I, Your Father, Carry a Big Stick

With the weekend coming to an end, Wu awoke the following day, finished his regular routine, and headed for the Academy. He found Ino waiting for him a few blocks away from where her family's flower shop was located, so the two of them walked together as the ever-pepper blonde recounted the events of her weekend. Upon reaching the Academy, Wu parted ways with the bubbly Yamanaka, greeted a few of his classmates, and then sat at his desk. They were even earlier than usual, but instead of making the usual rounds, Wu crossed his arms atop his desk before setting his head down and pretending to sleep. Unfortunately, while others doing the same would have been ignored, Wu's 'dispirited' state was noticed by several people. He had intended to be left alone for a bit, but it didn't even take a full minute before someone came over to check on him. What surprised him was the fact that it was Sasuke, asking, "What's your deal? Aren't you usually full of energy in the mornings...?" Feigning a tired smile, aided by the fact he was mentally exhausted, Wu lazily replied, "I had an eventful weekend..." before asking, "Did you need something?" Instead of answering Wu's question, Sasuke snorted through his nose and returned to his desk. The former followed his departure for a few seconds before attempting to put his head down a second time. It was marginally more effective than before, as the next person to disturb Wu's rest was Kaia, shouting, "Good morning, Aniki~!" in her usual, high-spirited tone. Raising his head, Wu feigned a sincere smile as he asked, "How was your weekend, Kaia? Did you get any training in back at the compound...?" Thumping her chest, eliciting a sound similar to a bag of sand being hit, Kaia replied, "Of course~! Kaa-chan said it's great that I'm trying to get stronger, so I train a lot!" Nodding his head in approval, Wu reiterated, "It is a good thing." before giving the excitable Inuzuka a fleeting pat on the head. Her expression melted into a somewhat stupid-looking smile, but Wu didn't particularly mind it. Kaia was the hardest working of all his 'students,' so, even if she was an idiot, she was more tolerable than most... ... .. . After a fairly uneventful morning, Wu sat at his usual table with Naruto, Kaia, Sakura, Ino, and Hinata. The latter was her usual demure self, but after receiving several 'warning' looks from Wu, she surprised everyone else at the table by sitting straighter and smiling. As Hinata was sitting across from him, Naruto's eyes widened slightly as he confusedly remarked, "Huh? Hinata-chan...?" Though her cheeks became noticeably ruddy, Hinata narrowed her eyes slightly and replied, "Yes? Did you need something, Naruto-kun...?" With Hinata's smile dealing mental and physical damage, an embarrassed smile adorned Naruto's face as he looked away, scratched the back of his head, and exhaled a nervous laugh. He couldn't recall the last time Hinata had looked directly at him, but instead of feeling creeped out by it, he felt a strange, fluttery feeling and a hint of...pressure? Seeing Naruto's reaction, the smile on Hinata's face became even more prominent before she covered her mouth and giggled softly. This caused Naruto's face to immediately turn beet-red as he rose from the table and stammered, "I...I'm gonna go see what Kiba and the others are up to..." Without waiting for anyone's response, Naruto turned around and ran off as if his life depended on it. Hinata's behavior was so drastically different from what he was used to that he couldn't process the change in front of his crush and other girls. Misinterpreting Naruto's reaction, Hinata was about to hang her head and shoulders when Wu gave her a thumbs up, saying, "Good job." in a sincere yet no-nonsense tone. Before Hinata could refute and say she did a terrible job, Ino looked at her as if she was witnessing some alien creature, questioning, "What the hell? Since when did you grow a backbone, Hinata-chan...?" Interrupting Hinata's bashful response, Sakura furrowed her brows and said, "Don't be so rude, Ino-chan." Then, while directing her gaze to Wu, she added, "Besides, it's pretty clear it has something to do with Wu-kun. I mean, who else could convince someone to change so drastically in a short period?" Looking at Wu, Ino retorted, "Seriously?" before realizing the implication of Sakura's words, furrowing her brows, and asking, "Does that mean you and Hinata hung out this weekend? Weren't you supposed to be spending time training with the boys?" Though Hinata started to panic slightly, thinking she may have exposed her and Wu's secret, the latter was comparably relaxed as he replied, "It just kind of happened. Hinata's path