When power crosses fifty percent, the entire village starts bidding for you.
The next day, the Hokage Tower was livelier than it had been in years.
Clan heads filled the corridors—far more than usual.
Even clans like Ino-Shika-Cho, who had no interest in the Advisor seats, still showed up.
They weren't here to compete.
They were here to watch.
After all, two Advisor positions had suddenly become vacant.
And everyone wanted to know who would claim them.
The most eye-catching figures were naturally Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga.
One represented a clan long excluded from Konoha's core power structure.
The other led a clan that rarely stepped beyond its compound.
Yet today—both had arrived in person.
The intent was obvious.
No one cared why the Advisor seats were empty.
They only cared about who would get them.
At last, Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared, unhurried as ever.
"Oh?" he said with a mild smile.
"What's the occasion? You've all gathered quite early today."
The room smiled back—politely, carefully.
Inside, everyone was cursing.
Only Fugaku and Hiashi leaned in with particular enthusiasm.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku said smoothly,
"We heard the Advisors resigned due to… unforeseen circumstances."
"With your workload," Hiashi added,
"we felt it only right to help shoulder some of the burden."
Hiruzen nearly laughed.
You might as well tattoo 'Advisor' on your foreheads.
"All right," he said, waving a hand.
"But you're asking the wrong person."
"The Advisor positions," he continued calmly,
"are now fully under Alaric's authority."
"If you want those seats—go convince him."
"That's all. You may leave."
The room froze.
Then—confusion.
Then—shock.
Handing control of Advisor appointments to a ten-year-old?
That wasn't favoritism anymore.
That was madness.
Yet not a single clan head dared protest.
Everyone filed out obediently.
But two figures left faster than the rest.
Fugaku Uchiha.
Hiashi Hyuga.
If speed decided victory, hesitation meant defeat.
Meanwhile, at the Sarutobi estate—
Alaric had just woken up.
A lazy stretch.
A calm breath.
A servant announced softly from outside the door:
"Master Alaric—
the heads of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have come to pay a visit."
Alaric didn't even open his eyes.
"Tell them to wait."
"I'm busy."
The servant withdrew at once.
In the reception hall, Fugaku and Hiashi exchanged looks, irritation flickering briefly across their faces—
—but both swallowed it.
For that seat?
Waiting was nothing.
Alaric, however, had more important matters.
Last night's harvest.
One Advisor killed by his own hand.
Another erased because of him.
The rewards had already been issued.
He hadn't checked.
Now he did.
[Host: Alaric Sarutobi]
[Age: 10]
[Ninjutsu: None]
[Taijutsu: None]
[Genjutsu: None]
[Bloodline: None]
[Template: Homelander]
[Fusion Rate: 50%]
[Unlocked Abilities:
– Super Defense
– Super Strength
– Super Speed
– Super Hearing
– Flight
– X-Ray Vision]
[Next Template: Superman (Man of Steel)]
Alaric raised an eyebrow.
"Two abilities… at once?"
The moment fusion crossed fifty percent, the leap was massive.
He could feel it.
Yesterday's version of himself wouldn't last ten seconds against him now.
Testing it was effortless.
With a thought, his body lifted from the ground.
Floating.
Weightless.
Perfect control.
Then—focus.
His vision sharpened, layers peeling away: walls, structures, forms beneath the surface.
Too easy.
Too powerful.
Only heat vision remained locked.
Soon.
Satisfied, Alaric finally remembered the two men waiting.
When he entered the reception hall, both Fugaku and Hiashi stood instantly.
"Master Alaric."
"Master Alaric."
"Save it," Alaric said, waving them down.
"Sit."
He took his seat without ceremony.
"I know why you're here."
"So let's skip the theater."
"What are you offering?"
The two clan heads blinked.
"…Offering?"
Alaric smiled faintly.
"Don't tell me you thought polite words alone would earn an Advisor seat."
"Neither of you carries that kind of weight."
He idly turned the teacup in his hand, utterly relaxed.
The message was clear.
This wouldn't be cheap.
Fugaku took a breath—and stood.
"Master Alaric," he said firmly,
"The Uchiha Clan is prepared to offer sincere and substantial terms."
Hiashi's eyes narrowed slightly.
The bidding had begun.
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