[Note: Read up to Chapter - 65 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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[Ding, you killed Wandering Ninja Passerby A +1500 Evil Points]
[Ding, you killed Wandering Ninja Cannon Fodder B +1000 Evil Points]
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[Ding, you killed Wandering Ninja Thug C +100 Evil Points]
After killing ten people, Kanzou noticed that the evil points gained had dropped to just 100 points per kill. From now on, no matter how many people he killed—or how strong they were—he would only receive 100 points each time.
After eliminating a group of wandering ninjas causing trouble in the Land of Fire, Kanzou retreated to a secluded area with the intention of testing out the true power of the Blade in his hand.
"Turn everything… into ash—Ryūjin Jakka!"
As Kanzou spoke the Shikai command, flames burst from the tip of his blade and quickly engulfed it. The intense heat caused the surrounding vegetation to wilt and burn almost instantly, setting the area ablaze.
Although the difference between Shikai and Bankai is vast, even in its Shikai state, Ryūjin Jakka reaches temperatures as high as 6,000 degrees Celsius.
For comparison, magma only reaches an average of about 1,400 degrees, so even Shikai far surpasses Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit from Nepo Piece.
The same goes for Lava Style, a Kekkei Genkai in the world of Naruto. Compared to Ryūjin Jakka, it's not even in the same league. Even the supposedly invincible black flames of Amaterasu might pale in comparison.
After all, despite being hyped as the strongest ninjutsu, Amaterasu hasn't really shown any significant feats.
Once activated, Ryūjin Jakka doesn't just produce flames with sun-like temperatures—it also releases intense heat. However, the cost is also enormous as Chakra gets consumed rapidly.
Kanzou estimated he could only maintain Shikai for about two minutes at most. And if he used high-level techniques during that time, the duration would drop even further.
Using Ryūjin Jakka, Kanzou could likely reduce the entire Konoha Village to scorched earth without much trouble.
After deactivating Shikai, Kanzou sheathed the blade and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Susanoo."
Dark chakra surged forth. First, an arm and rib cage formed—this was Susanoo in its initial stage.
As Kanzou continued to expend his chakra and visual prowess, a massive upper-body skeleton made out of Chakra took shape, completely surrounding him. This was the second stage of Susanoo.
Soon after, muscles and tendons filled in the skeletal frame, and a chakra cloak enveloped the body. This marked the third stage of Susanoo.
At this stage, Susanoo was equipped with weapons—but Kanzou's version wielded only a pair of daggers. There were no legendary artefacts or special weapons, which left him a bit disappointed.
While Mangekyō Sharingan could potentially unlock Susanoo's fourth stage, Kanzou chose not to activate it—for now.
The fourth stage of Susanoo adds Tengu-like armour to the third stage, along with enhanced weaponry. Both its defence and power increase significantly—but so does its consumption.
Kanzou had only summoned Susanoo for a brief test. Naturally, he wasn't foolish enough to push it further—the fourth stage would drain too much.
After all, Susanoo consumes not just chakra, but also visual prowess. And Mangekyō Sharingan's visual prowess can't be replenished unless it evolves into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Once Susanoo faded, a sharp sting pierced Kanzou's eyes, like he hadn't slept in days.
"This is unbearable… Until I awaken the Eternal Mangekyō, I'd best use this sparingly."
Mangekyō Sharingan is a double-edged sword—it harms the enemy, but also its wielder. How quickly it leads to blindness had already been proven by Uchiha Sasuke.
The boy went blind in just ten days.
"It's time to return to Konoha. I still need to force Sarutobi Hiruzen to cough up some funds."
As for how to corner the old man into paying up—Kanzou already had a plan.
"From today on, Konoha won't know peace again. I'm in charge now—let's give Sarutobi Hiruzen a little surprise."
The corners of Kanzou's lips curled slightly, as if he could already picture Sarutobi Hiruzen's "surprised" expression.
Returning to Konoha, Kanzou summoned Shin.
…
"Did Fugaku make any moves while I was gone?"
Though Kanzou had only been away for a day, he asked out of habit—always cautious.
"Kanzou-sama, Fugaku didn't stir up any trouble, but the Third Hokage did visit him."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen paid Fugaku a visit, huh? Heh."
Kanzou wasn't an idiot. He could easily guess Hiruzen's intent in visiting Uchiha Fugaku.
"Kanzou-sama, when do you plan to become clan head?"
"I'd do it now if I could. But do you think Fugaku would just allow that? It's not just him—there's a whole group who'll oppose me."
Kanzou did have supporters, but there were certainly many who'd stand in his way.
"Whoever dares to oppose you… We'll kill them," Shin said coldly, eyes flashing with menace.