crossed with mine, so I offered her some advice on how she could get closer to Naruto. It's not like I haven't done the same for you and Sakura. Isn't that the reason you're pestering me to train you?" Furrowing her brows, Ino ignored everything else Wu had said, asking, "What do you mean, 'pestering?' I know it's an inconvenience for you, but you should be grateful to have a bunch of cute girls relying on you. I know you've noticed all the envious looks other boys give you when we come to school together." Shrugging his shoulders, Wu retorted, "With the exception of Kaia here, the rest of you girls have someone you like. I don't exactly view you as 'eye candy,' or whatever, so why should I be grateful? None of you have done anything for me besides consuming my free time. If anything, you've made it harder for me to interact with other boys in the class." "..." x3 Flabbergasted by Wu's remarks, Ino, Sakura, and Hinata were left utterly speechless. Kaia, contrastingly, was all smiles as she refuted Wu's earlier words, excitedly claiming, "That's wrong, Aniki! I have lots of people I like! I like my Kaa-chan, my Tou-san, all of my friends...!" Feigning a wry smile, Wu silenced the puppy-like girl with a head pat. He half-expected her to say she liked him, so he was relieved to hear such an 'innocent' response. He had no doubts that Kaia 'did' like him, but she had associated that affection with kinship. More specifically, she regarded him as her 'ever-reliable' big brother, her Aniki. Recovering from her shock, Sakura's expression became awkward as she asked, "Do you not want us to come over anymore? If I had known it was such an inconvenience for you..." Shaking his head, Wu lied through his teeth, stating, "I was the one who initially proposed training at the Sarutobi Estate. I also had you ask your parents for permission, so it would be irresponsible of me to assign blame to others. The point I was trying to make is that there's no reason for me to be 'grateful.' You aren't doing me any favors by simply stopping by, so if you expect me to be 'enthused' about receiving the envy of others, you're just wrong." "..." x3 Hearing Wu speak and trying to view things from his perspective, the trio of eight-year-olds was seized by the notion that they may, just possibly, be taking advantage of his friendship. Ino, in particular, had weaseled her way into the group for selfish reasons, so she became uncharacteristically meek as she hung her head and lowered her gaze. As his intent was simply to get the girls to work harder, Wu interrupted the trio's pity party, stating, "No need to beat yourselves up. It's not as though I hate spending time with you. If I did, I wouldn't have invited you over in the first place. Just don't mistake my kindness for infatuation. I'm trying to help you reach your goals, not ingratiate myself to you in pursuit of some kind of reward. If you try to take advantage of me like that, then we're not friends." "..." x3 Though they only understood about half the things Wu said at times, the trio of girls could understand that Wu was being 'genuine.' He really had been doing his best to help them improve, and, thus far, he hadn't asked for a single thing in return. He just expected them to 'make an effort.' Realizing she might have wronged Wu quite a bit in the past week or so, Ino combed back her bangs, her expression lacking her usual confidence as she attempted to apologize, saying, "I'm-" before being interrupted by Wu stating, "You don't need to apologize or change who you are. So long as you do your best and continue striving toward your goal, that's enough. Leave the sentimental crap for when you and Sakura invariably reach the conclusion you can 'both' have your beloved Sasuke-kun..." "Eh...?" Inserting herself back into the discussion, Sakura asked, "What do you mean?" despite being fully aware of Sasuke's 'unique' status. After all, it was literally the only reason she and the other girls had been able to get along despite pining after the same guy. Realizing what Wu was referring to, Ino's expression became somewhat neutral as she flatly replied, "He's talking about the Clan Restoration Act. It gives people with unique bloodlines a protected status, allowing them to forgo the usual responsibilities of a Shinobi and prioritize replenishing their numbers. Sasuke-kun is the last remaining member of the Uchiha, so he can apply for the status whenever he wants." Though he nodded in affirmation, Wu added, "The only reason he hasn't is because he has yet to fulfill his purpose. He seeks power with the obvious intention of avenging his Clan. Until he can achieve that, there is no future for the Uchiha Clan. At least in Sasuke's mind. Things