ALL NOVEL Chapter 46: Chapter 46
[🎉 Shoutout to Darth Melkor, Brandon Eugley, Dave Jake, David Aderjou and 1 other(whose name I couldn't write) for joining patreon. Thank you very much.🤗]
But that unapproachable expression already said everything!
"Alright! I understand!"
"Mikoto! I don't know if you can hear me!"
"But I still have to tell you! I will definitely defeat that bastard Ay, and I'll make sure to beat him up good!"
"I'll get revenge for what happened today!"
In the silence, Fujiwara Tetsuya slowly turned around and walked out of the room.
Little did he know!
Just as the door to the Uchiha room closed, Uchiha Mikoto's delicate fingers seemed to tremble ever so slightly.
A faint response!
Sometimes, the unseen forces of the world cannot be explained.
After leaving the hospital, Fujiwara Tetsuya bid farewell to Yuhi Shin and Aburame Muto, and headed toward his clan's grounds.
Along the way, many of the villagers greeted him warmly as they saw him pass.
This was the honor reserved for a genius.
"Tetsuya-kun! I've been waiting for you for a while!"
Just as Fujiwara Tetsuya was dragging his weary body around the corner leading to his clan's compound, a hoarse voice suddenly came from the nearby woods.
The first thing that entered Tetsuya's sight was the pale face of none other than Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
Seeing Orochimaru approach, Tetsuya instantly tensed up.
His brain raced as he tried to figure out why Orochimaru would be here.
"Tetsuya-kun, you seem nervous around me?"
Noticing the flicker of unease in Tetsuya's eyes, Orochimaru chuckled softly, leaning in closer.
He carefully observed Tetsuya's eyes, as if trying to confirm something.
"Lord Orochimaru, you jest! It's not fear—it's awe!"
"After all, someone of your caliber, a master of your level, is still far beyond my reach!"
Tetsuya broke out in a cold sweat at Orochimaru's question. He secretly wondered, had this man already started walking the path of darkness?
Forcing a laugh, Tetsuya quickly adjusted his demeanor.
"Awe, huh? Perhaps."
"But I must say, Tetsuya-kun, you're quite an interesting person!"
"There's no need to guess my intentions. The Hokage has sent me. He wishes to see you."
Tetsuya's current abilities were still too immature compared to someone like Orochimaru. Any attempt to cover up his anxiety was futile.
"The Hokage wants to see me?"
Startled for a moment, Tetsuya quickly pieced it together.
It had to be about tomorrow's duel with Ay.
It seemed even the Hokage was feeling the pressure from this fight.
"That's right! After all, we've been waiting long enough, haven't we? If you'd like, you can stop by home first and inform your clan."
"There's no need for that! Since the Hokage has called for someone as insignificant as me, it must be urgent. I wouldn't want to keep him waiting too long."
At this point, Tetsuya was more curious about what Sarutobi Hiruzen had to say. Or rather, he was curious what price the Hokage would offer to ensure he fought with everything he had.
After all, someone like Sarutobi Hiruzen fully understood just how terrifying Ay's power and talent were.
---
The Hokage's office.
Since Tetsuya had become a Genin, he'd been here several times. Yet each visit came with a heavy, oppressive feeling.
This was the weight of power and authority.
When Orochimaru led Tetsuya into the Hokage's office, they were greeted by not just Sarutobi Hiruzen, but also Koharu Utatane and Koharu Mitokado.
Given the recent disputes involving the Koharu clan, Tetsuya held no particular fondness for Koharu.
After respectfully greeting the Hokage, Tetsuya stood still, barely acknowledging Utatane and Mitokado's presence.
After all, a child still had the temperament of a child.
"Orochimaru, you've worked hard. Leave the rest to me; you may take your leave."
Blowing out a ring of smoke, Hiruzen nodded at Orochimaru.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Like a ghost, Orochimaru departed, having never once shown the slightest deference to the Hokage's advisors. It seemed Utatane and Mitokado were long used to this.
"Tetsuya."
Hiruzen's voice was warm as always, pulling Tetsuya back to the present.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
"Tetsuya, today's battle... you performed admirably! Your newly developed technique, Chidori, was truly impressive."
"The Fujiwara clan is fortunate to have such a talented young member. It puts my mind at ease."
As he spoke, Hiruzen subtly wove the Fujiwara clan into the conversation, drawing a connection between them.
For most eight-year-olds from ninja clans, such words would be deeply moving.
But not for him.
"Thank you for your praise, Lord Hokage."
"But I owe my progress to the guidance of my clan's elders, my teachers like Sanjodou-sensei, and Yuhi-sensei, and of course, the support of my comrades like Mikoto and Muto.
"Defeating Rasa was not a victory of my own making."
Bonds, huh?
At that moment, Hiruzen's eyes softened as he looked at Tetsuya.
After all, bonds were something he valued deeply.
A boy with the Will of Fire?
"Tetsuya, you don't need to be so modest."
"While their help might have played a role, your talent and hard work are undeniable. Seeing you reminds me of my younger self."
"Rising from obscurity, pushing forward to where you are today—I understand the struggle more than anyone."
Hiruzen put down his pipe and leaned forward, his words beginning to take on a different tone.
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Hokage. I will continue to work hard to become a worthy ninja."
Tetsuya lowered his head, fully aware that Hiruzen's words were meant to instill a sense of duty in him.
Though still in his prime, the Hokage was already showing signs of the manipulative tendencies that would become more apparent in decades to come.
"By the way, how confident are you about tomorrow's final match?"
"Your opponent, after all, is the son of the Third Raikage. Even I would find his taijutsu difficult to handle."
"Victory belongs to Konoha."
Tetsuya's response was calm, resolute, as if it had already become an unshakable belief.
Was it because of Uchiha Meiqin?
Recalling the events at the arena today, Hiruzen understood the reason for Tetsuya's unwavering determination.
"It's good to have that confidence."
"But you're still young, and the future is long. Even if you lose, there's no shame in it."
"Living on is the key to going further."
"Oh, by the way, I have a scroll here. It contains records of our encounters with the Yotsuki clan's strongest. You might find it useful in preparing for tomorrow's match."
"Such a thing exists? Thank you, Lord Hokage! I won't let you down."
As Tetsuya made his declaration, a fire lit within him, stoked by the Hokage's words.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
🥰 Support the translation and help me grow.🤓
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
Read upto 20 Extra chapter in Patreon