"I'm not in a rush. Why are you?" Kanzou replied with a smirk.
Kanzou hadn't originally planned on becoming the Uchiha patriarch. But now? He didn't mind the idea—he just wasn't in any rush.
What belonged to him would come to him eventually. Sooner or later, it would all be his. There was no need to force it immediately… It was better to take it slowly and steadily while enjoying the ride. Because once the objective is completed, what more fun is there?
But putting that aside…
"Now, I've got a task for you," he said.
"Yes, Kanzou-sama. Please tell me," Shin replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. His bones were practically itching for action.
"Konoha is a bit too peaceful these days, don't you think?"
"Kanzou-sama… isn't that a good thing?"
Kanzou gave him a sideways glance. "And what's the job of the Konoha Police Force? To maintain law and order in the village."
"If everything's too peaceful, too stable, then what do we have to do? We'd be seen as freeloaders."
"…That makes sense," Shin nodded, though something about that felt a bit wrong.
"That's why we need to make sure there's work to be done—every day. Otherwise, people might start saying we're just eating for free."
"Now, I've got an important task for you," Kanzou said. "You're going to start collecting security management fees. Begin with the shops. We work hard to maintain the safety of Konoha Village—don't you think it's only fair they show their appreciation?"
"Um… Kanzou-sama, they might not be too willing to pay," Shin replied cautiously. Collecting money was never that simple.
"If they refuse to pay, can't you think of a solution?" Kanzou asked, narrowing his eyes. "Start making trouble. Cause a bit of chaos each day so they can't run their businesses smoothly. If they won't pay the protection fee, do they really think they can operate freely in Konoha? It's not their father's land… the land on which the village is built was given by Uchiha and Senju… since Senju is gone, it's us who are the owners… We are kind enough, so we aren't asking for rent, but they still need to pay the protection fee, do you understand?"
"I get it now, Kanzou-sama. If they don't pay, we give them 'problems.' No worries—I'm pretty good at that kind of thing."
"Good," Kanzou said with a nod. "Just don't let me down."
Then, with a meaningful look, he added, "Don't be too obvious about it. Stir up just enough trouble to make your point without giving others something to hold against you."
…
Elder Tadayoshi's Mansion
After finishing the laundry, Mikoto sat in the sunlight, a book resting in her hands as she tried to read.
The problem was that her mind kept drifting. Unwanted flashes surfaced again and again, breaking her concentration no matter how hard she tried to focus. She brushed away a tear threatening to spill and forced her eyes back to the page.
The book told the story of a woman who had been violated.
It was heavy, bleak, and deeply depressing, each page more difficult to read than the last.
Normally, she would never have picked up a story like this. It had simply caught her eye while she was passing a bookstore, and she'd bought it without thinking. Now, as she read, she realised just how hard it was to continue.
Not because she disliked the book, but because every page reminded her of her own situation. Still, she forced herself to keep reading. She needed to know what would happen to the woman in the story. Would she ever escape her abuser's grasp? Would she ever find justice, or even peace?
She clung to those questions because she couldn't find their answers in her own life. In a way, the story had become an escape, a fragile refuge, offering solace she couldn't find in a reality that felt dark, suffocating, and impossible to flee.
As she continued reading, page after page, lost in the world of ink and paper, her ears suddenly twitched. She caught the sharp sound of something slicing through the air at high speed.
"—!"
She snapped the book shut and turned toward the noise just in time to tilt her head aside. An arrowhead pierced the wooden wall only inches from her face.
Tuk!
Her heart pounded as she stared at the embedded arrow. A small letter and a pouch were tied just below its head.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze toward the direction it must have come from.
"Caw… caw… caw…"
"Crows?"
All she could see was a murder of crows circling briefly before flying off, their cries echoing as they disappeared into the distance.
Frowning, she untied the letter and the small pouch from the arrow and unfolded the paper. The moment her eyes scanned the words, they widened.
"T-this is…"
The message read: To avoid pregnancy…
Her breath caught. She immediately turned her attention to the pouch and opened it, discovering several pills nestled inside.
She glanced from the arrow to the spot where the murder of crows had been moments earlier, but there was nothing there now. A knot formed in her chest.
'Did Kanzou-sama send these?'
She wasn't certain, but it was the only explanation that made sense. Aside from Kanzou, no one else should have known what had happened between them.
Biting her lip, she crumpled the letter and slipped it into her pocket along with the pouch of pills. Then she stood, pulled the arrow free from the wall, and picked up her book. Without another glance back, she turned toward her room.
She knew she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears, and her room was the only place where no one would see them fall.
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[Note: As the R-18 scene, I will post that part separately, one of these days, as Chapter 8.5]
Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 65 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]