like love? Romance? They are just distractions." Furrowing their brows, Ino and Sakura lowered their heads and fell into a deep, contemplative silence. They were well aware of the destruction of the Uchiha, but neither had considered the possibility of Sasuke seeking revenge. In hindsight, it was 'very' obvious he would want to, so the real question was, how could they help him? Realizing the answer at nearly the same time, Ino and Sakura looked at one another with increasingly resolute expressions on their faces. They now fully comprehended why Sasuke was so seeking strength, so if they truly wanted to be with him, they would first need to help him achieve his dream of vengeance... Recognizing the conviction in the duo's eyes, Wu gave an approving nod and said, "Now you're starting to see why I keep telling you that building a foundation is essential. The greater your capabilities, the easier it is to fulfill your goals. If the two of you are around the same level or 'stronger' than him, Sasuke will have no choice but to acknowledge you. Just steel your hearts, as the moment he views you as a rival, he will do everything in his power to surpass you..." Imagining Sasuke being the one to pursue them, Ino's and Sakura's eyes widened before becoming starry. If they worked hard, there was a good chance that Sasuke would willfully approach them. He may even join in on their training sessions, allowing them to spend more time together as they worked toward a mutual goal. Then, when they finally avenged the Uchiha Clan, they would be the obvious choices to help him restore it... As a blush gradually crept up the necks and into the faces of the two girls, a smile not all that dissimilar to Hiruzen's developed across Wu's face. He initially didn't care if Ino or Sakura achieved their goals, but after the fiasco with Hinata, he wasn't taking any chances. If the duo changed the target of their affection to him, he might just smash his head against a wall until he was a vegetable... ... .. .

Following Wu's 'pep talk,' Sakura and Ino began putting much more effort into their training. Their effort couldn't compare to Hinata's, who managed to get on speaking terms with Naruto after around seven months, but Wu wasn't complaining. The trio had become more open and honest with both themselves and Wu, so his job as their instructor and apparent 'confidant' had become significantly easier. They would sometimes come to him with problems they were facing at home or with other people, but, as children, most of their issues could be resolved with simple compliments or words of support. On a markedly more positive note, Tenten's father, Saizo, had relented to permitting Wu to learn the basics of forging. However, instead of teaching him directly, the muscular man left the explanations and demonstrations to his daughter. This allowed him to confirm that his daughter had taken his lessons to heart but, more importantly, ensured that the two spent a fair amount of time together. While Wu could see through the intentions of Tenten's parents, especially after the stunt pulled by Hiruzen, he didn't particularly mind. Teten was a decent option if he ever actually cared about acquiring a spouse. She was smart, high-spirited, fairly attractive, and, most importantly, earnest when it came to improving herself. She was also proficient in bojutsu and a host of other weapon arts, so Wu could actually learn from her while helping to actualize her dream of being a capable Kunoichi. If there was one thing that annoyed Wu about Tenten's character, it was her penchant for 'doting' on him. He had proven himself superior to her in almost every way, but because she was a little over a year older than him, she acted like he was a little brother that needed her care. She frequently fretted over his appearance, making regular remarks about the clothes he wore, how he should style his hair, and how he should act if he wanted to impress the 'ladies.' Simply put, she was an idiot. Clever, but irredeemably dense... ... .. . With the Academy going on break for two months, permitting students a much-needed vacation, Wu was looking forward to making up for the ten months he had 'squandered' playing a student. He had used the fact they were going on vacation as an excuse to give the girls a chance to improve on their own, and, as an extra precaution, he planned to spend the entire break at Jigokudani. He hadn't returned a single weekend since his arrival in Konoha, so while Hiruzen had attempted to convince him to spend the vacation playing with his 'friends' and visiting their families, Wu forced the man to send him back. Needless to say, Wu's seven weeks in Jigokudani were more productive than the