"I heard the Uchiha Security Force has a secret operation recently."
"I'm afraid it's not suitable to build a hospital around here."
As Tanzō spoke, the Uchiha clan leader immediately understood his meaning.
"Indeed, Lord Tanzō is well - informed."
"You even know such a confidential piece of news."
The two old foxes smiled, picked up their teacups, and took a sip.
"My Root forces will cooperate then. A pleasant cooperation."
"A pleasant cooperation."
The Uchiha clan leader eagerly escorted Tanzō out of the door, acting like old friends for many years.
"Take care on your way."
"Thank you."
After exchanging pleasantries, Tanzō and two Root members disappeared into the moonlight.
"Humph, Tanzō is going too far."
"We should move the sentry posts."
The Uchiha clan leader's face turned gloomy, losing the smile from before.
"Yes, clan leader."
Fugaku bowed behind him, accepting the order.
"Uncle."
"Hmm?"
Fugaku was obviously not shrewd enough and lacked the vision to be the future clan leader.
"Our Uchiha clan doesn't have any secret operation recently, right?"
"You should use your brain more."
Saying that, the clan leader poked Fugaku's temple with his right index finger, frustrated that he wasn't up to par.
"This is just a cover. If the Third Hokage asks about it when something happens, we'll have an excuse."
"Do you think the Senju clan will let us do whatever we want?"
"Nephew understands."
Fugaku's head was shaking from the pokes. His uncle was sparing no effort to teach him, but he had disappointed him several times.
At this moment, he felt bad and resented Kawaki even more.
"What about the cooperation with Root?"
"Does he think he can use our Uchiha clan as his weapon? He doesn't deserve it."
"Find an excuse to let Root take the lead when the time comes."
Shaking his head, the clan leader left first. This nephew was still too young. He could only hope that he could hold on for a few more years until Fugaku grew up.
Under the moonlight, Fugaku Uchiha's eyes were firm.
He decided to run away as soon as he saw Kawaki. As long as the green mountains remain, there'll always be firewood (If you keep the green mountains, you'll never lack firewood; don't burn your bridges).
～～～～～Divider～～～～～～
The Hatake family had a quiet night.
Without making any arrangements, Kawaki still slept soundly and ate well.
In the morning, there was another feast in the dining room. For Tsunade, Kawaki had improved the family's food standard.
It made Sakumo realize that breakfast could be even more sumptuous.
He secretly grumbled to his wife that raising a younger brother was even worse than raising a Ghost Mastiff. That guy didn't care about the family at all.
Natsuki teased him, "Tsunade can carry on the family line, while you can only be angry with him."
These words left Sakumo speechless.
"Tsunade-chan, the funds have arrived."
"You can go and hand them over to the Third Hokage later."
Kawaki didn't care about the money and wanted to wipe the remaining milk from Tsunade's lips.
Tsunade shyly took the tissue and didn't let Kawaki succeed.
"Will I go alone?"
"Do you need an escort?"
Obviously, they were on different wavelengths. Tsunade thought the funds were a large amount and wondered if it was safe to hand them over to her.
Kawaki thought that no one would dare to rob Tsunade in Konoha.
"No, I can go by myself."
"I'll take you to get the money after breakfast."
Failing to wipe her lips, Kawaki handed Tsunade a fried dough stick.
Nawaki looked at Kawaki trying to curry favor with Tsunade, with a look of disdain on his face. If there was a term similar to 'licking dog' (a person who tries too hard to please others) in the Hokage world, he would have slapped it on Kawaki long ago.
"Aniki, isn't my Tantō ready yet?"
"Don't be in a hurry. You can use a wooden sword for now."
"A real sword would just be a mere display for now."
Kawaki wasn't deliberately discouraging Nawaki. It was just that Nawaki's arm span was too short. He had to wait until he grew taller.
"That's right. Practice with the wooden sword first and listen to your Aniki."
Tsunade also sided with Kawaki. The fierce look in her eyes made Nawaki swallow the rest of his words.
Seeing Nawaki pitifully munching on the rice cake, Kawaki softened.
