Chapter 5 Shadow Clone and Flying Thunder God

Senju Hashirama, with a bruised nose and swollen face, was shoveling rice into his mouth while watching Yuya scooping rice with one hand, shaping his other hand like a claw. Curious, Hashirama held his breath and asked, "Little Yuya, what are you doing?"

Yuya, face red from holding his breath, replied, "I'm practicing ninjutsu."

Hashirama raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Ninjutsu? What kind of ninjutsu needs to be practiced like that?"

"My uncle taught me a technique called the Flying Thunder God Mark," Yuya said, continuing to concentrate.

Uzumaki Mito frowned from across the table. "Stop that and finish your meal before we talk about it."

"Wait! I can feel something! I think I can condense the first rune with my chakra!" Yuya said, excitement in his voice.

Mito calmly put down her chopsticks and smiled gently at him. "Finish your food first, then we can talk, alright?"

Sensing a dangerous aura from her, Yuya froze, quickly dropping his hands and picking up his chopsticks to eat.

"That's a good boy," Mito said approvingly.

Hashirama, sitting beside them, twitched slightly. *Mito, do you realize that treating a kid like this could scar him for life?* He only dared to grumble in his thoughts, too scared to voice his concern out loud.

---

The next day, Yuya slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and headed to the Hokage's office building early in the morning.

*Knock knock.*

"Come in," Tobirama's calm voice responded from inside.

Yuya pushed the door open and peered around the room. Tobirama was focused on a document at his desk and didn't bother to look up. "What are you looking for?"

With a chuckle, Yuya replied, "I was just seeing if those three uncles from yesterday were around."

"They have plenty of work to do," Tobirama muttered, frowning as he signed his name on the paper.

Yuya dashed over, placing his hands on the desk and tilting his head at the document. "What's this?"

Tobirama's desk was piled high with two stacks of paperwork—one to be processed, the other completed. This particular document was causing him to frown more than usual, signaling its importance.

Tobirama wasn't annoyed, though. To him, it was normal for children to be curious about everything. In fact, it was through curiosity that children naturally learned and grew.

Tobirama often missed his time teaching at the academy, where he had once enjoyed nurturing young minds. But now, as Hokage, his duties left him little time for that. He hadn't taken on any new students in nearly ten years.

"Hmm? The Wetland Bridge Project? Why are you requesting five Earth-style Jonin to help build it? Why do Jonin need to help with something like this?" Yuya asked, still confused.

Tobirama shook his head, realizing Yuya couldn't fully grasp the complexities of such tasks. Ruffling the boy's hair, he explained, "With the Jonin's help, the bridge can be built in just one day. By next fall, people will be able to go to the wetlands to gather herbs and fruits."

Yuya looked up at him. "But if the bridge won't be used until next autumn, why rush it? Why not let ordinary workers build it?"

Tobirama waved dismissively. "Ordinary people are too slow. Why not let ninjas handle it?"

"But you said the bridge won't be used until next fall," Yuya persisted, frowning.

Tobirama blinked, then furrowed his brows. "What do you know, kid? It's not just about efficiency. This creates a mission for five Jonin. There aren't always enough tasks for the ninjas in Konoha. If Jonin don't have missions, they don't get paid, and that weakens their overall strength."

"Is that so?" Yuya tilted his head. "But wouldn't it be better to hire hundreds of ordinary people and give them jobs until the bridge is done?"

Tobirama stared at the boy for a moment, realizing the child had a point. Then, with a sigh, he asked, "Why are you here anyway?"

With a grin, Yuya raised his hand and showed him a symbol. "Look! I've completed the first mark of the Flying Thunder Seal!"

Tobirama blinked in surprise. "…That's only the first one, and you're already boasting? Go back and keep practicing."

Yuya pouted. "Once you get started, it gets easier, right? Besides, uncle, don't forget…" His eyes narrowed mischievously. "I gave you over ten kilograms of gold for this! I learned the jutsu, sure, but doesn't that price seem a bit steep for just this?"

Tobirama's expression froze as he realized the boy's true intention for visiting. He calmed his rising temper, forcing a smile. "Yuya, this is a very powerful technique. It's worth far more than ten kilograms of gold."

Yuya wasn't buying it. "You say that, but who can really say if it's worth that much?"

Tobirama gritted his teeth. *I invented this jutsu!* he thought angrily. But outwardly, he maintained his composure. "Where else in this world could you learn it, huh? Nowhere. That makes it priceless!"

With deadpan eyes, Yuya replied, "Then give me back my gold."

Tobirama's eye twitched. After a deep breath, he managed to smile through his frustration. "Alright, what ninjutsu do you want to learn next? Just… don't ask for too much."

He braced himself, expecting the boy to demand some top-tier jutsu.

"Clone Technique! I want to learn the clone technique! There's a test coming up at school, and I still haven't mastered it, so please teach me," Yuya said without hesitation.

Tobirama's face went blank. Then, in a fit of frustration, he kicked Yuya lightly on the butt. "Get out of here!"

*I thought you wanted to learn something advanced, and you ask me for the Clone Technique? Are you insulting me, a master of ninjutsu?!*

After sending Yuya away, Tobirama sat back at his desk, rubbing his temples. His gaze fell once again on the Wetland Bridge project. After a moment of thought, he smirked, stood up, and slipped out the window.

His destination? A casino on Konoha Village's commercial street.

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