forty-six he spent in Konoha. Old man Enma and the remaining Monkey Clan Elders viewed Wu as one of their own, so when he appealed to them for assistance, Enma agreed to oversee his training personally. In exchange, Wu had to pledge he would remain an ally to the Sarutobi Clan, not because they were worried he would betray Hiruzen, but because the Monkey Clan had forged an ancient pact to that effect. In other words, if he wanted to inherit their techniques and receive their aid as an extended member of the Monkey Clan, he had to abide by their traditions. Since it wasn't like he had any intention of betraying Hiruzen, someone who would die of his own accord in a decade or two, Wu had no problem agreeing to Enma's terms. He had a fair amount of respect for the elderly monkey, and, as annoying as Hiruzen was, Wu didn't hate him. He might not be willing to fight and die to preserve the Clan's honor, but the name 'Sarutobi Wu' had grown on him... ... .. . &lt;Three Years Later&gt; From his seat at the back of the classroom, allowing him to observe the entire class, Wu couldn't help admiring his handiwork, a triumphant grin adorning his ruggedly handsome but still youthful face. Sakura and Ino flanked Sasuke at the same table, Hinata and Naruto chatted happily in one of the aisles, and Kaia slumbered peacefully at his side. The latter somehow appeared even more boyish than she did as a prepubescent brat, but Wu didn't care in the slightest as her appearance didn't detract from her usefulness as a subordinate. As if she could sense Wu's thoughts, Kaia stirred awake, shamelessly wiping away the drool from her mouth before asking, "Did you need me for something, Aniki?" Shaking his head, Wu maintained his smile as he replied, "I was marveling at how much everyone has changed since my first day at the Academy. If I didn't know we could meet whenever we pleased, I would grieve at the notion our days at the Academy have reached their end..." Adopting a toothy grin, Kaia reached up to thumb the headband that now protected her forehead. A similar headband rested on the heads of nearly everyone present, the only exceptions being people like Ino and Sakura, who, like many of the girls, elected to wear the band like a belt. Before the conversation between Wu and Kaia could continue, the entire class fell silent as their scar-faced instructor, Umino Iruka, entered the classroom and made his way to the central podium. The clipboard in his hands drew the gazes of nearly everyone present as, now that they had all graduated, they would soon be learning which 'team' they belonged to. Though virtually everyone would have preferred if he got straight to the point, Iruka was famous for being the most earnest yet overly sentimental instructor at the Academy. When he reached his position at the podium, a proud smile adorned his face as he said, "First of all, let me congratulate each of you for a job well done. While there may have been differences in the way each of you performed, it doesn't change the fact that, from this moment onward, you are all fully-fledged Shinobi of Konoha. Take pride in that fact, no matter what your future holds." Finished with his speech, Iruka stared down at the clipboard in his hands and began announcing the team distribution. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji each ended up on one team. What 'did' surprise the class was that Naruto had been placed on the same team as Sasuke and Sakura. The blonde-haired youth had the third-highest scores in the class when it came to physicality, but his lazy demeanor and lack of focus in every other class had him ranked 26 out of 27 students. He was also dating one of the Academy's 'Three Goddesses,' so nearly every male in the class resented him. Earning even more ire for himself, Naruto loudly groaned, "Aww, man. And I really wanted to be on the same Team as Hinata-chan..." Disproving of Naruto's outburst, Iruka's expression hardened as he said, "These Teams were carefully decided during a conference with Lord Third himself. No complaining." Rolling his eyes, Naruto turned his attention to Hinata, whispering, "We can still meet between missions. Do you think your father will let me come over to your place...?" Seeing Naruto brazenly carrying on a discussion in the middle of class, even if they were no longer students, Iruka's left eye twitched. He was half tempted to grab the boy by the ear and take him outside, but, as that wouldn't be fair to the other students waiting to hear the teams they were assigned to, he begrudgingly returned to reading the list. Following the pairing of Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, several other teams were called until the only people