Naruto: Kagurazaka

"Welcome!" Teuchi greeted warmly, his ever-present smile adding to the homely atmosphere.

"Two please, and make it a takeout."

I sat down and waited for my take-outs. The atmosphere was relaxing, and the smell of miso and pork filled the air. It reminded me of visiting Tempest during one of my loops.

Rimuru-san had a knack for finding talent and building a comfortable environment—even stealing Yoshida-san, the famous pastry chef, from Ingracia. By the fourth loop, I realized that he'd do whatever it took to make his life easier.

I leaned back and closed my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the ramen stall soothe my overworked thoughts. But then, a familiar tingling sensation of magicules—or rather, chakra—pricked at the edge of my senses. It was faint, almost like a ripple of spatial motion.

The source? Right beside me.

I opened my eyes slowly, and there he was, sitting on the stool next to me, as if he'd always been there. Shisui Uchiha. He wore that trademark goofy grin, radiating a sense of ease that was almost disarming.

"Heya! We meet again! So you know this place, huh?" he said aloud, his voice carrying a friendly tone.

Thought Communication Translation: "Heya! We meet again! So you know this place, huh?"

I stared at him, uncertain whether to trust the translation. If it was accurate, he wasn't masking any of his intentions, but something about his casual demeanor unsettled me. This man—no, this phenomenon—felt akin to someone casually mastering advanced spatial techniques with pure mana alone. It was unnerving.

He waved a hand in front of my face. "Earth to Yuuki? Are you alive over there?"

"Why are you here?" I finally asked, my tone flat.

He tilted his head as if pondering the question. "For dinner, of course! This place is a gem, you know?"

"Weren't you with those other two?" I asked, my eyes narrowing.

"Them?" he replied, looking genuinely puzzled for a moment before waving his hand dismissively. "Nah, I was hungry." He turned to Teuchi. "One miso ramen, please!"

As Teuchi began preparing his order, Shisui leaned closer, his sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So... about that kunai you threw earlier. Care to explain how you made it curve mid-flight? Pretty impressive trick for a Hyuga."

I frowned. "It's nothing special."

"Oh, come on," he persisted, his grin widening. "No need to be modest. Just give me a little hint?"

"No."

"Not even a tiny one?"

"Still no."

He pouted dramatically, but I ignored him, staring straight ahead. His playful persistence grated on my nerves, and I had no intention of revealing my secrets. Luckily, Teuchi placed two neatly wrapped takeout packages in front of me, giving me the perfect excuse to escape.

I grabbed the bags and stood up. "Thanks, Teuchi-san. I'll see you around."

Shisui looked disappointed. "What, you're getting takeout? I thought you'd eat here."

Thought Communication Translation: "A Hyuga who uses weapons instead of their prized Gentle Fist. He's also skinny, which speaks volumes about his lack of training. No... it's more like they didn't feed him properly."

They did. Though from Akai Hyuga's memories, it was him who dropped the chopsticks every few bites.

Without another word, I left the stall, the cool night air brushing against my skin. As I approached the Hyuga compound, the faint rustling of leaves accompanied me. The lanterns near the entrance flickered in the breeze, casting wavering shadows along the stone pathway.

A figure stood near the gate, bald and draped in the robes of a Hyuga elder. His posture was composed, his smile warm and inviting. "Akai-kun, back from the village?"

Thought Communication Translation: "The defect finally returns. If I could mold him into a puppet clan head, Hiashi's reign would crumble. With Akai or Neji under my thumb, the entire Hyuga would bow to me. But Hiashi's strength and influence are a problem. If only I could manipulate the heiress... but she's too timid to hold true power."

I stopped a few feet away, clutching the takeout bags tightly. "Elder Matsu," I replied with an indifferent tone. To Akai Hyuga, he had always seemed like a kind grandfather figure, in stark contrast to Elder Takahiro.

He was one of the elders responsible for branding the branch families with the caged bird seal.

Matsu chuckled, unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm. "You've been training hard, haven't you? How is it coming along? Did Elder Takahiro give you the Gentle Fist scroll?"

Thought Communication Translation: "If this defect weren't so pitiful, he would've been of use to me. Perhaps I should focus on Neji instead."

I glanced at him, my face blank. "It's fine."

His smile deepened, though his thoughts grew darker. "Arrogant brat. Playing indifferent won't change your worthlessness. If only the clan head weren't so untouchable, this entire clan would already be mine."

He stepped closer, his tone softening as if to offer advice. "You must focus on mastering the Gentle Fist. It's your birthright as a Hyuga."

Thought Communication Translation: "If he could just show some promise, I might still salvage him. A puppet who obeys every command... but no, he's too broken. Maybe I'll turn my sights on Neji instead. He has the potential to rival him. Since that Hiashi won't even explain that twin brother of his offered himself, manipulating that Neji brat should be easy."

I ignored his cliche remarks of a third-rate villain, brushing past him. But then, I felt a shift—a subtle, chilling sensation as chakra seeped through my body. I stopped in my tracks, realizing he'd made a half-hand sign.

Matsu's smile twisted, his satisfaction evident. "Let's see how the defect handles this. If he screams, I'll blame his condition and Hiashi's harsh training. A perfect excuse to stir the elders against him."

I turned to face him, calm and composed. The glowing caged bird seal on my forehead pulsed violently, its green light cutting through the darkness. My right eye's Byakugan activated, veins spreading around it. But it was the left eye that drew his attention—a deep, vibrant red without tomoes or spins, gleaming like a warning beacon.

Matsu froze, his smile vanishing as my killing intent washed over him. The condensed magicules in the air immobilized him, his hand stuck in the half-seal. He couldn't deactivate the technique even if he wanted to.