"Nawaki, I have one that I used for practice when I was a kid. I'll ask my sister-in-law to find it for you later."
Since it was of ordinary quality, Kawaki had long forgotten where he'd thrown it. It was only after Natsuki married into the family that she found it and put it away.
It wasn't a bad idea to keep it as a memento.
"Aniki, you're the best!"
Nawaki put down the rice cake and a big smile spread across his face. He was really excited.
A real sword was so much better than a wooden one!
Natsuki also liked to tease this sunny young boy. "That was Kawaki's favorite thing. You have to take good care of it."
"I will."
Nawaki gave Kawaki a grateful look. This brother-in-law was really nice.
Feeling Nawaki's sincerity, Kawaki let out a hearty laugh and waved his hand.
"It's just a small thing. Don't worry about it."
...
After the meal, Nawaki followed Natsuki to look for the sword.
Kawaki took Tsunade to get the money.
Sakumo went to the martial arts training hall alone. His Tantō had already been delivered.
After passing through several traps, they arrived at the Hatake family's warehouse. Tsunade was shocked by Kawaki's wealth.
Once inside the warehouse, Kawaki went straight to a chest and opened it. It was filled with stacks of silver notes.
"This is a full One Hundred Million Ryō. Take it."
Tsunade was still in a daze, surrounded by all the antiques and luxury items.
These things would be enough for her to lose at gambling for a very, very long time.
"Do you like them? Take whatever you want."
Seeing that Tsunade didn't respond, Kawaki deliberately wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Everything will be yours later."
He leaned down close to Tsunade's ear, and his breath carried the sweet smell of milk.
Then came a shrill scream.
"Ah~"
With a single over-the-shoulder throw from Tsunade, Kawaki found himself making intimate contact with the solid floor of the warehouse.
"Humph~"
"Don't think you can take advantage of me just because you're good-looking."
Tsunade's face was flushed, and her heart was pounding.
Flustered, she picked up the chest full of silver notes and rushed out of the warehouse without looking back.
Kawaki got up. The bruise on his face had already healed, and there was no sign of Tsunade in sight.
"Chakra Enhanced Strength cow, just you wait..."
He closed the warehouse door behind him and slowly walked towards the martial arts training hall.
By now, Nawaki had gotten the real sword. Although it was still a bit long, it wasn't a problem. It just meant that Kawaki had been taller than him even as a kid.
He was wielding the real sword with great energy, putting even more effort into it than when he used the wooden sword.
He stopped when he saw Kawaki approaching.
"Aniki, my sister ran away so fast just now."
"I called out to her, but she didn't even answer me."
"Ahem."
Kawaki definitely wasn't going to admit that he'd tried to take advantage of Tsunade and was thrown over her shoulder by her.
"I'm in a rush to send money to the Third Hokage."
With a random excuse, he sent Nawaki to do a horse stance.
Watching Aniki practicing with a newly made tantō in the distance, the momentum seemed even more powerful than before.
A barely noticeable mischievous smile flashed across his lips.
He stretched out his hand and grasped the sword.
He used the Flying Raijin jutsu and instantly appeared in front of Sakumo.
The two of them started to fight.
Sure enough, the new weapon was of better quality than the ancestral tantō, and although Sakumo was still at a disadvantage, he could really withstand the sharpness of the eight - sided Han sword.
Without the weapon advantage, Kawaki no longer held back.
He continuously activated the Flying Raijin jutsu. In Sakumo's shocked eyes, the eight - sided Han sword was silently placed on his neck.
"Aniki, do you want to learn this?"
"Yes, I do."
Sakumo agreed without hesitation. It would be a sin not to learn such a Ninjutsu, or you'll get struck by lightning.
"Come on, just call me Aniki this time!"
Kawaki put away his sword and laughed out loud, looking up at the sky.
Sakumo was exasperated and flicked him on the forehead.
"Damn it! I've been calling you Aniki for years!"
"Is it really that hard to call me Aniki just once?"
Just as Sakumo raised his hand, Kawaki ran away.
Natsuki, who was walking the Ghost Mastiff not far away, couldn't hold it in any longer and lay on the Ghost Mastiff, laughing out loud.