remaining were Wu, Kaia, and the only person ranked lower than Naruto, an overweight boy with messy brown hair and a pig-like face named Kazuo. His mother was one of the Chairwomen of the Civilian Council, so even though he underperformed in every subject, he had a chip on his shoulder. At the very least, there were a ton of crumbs... Hearing that he was on the same team as the Academy's 'Little Professor,' Kazuo's expression became gloomy as he bellowed, "Why did I get put on the same team as that monster and his pet!? This is discrimination against the students from civilian households...!" Narrowing his eyes, Iruka explained, "You are no longer a civilian, nor are you a student, Genin Kazuo. These Teams were decided and approved by the Third Hokage, our Commander-in-Chief, and the leader of our village, Konohagakure. From the moment you were given that forehead protector, you became a 'soldier' of the village. If you deliberately disobey orders, it isn't just you who will be held accountable..." Though he was ordinarily a very kind and cordial person, Iruka wanted to make it clear to everyone present that they were no longer children. Being a Shinobi meant following orders and risking your life to ensure the peace and stability of the village. If a low-ranking Genin could speak out of turn or refuse assignments given to them by their 'most-superior' officer, the system supporting their village would collapse, and their enemies would show them no mercy. Cowed by the intensity of Iruka's words and gaze, Kazuo shrunk into his seat and swallowed his argument. He planned to complain to his mother the first chance he got, but that would have to wait until he got home. For now, he was stuck in the same group as the 'brat' he resented more than any other... ... .. . While Kazuo dripped with more sweat than a leaky radiator, Wu and Kaia were comparably calm and relaxed as they sat in front of the elderly man that had been assigned as their Jonin Sensei. After all, the former lived in the same house with the man, and the latter had encountered him dozens of times over the past four years. Noticing Kazuo's nervousness, Hiruzen exhaled an amused chuckle and asked, "What's the matter, my boy? I may be old, but you look like you've just seen a ghost." Feeling even more nervous, Kazuo was wholly incapable of responding to Hiruzen's words. He had never once imagined, not even in his wildest and most delusional fantasies, that he would end up on the Team of the Third Hokage. The man was a living legend in the Shinobi World, and one of the only two people Kazuo's Kaa-chan feared to ridicule, even behind closed doors... Exhaling through his nose, Hiruzen decided to allow Kazuo to collect himself, turning to Wu as he said, "For now, let's have everyone introduce themselves, their dreams, and their hobbies. I'll start off..." Clearing his throat, a mischievous smile developed across Hirzuen's face as he appended, "My name is Sarutobi Hiruzen. You may refer to me as Sarutobi-sensei from this moment onward. My dream is to ensure Konoha remains a fixture of the Shinobi World into the far future, a haven for those who carry the 'Will of Fire.' My hobbies are...let's just say I enjoy reading a particular series written by one of my students. Hohohoho~" Since Hiruzen was staring at him as he spoke, Wu understood it was his turn to go next, stating, "The name's Wu, Sarutobi Wu. My dream is to be the strongest in the world. My hobbies are training, beating sense into my so-called peers, and opening up tabs in Jiji's name." Wincing at Wu's final remark, Hiruzen resisted the urge to ask where his adoptive grandson had opened a tab 'this' time. He didn't regret giving Wu permission to do so, but some of the items the boy ordered were... Shaking his head, Hiruzen directed his attention to Kaia, prompting her to shout, "My name is Kaia! I'm a member of the Inzuka Clan, and my dream is to be the greatest Kennel Master in the village! My hobbies are training, eating, sleeping, and spending time with my Aniki!" Nodding his head in approval, Hiruzen remarked, "You're certainly not lacking in spirit." before shifting his attention to Kazuo. In response, the boy swallowed audibly before meekly stammering, "M-m-m-my name is Kazuo. I...my dream is to create a Clan of my own someday. My hobbies are..." As his only real hobbies were eating and cooking, in that order, Kazuo couldn't bring himself to continue. He knew he was the odd one out in the group, so the confidence he usually presented in front of others was now nowhere to be seen. If not for the fact his cheeks pushed up, somewhat obscuring his brown eyes, everyone present would have been able to see tears forming at the edges... ... .. .

