Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode.

Chapter 15 Let's Go Together

In the afternoon, after school, Kirito, Chizuru, and Nawaki were cleaning the Hokage Rock, which belonged to the three Hokage, with cleaning tools.

All three have mastered the technique of walking on water using chakra, allowing them to stand on the rock face to clean it up, which is very convenient.

However, the three of them were far too insignificant compared to the Hokage Rock, and the task of completely cleaning it would be quite extensive.

Working in the sweltering heat is especially unpleasant.

"It's all your fault. If you hadn't run away on your own, I wouldn't have been punished to come here and clean the Hokage Rock."

Rope Tree stood upside down under his great-grandfather's nose, holding a cleaning mop, and complained.

Actually, he wasn't unhappy about coming here to do this; the main problem was that Kirito didn't take his good buddy with him, but instead took that annoying Uchiha and ran off first. That was really not being a good brother.

What's so good about that violent girl? Is it because she's kind of cute? His good friend isn't that shallow.

"Don't say that, Nawaki. Chizuru was injured, so I took her to the infirmary. As her classmate, that's what I should do, right? It's just that Wasabi-sensei is so heartless. She even punished us by making us do this here afterwards. She's really not a good teacher."

Kirito, who was cleaning up the Second Hokage Rock, heard Nawaki's complaints and promptly shifted all the blame onto Mitarai Wasabi, whom he disliked, without thinking he was at fault at all.

Of course.

He was just a victim; he did nothing wrong, yet he was punished along with everyone else. It's simply unfair.

Later, he took the injured Chizuru to the infirmary for treatment, and naturally he should have been praised, but instead he was punished by being sent home after school to clean the Hokage Rock.

Kirito is feeling wronged right now. At this moment, he should be enjoying a wonderful time in the library, eating tricolor dumplings while reading.

Chizuru, standing on the Third Hokage Rock's nose, ignored Nawaki's words and continued to silently poke the Hokage Rock's nose with the cleaning mop. However, upon hearing Kirito's words, she subconsciously looked at the bandages on her elbows and knees and then nodded.

"That's right, Wasabi-sensei is not a good teacher. I had already done 100 laps of frog jumps, but she still punished me by making me come here to clean the Hokage Rock. She is so unreasonable."

Rope Tree nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Wasabi Mitarai, who had transformed into an ordinary staff member using a transformation technique, overheard Kirito and Nawaki's conversation. His fists hardened again, and he almost couldn't resist jumping out to beat them up and then punish them by making them do other things.

"If it happens again, they'll be punished by having to clean all the public toilets in the village."

Wasabi Mitarai made up her mind and revealed a sinister smile.

Kirito and Nawaki suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, shivered, and had a very bad feeling. They quickly gave up slacking off and continued to work hard.

. . .

As the sun was about to set, the three of them finally finished cleaning the Hokage Rock. They were all a little tired and their stomachs were rumbling.

"Rope Tree, let's go get some fried dumplings together."

Kirito patted his shrunken belly and made a suggestion.

Pharmacist Nonou has opened a small snack shop in the village's food street. Because the food she offers is novel, cheap, and delicious, and Kirito has used his friends' connections to promote it in the village, the business is doing very well and has become a stable source of income for the orphanage.

"Fried dumplings, is that a new food that's appeared in the village? I've had them a few times, and they're delicious. Let's go now without delay."

Rope Tree was hungry, and when he heard the suggestion, he licked his lips and readily agreed.

Seeing that Nawaki was alright, Kirito looked at Chizuru, who was packing her things to go back, and smiled, "Chizuru, want to come along?"

Chizuru was immediately startled, a look of surprise on her face.

She had never eaten with other children before; since her parents died, she had always eaten alone.

A feeling of longing began to brew in my heart.

However, she hasn't finished her training today, and she doesn't have time to waste.

"Come on, these pan-fried dumplings are delicious, you'll definitely love them."

Just as she was about to refuse, Kirito continued, then took her hand and led her away.

"etc."

Chizuru was pulled along by the hand for a few steps before she realized what was happening and quickly said something.

Rope Tree chimed in, saying in a disdainful tone, "Ha~, why invite her along?"

"Nawaki, that's not right of you. We've been punished together, and we're practically comrades who've shared joys and sorrows. Isn't it only natural that we eat together? Does the future Hokage not want to eat with his fellow villagers?"

Kirito immediately said.

He didn't have any deep-seated hatred for Uchiha Chizuru, nor for the Uchiha clan. On the contrary, because the Uchiha didn't take advantage of him for free, he had a good impression of the Uchiha clan.

Therefore, he did not intend to develop a relationship with Chizuru into an enemy; it would be best if they could become friends.

The Uchiha clan is different from the Third Hokage and Danzo. They are a clan with a high sense of honor. Although they are arrogant, they are loyal.

If you can truly become friends with them, then they are the people you can entrust your back to, and you don't have to worry about being stabbed in the back.

Unless it's an Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and whose mind has become abnormal, betrayal is impossible.

Upon hearing the mention of Naruto, Nawaki immediately perked up. He quickly changed his tune and said generously, "Of course not! Let's go eat some gyoza. This time it's on me."

As he spoke, the future Hokage rushed ahead with great enthusiasm.

"What did you just say?"

Kirito smiled when he saw the rope tree take the bait, then turned to Chizuru and asked.

"It's nothing, you can let go of my hand, I can walk by myself."

Chizuru opened her mouth and said somewhat awkwardly.

Kirito quickly let go, then hurriedly caught up with Nawaki ahead, before turning around and waving to Chizuru to signal her to catch up.

Seeing this, Chizuru smiled slightly, and a ninja quickly followed, arriving to Kirito's left. The three of them headed towards the village's bustling food street.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Kari, who was hiding in a large tree nearby using camouflage techniques, watched the three of them gradually disappear into the distance. He looked at Chizuru with gentle eyes, then glared coldly at Kirito before vanishing from the spot with a Body Flicker Technique.

Not long after, Uchiha Kari told Uchiha Homura about Chizuru going out to eat with Kirito and Nawaki.

"Lord Yan, should we stop this?"

Uchiha Kari knelt on one knee and bowed his head as he spoke.

"No, there's no need to interfere. Just let things take their course. However, the training must be completed. When Chizuru returns, you will be in charge of supervising. No rest is allowed until the training is finished."

After hearing the report, Uchiha Homura showed a hint of surprise on his face, but quickly concealed it and said coldly.

"ha."

Uchiha Kari said respectfully, then used the Body Flicker Technique to disappear from the spot.

It's tough for a new author to get ahead, so I hope all my fellow readers will visit often to increase the readership. After you finish reading, I hope you'll vote for this book and invest in it. If you could give me some monthly tickets and rewards, I would be extremely grateful. It's so hard for a new author and a new book.

(End of this chapter)