«Confirm: Extra Skill, 『Coercion』 has been acquired»

The tension broke when Elder Takahiro stormed in. "Akai!" he barked, stepping between us. His stern expression masked a flicker of concern. "What in the world are you doing out so late? The sun's set! Are you going to sleep on the streets like a homeless person!?"

I blinked, caught off guard by his scolding. "Am I a sheltered princess or something?" I muttered.

He didn't relent. "Going out without supervision, staying out past dark, and coming back with ramen of all things? You're a disaster waiting to happen!"

I raised the takeout bags as a peace offering. "I bought ramen for you."

He snatched one of the bags, still glaring. "You think this excuses you? Don't push your luck, brat."

Thought Communication Translation: "He actually went out and came back with food? At least he didn't collapse somewhere. Still, what a reckless move. Doesn't he understand how fragile his condition is?"

"If you don't want it, I'll eat both," I replied dryly.

"I never said I didn't want it, you brat!"

Meanwhile, Matsu's chakra exhaustion was evident as he slumped to the ground. Takahiro's sharp eyes shifted to him. "What happened here?"

Thought Communication Translation: "Matsu? What's he doing here? He was always the loudest critic of Akai in the elder meetings. Why did he approaches him? This reeks of one of his schemes."

I smiled faintly. "Elder Matsu was taking his free time demonstrating the Gentle Fist. It seems like he was very concerned that I was starting with my training. Isn't that right?"

Matsu's fear was palpable as he nodded weakly. Takahiro raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Trying to impress the kid, huh?"

He handed me the second takeout bag with a grumble. "Help the elder up and send him on his way. Don't dawdle."

"If you're finished, go back to your room or find something useful to do for once," Elder Takahiro snapped before turning on his heel and walking away. As for me, I stood there, contemplating his words before shifting my attention back to the other elder.

As I helped the trembling elder to his feet, his thoughts betrayed his fear: "A monster..." That was all he could muster in his mind. At least he had the sense to keep his mouth shut after everything that had happened.

I helped him while sending him my thoughts via thought communication, "So you're not exactly worthless either considering the fact you didn't even open your mouth in front of Elder Takahiro. Looks like you know when to not open your mouth. Well, how about I hear about what you were just doing before?"

"How does a branch family member possess the ability to control the Caged Bird Seal?" That was the unspoken question I pressed into his mind.

He was stunned, his eyes darting to my unmoving lips. Realization dawned quickly—telepathy, he concluded with a mix of awe and unease.

Matsu's thoughts screamed through the connection, "He is not even a Yamanaka! How in the world?!" His fear twisted into confusion and growing dread. The confidence he had moments before drained away, leaving only a fragile façade.

"You seem surprised, Elder," I sent calmly, my mental voice sharp and unyielding. "You even had the time to think about what kind of jutsu I was using. Despite that, you didn't answer my questions..."

"Should I kill you?"

He shuddered, he realized that I can actually do that if I wanted to. Well, he's not wrong, but I won't pawns are pawns anyway, but that doesn't mean I can trust him easily.

"I-I'll tell you everything you want to know." Like I said, he's not as incompetent as I thought he was. He even understood that I would even kill him if he spoke his thoughts out loud.

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"I shall help you. May I ask what happened, Elder?" Just like before, Elder Matsu rested his arm on my shoulder, allowing me to "assist" him as we walked through the compound toward his residence. One of his servants approached us with a polite tone and inquired, "Is everything all right, Elder?"

Elder Matsu, however, remained silent, so I stepped in to respond. "The elder is quite exhausted from teaching me the Gentle Fist," I said, my tone calm and measured.

As we moved, I sent a sharp thought to Matsu, "Act accordingly." His expression barely shifted, but I could feel the trembling in his hand resting on my shoulder. Despite his fear, he managed to mask it, turning to the servant with a weary but composed expression.

"I am fine," Matsu said, his voice steady but firm. "I just need to rest in my room."

The servant hesitated. "Allow me to assist you, Elder. I can help you to your room."

"Don't touch me!" Matsu barked, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. "I said I am fine. Leave us—now."

The servant flinched at the uncharacteristic anger in Matsu's voice. Bowing quickly, he retreated without another word. The moment we were alone, I sent another thought transmission, my mental voice carrying a hint of dry amusement.

"Hey, your acting is failing. There's fear in your eyes."

Those words, though simple, struck Matsu like a physical blow. He shuddered visibly, his steps faltering for a moment. "Y-you," he stammered under his breath, barely audible.

"Keep walking," I ordered telepathically.

Matsu obeyed, his mind a whirlwind of panic that he couldn't quite suppress. Though his fear was palpable, he managed to maintain a semblance of composure as we continued toward his quarters. The silence between us was heavy, broken only by the sound of our footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridors.

When we finally reached Elder Matsu's room, I shut the door firmly behind us. "Sit," I commanded. He hesitated briefly but complied, lowering himself onto a chair with visible reluctance.

The moment he did, my arm, which had been supporting him, was freed. My right hand, still clutching his shoulder, began to glow softly. I transmitted another thought, sharp and unwavering, "If you scream, I'll kill you."

The threat broke what little composure Matsu had left. His body trembled violently, and he collapsed into the chair, his strength completely drained. Clenching his teeth, he fought to suppress a cry as the glow from my hand intensified. His face twisted in pain, but he dared not resist.

After several agonizing seconds, the glow subsided. Matsu sat slumped in the chair, breathing heavily, sweat streaming down his face. The silence in the room was deafening, punctuated only by his labored breaths.

The engraving magic I had used was infamous—a Locking Curse. It was the most popular magic every single human kingdoms in the Cardinal World, used to subjugate summoned individuals and bind them to servitude, even while hypocritically hailing them as heroes. 

In a way, it was almost the same 

"Congratulation, you're now a summoned hero" 

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To be continued