"If they can't find the enemy, those two old bastards—Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura—are probably losing sleep over it."
Uzumaki Shuji walked down the street, heading toward Ichiraku Ramen for lunch.
The ordinary civilians were calm as ever. News about Anbu casualties would never reach them. However, among the major clans, everyone had been warned to behave and avoid causing trouble.
"If I wanted to wipe out all of Konoha in one go, I'd need something on the level of a Super Shinra Tensei… flatten the entire place in one strike."
"Based on the power of Ea last night, I'd need at least 100,000 mana to reach that level."
"Nagato is also from the Uzumaki clan. His chakra mostly comes from his physique. Once I hit my twenties, that shouldn't be a problem."
As he walked, Uzumaki Shuji calmly calculated how much "mana" it would take to destroy the village.
This place was supposedly protected by his so-called father with his life. But Uzumaki Shuji didn't feel any attachment to it. He owed this village nothing. If anything, the village owed him and Naruto.
After finishing his ramen, he wandered around aimlessly.
"Thirteen Anbu following me…"
"They're really trying to use me to find whoever's behind me."
A faint sneer appeared in Uzumaki Shuji's heart.
Then, under the watchful eyes of the Anbu… he casually walked into the women's bathhouse.
What a move.
Thanks to his "pretty boy" passive, he easily charmed a young woman outside. She happily led him inside. A seven-year-old kid didn't raise much suspicion among the women.
The moment he entered, he became the center of attention. Then came the "face-washing"—completely buried in softness.
Not long after, Uzumaki Shuji fled in panic.
"Phew… that was terrifying."
Standing outside the bathhouse, he wore a shaken expression. When women got bold, they were far scarier than men.
Seriously.
Every single woman had tried to grab him.
The Anbu monitoring him were grinding their teeth in frustration.
This kid… doesn't understand women at all!
And yet, as they watched him go around calling women "big sister," receiving fruits, vegetables, meat, and even toys in return, their expressions gradually went numb.
Especially when they saw him being hugged tightly to a woman's chest, wearing that unmistakable smile every man recognized—
"This kid knows exactly what he's doing!!"
That thought popped into all their minds.
And it made them even more annoyed.
Even Root members, who were supposed to be emotionless tools, felt a strange irritation rising in their hearts.
After dropping the items at home, Uzumaki Shuji went back to his usual routine—ambushing elementary school kids after class.
Today's target: Choji Akimichi.
"They can't seriously think that just watching me will lead them to anything, right?"
"They don't dare do anything to Naruto, so they're targeting me instead?"
"Next… something aimed at me is coming."
Standing in a familiar alley, Uzumaki Shuji quietly thought about what those two old men might do.
Directly attacking him?
Unlikely.
They wouldn't treat whoever stood behind him as a fool.
Then maybe… it wouldn't be the Hokage's people?
An "accident"?
Or perhaps a staged attack from another village?
Back when his mother Kushina Uzumaki was kidnapped by enemy ninjas—it had been ridiculous.
Uzumaki Shuji suspected that incident had been orchestrated by Konoha's higher-ups.
His naive, hot-blooded father had probably believed he discovered clues and rushed to rescue her.
In reality, he had been turned into a tool from the moment he was a genin.
The more Uzumaki Shuji thought about it, the more disgusted he felt toward those old schemers.
Using people to the extreme, while building their own power openly.
Revolting.
"You're here!"
At that moment, Choji arrived, greeting him casually.
Their relationship had improved somewhat. Once, Uzumaki Shuji had shared a bag of chips with him before beating him up.
"Mm. Ready today?"
Uzumaki Shuji nodded.
"Let's go."
Choji didn't care much. He wasn't ambitious in fights—he was already thinking about snacks after this.
Uzumaki Shuji moved first.
Choji didn't just stand there, though. Even if he didn't like fighting, he didn't want to lose either.
Still, the fight ended quickly.
In terms of speed, Choji couldn't compare at all. He didn't even get a chance to use Partial Expansion Jutsu.
"You lost."
Uzumaki Shuji's fist stopped just in front of Choji's face.
Next time I won't lose that fast!"
Choji snorted, sounding like a little pig, then climbed back to his feet.
"Hey, don't bully our kid anymore."
"Otherwise, I'll have the Police Force arrest you."
At that moment, Choza Akimichi walked over and spoke.
Uzumaki Shuji immediately picked up on the awkwardness in his tone.
"We were just playing."
He showed a worried expression.
"So this is their plan… using the clans against me."
He instantly understood.
This was Hiruzen's move.
Without saying more, Uzumaki Shuji quickly left.
"Dad, why are you here?"
"Uzumaki Shuji isn't a bad person! He even gave me chips!"
Choji looked confused, trying to defend him.
"…From now on, don't play with him."
Choza forced a bitter smile.
He never thought he'd end up doing something like this. After all, he had fought alongside the Fourth Hokage before.
Yet now… he had fallen to this.
The next day, Shikaku Nara showed up.
Then Shibi Aburame.
Finally, even Hiashi Hyuga appeared.
But Neji Hyuga didn't give him any face—he simply ran off.
"From now on, don't bully our children."
Hiashi spoke with deliberate intimidation, his tone stern.
He knew full well—this same expression had once made Hinata Hyuga cry.
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