27 Chapter 27: A little prank won't hurt anybody

The streets of Konoha were....gloomy.

It felt like the sun inside the village died and all the villagers had downcast looks on their faces.

Not only the civilians were saddened, but the fellow ninjas in Konoha also were downcast, like how the 4th Hokage died while protecting the village.

Yet, it wasn't a hero who died this time but a single civilian who shouldn't have any effect on the village.

"Mom, when can I meet Big brother Hiroki?" A young kid who was 2-3 years old, asked his mother about the young man who always comes to play with him. Even handing out snacks when he got hungry.

The kid even remember that time when it was very hot, Big Brother would hand him ice cream and enjoy it while listening to his stories.

"Big Brother told me he would finish telling me story once he came back. I want to hear more about how the hero defeats the evil Fox Demon King and save the village!" Hearing how he wanted his Big Brother back, the mother couldn't help but started to cry while holding her child, unable to understand why.

The villagers became even more depressed as they heard more children asking about Hiroki's wareabouts as they realize that insignificant kid they used to ignore, had actually won the village's heart with his actions and happy-go-lucky personality.

When they heard that the kid hang out with the Demon Fox, they tried to warn him about approaching Naruto for his sake but...

"Even if I die by the Demon Fox, no one is gonna mourn for me anyways."

He used to say this to the villagers which they decided that Hiroki was used as a scrapegoat if the Demon Fox goes berserk and left to ignore him.

They also ignored when the kids tried to harm Naruto but Hiroki would play the fake Demon and act out with the kids to deter angering Naruto.

When they realize this, they kinda felt stupid, not knowing that they were trying to poke a bear and thinking that it won't attack them.

How stupid where they?!(This is sponsored by Protagonist Halo, raising and lowering IQ to suit the Main Character's needs)

Who was the idiot brainwashing them, thinking that provoking the Demon Fox was a good idea?!

Danzo: .....I'm innocent....

They collectively began to avoid Naruto and thanked Hiroki for making them realize what they were doing. Now trying their best to not anger Naruto and let Hiroki handle the Demon Fox.

But they also let Hiroki worked for them when he ask if he can hire him for work which they could use him to deliver stuff to the Demon Fox without them getting close to him.

But this only made them bond with Hiroki more after learning more about him.

Despite his devilish charm, he's actually a good person who would help others and even refused any rewards given to him.

He would fix any broken structures in buildings, seeing him in houses to deliver food and fixing any plumming or electronics that were broken.

They could even see him in the red-light district, trying to advertize to the ninjas in the village, creating 'Culture' books which he was respected by the Konoha Ninjas for his life changing 'Insight'.

There wasn't any Konoha people who haven't heard of Hiroki, the civilian who is as repected as the Ninjas of Konoha.

But then disaster stuck!

A scene of carnage had happened at the Uchiha district. In which, all the Uchiha were slaughtered in cold blood, their eyes being gorged out and not even the children were spared from the traitor ninjas who had killed them.

Shisui and Itachi, the cold-blooded traitors of Konoha, who basically killed their own clansmen.

But worse of all...

They killed the innocent Hiroki who was heading to the Uchiha Clan who was on the Job.

Not only did he died horribly, his body was even brutally dismembered to the point where the body was barely recognizable, if not for the bag he was carrying at that time.

Whats even more dishearting was the book contained inside.

'Hiroki, don't forget to celebrate Granny Tsumiko's Birthday! The Cake is in the fridge!'

'Katsu's birthday gift is almost done, I just need a bit more materials before finishing it.'

'Uchiha Akito ask me to help plan their date because he would propose to Hyuga Himeko next week, I felt sad knowing their forbidden relationship will be hard but I want to at least support them to the best I can.'

'Inuzuma Shoichi had told me that it was almost time for their dogs to give birth! I even get to name one of the puppies! I feel so excited!'

'Choji would be excited once I show the premium meat I bought with my hard earn paycheck. This is to celebrate Naruto beating Sasuke again! Hahaha!'

The book was basically Hiroki's diary which he would record all the things he did in the village. From Celebrating an old lady's birthday to hanging out with his friends.

Some were heart-warming, some made ninjas or civilians laugh, some would cry when they saw how different Hiroki's viewpoint was to them.

To them, Hiroki would see things like an adventure. To explore the village and how he bravely went and interacted with the village, the memories which they fondly see him nervously asking people for a job, growing to a young man who brought everyone smiles.

Not knowing that their last meeting was him about to meet his death.

"Dammit! I should've stopped the kid when he said he was heading to the Uchiha clan to deliver some packages! He even told me that he would come to our house for dinner after he finished his delivery." One civilian held his tears as he remember how the kid was excited to eat their food since his wife made it special for the kid. His wife could only hug him while crying uncontrollably as he look away, a shed of tear could be seen from him.

"That Brat! I still owe him for helping me make up with my daughter and son-in-law! How can I thanked him now, now that he's dead?!" A muscular civilian clenches his fist, his daughter holding unto him as the son-in-law felt sadden since he was the one who asked Hiroki to help him make-up for his father-in-law.

"This Painful Youth! A heart of gold with the burning spirit of youth shines from young Hiroki. Yet! That youth died with the spirit of suffering! Curse those vile traitors of Konoha." Guy who remember that Hiroki not only providing meals to him, but also joined in on his 'Youthful' Adventures which warms his burning Spirit to continue working hard. Only anger and grievience was left and double his effort for his sake and even wanting to honor Hiroki as his own Disciple.

-On the Other Side-

"What?! Hiroki Died?!" Shisui who was on the mission with Itachi to collect money for the Akatsuki, felt pained after seeing that the kid who didn't hate on the Uchiha clan and who was also like him. Seeing him die was something he couldn't cope as he saw Hiroki as his own little brother(though Hiroki look like his big brother instead), how his corpse was brutally mutilated and how he might have died painfully.

Itachi was also shocked since Hiroki was the one who not only played with his little brother, he was even the person who help him discover his disease and was able to cure it early on before it got worse.

Both of them turn to each other as anger filled in their eyes, their Sharingan turning into Mangekyo Sharingan with fury.

"Damned Hiruzen! Dammed those Vile higher-ups of Konoha!"

While everyone was feeling the gloom without their sunshine...

-On the Overworld-

"..." Hiroki was currently welding on a metal plate, wearing protective gear as he stopped welding and lifted the wielding mask.

"Hmn? Is someone talking bad about me again? I bet those people are just angry I didn't fufill their promise. I bet they would be shocked at how great my prank is when they saw the letter on my body. When I come back and laugh it off when I come back." Hiroki smiles, just waiting for the long-term prank he wanted to do once he comes back to the village.