MC's POV
The old patriarch sat at the center, his back straight despite his age. His eyes were sharp, far sharper than most people realized. Beside him sat Fugaku, calm as always, though I could see the faint tension in his jaw.
I stood before them and explained everything I had observed.
"Rin Uchiha has been getting closer to the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki," I said evenly. "Their interactions are increasing. It is no longer casual."
The old patriarch tapped his cane lightly against the wooden floor. "And?"
"And," I continued, "given the current relationship between our clan and the village, such closeness may be misunderstood."
Fugaku listened silently.
"I suggest informing the Hokage," I added. "If this becomes an issue later, it is better that we show transparency from the beginning."
The old patriarch nodded slowly. "Reasonable."
He turned to Fugaku. "Go. Inform him."
Fugaku stood up without hesitation and left the room.
We waited.
The silence stretched.
After some time, the door slid open again. Fugaku walked back in, his expression unreadable.
"What did he say?" the old patriarch asked.
Fugaku's tone remained calm. "He said it's fine. Children should interact more. She can have a female friend."
The old patriarch's eyebrow twitched slightly. "He only mentioned a female friend?"
Fugaku nodded.
I lowered my gaze to hide my amusement.
So that's how you want to play it, Hiruzen.
The old patriarch sighed. "Even so, this matter should not be taken lightly."
Fugaku spoke again, this time with a firmer tone. "We should warn Rin. Tell him not to get too close. If necessary, create distance."
The old patriarch nodded. "Yes. Inform him that he should not come into contact with her unnecessarily. And if she approaches him…"
He paused.
"Remind him of his position. Even calling her 'red hair monkey' would be better than encouraging attachment."
Fugaku nodded once more.
I watched the entire exchange quietly.
Foolish.
They really think a few harsh words will solve this?
They don't understand transmigrators.
The more resistance they face, the more dramatic they become. The more they rebel, the stronger their plot armor shines.
Still…
Their actions are creating the perfect opportunity for me.
I already know nothing meaningful will happen from this warning.
If I want results, I must act myself.
---
The next morning, I was summoned.
I stepped into the clan office and immediately saw Fugaku's stiff expression. He did not look pleased.
The clan leader, however, remained calm.
"Sit," he said.
I obeyed.
"We need you to watch over Rin more closely," the clan leader said.
I raised an eyebrow slightly. "May I ask why?"
Fugaku answered before the leader could.
"That boy is very disrespectful and unusual. When warned him, he said he will do whatever he wants."
I almost laughed.
Of course he did.
Classic protagonist behavior.
"I see," I replied calmly. "Don't worry. I will look after it."
Inside, I understood clearly what was happening.
Despite claiming he doesn't want to associate with Kushina… he protects her fiercely.
He even fought for her.
He is using Hard to get strategy on Kushina which a typical main character behaviour.
I bowed slightly and left the office.
As I walked outside, I opened the invisible system interface only I could see.
The book hovered before me, pages slowly turning.
---
At the academy grounds, chaos had already begun.
A group of children surrounded a small red-haired girl and started to bully her.
"Tomato head!"
"Red devil!"
"Go back where you came from!"
Kushina clenched her fists, trying to hold back tears.
Before things escalated—
Rin arrived.
His eyes were cold.
"Move," he said.
The boys laughed and they were older then him and they were confident about there strength which was their mistake.
In less than ten seconds, they were all on the ground.
"Aaa he broke my arm" one of the Child screamed and other follow as they discovered there bones were also broken.
Teachers rushed in and Parents were called, by evening, the matter reached the Hokage.
A clan meeting was called Because of Rin as he had exposed too much was beyond his supposed level which make him genius of the clan.
According to the original storyline, the clan elders would protect him because of his talent but I had no intention of letting that happen.
Before the meeting, I moved quietly.
I spoke to elder, to the clan ninjas and to the respected figures within the clan.
I just asked them questions and wanted to know there answers.
"If he is so talented, why does he isolate himself?"
"Why doesn't he train with clan members?"
"Why does he avoid interacting with clan children?"
"If he has such strength, why hide it from the clan?"
Doubt spreads faster than fire.
"He even buys vegetables alone," someone muttered.
"He doesn't show respect to clan members at all." An elder said.
I did not force my narrative. I merely guided it and when the meeting began, the atmosphere was different from what the storyline predicted.
The clan leader spoke first. "Rin showed remarkable talent today."
Normally, this would be where support followed.
But this time—
An elder cleared his throat.
"Why he has been hiding his strength."
Another voice added, "Why conceal such strength from the clan?"
The protective shield of Uchiha clan around Rin… cracked.
Exactly as planned.
The storyline began to distort before my eyes.
Then—
A notification appeared in front of me.
[ Rin Uchiha's Luck has been reduced by 1/10 ]
I smiled faintly.