A Gesture of Goodwill, Encountering Mina

Uchiha Tunan walked home, exhausted after a day of swordsmanship training at the Hatake Family's.

As he approached the Uchiha Clan Compound, he saw Mizuki Uno standing on the path, eagerly awaiting him.

"Tunan," Mizuki Uno waved at Uchiha Tunan.

Uchiha Tunan adjusted his glasses and approached Mizuki Uno, bowing respectfully.

"Teacher Uno, are you waiting for me here?"

Mizuki Uno handed Uchiha Tunan a thick envelope.

"This is the death benefit from the village and your bonus for eliminating an enemy spy. Lord Hokage has been busy lately and asked me to deliver it to you."

Uchiha Tunan took the envelope without looking at it and bowed to Mizuki Uno. "Thank you for going out of your way for me, Teacher Uno. I apologize for the trouble."

Mizuki Uno scratched his head and smiled warmly. "It's nothing, no trouble at all. It's quite impressive that you were able to take down a Chunin spy on your own."

"It was nothing," Uchiha Tunan replied with a faint smile, shaking his head.

Mizuki Uno found Uchiha Tunan more and more likable and asked with concern, "You look exhausted. Did you just finish training?"

Uchiha Tunan nodded. "Yes, I was fortunate enough to receive some guidance from Lord Sakumo, and I learned a great deal."

Lord White Fang, huh? It seems Tunan's talent is even greater than I imagined if he caught Lord White Fang's attention.

Thinking this, Mizuki Uno said with concern, "It's good to work hard, but you also need to rest. I won't keep you any longer. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Uno. Goodbye."

Mizuki Uno turned and left. After walking half a block, he looked back and saw Uchiha Tunan still standing there, watching him go.

He felt a touch of emotion. I didn't expect to teach a student who is so outstanding in both talent and character.

"Go on home," Mizuki Uno called out.

Uchiha Tunan didn't reply, only offering a gentle smile.

After Mizuki Uno's figure disappeared from view, he turned and walked into the clan compound.

The Uchiha guards patrolling the compound saw Uchiha Tunan and nodded in greeting.

Uchiha Tunan returned their smiles warmly.

No matter the world, reality is always the same.

As soon as he returned home, Uchiha Tunan saw the Great Elder standing at the entrance to his house. He had clearly been waiting for a while.

"Tunan, you're back," the Great Elder greeted Uchiha Tunan first.

Uchiha Tunan placed his hands on his knees and bowed. "Greetings, Great Elder."

The Great Elder smiled and waved his hand, handing the thick envelope to Uchiha Tunan. "We're all family, there's no need for such formalities. I've come specifically to give you your parents' death benefits and your living expenses for this month."

Uchiha Tunan subtly squeezed the envelope with his fingers. This thickness is much more generous than Hiruzen Sarutobi's.

Then, with a puzzled expression, he asked, "Didn't Lord Hokage already issue the death benefits?"

The Great Elder looked meaningfully at Uchiha Tunan. "Lord Hokage represents the village, but we of the Uchiha Clan naturally won't treat our own kin worse than the Hokage does. You are now an orphan, and you will receive corresponding living expenses every month. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to come to me, or you can also find the Clan Head. Clan members are family, and we will do everything in our power to help."

After speaking, he patted Uchiha Tunan on the shoulder and left without further explanation or action.

The Great Elder's move was truly brilliant. It might work on others, but it's a bit too naive to use on Uchiha Tunan, who understands human relationships and social dynamics.

The art of gift-giving lies here. The goodwill has been delivered; it just needs time to ferment. If he had stayed here talking nonsense, people would definitely suspect ulterior motives.

Uchiha Tunan returned home and took the money from both envelopes, placing it in a storage cabinet.

It seems I've become quite popular.

The condolence money Hiruzen Sarutobi gave me far exceeded the standard amount.

The condolence money for two Chunin wouldn't be this much at all.

The Great Elder was even more generous, directly doubling what Hiruzen Sarutobi gave.

Uchiha Tunan guessed that the Great Elder hadn't originally intended to give so much.

He must have learned that Mizuki Uno was outside the Uchiha Clan Compound.

From the thickness of the envelope Mizuki Uno held, the Great Elder guessed the approximate amount Hiruzen Sarutobi had given.

So, he temporarily doubled it.

This was a good thing for Uchiha Tunan.

With the condolence money for two Chunin whose parents had perished, it was the same as if two Jonin parents had died.

Now that he had money, he could raise more White Pigeon Ninja Beasts.

He wouldn't have to worry about running out of money until the Third War began.

The next day, Uchiha Tunan left for the Ninja Academy as usual.

Before he could even leave the compound, he ran into a classmate.

Uchiha Mina.

A hint of surprise flashed in Uchiha Mina's eyes as she greeted Uchiha Tunan, "Tunan-kun, what a coincidence."

"Yeah, it really is," Uchiha Tunan replied with a gentle smile.

They walked towards the school side by side.

Uchiha Tunan knew this wasn't a coincidence at all.

He had already seen Uchiha Mina loitering around this intersection with his White Pigeons.

Uchiha Tunan had no intention of calling her out.

After all, Uchiha Mina had a high probability of becoming his power source.

One should be considerate towards their food source.

Speaking of food sources, Uchiha Tunan remembered that there was more than just Uchiha Mina among his classmates.

If he failed to gain Hatake Sakumo's approval, he would be in a dangerous position.

These food sources might play a crucial role.

Especially Uchiha Mina.

In his previous life, she was a background character he'd never even heard of, basically destined to die.

And she was from the Uchiha Clan.

If he could find a way to improve her strength, and then...

With proper execution and a bit of luck, she might even awaken her Three Tomoe Sharingan.

Contributing to his Mangekyo.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Tunan's eyes lit up, and he turned his head to look at Uchiha Mina.

Uchiha Mina, while seemingly looking straight ahead, had been secretly watching Uchiha Tunan.

Seeing Uchiha Tunan look at her, her heart skipped a beat.

"Tunan-kun, is something wrong?"

As soon as Uchiha Mina asked, she immediately regretted it.

Why would she ask that? Would Tunan-kun feel awkward?

What if Tunan-kun had just developed a good impression of her, and her question would make him dislike her?

"I think you're different from other clan members, Mina," Uchiha Tunan, with his thick skin, didn't feel awkward at all.

"Really? How am I different?" Uchiha Mina's heart felt sweet, and a blush crept onto her face.

"Most of the clan members I've met, besides Obito, are a bit... too proud...

But you're different, Mina. I always thought you were lively, but I didn't expect you to have such a cute side in private."

Uchiha Tunan said gently, as if stating a fact, without any flattery.

They chatted as they walked.

Just like a couple from his past life.