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[Reputation slightly decreases with Kensei Yasaji]

Since he got adopted, Daichi got this notification very rarely. And truth be told it bummed him out a little. The two were on their way to Kensei's house in the capital.

"Come on Gramps. It was just a few drinks. Don't be mad. It's no big deal."

The old man's shoulders slumped hearing that. He sighed and replied. "I'm not mad at you Daichi. I'm just-"

"Please don't say disappointed. That's so much worse." The Genin said with a small wince.

At that Kensei sported a small smirk and spoke. "Displeased."

"That's just another word for disappointment."

The old man let out a long breath and glanced at his grandson. "Daichi, you're only 12 years old. You shouldn't be drinking or gambling. That woman might be a great shinobi and a great teacher but she is a bad influence. I'm disappointed in her."

"Don't you think you're being a bit too harsh?"

"No. And I'm even more disappointed in you. You're supposed to be the smart mature kid who doesn't do dumb shit like this."

"Come on Gramps. It was just one time. And besides, how old were you when you had your first drink?" Daichi asked with a small smirk.

At the boy's question Kensei thought back to the memory of his first drink and a smile formed on his face. He realized that Daichi was watching and quickly put on his poker face.

"We're not talking about me. We're talking about you. Now. No more drinking until you're seventeen. Got it?" He asked as the two reached the house.

'Well I guess now I don't have an excuse to turn on that skill.' Daichi sighed and turned the skill off that allowed him to get drunk. But the down side of that skill was that it also made Daichi vulnerable to poisons. "Yes, gramps."

The old man turned his head and looked at the boy with a raised eyebrow "Promise?"

"I promise. And you know I don't break promises." Daichi replied with a sincere nod.

The old ninja looked at the boy for a few more seconds and nodded in satisfaction. "I'll hold you to it."

[Reputation slightly increased with Kensei Yasaji.]

They soon reached the house and got inside.

"Get cleaned up and go to bed. We'll head back to the village in the morning."

"Right. Goodnight gramps."

"Night Daichi."

The Genin made his way to his room and after a quick shower and a change of clothes he was ready for bed. Never realizing that tomorrow he would be meeting one of the most important people in the Fire country.

—-

It was a couple hours after dawn and Daichi was completing his morning exercises. Kensei had left the house to meet with Jin and this left Daichi alone for the morning. As he completed another set of workouts he sensed the presence of a strong individual in the vicinity of the compound.

The boy's eyes slightly narrowed as he focused on the intruder but there was no other outward change in his manner. Daichi sensed the intruder entering the compound and making his way towards him all the while concealing his presence from the rest of the world. He made his way to the top of a tree all without making a single leaf move.

'His stealth skills aren't bad. There isn't any scent coming off him and he didn't make any sounds getting here. He also has great control over his chakra to hide its presence like this. There aren't many who could sense his presence save for people like Kakashi… Hmm… Who is he? An assassin or someone just here to observe me?'

Daichi was completing his pushups as he tried to gauge the unknown man's intentions. Several minutes went by with the unknown ninja just watching Daichi and it was starting to annoy the boy.

He got to his feet and stretched himself as if there was nothing wrong.

The next instant several shuriken appeared between his fingers and Daichi threw the deadly weapons with precision.

The unknown assailant was surprised at the sudden attack and tried to defend himself but the speed with which the shuriken came made the task almost impossible. The ninja took a kunai and deflected the shuriken while trying to jump down from his position.

He was able to change the path of the deadly weapons away from his vitals but it still left him with shallow wounds.

As his feet touched the ground he suddenly felt as if he was unable to move. 'What's going on?'

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

As the intruder looked ahead he didn't see Daichi but a swarm of black butterflies coming his way. They quickly covered his whole body and the man felt like his flesh was being eaten.

Despite the situation his heart was beating calmly. He was a very experienced ninja who had faced much worse.

'Genjutsu. To think I fell prey to this child's genjutsu without even knowing it…'

The man bit his lips hard enough to draw blood and the swarm of black butterflies eating away at his body vanished. He looked around and saw ninja wire restraining his every limb. Upon closer inspection the wounds inflicted due to the shuriken were also missing.

The enemy realized the full scope of what had happened. 'From the very beginning I was under his illusion. This child is indeed just as dangerous and talented as the information suggested.'

"I don't appreciate an unknown spying on me. So you better start talking before I decide to get serious." Daichi spoke from behind him.

Despite the intruder wearing unidentifiable clothes the boy already knew who the man was thanks to his 'observe' skill.

[LV.87] [Hotoja]

[Age: 29]

[HP: 17642] [CP: 25430]

[Affiliation: Prince Katsuya Hinoo.]

[Hotoja was born in a small village in the Fire country. When he was young his family was killed by rogue ninjas. Hotoja trained to be a shinobi to take revenge on the ones who killed his family and after succeeding in his mission he wandered the lands for a brief period of time. It was during this period that he met the Daimyo of Fire country. Hotoja is a very loyal individual and is dedicated to his cause. The Fire Lord saw this quality and assigned him to his youngest son. Hotoja has been a faithful guardian to the youngest Fire prince since that day. He has higher than average stealth abilities, sealing skills and has excellent swordsmanship and powerful Fire Style ninjutsu. His chakra reserves are higher than average due his grandmother's Uzumaki lineage.

