In the Ninja World, a place where people died every day, an eighteenth birthday wasn't much.
But for Satoshi at this moment, the situation was slightly different. He at least had a tiny bit of status in Konoha, so his treatment would be a little better.
On his birthday, he gave himself a day off.
Satoshi strolled leisurely, his destination being the mansion Tsunade had lost to him.
Brewing a pot of tea, he leaned back comfortably in his chair, waiting for guests to arrive and bother him.
He also discovered something. This house used to be Tobirama's.
In a cabinet in the corner, he found Tobirama's diary.
From analyzing the characteristics of the Sharingan to breaking Genjutsu, and then to how to effectively counterbalance the Uchiha without causing large-scale conflict. Every detail, large and small, filled seven or eight notebooks.
It was a pity he passed away a bit too early but that didn't matter.
The will of the great Tobirama-sama shall be inherited by me, Satoshi.
To express this cross-clan respect, he even went out of his way to find a standard portrait of Tobirama and hung it prominently on the most conspicuous wall in the living room.
At ten in the morning, the first gift-giver arrived.
Opening the door, Satoshi saw a smiling blond boy, holding a box.
"Hehe, Satoshi-sensei, Happy Birthday."
Naruto rushed into the living room, placing the box on the tea table.
"This is my super invincible special gift for you. I ran all over Konoha's stores and finally managed to collect these limited-edition instant noodles. I guarantee you won't have the same one for a month."
"Thank you, Naruto."
Naruto grinned. "I'm going to find a kitten with Sasuke, see you later, sensei."
Under Satoshi's training, Naruto had long met the conditions for graduating from the Academy.
As for that big fool who tried to trick Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals, he was beaten severely and thrown into prison.
Satoshi couldn't help but curse him. He, Naruto's teacher, was already at an enormously high level, did he still need to steal to learn Ninjutsu?
Besides, which of the forbidden Jutsu on the Scroll of Seals did Satoshi not know?
"Alright, come by often when you have time."
After Naruto left, someone else knocked on the door, it was Inaho and Tekka.
Inaho held a slender wooden box and solemnly handed it over.
They knew Satoshi liked swords, so they made a special trip to the Land of Iron and commissioned the best swordsmith to forge one.
Satoshi opened the wooden box, and a chilling metallic aura wafted out.
Inside the box lay a Katana, its scabbard a deep indigo blue, and its guard ancient and flowing in design.
He gently drew out half of the blade, and the cold light shimmered like water.
"This sword is called Murasame. Legend has it that after killing, water droplets will automatically condense on the blade, like drizzling rain, washing away bloodstains without leaving a trace."
"How about it? Isn't it good?"
Satoshi took it with both hands. "Thank you, senpais."
"No, you are now the Uchiha clan head, you shouldn't be so polite to us."
"Ah?"
Satoshi sometimes felt that the Uchiha's thought process was abnormal.
Just yesterday, Fugaku officially retired and handed over the position of clan head. Along with it, he also relinquished his position as the Konoha Military Police Force captain.
It could be said that Satoshi now had absolute say within the Uchiha. It was precisely for this reason that these two guys reminded him to always pay attention to his dignity as clan head. Not to be like certain clan heads, whose words no one paid attention to.
"Cough, cough," Satoshi placed the sword on the sword rack, right next to his long time friend.
"Let's just leave it at that, I'm not very good at that kind of thing."
What dignity or not, if anyone disagreed, a fight would settle it.
Look at Hashirama, didn't he also reason with people only after beating them up?
Right, Madara?
Inaho and Tekka exchanged glances, seemingly wanting to offer a few more words on the importance of clan head demeanor.
But just then, another knock sounded.
The two exchanged glances and said, "Clan head, we'll take our leave."
They quickly turned and, familiar with the route, slipped out through the small door from the living room to the backyard. Only then did Satoshi go to open the door.
Kakashi lazily handed over a box. "Icha Icha Paradise complete edition, take your time, I'm leaving."
"Ah?"
Behind Kakashi, Guy emerged.
"This is youth, Kakashi! How about we compete today to see who can go the longest without blinking!"
"...Goodbye."
After seeing Kakashi off, Satoshi looked at the cover.
He really knows people well.
Satoshi had just sat down, and before he could even turn the first page, someone knocked.
The same process repeated constantly.
A knock sounded, they stated their identity, entered, and put down their gift.
They drank a cup of Satoshi's tea, and then, with great understanding, left through the back door.
Then the next person knocked.
Within Konoha, ninja clans friendly with the Uchiha and Satoshi's friends all brought gifts to Satoshi.
Thankfully, Satoshi had a large house. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough space.
Of course, he couldn't remember what they gave or who came.
His brain automatically activated a more important function: recording those who didn't come.
After collecting the gifts, an Anbu came with a message; the Hokage wanted to discuss the Chunin Exams with Satoshi.
That's right. Satoshi, only eighteen years old, was now taking on the role of an assistant.
This stingy Hokage still wouldn't give him a raise. Such a vile capitalist should be hung from a lamppost.
[In half a month, the Five Great Nations will hold a joint Chunin Exams, with the location chosen as Konoha.]
[This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Konoha's strength, and there must be no carelessness.]
[New Mission: Ensure the smooth running of the Chunin Exams, and by the way, show how tough Konoha's fist is.]
And Hiruzen also sent this year's newly graduated Genin to participate in the Chunin Exams.
Satoshi hummed.
Chunin Exams, how nostalgic.
Seven years ago, he defeated Itachi and successfully advanced to an excellent Chunin. He made great contributions to Konoha's development.
Today, seven years later, who should he defeat to display the blazing will of fire within him?
Satoshi slapped his head, almost forgetting.
Orochimaru should be coming, right?
...
News that Konoha would host the Chunin Exams quickly spread throughout the Ninja World.
Each village sent its excellent Genin, wanting to put on a grand show in front of the other villages.
Not long after, many unfamiliar ninjas appeared in the village.
Konoha Military Police Force kept a close eye, patrolling the streets daily, fearing that one or two spies might have infiltrated.
"Stop! You Sunagakure brats, behave yourselves!"
At Inaho's command, a dozen Uchiha appeared out of nowhere, surrounding the ninjas from Sunagakure tightly.
The reason was simple: a ninja named Kankuro was bumped into by a few Konoha children. He wanted to bully them, but then Sasuke ran out and put on a big show.
Later, a red-haired guy named Gaara appeared behind him, putting on an even bigger show.
And then Naruto charged up with a roar, "You think you're worthy of bullying Sasuke?!"
Then he got a beating.
Sasuke, filled with anger, shouted about bonds and friendship and charged forward.
The few of them had a lively fight, which then caught the attention of the Konoha Military Police Force.
"According to Konoha Management Regulations, those who fight in the street will be detained for seven days. You three from Sunagakure, come with us."
Gaara's expression became much uglier. He was, after all, the Kazekage's son, could he be ordered around by a few Konoha security guards?
He raised his right hand, and sand slowly condensed into the shape of a spear.
Whoosh!
A water bullet descended from the sky, knocking him back more than ten meters. He spun several times on the ground before stopping.
A white-haired man yawned. "Now it's fourteen days, and a fine of five thousand ryo for each person."
(End of Chapter)
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