Outside the Hokage's office—
"Wiped out? Instantly wiped out?!"
"He only lifted a finger!"
"Protect the Hokage-sama!"
Dozens of ANBU stationed outside had naturally sensed what happened inside.
When they saw that bizarre scene, a few even dropped their weapons in shock.
Yes, they were ANBU—
But they were still human.
Flesh, blood, emotions.
Facing a monster completely beyond their level…
Not even the thought of resistance could form.
Most of them froze where they stood.
Only three diehard loyalists of the Third rushed forward.
Inside the office—
"…He's even more terrifying than he was on the night of the massacre…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank hard.
Like an icy hand had clenched it tight.
His aged, clouded eyes locked onto Kai—
And for the first time, something surfaced in them…
Fear.
What Kai had just done with that casual finger point already went beyond the framework of ninja combat.
It wasn't even ninjutsu anymore.
It was something… higher.
After a brief hesitation, Hiruzen raised a hand toward the door.
"Everyone, don't—"
But the rest of the sentence stuck in his throat.
Wouldn't come out.
Outside, of the sixty-three elite ANBU present—
Only three had moved.
The other sixty stood frozen.
One of them was even trembling so badly that a yellow puddle spread beneath his feet.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
Then slowly exhaled and waved again.
"…No one move. This is beyond you."
"Third-sama!"
"Lord Hokage!"
The distant shinobi visibly relaxed, gratefully staying back.
Even the three who had rushed forward stopped, unwilling yet relieved.
Kai was simply…
Too strong.
So strong they couldn't even muster the courage to oppose him.
"Heh."
Kai lowered his hand as if he'd just brushed off dust.
He looked at the Third.
"So you're the Third Hokage… Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
"And you still dare look me in the eye?"
"Hmph."
A dry, stubborn scoff escaped Hiruzen's throat.
He knew he couldn't win.
But—
He had once been called the strongest Hokage.
How could he lack even the courage to meet an enemy's gaze?
Unfortunately, Kai had already lost interest.
His attention shifted inward—
To the system notifications scrolling through his mind.
[Defeated ANBU Elite Sarutobi Tarō — obtained trait: Agile Body (White).]
[Defeated ANBU Elite Sarutobi Jirō — obtained trait: Dynamic Vision (Green).]
[Defeated…]
[Defeated Utatane Gyakufū — trait copy failed.]
"Oh?"
Kai raised an eyebrow and glanced at the elite corpse in the corner with visible disdain.
"Seventy-five percent success rate and you still fail? Useless."
If the success rate was that high and it still failed—
Obviously not his fault.
Must be the opponent's.
With a casual flick, a chakra arm from the Nine-Tails cloak extended and began… patting the corpse.
"…?!!"
"D-don't tell me… he's… doing it while it's still warm?!"
"This kid—this kid actually has that kind of hobby?!"
Hiruzen's eyes froze.
His already heavy expression turned indescribably strange.
Watching Kai calmly rummage through corpses—
He genuinely didn't know what face to make.
In the end, he lowered his head.
Couldn't watch.
Even with a lifetime of experience, this was… a bit much.
"People are weird…"
Kai glanced up briefly, hands still busy.
Looting a corpse: 30 seconds.
If defeating someone at 75% didn't work—
Then loot them.
Today, he was definitely pulling something from this guy.
Thirty seconds later—
[Contacted target: Utatane Gyakufū (Deceased)]
[Available traits: Fire Release Mastery (Blue), Taijutsu Mastery (Blue), Taijutsu Mastery (Blue), Dynamic Vision (Green), Sealing Affinity (Green)…]
[Plunder successful — obtained: Taijutsu Mastery (Blue), Sealing Affinity (Green).]
Nice.
Kai nodded slightly.
Now that's more like it.
Two traits from one corpse—made up for the earlier failure.
For the same person:
Talking → 10% copy rate.
Defeating → 75%.
Looting after death → 100%.
But—
Living targets had only a 7-day cooldown.
Dead targets required a full 1-year cooldown before plundering again.
That was why Kai hadn't liked killing before.
Better to keep people alive.
One week for another 75% attempt…
Versus one year after death.
The choice was obvious.
But now?
With his strength rising—
These low-tier white traits from small fry…
He didn't really care anymore.
Dead was fine.
After six quiet years—
Uchiha Kai was finally done playing vegetarian.
The next moment, his hand moved toward another corpse.
One after another.
Systematic.
Thorough.
Gulp.
A swallowing sound suddenly echoed in the silent Hokage office.
Kai looked up.
Toward the source.
…The Third?
What was he doing?
Then—
The moment Hiruzen met Kai's gaze—
The old man immediately removed his Hokage hat.
Bent deeply.
Both hands presenting it forward with utmost respect.
"Kai-sama… the position of Hokage is yours."
"This old man is frail and declining. Please… take it."
Kai: ???
Frail and declining?
Wait—
What did he do?!
Kai blinked, one hand still resting on Sarutobi Tarō's corpse, the other pointing at himself.
His young face was full of confusion.
"…Huh?"
After a thoughtful pause—
(and finishing the corpse loot)
Kai let out a satisfied little burp.
Then turned toward the Third.
"Third Hokage. Sarutobi Hiruzen."
It was supposed to be a classic villain—
(cough, heroic avenger)—opening line.
But Hiruzen's reaction made him freeze.
The instant he heard his name—
Hiruzen snapped upright.
"Present!"
Kai: ????
Something about this script…
Felt very wrong.
Had he—
Actually become the villain here?
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