Welcome to the Smoke and Mirrors AU.
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It had been around a week since Hattori had taught both six year olds their first two Ninjutsu. It had also been a week since Hattori had managed to get either of them to do any physical training.
As soon as the two got their hands on Ninjutsu, that’s where all of their focus went. Of course, it wasn’t a bad thing. They were both becoming exceptionally more proficient in utilizing the Ninjutsu during their practice fights.
The downside to that was that they weren’t getting faster, or stronger. In a battle between two Shinobi, it didn’t matter who was better at using Ninjutsu. If the opponent was significantly faster, or strong enough to blaze through it, they would win the fight.
With a frustrated grunt, he turned his focus back to the two children sitting down just a few meters away from him. Currently, they were just outside the western wall in the nearby forest.
“Miwa, if you were to fight Sukuna without using Ninjutsu, who would win?”
“Sukuna can beat me even with Ninjutsu allowed.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Sukuna would win.”
“Do you know why he would win?”
“..’Cause he’s better?”
“...”
“Because he’s more skilled?”
Hattori took a deep breath before replying. “No, Miwa. Sukuna would beat you because he is faster, and stronger. In a fight between two Shinobi, Ninjutsu is only a tool. Your body is far more important.”
“I don’t get it…”
Hattori had forgotten the girl was six. He really wasn’t a great teacher… Maybe he should focus on the schools faster than he thought.
“Imagine that your physical condition is a bear. Ninjutsu would only be the claws and teeth on that beast. Your body is still what is most important, because without it, the claws and teeth could never harm someone else.”
“Ohhh… I think I get it now.” Her brow was furrowed, and Hattori sincerely guessed that she still had no idea what he was talking about. However, he didn’t know any other way to explain it!
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“Alright, you two. From now on, I’m going to revise your training plan. When Asahiro arrives back from his mission, you two will officially be placed on his team. He will take over your training after.”
By now, Hattori had disbanded Team Yuta. Two Jonin on the same team was overkill. Especially when both wielded the Bochigan. It was like using the Karyuu no Jutsu on a baby.
Both kids nodded in understanding, and Hattori felt satisfied. He sent them home, himself heading towards Tomo’s residence.
It took only a few minutes before he arrived, knocking lightly on the door. Tomo answered after a few seconds.
“Ah, Hattori-san.” He bowed lightly.
“Tomo.” Hattori offered him a nod.
“I’ve finalized all three blueprints.” Hattori’s eyes widened slightly. He had asked Tomo to segregate the three important sections of the city. In-wall, Out-of-wall, and the Underground. The underground was a mix between a sewer system, Shinobi pathways, and a few bases for his Anbu group.
“That’s wonderful, Tomo. Let me take a look.”
…
It had taken nearly an hour going over everything, but Hattori was entirely satisfied. Tomo had estimated the final cost for everything to be around 150 million Ryo.
In total, Hattori had already invested around six million. That sounded about right to him, so he just sighed and said he would make sure it was funded. This meant he would have to take on more dangerous missions.
Send his clansmen on more dangerous missions. He really didn’t want to, but this city was incredibly important. With a stoic frown, Hattori spoke again.
“If we were to divert the builders into focusing on both schools, the Centre building, and some of the training grounds in the far-western part of the Military district where it’s directly next to the Education sector, how long do you think it’d take before this city becomes entirely habitable for an average person?”
Tomo sat back in thought. He was clearly thinking about the specific order of buildings that would have to be completed in order to do that.
“Ten years, or around that. The City Centre would take up most of that time. It’s a large building Hattori. The sewer system would take up the second most time, and the hospital the third.”
He nodded. That made sense; all three were massive projects. The Hospital was in-between the Commercial and Military sectors. The sewers had to go under the entirety of the city.
With a sigh, he thanked Tomo for his time and left. The next week was spent waiting for Asahiro to arrive back, so he could designate the two freshly minted Genin to the Jonin.
His lips twitched. Hattori really hoped Asahiro was a better teacher than he was.
…
It was nearly two weeks after that when Asahiro finally returned. Hattori had quickly dumped the two Genin on the boy before running away, not allowing him to refuse.
All he had told Asahiro was simply: “Don’t let them neglect their physical training.”
The next two years flew by rapidly. Mission after mission, the entire Clan was out making money to fund the city except for Asahiro’s team.
They were stuck in the still unnamed city, toiling away, only focusing on training and doing the border patrol mission.
Over these next two years, both schools were completely built, a few training grounds had been finished as well. Of course, without staff or books, or even a curriculum, they were just buildings.
During this two year period, both Yuta and Miwa were trained relentlessly – Sukuna was cresting at the top of Genin, while Miwa was still middle of the road.
The most important thing that had happened over these two years was a B-Ranked Mission that Hattori himself had gone on.
[A-Rank Mission]
Slaughter Uchiha Taigaku.
Uchiha Taigaku has been abusing villages in the North of the Taka Province. He ran away from his Clan, slaughtering his team, after having a psychological break. His Sharingan is particularly potent.
Kill Uchiha Taigaku [0/1]
[Rewards: 78,000 Ryo, Enmity with the Uchiha, Random C~B Rank Jutsu Scroll, Educational Scroll on Chakra Control and Chakra Natures]
When Hattori had first accepted this mission, he had refused to send a clansman because of the last time they had crossed the Uchiha. However, the rewards had confused him.
Just why in the world would killing an Uchiha that had slaughtered his team earn enmity with the Uchiha? Shouldn’t it be gratitude instead?
Even though the rewards had confused him, the naive Hattori Yanmaru still went on the Mission. The rewards had been too good to pass up.
It was only after this mission that Hattori had agreed with Yuta.
The Uchiha Clan must die.