With Hiruzen asking him to show Hinata around while he and Hiashi talked, Wu habitually led her to their usual spot at the training ground before turning to her and saying, "You should have refused when your Tou-san asked if you were willing. I wasn't lying when I said I was okay with the arrangement, but I wasn't expecting you to say yes. Not when you were actually given the option to refuse..." Blushing slightly, Hinata averted her eyes and uttered faintly, "Sorry...I thought if I said yes, I could...I'm not entirely sure..." Though she wanted to say she would pay Wu back for all of his kindness, Hinata wasn't sure how she would go about it. As far as she knew, there was nothing she could give Wu that he couldn't obtain himself. She could ask him if there was something he wanted, but Hinata was almost certain he would just ask her to try harder during their training. Shaking his head, Wu said, "What's done is done. All we need to do is set you up with Naruto, and everything will work out. To that end, use today's experience as motivation to develop your confidence. Not to sound rude, but, as it stands, Naruto is more creeped out by you than anything. If you can't even look him in the eye, how do you expect him to fall for you...?" Hearing Wu point out that Naruto found her creepy, the smile on Hinata's face visibly cramped. She knew Naruto didn't pay a lot of attention to her, but she assumed it was due to Sakura. Naruto had had a crush on Sakura since their first year in the Academy, so even though she had wanted to approach him numerous times, Hinata could never muster the courage to do so while he was fawning over the 'vexing' pinkette... While Hinata was visibly lost in her thoughts, Wu gave her a quick once over before pointing out, "In your current getup, neither Ino nor Sakura would be able to hold a candle to you. You have delicate features and a gentle nature, so there's really no reason you shouldn't be able to sway the heart of someone like Naruto. Even if you simply smiled at him, you should be able to make him feel nervous..." Blinking in surprise, Hinata raised her face to meet Wu's gaze as she asked, "Do you really believe that someone like me can shine brighter than girls like Ino and Sakura...?" Without any hesitation, Wu replied, "Ino is improving, but her status and personality will make it difficult for her to find a partner that can tolerate her. Sakura is very knowledgeable, but she is also self-centered. Before I pointed out what should have been obvious to everyone, she genuinely believed that Sasuke was just putting on an act whenever he called her and the other girls hindrances..." Recalling the interchange, Wu shook his head in genuine exasperation before adding, "As far as looks are concerned, well, that depends on the person doing the looking. Everyone has their own standards. However, as far as general appeal goes...you definitely stand out..." While Wu may not have called her cute or beautiful, Hinata could feel her heart beating as she blushed up to her ears. She knew Wu was probably just trying to help build her confidence, but she still felt gratified. The last time someone had unabashedly complimented her was during her initial encounter with Naruto. He didn't seem to recall the encounter, but it had left an enduring impression on her heart and mind. Freeing Hinata from her daze, Wu waved his hand in front of her face as he said, "This is something we'll need to work on. Blushing can increase a woman's appeal, but too much of anything is usually bad. If you pass out while trying to confess your feelings...well, let's not worry about that right now. First things first, I'm the realist...secondly, stand up straight, narrow your eyes, and try to speak more than a single sentence without pause..." Though she was a little confused, Hinata obeyed Wu's words, rising to her full height before narrowing her eyes. It immediately changed the sort of appeal she gave off, but that's what Wu was going for as he said, "Speak." in a firm, authoritative tone. Suddenly feeling nervous, Hinata's posture relaxed as she attempted to ask what she should say. Before she could, Wu's expression hardened as he repeated, "Back straight and eyes narrowed. If you're confused about what to say, tell me what you had for breakfast or something interesting that happened recently. It genuinely doesn't matter, so long as you don't avert your eyes or fumble your words." "Right..." Standing straighter, Hinata narrowed her eyes and attempted to recount what she had for breakfast that morning. Whenever she looked away or paused for any length of time, Wu would order her to change topics and start from scratch. It was a little...frustrating. However, understanding he was trying to help her, Hinata continued recounting the mundane aspects of her life until she got it right. Then, just as she thought that was the end, Wu offered a terse compliment and commanded her to start again...over, and over, and over again... ... .. . With Hinata eventually being 'saved' by her father, Wu was requested by Hiruzen to accompany the old man to his study. There, he had Wu sit on a cushion, a wisened smile on his face as he remarked, "I want you to know I'm proud of the 'performance' you put on during the wedding interview. I had hoped you speak out in young Hinata's defense, but seeing you stare down Lord Hiashi...well, let's just say I haven't felt this satisfied since the day I passed on my hat to the Fourth..." Since Hiruzen had made it clear, time and again, that his 'mask' couldn't fool him, Wu adopted a genuine glower as he said, "You knew damn well