STR - 265

AGI - 302

INT - 67

The physical stats maybe subjected to change if chakra or technique is applied. ]

'Affiliation: Katsuya Hinoo. So this guy is someone associated with the Third prince. And one with ties to the Uzumaki clan no less. I didn't expect that. It's a good thing I didn't go with lethal force. Still… Why the hell is he here?'

As Daichi was thinking about the complicated situation he found himself in, the restrained man spoke. "Your skills are certainly very impressive. You are far more than a mere Genin. I suppose it is to be expected from the student of one of the Legendary Sannin."

Daichi had a smirk after hearing that. He walked forward and stood in front of the man who was sizing him up. "Buttering me up isn't going to help you pal. Who are you and why are you here?"

"I heard you're quite an intelligent child. So tell me, who do you think I am?" The intruder, despite being unable to move, was calm as he gazed at the child.

Daichi crossed his arms and scrutinized the ninja in front of him with a calculating gaze. A few seconds later Daichi broke the silence.

"You're not an enemy here to kill me or kidnap me. I don't sense any killing or malicious intent coming from you. And up until I attacked, you were just fine with keeping an eye on me."

'So this child did indeed see through my stealth. His senses are sharp… For a child anyway.'

"My grandfather is an important business man here in the capital and for you to break into this compound so brazenly... You don't have an ordinary background do you. You're not from outside the Capital. If you were and you were caught, it would be a headache for whomever sent you here. So my guess is you're affiliated with someone high up in the royal court here. Only they would be bold enough to do something like this. It's definitely not the Daimyo. So maybe the first or second Minister or one of the three princes… So who is it?"

Hotoja was surprised as he heard Daichi speak. 'He was able to deduce my connection to the royal court so easily? Could it be a wild guess?'

"Am I making a wild guess? No. I'm just that good." Daichi spoke with a grin.

Hotoja was startled. 'Does he know mind reading techniques? Is he reading my mind? This wasn't in the reports.'

"No. I'm not reading your mind. I don't know any Yamanaka clan techniques."

"Then how did you know?" Hotoja asked curiously.

"The human mind is a wonderful thing. Most people think that it would be easier to predict the behavior and moves of an idiot than a smart person. But they're wrong. It's the exact opposite. You can't predict what an utter fool might do next but you can predict what an individual with average intelligence would do most of the time… When I made my conclusions about you, you thought it might be a wild guess. Because that's what a smart person would think. And when I called that out, for a moment you thought I had mind reading capabilities… It's a nice trick isn't it? A psychological way to unbalance your enemies on the battlefield."

"It is a cute trick."

"Yes. Now, I'm gonna ask you again. Who are you and why are you here?"

Hotoja chuckled and the next second the ninja wires melted off the man freeing him.

Daichi sensed the chakra moving inside him and immediately jumped back when the ninja started applying heat to the wire. 'He melted through those wires in less than a second. He was never trapped. He just wanted me to think that. His Fire style techniques are certainly a cut above the average.'

The ninja stood straight and looked at Daichi and then gave a short bow. "I apologize for my intrusion and behavior, Daichi Hekima. I merely wanted to see what you would do. My name is Hotoja. My Lord, Prince Katsuya Hinoo sent me. He wishes to meet with you before you leave the Capital."

Daichi nodded and was quietly staring at the man. 'The third prince wants to see me? Declining the invitation of someone like him is not a smart move. But why me? What does he want?'

"Well then. Let's not waste any more time talking and make his highness wait. Give me a minute to change into something more appropriate." Daichi spoke and headed inside the house. In less than a minute Daichi came out in a more proper attire and the two left the house.

—-

Hotoja led Daichi to a large mansion with beautiful carvings and designs. It was a small palace with servants everywhere. The ninja led Daichi to a gorgeous garden where the Genin saw a man dressed in regal clothes sitting cross legged near a pond.

Sensing the presence of newcomers in his garden, the man got up from his spot and looked their way. He was the Third Prince and the youngest child of the Fire Daimyo. Katsuya Hinoo.

Nearing the prince, Daichi bowed and addressed the royal member. "Your highness. It is an honor to be in your presence."

The prince chuckled as he looked at the boy. 'So this is the child. Hmph. Just from the way he stands in front of me… He's not afraid or intimidated. His temperament is similar to veteran ninjas. Interesting. This is going to be fun.'

"You're an interesting individual. I've been wanting to meet you for a while, Daichi Hekima." The prince spoke with a charming smile.

Daichi straightened and looked at the prince. Even though he was showing a polite expression on his face, his eyes held a calculating gaze as he looked at the prince.

'This guy… His aura isn't like any ordinary noble or a spoiled rich kid. This person is more cunning and dangerous than he looks.'

The meeting between the two that would one day change the shinobi era has begun.