Uchiha Hikari was on full alert, her entire body radiating resistance and disdain toward Kaito. She wouldn't believe a single word from that idiot now.

After all…

He had a track record.

Hikari clearly remembered when she first arrived in Amegakure—she had merely given him a light kick, yet somehow, the bastard had tricked her into giving him a foot massage.

Never mind Kaito's physical resilience as a Cultivation of Immortality practitioner—even an ordinary ninja wouldn't be rolling on the ground in exaggerated pain from a twisted ankle.

Every time she recalled that incident…

She felt like an absolute fool.

Clutching the sofa, she kept only half her head exposed, as if this was the only way to avoid being targeted by the two patients and becoming the third.

Right now, only the sofa in front of her could offer her a sliver of security.

"Tsk…"

Kaito clicked his tongue, lamenting how difficult his great-grandmother was to fool while also missing his dear younger brother.

After all, Sasuke would have believed him without question in such matters.

He trusted him unconditionally.

Kaito shot Hikari a glance, feeling that the bond between them was still too shallow.

"You're this wary of your own family?"

"You're trying to trick me again!" Hikari poked her whole head out, gritting her teeth. "I won't believe anything you say this time!"

Originally, Hikari had felt a little touched that Kaito had rejected Nagato's proposal for her sake.

Who would've thought the brat would immediately set his sights on her next?

She could already imagine it—

If she agreed, he'd probably make her some kind of principal or something, and then, in front of a crowd, force her to shout ridiculous things like,

"Greetings, Sect Ancestor!" or "All Heaven's Chosen belong to the Sect!"

Just thinking about that cringe-inducing scene made her shudder, her toes curling involuntarily.

"What the hell are you imagining?"

Seeing Hikari's flustered expression, Kaito's eye twitched.

Heaven bore witness—he truly had no ill intentions toward his great-grandmother.

"It's just a minor, idle position."

At this, he pointed at the book on the sofa—the one Hikari had pulled out earlier out of boredom.

"Remember when I asked you to investigate the Secret Realm?"

Hikari tilted her head, thinking for a second before responding blankly.

"Huh?"

"The things collected from the Secret Realm are extremely important and must be entrusted to someone absolutely trustworthy."On the scene, Nagato, who had some slight understanding of cultivation techniques, raised his arm upon hearing these words, seemingly having something to say.

Cultivation techniques were indeed important...

But Nagato felt that only someone with an ultimate Spirit Root, maxed-out comprehension, and maxed-out effort like himself could grasp even a fraction of it.

"You know what a library is, right?"

"Like the one you visited in the Land of Fire before."

Seeing Great-grandmother wavering, he immediately continued his careful... persuasion.

You see...

The guardians of the Scripture Pavilion in the Sect usually had hidden rewards to offer!

"Imagine a quiet afternoon, sitting at the library entrance with your favorite book in front of you, tea and snacks on your left, and your favorite ice cream on the right..."

"Usually, there's no one around, and you can leave on time."

Kaito's words seemed to carry a magical charm, making Hikari feel as if she were under a Genjutsu, vaguely picturing that peaceful life.

No need to meet strange people, no need to be in crowded places...

This kind of tranquil life was exactly what Hikari wanted.

"R-really?"

Her heart was already swayed, and her words lacked the firmness from before. However, due to the boy's past misdeeds, a trace of doubt still lingered on her face.

"Of course!" Kaito exclaimed excitedly, then gestured for Great-grandmother to lean down slightly.

She had to bend...

He wasn't as tall as the 175cm-tall ancestor...

Hikari, puzzled, leaned in anyway. Kaito then placed a hand on her shoulder, his face serious as he said,

"I can even set up an ice cream stand for you inside the library!"

Uchiha Hikari: !!

At this point, Hikari was thoroughly tempted. But being clever, she felt she couldn't agree so easily.

What if she got fooled again...?

That would be a huge loss!

After a full three seconds of deliberation, Hikari leaned closer to Kaito, stared straight into his eyes, and pointed at Nagato beside them.

"I suspect you're trying to trick me."

"If you want me to agree, no problem—but both of you have to fight me."

"If you're too weak... I won't agree!"

Kaito's expression shifted slightly, surprise flashing in his eyes. But he quickly recovered from the ancestor's unexpected demand.

He leaned back slightly, taking a sharp breath.

Hikari seemed to anticipate what the boy was about to do, a flicker of panic in her eyes as she reached out to stop him. But the next moment...

Thud—

Kaito dropped to one knee, clasped his fists, and raised them high before Hikari, declaring loudly and resolutely,

"This Heaven's Chosen accepts the trial set by the Sect's ancestor!"

[Ding—]

[Quest Triggered: The Ancestor's Trial!]

[Quest: In the era of Cultivation of Immortality, the Sect is in dire need of revival. The ancestor, having emerged from seclusion and seeing your efforts to manage the Sect, has decided to test you and the Sect Leader. Survive under the ancestor's assault for the duration of one incense stick.]

[Reward: A Thunder-attribute Scripture Pavilion Magical Artifact.]

A Magical Artifact??

A Scripture Pavilion???

Kaito's kneeling figure suddenly brightened with joy.

He had never triggered a quest with such a Magical Artifact before.

At the thought of a tower, Kaito couldn't help but recall Nezha's father... and his father's mount.

Hikari, noticing the boy's lips twitching up and down as he bowed his head, covered her face with her hand, shaking her head and sighing. At this moment, she had lost all energy and means to resist.Nagato stood there in confusion, glancing at Uchiha Hikari and then stealing a look at Kaito, his facial expression changing several times.

After more than ten seconds of silence, Nagato pointed at himself with a dark expression, saying unhappily,

"I... shouldn't have to kneel, right?"

Hikari: ?

Kaito: ?

Nagato had heard everything clearly just now. Kaito wanted Uchiha Hikari to oversee the highly important technique repository, but Hikari had set a condition—they would have to defeat her first.

The school's establishment wasn't just Kaito's responsibility; Nagato had a stake in it too.

But...

He had been wrestling with the thought for a long time and simply couldn't bring himself to drop to his knees as decisively as Kaito had done.

The master and disciple turned their heads in unison at Nagato's outrageous words, their expressions equally stunned.

Seriously...

Bro, are you for real?

These two—one was used to his disciple's antics, while the other had zero mental barriers when it came to triggering quests in the most absurd ways.

But...

Nagato's sheer audacity had genuinely shocked them.

Under their prolonged stares, Nagato's face darkened further. "Staring won't help!"

"I really can't kneel!"

...

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