"Is that so?"
Uchiha Fugaku fell into thought.
He glanced at Uchiha Kaien, who had just graduated from the Academy and was already wearing a Konoha forehead protector at the age of eight.
He understood now why Kaien had rushed to graduate—it was because he needed money. Thinking back to what he'd said earlier about the clan stipend continuing until Kaien officially became a shinobi...
Well, he was officially a shinobi now.
But still... he was so young.
And Fugaku, well... he was into lolis.
So...
"Ah, that… What I said back then only applied to normal graduation timelines. I hadn't considered early graduation, so—yes, you can keep receiving the stipend, Kaien."
Fugaku patched up his earlier statement without hesitation. As the heir to the Uchiha clan, he had the authority to bend the rules a little.
"Really, Fugaku-san?"
Kaien's expression lit up instantly. The disappointment from earlier vanished without a trace, replaced by a bright smile on his delicate face.
He didn't really need the money, but there was just something satisfying about getting it for free.
"It's true. Also—if you ever get tired of missions, you can come intern at the Police Force. We offer a steady paycheck."
Fugaku looked away, slightly embarrassed under Kaien's openly happy gaze.
This kid was getting better-looking by the day… Ahem. I like lolis. I like lolis, he repeated to himself like a mantra. Not shota. Not shota.
He made a mental note to spend more time with Mikoto to strengthen their bond—he really didn't want to develop new tastes.
...
After an eventful day, Uchiha Kaien finally returned home.
As soon as he opened the door, a potted plant sprinted toward him.
"Kaien…"
He didn't even flinch. Without missing a beat, he turned and kicked the plant aside.
"So violent, Kaien…"
White Zetsu sounded utterly aggrieved as it crashed into the wall.
It had only meant to give him a warm welcome, yet it got punted across the room. But the pouty act only lasted a second before the usual mischievous grin returned.
"Hey Kaien, will you finally tell me what it feels like when you need to poop—"
"Keep talking and I'll hit you with a Fire Style."
"Waaahh! Kaien's gonna burn me alive!"
White Zetsu flailed dramatically, but then its expression shifted. It seemed to sense something unusual.
"Your friend's here, Kaien..."
"Friend? Who?"
Kaien trusted White Zetsu's sensory abilities—for now, they were definitely sharper than his own.
"The blond one. Namikaze Minato."
Minato? Didn't he go home to sleep? Why's he coming back now? It's not a special day or anything…
Kaien was a little puzzled, but shrugged it off. Whatever. If he's here, he's here. I'll just visit Old Man Madara a little later.
"I got it. You guys, hide yourselves... Actually, wait—Zetsu, you pretend to be me."
A sudden idea struck him. Last time, when he tried to prank Minato using the Transformation Jutsu, how exactly did Minato manage to see through it?
This was the perfect chance to find out his secret!
White Zetsu's mimicry was top-tier—god-tier, even. It could replicate another person's chakra signature so perfectly that even close family members might not notice the difference.
And since it had been around Kaien long enough to understand his personality, in theory, it should be able to pull off a flawless imitation.
Kaien refused to believe Minato could see through this disguise.
Once everything was in place, Namikaze Minato knocked on the door to Kaien's house.
Kaien gave White Zetsu a subtle nod. Zetsu's chakra signature now matched his exactly.
Kaien himself activated his three-tomoe Sharingan and began weaving a genjutsu.
With his powerful spirit, the illusion he crafted was dreamlike and seamless. He truly appeared like a simple potted plant—completely still, not releasing a single trace of chakra.
A Transformation Jutsu layered with Genjutsu—if the target wasn't prepared, they'd never spot him.
Kaien quietly observed from his hidden position as White Zetsu opened the door and let Minato inside.
He could hear their conversation clearly.
"Kaien! That idea you mentioned the other day for a new ninjutsu—I think I've figured it out! I really think we're close to inventing something new!"
Minato sounded exhilarated.
Originally, he'd just planned to shower and go to bed, but something during that routine sparked inspiration.
He'd noticed how water in the sink and in the toilet both swirled as it drained.
That swirling motion made him think of Kaien's concept—rotation, compression, and concentration—leading to a stable, chakra-based orb without the need for hand seals.
If he could refine the idea for a few more days, he and Kaien might really create a brand-new technique!
That's why he came running straight to Kaien's house.
"Is that so? You're pretty sharp, Minato. That thing's been bugging me for ages," White Zetsu said, imitating Kaien's voice and tone with practiced ease.
Pooping ninjutsu? Zetsu had no idea. All it knew were innate skills and traits. But Minato seemed caught up in the excitement and kept edging closer and closer.
That's when it hit him—something was off.
The smell was wrong.
First, it wasn't Kaien's usual post-shower scent. That clean fragrance would've been even stronger than this.
Even if he hadn't showered yet, this scent didn't match. The chakra signature might be perfect, but this person was not Kaien.
This was Kaien's house, yes—but this wasn't him.
Instead of reacting, Minato kept chatting casually, hiding his suspicion.
Then, just as White Zetsu pushed open a door to the inner room—
Clink.
A kunai appeared at the throat of the fake Kaien, and Minato's voice turned low and serious.
"You're not Kaien. Where is he?"
"What are you talking about, Minato? I am Kaien."
White Zetsu's mind reeled. He saw through me?!
This was the first time someone had managed that.
Still, he forced himself to keep up the act.
"This is my house. If I'm not Uchiha Kaien, then who else would I be?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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