Then—
Suddenly—
His expression changed.
From serious—
To… shameless.
"It's simple."
"…?"
"Have children."
"…What?"
"Find a hundred women," Aoki Yoru said casually.
"Even if each gives you only one child, that's fifty children."
"If you're lucky…"
"Two or three each."
"In a few generations…"
"You'll have thousands of descendants."
He patted Sasuke's shoulder.
"Work hard."
"…."
The world went silent.
Naruto: stunned.
Sakura: frozen.
Sasuke: completely blank.
Inner Sakura exploded instantly.
WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!
Does he want 99 women competing with me?!
Aoki Yoru continued seriously.
"Before you go chasing revenge…"
"At least leave behind a few heirs."
"If you die…"
"The Uchiha bloodline survives."
He leaned closer.
"You wouldn't want Itachi to be the last Uchiha, would you?"
"..."
Kakashi nearly fell out of the tree.
He stared at Aoki Yoru in disbelief.
Is this really the advice you're giving?!
"Alright."
Aoki Yoru clapped his hands.
"Training starts now."
He completely ignored their expressions.
The training resumed.
But—
Sasuke…
Was distracted.
Very distracted.
Because somewhere in his mind—
A terrifying thought had taken root.
…A hundred women?
Chunin Exams – Second Stage
Time passed.
The second stage of the Chunin Exams began.
Location—
The Forest of Death.
Everything unfolded much like before.
Sasuke encountered Orochimaru.
And was bitten.
Now—
He had been taken away by Kakashi for sealing.
On the observation platform—
Aoki Yoru stood beside Yui and Kenta.
Below them—
The Genin competed fiercely.
"It's quite entertaining," Yui said.
Kenta nodded.
Even though they were now Jonin—
Watching younger ninja struggle…
Had its own unique appeal.
Aoki Yoru chuckled.
"It's like watching beginners drive."
"Kenta," Aoki Yoru said, "I heard you went to the Sand Village?"
Kenta's face lit up.
"I learned a lot!"
"I met a Genin named Raiga."
"He can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu—just like Rock Lee."
"But he has a special technique…"
"It multiplies his strength."
"I've already grasped the basics."
Yui frowned.
"Then why is he still a Genin?"
Aoki Yoru answered calmly:
"Because in a hidden village…"
"Chakra is everything."
"Someone who can't use ninjutsu…"
"Will never be respected."
Kenta nodded.
"That's exactly his situation."
Suddenly—
The arena went quiet.
The matches began.
One by one—
Battles unfolded.
Then—
Neji vs Hinata.
Aoki Yoru sighed softly.
"He still hasn't let it go…"
The outcome—
Unchanged.
Hinata was defeated.
Then—
The final match.
Rock Lee vs Gaara.
The battle was intense.
Even Jonin watched seriously.
In the end—
Lee was crushed.
His arm.
His leg.
Destroyed.
Guy intervened just in time.
Silence filled the arena.
Then—
Whoosh—
A figure appeared beside Aoki Yoru.
Kneeling.
"Lord Aoki."
"The Hokage has summoned you."
Aoki Yoru's expression changed slightly.
Something—
Was about to happen.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)