your words would put me in a compromising position. I trusted you, and you abused that trust...you made me a pawn in a game I had no interest in playing..." Instead of refuting Wu's words, Hiruzen nodded his head, a melancholy causing him to appear several years older as he said, "I'm not getting any younger, Wu...However, that doesn't change the fact I have an obligation to ensure the village's continued peace and prosperity. While it's true that I used you, I believed that someone of your considerable intellect would be able to understand and appreciate my 'resolve.' If you one day come to hate me, I will endure that burden. Just promise me you'll never let hatred consume you..." Furrowing his brows, Wu asked, "And why should I promise you anything? Trust, once shattered, may be mended. However, no matter the effort you put into repairing it, the cracks will remain..." Closing his eyes, Hirzuen allowed Wu's words time to settle, a tired smile developing across his face as he muttered, "Because you know, no matter how I scheme against you, we are not enemies. I genuinely desire what's best for you, Naruto, and all the children in this village...if I had the power, I would carry on Lord Hashirama's dream of a world where no child has to experience war or bloodshed..." Reaching up to massage his forehead, Hiruzen's voice softened into a weary murmur as he added, "I've been at this for nearly forty years, Wu-kun. While the world has slowly progressed forward, I have struggled to keep up. Konoha...no, the Elemental Nations have been on the cusp of a revolution that will usher in a new, more prosperous era. We simply lacked someone suitable to act a herald...until now..." Lowering his hand, Hirzuen stared directly into Wu's eyes as he asserted, "You are still young, Wu-kun, but I believe you have the potential to bring about the change many so desperately crave. To that same end, you also have an unprecedented potential to cause harm...if forfeiting my life might prevent you from deviating down such a path, I would gladly cut open my stomach. All that I would ask is that your hatred dies with me..." "..." Though he was still resentful about what had transpired with Hinata, Wu found himself floored by Hiruzen's conviction. The old codger knew he would never ask him to commit ritual suicide, but Wu got the impression he would actually do it. This was one of the things he most hated about Hiruzen, as, despite their infrequent contact, the man could see through him like a glass pane... Averting his eyes, Wu's expression was a mixture of anger, confusion, and bitterness as he groaned, "You really piss me off sometimes..." Exhaling a chuckle, Hiruzen reached for his pipe as he replied, "Someone has to keep you humble, at least until you have matured enough to do as you please. I know you're biding your time until you have the power to act freely, and I intend to let you act independently once you attain the rank of Jonin. For now, just humor this old man a while longer...we both know I don't just smoke this pipe for my glaucoma..." "..." Instead of answering Hiruzen, Wu rose to his feet and made to depart the room. Hiruzen made no attempt to stop him, so he stepped into the dimly lit hallway before looking back and saying, "Don't die too soon, old man...I still need your hat as an umbrella..." Amused by the apt comparison, a hearty laugh emanated from Hirzuen's throat. He planned to offer a retort, but by the time he was exhaled a few light coughs, Wu had already disappeared from the entryway. In his wake, Hiruzen adopted a truly grandfatherly smile as he mused, "I should check in on my actual grandson. I'm sure Wu-kun wouldn't mind another dozen or so students showing up to receive his guidance..." ... .. . Though it was still early in the afternoon, Wu retired to his room to collect his thoughts. A lot had happened in a short period, so he couldn't wait until later that evening to decompress and compartmentalize everything. Thus, starting from the moment Hiruzen appeared outside of his door, Wu replayed the day's events over and over again, his temperature gradually increasing as he strained his brain to think of ways he could have handled things better. After that, he weighed how his actions today would affect future events, barely noticing the passage of time as he created a script of sorts within his mind... ... .. . (A/N: I was genuinely disappointed by the amount of vitriol I got in response to the previous chapter. I've been doing my best to release chapters quickly so that everyone isn't left speculating about how things might end up. I thought I made it pretty clear that Wu isn't interested in relationships, yet there were several people crusading about the story was going to be like pokemon with the MC just arbitrarily collecting girls. If that was the case, why would I write tens of chapters building up said girls and showing how their actions influence and are influenced by the MC? All of these chapters are basically setting up the foundation for the rest of the story. Assuming Hinata will marry the MC when neither of them is in pursuit of such an outcome is just senseless. I would literally have to write Naruto to be a petulant asshole for Hinata to stop liking him, so all the people shouting NTR this and Cuck that need to get off their asses, go outside, and get some fresh air. Either that or put down the novel for a few days and then come back to verify if your 'predictions' were correct. Unless you're irredeemably delusional, you would quickly realize you were talking out of your ass.)

Chapter 22: I, Your Father, Can Also Scheme