Chapter 208. He's Still in the Hospital Again

Chapter 208. He's Still in the Hospital Again

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Before long, the round of 16 began.

As the second-to-last match, once this was over, the final event would take place to determine the true Mahjong God of the Ninja World.

So, unsurprisingly, today was another lively day.

Yuto glanced at the Uchiha couple, who had rare time off and had come to watch the match.

However…

It was a pity that Itachi wasn't here.

Sighing with regret, he spoke earnestly, "Brother Fugaku! I'm not saying you're wrong, but on a rare day off, even if you want to spend time with Sister Mikoto, you shouldn't forget about the kids! Family education is important too, you know?"

Was Itachi just an accident?

"…" Fugaku merely shot Yuto a glance before falling silent, his expression as stoic as ever, arms crossed.

This brat was lecturing him on family education?

Did he even have kids?

What a joke.

There was a hint of disdain in Fugaku's eyes—this was infuriating!

Mikoto, on the other hand, smiled helplessly and said, "Recently, Itachi applied for early graduation, but his teacher rejected it. Of course, Fugaku and I agreed with the decision—Itachi is still just a child. He can't graduate so soon." She sighed, her eyes tinged with concern. "But just a few days later, the teacher paid us a special visit, saying that Itachi had serious autism issues. He doesn't interact with other kids at the academy and even gets into fights sometimes."

"…"

Itachi…

Why did that sound like he was a problem child?

Yuto chuckled slightly and nodded but said nothing.

"When we asked Itachi about it, he said he never fought back. Still, his poor relationships with his classmates are worrying!" Mikoto sighed again and continued, "Because of the Mahjong Tournament, a lot of outsiders have come to the village, so security has been tightened, and the academy is a bit more relaxed. But to prevent the kids from running around, the teacher organized a group discussion to help them make bonds. That's why Itachi isn't here today. Thankfully, the teacher didn't allow early graduation back then. Otherwise, I might never have noticed! It really is concerning."

"…" Yuto forced a smile and spoke earnestly, "…Don't worry, Itachi is so smart—he'll be fine. When I get the chance, I'll have a good talk with him."

"Thank you, Yuto. Itachi really listens to you."

Just then, the announcer's voice rang out.

"The match begins!"

Yuto responded and quickly turned his attention back to the game.

…

After the usual round of advertisements, the match officially began.

The remaining 16 players would battle for the final four spots in the Mahjong God Cup.

Even though this game of Mahjong had become bizarre—far more intense than Blood Battle Mahjong—it was still sought after by many people.

[T/N: Blood Battle Mahjong is an online mahjong game popular in China.]

This was the kind of match ninjas should be playing!

The players entered the arena.

Suzune, Kana, Konan, Nono… Aside from Kana and Konan being seated at the same table, the others were all separated.

How lucky!

But from the looks of it, Kana would have to stop here—given her personality, there was no way she would compete against Konan.

"Those two are from the Land of Rain, right?"

A voice beside him asked.

Yuto nodded and answered casually, "I met them while working on a collaboration in the Land of Rain."

He didn't tell the whole truth.

No need to.

Mikoto nodded. "It's really nice! That red-haired girl looks so gentle… I heard she's from the Uzumaki Clan, just like Lady Fourth Hokage?"

"Uzumaki Kana."

"What a pity. The Uzumaki Clan…" Mikoto sighed regretfully before glancing at the other red-haired girl beside Yuto. Her eyes twinkled with curiosity and a hint of gossip. "No wonder you stepped in that day!"

Yuto chuckled awkwardly, but before he could respond—

Fugaku suddenly snorted coldly. "A woman from another village?"

It looked like Fugaku was a die-hard supporter of Konoha-born women!

"Oh, come on! As long as love is there, that's all that matters!" Mikoto nudged Fugaku and smiled. "Once she takes the Uchiha name, she'll be a Konoha citizen."

"Hmph."

Fugaku folded his arms and said no more.

Yuto rolled his eyes but didn't take it to heart. He knew that, deep down, Fugaku was actually quite open-minded. For example, he later supported Izumi in pursuing his own child, and despite Suzune following him around for so long, the Uchiha Police Force never showed up daily for inspections or tried to drive her away.

At most…

He was just a bit tsundere.

But sometimes, tsundere behavior caused unnecessary trouble!

