Information Exchange Between Ninja

Uchiha Chen merely selected a Scroll containing experience in using the Sharingan from the clan and left.

No point turning down something free. Besides, he was not lacking in Ninjutsu.

But right now, he really wanted to say, Fuck this, and give Uchiha Yama the middle finger.

Find someone more capable!

Uchiha Chen ranted furiously in his heart. I'm really not being modest here—how did a second-year Ninja Academy student like me suddenly catch the attention of you big shots?

He had clearly just been a washed-up nobody before.

Uchiha Chen had always adhered to the principle of keeping quiet and making a fortune without saying anything.

After all, that was wisdom gained from the elders' life experience.

And now this happened.

The clan head suddenly came over and told him, "I've decided. After discussion within the clan, you will be the future Hokage."

That was way too predetermined.

Uchiha Chen slowly walked back home. He did not know whether anyone was watching him.

In the darkness, the entire Clan Grounds had become exceptionally quiet. The streetlamps around him cast a dim yellow glow.

Uchiha Chen suddenly felt that this place was a magnificent, enormous tomb. The place where he lived seemed to be nothing more than a tiny grave mound.

It looked like he would have to move out sooner or later.

But none of that had anything to do with him now. Once he became a chess piece, he had to accept the awareness of being one. If he wanted to overturn the board or become a player, he still needed strength. Otherwise, he would only be crushed to pieces.

There was definitely something wrong with the death of his father, Uchiha Kagami. He certainly would not believe Uchiha Yama's words.

As for whether it had anything to do with the Uchiha Clan, he did not know.

But he would definitely uncover the truth behind all of it. Not a single one of those people would get away.

For now, he was still too weak and could only maneuver among the various factions.

When the first ray of morning sunlight shone in, Uchiha Chen woke up.

The morning sunlight filtered through the gaps between the dark green leaves of the trees planted outside Uchiha Chen's door and fell across his face.

Uchiha Chen opened his bleary eyes. Then, he lightly formed a Wind Release hand seal.

A gentle breeze swept past, and he let out a contented hum.

This method of training greatly exercised his control over Chakra.

After adding points, he had become increasingly adept at this kind of control.

The first time he tried something like this had been in the classroom.

It had been a pleasant afternoon when Uchiha Chen suddenly had an idea and cast a Wind Release Ninjutsu in the classroom.

It was cool,

and exciting.

Then there was no "then."

Every desk in the classroom had been blown away by him.

Afterward, Uncle Nishimura punished him with a week of classroom duty.

But constantly incorporating Ninjutsu into daily life truly did train one's control over Chakra.

Chakra was not meant only for killing and war.

Uchiha Chen was completely awake now. Still, after wrapping his blanket tighter around himself, he turned over and prepared to go back to sleep.

After quite a while, there was a knock at the door.

"Bang, bang."

A very rhythmic knocking sounded outside.

After knocking three times, the visitor stopped.

Then the person outside skillfully took Uchiha Chen's house key from their bag. After changing shoes in the entryway, they walked inside.

"Mikoto?" Uchiha Chen remembered that whenever Mikoto arrived early, she would sometimes come to his house to wake him up.

That was why Mikoto had a key to his room.

Thanks to Mikoto, Uchiha Chen was rarely late now.

Soft sounds came from the kitchen.

Uchiha Chen quickly put on his flashy Uchiha Brand Windbreaker and walked out of the bedroom.

Then he saw Mikoto, wearing an apron, busy in the kitchen.

The whole vibe suddenly felt like it had shifted from a hot-blooded manga to a youthful domestic story.

"Mikoto, you got up really early," Uchiha Chen said as he looked at her.

"Mm, I wasn't especially sleepy this morning. Aren't you going to sleep a little longer, Chen? Don't you usually dawdle around? There's still plenty of time."

"Ahaha, I get up early sometimes too." Uchiha Chen scratched his head.

"Um, Chen..."

"Hmm? What is it, Mikoto?"

"Is there anything you especially want to eat?"

"Anything's fine. Everything Mikoto makes tastes good anyway."

"Is that so... I understand."

"Actually—last night, I tried baking some cookies, but I burned them..."

"..."

After breakfast, Mikoto and Uchiha Chen set off for the Ninja Academy together.

It was rare for them to leave so early. Uchiha Chen and Mikoto walked through streets that had already become busy.

On the way, Uchiha Chen ran into Nawaki, who was coming from the Senju Clan Compound.

"Yo! Morning, Chen, Mikoto," Nawaki greeted them.

"Good morning, Nawaki," Mikoto replied.

"Rare to see you here so early, Chen," Nawaki said suspiciously.

"I show up early sometimes too, okay, brat?"

"You have the nerve to say that when you were late even on your first day of class?" Nawaki looked at him with contempt.

"I was late because I helped an old lady cross the street. What do you know? I'm the Hokage's successor."

"Hmph, you should get ready to be Disciplined by my sister."

"..."

Mikoto smiled as she watched Uchiha Chen and Nawaki bicker.

At that moment, Uchiha Chen was staring deeply at Nawaki as though examining him.

Was something off?

"Huh? Chen, what's wrong? Why are you staring at my handsome face with those lecherous eyes?"

Nawaki's ass clenched. This guy couldn't possibly...

"No, how should I put this... Nawaki, I just feel like you look a little different this morning?"

"Huh! You noticed? That's not true. I really am exactly the same as before. I haven't changed at all!"

Nawaki looked away, not daring to meet Uchiha Chen's probing gaze.

Had he really seen through me that quickly?

But this was something he wanted to hide no matter what.

After all, the fact that he had just gotten a little sister had to be kept hidden. He could not let a pervert like Uchiha Chen find out. Even if he had to lie to him!

"When I said you seemed different from usual, I meant that you look really happy early this morning. And you seem strangely guarded around me too?"

T-That was way too perceptive!

Uchiha Chen was right. Nawaki was bursting with energy this morning.

The reason was, of course, that he had just heard from his grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, that a little sister would soon be coming to Konoha from another village.

"Can you tell me, Nawaki? We can exchange information. Isn't that a ninja's basic job?" Uchiha Chen tempted him.

"W-What information?" Nawaki was somewhat tempted. Was there really information in the village that he did not know?

"Let me think... Mikoto and I just passed a shop with lots of pretty big sisters wearing short skirts—"

"What did you say!? Chen, we have to get moving right now!" Nawaki grabbed Uchiha Chen.

"They might be spies from an enemy village. For the village's safety, we must conduct a thorough investigation from a low angle!"

"..."