Chapter 30: Ten Years

Even though Jaxon was only three years old, Ah Fu had practically raised him. In fact, the boy spent more time with him than with his own parents. Because of this, Ah Fu had unshakable faith in Jaxon—not just because of their bond, but because the young master's brilliance far surpassed any child—or adult—he'd ever known.

And more importantly, Jaxon's execution and planning were always flawless. That was why he had earned such a central position in the Hoshino Family despite his age.

"Don't think too much about it," Jaxon said casually. "If I can come up with the plan, I already know how to carry it out."

He paused for a moment, then leaned back further into the couch. His small feet couldn't touch the ground, so he propped them up directly on the marble coffee table without a second thought.

"The materials I gave you already have the priorities marked. Money isn't an issue for our family. Whatever resources you need—spend. These operations will take time. I don't expect miracles overnight, but I do expect swift action on the first few targets."

Ah Fu nodded solemnly, his mind already calculating.

"Ninja are impressive beings," Jaxon continued, "but they're predictable. So I'm giving you two tasks to start with—no, make that three."

He raised a hand and ticked each one off with a finger.

"First: Establish the black market I told you about. The detailed framework is already outlined. Don't use our people—hire outsiders, mercenaries, or criminals. Prioritize two things: loyalty and secrecy. No matter what happens, our family must never be tied to it.

Second: Begin issuing missions to rogue Ninja, small hidden villages, and even the larger Shinobi villages if needed. Categorize all contracts as S-rank. Start creating chaos between clans under the radar.

Third: Reach out to the Hyuga Clan. Begin the mineral resources project openly. Use our family's influence and their trade routes to build a massive distribution network. That alone will lay the foundation for wealth and leverage."

Ah Fu furrowed his brow. "And... scientists?"

"Yes," Jaxon said, as if reading his thoughts. "Gather every worthwhile scientist in the Shinobi world. Offer them resources, labs, protection—anything they need. I don't care how much it costs. If they have value, they're worth it.

Also, send someone into Konoha to keep close tabs on Orochimaru. That guy may have questionable ethics, but his skills are unparalleled. Fund his research. One day, I'll need him."

Jaxon's tone remained calm, but his words were filled with purpose.

"These are the main directives. Everything else—just follow the master plan. I trust you to make it happen."

Ah Fu bowed deeply, hand over heart. "Yes, Young Master. I swear upon my life—these assignments will be executed flawlessly. No one will trace them back to the Hoshino Family."

Although he didn't fully understand the scope of Jaxon's ambitions, Ah Fu knew one thing: this boy—this child who wasn't even four years old yet—had the mind of a sovereign.

His documents, plans, and predictions were sharper than those of seasoned generals and village elders.

---

Ten Years Later

Time flew like a kunai through air. Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.

The Shinobi world continued to evolve, seemingly following its original plotline—just as fate had intended. The system of villages, the tension between clans, and the momentum of war rolled forward like an unstoppable tide.

Yet, beneath that familiar current, ripples stirred—subtle, quiet, but unmistakably present.

Because while the world thought it remained unchanged, Jaxon had been changing it all along.

He didn't force his influence. He didn't openly challenge fate.

Instead, he quietly inserted himself into the world's side plots, its shadows, its peripheries.

Over the years, his actions triggered dozens of seemingly minor deviations. The personalities of key figures shifted subtly. Events that once had singular outcomes began branching into alternate possibilities.

While the main story of the Shinobi world remained intact, its foundation had been gently reshaped.

Even so, Jaxon never grew complacent.

He knew—better than anyone—that tampering with fate too aggressively could collapse the entire system and eject him from the world. His existence depended on balance: nudging fate, not defying it.

And so, he created a butterfly effect.

One whisper in the right ear. One trade deal in the right village. One betrayal planted between the wrong clans.

And now, the Second Shinobi World War was raging across the continent.

Nations clashed, villages burned, and ninja fought to the death. The scale of the conflict was immense—just like in the original plot. But something was off. Something had shifted beneath the surface.

It wasn't just war anymore.

It was calculated chaos.

And no one—no one—suspected that its seeds had been sown ten years earlier… by a child.

---

Konoha Village – Hokage's Office

The scent of tobacco lingered in the air. A steady puff of smoke drifted upward as Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his massive desk, pipe in hand. His eyes were narrowed, deep in thought.

The desk was aged, its edges worn smooth by years of use. Scorched marks from his pipe were etched into the wood—testament to countless hours spent pondering the fate of the village.

The office was quiet—eerily so.

But Sarutobi was not alone.

The room was filled with Konoha's inner circle: the Konoha Council, including Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—the so-called "Konoha F4."

And of course, where there was tension, Danzo was the first to speak.

"Sarutobi," Danzo said coldly, "Have you made your decision yet? If we don't use the war to suppress the Hyuga Clan now, we may never be able to control them. One day, they'll run this village."

The words were sharp, biting.

But they weren't empty.

Because Danzo had never feared the Hyuga Clan before.

Until now.

Sarutobi remained silent, lost in thought. Danzo's frustration boiled over.

"You always said it yourself—control is everything. Look at the Uchiha. We've kept them in check all these years. But the Hyuga? They're slipping out of our hands. Do you even understand what they've become?"

And what had they become?

Rich. Powerful. Untouchable.

The Hyuga Clan had grown beyond anyone's expectations. Their strength hadn't necessarily increased on the battlefield—but off it? Their political power, business influence, and supply networks had exploded.

It was no longer possible to ignore them.

Thanks to their joint mineral business—created with external allies—they now had control over vast trade routes. Their commercial power rivaled that of entire noble houses.

Konoha had always believed that ninja controlled the world with jutsu.

But the Hyuga were proving that money might be even stronger.

And behind all of this? A ghost. A whisper. A name never spoken aloud in the Hokage's office.

Jaxon.

He had vanished from Konoha ten years ago.

No fanfare. No resistance. Just a quiet departure.

And yet, from the shadows, he had woven himself into the fabric of the Shinobi world.

Now, his influence was everywhere—but no one could see it.

Not yet.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

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