Yuto had gotten used to it, though.

He said nothing more and continued watching the match.

However, his gossip-loving sister-in-law seemed curious and asked, "Yuto, which girl do you want to win?"

At her words, even Kabuto and Honoka, who were sitting nearby, looked over curiously.

"Hehe…" Yuto let out an awkward chuckle before clearing his throat. "Winning or not doesn't matter. It's all about participation! Participation is what matters! I don't care about that."

After speaking, he quickly turned back to focus on the match.

Mikoto smiled slightly and exchanged a glance with Fugaku before they both dropped the topic and continued watching the game. Upon seeing the flurry of ninjutsu flying across the field, Mikoto instinctively touched her chest, relieved. She smiled helplessly and murmured, "Good thing I didn't participate!"

Was this really Mahjong?

Why did it look so different from the games she usually played?

No wonder so many people had been carried away in recent days—the hospital was completely packed!

Yuto also nodded in agreement, feeling fortunate. If Fugaku hadn't stopped her due to her pregnancy, his second nephew might have been in danger by now.

This Mahjong…

It's going to cost someone's life~

Just then, he felt someone tugging at him.

Startled, Yuto turned his head and saw Kabuto, who, despite being so young, was already frowning with a serious expression.

"What's the matter? Need to use the toilet? You want me to go with you?"

"…"

Kabuto's eyelid twitched, and the corner of his mouth twitched as well.

This guy definitely has something wrong with his brain!

For Director Nono…

He refused!

Rolling his eyes, Kabuto spoke irritably, "How can we make Director Nono win?"

"???"

Yuto was surprised—was he worried about Nono?

He turned to look at her table and saw Nono trembling in fear, trapped between three terrifying opponents. The corner of his mouth twitched as he hesitated. "How about becoming my son? Just a mere 10 million… If you call me 'Dad,' I'll send the money over immediately!"

"…"

This guy is completely unreliable!

Kabuto frowned slightly, ignored him, and pushed up his glasses while looking at Nono's situation with concern.

Indeed.

She was up against Three-Tails Jinchuriki—Hatake Kakashi, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—Lady Fourth Hokage, and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki—Killer Bee.

No matter how you looked at it, her chances of winning were zero.

With a sigh, Kabuto muttered, "She might have to forfeit…"

Before he could finish his sentence—

"Actually, there is a way for her to win."

"???" Kabuto froze, then looked up at Yuto hesitantly. "Cheating?"

"What are you thinking, little brat?" Yuto flicked Kabuto's head. "This competition is fair, just, and transparent. How could there be any cheating? Besides, the Fourth Hokage's wife is playing—do you want to take a trip to Anbu?"

Then, he pulled Kabuto closer and pointed at the arena. "See that woman over there?"

"???" Kabuto turned his head in confusion. When he saw the blonde, busty, carefree woman, he hesitated. "One of the Three Legendary Sannin—Tsunade-sama?"

But what did she have to do with this?

Was she supposed to intervene?

That was impossible!

She wasn't even a participant!

Even if she were, there was no way she'd help the director!

Just as Kabuto was lost in thought—

Yuto smirked.

"Don't underestimate her!" His eyes gleamed as he spoke mysteriously. "That woman is not simple. Whoever she bets on to win… always loses! So… you get it now?"

Kabuto: "???"

He was still completely confused.

Was this guy messing with him?

…

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

When Kakashi's opponent turned out to be the Fourth Hokage's wife, everyone immediately knew… Kakashi was doomed.

With a sigh, they lamented his fate.

They had thought he might make it to the final four!

Turning to another table—

Obito!

His situation didn't look great either.

Everyone had already prepared counters against his genjutsu.

However…

"Where's Asuma?" Kurenai snapped back to her senses and looked around in confusion. "Wasn't he supposed to come watch today? It's rare for both Kakashi and Obito to advance!"

But the moment she spoke—

The faces of Shiranui Genma, Ebisu, and the others instantly stiffened. They all let out long sighs and looked up at the ceiling in silence.

After a long pause—

Genma finally spoke, his tone heavy. "Last night… I went to the hospital again."

"He's still not discharged? What did he do? Is his injury that serious?"

Kurenai was shocked.

Just as she finished speaking—

"It's… serious." Genma nodded with deep emotion. "He can't even get out of bed!"

"?!"

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