Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the holiday was nearly over.
Uchiha Tunan had also learned numerous techniques involving traps, assassination, disguise, and poisoning.
The system had yet to send any notification. Clearly, Uchiha Tunan's parents were still alive and well.
Those two Chunin cannon fodder really had tough lives.
Uchiha Tunan was a little troubled. He could no longer sit around and wait for death.
His political stance had been made clear. The next step was to demonstrate his value.
If he wanted to gain strength, he could only obtain recognition, then kill.
In a direct fight, he could not even beat Obito.
The only option was assassination.
As for the target, they could not be too strong, nor could they be too weak.
Ideally, they would have no experience with ninja assassinations.
All things considered, he could only start with the fledglings at the Ninja Academy.
Since he was a first-year student, he would need to choose among the second- and third-year students.
Strong practical ability but poor theory grades was Uchiha Tunan's optimal choice.
If they were strong, he could stand out among his peers after inheriting their abilities.
If they were poor at theory, the chance of them seeing through his assassination methods would be lower.
The plan needed to be divided into three steps.
Obtain recognition, carry out the assassination, and deal with the aftermath.
Not a single one of those three steps could go wrong.
Obtaining recognition was the prerequisite for inheriting abilities.
The assassination itself would have to rely on his own methods.
Dealing with the aftermath was also rather troublesome. If he alerted the Anbu, it would be difficult to guarantee that his methods would not be discovered.
At that thought, a cold glint flashed through Uchiha Tunan's eyes.
The next day, the Ninja Academy began classes again.
This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not come to give another speech.
It was said that the fighting on the front lines had reached a stalemate.
During the break, Uchiha Tunan quietly left his classroom and headed to the third-year classroom.
"Tianxiong-san." Uchiha Tunan waved excitedly at Uchiha Tenyu inside the classroom.
Uchiha Tenyu was a third-year student, ranked sixth overall in academic performance.
The student ranked first was Uchiha Tetsugo, also of the Uchiha Clan.
When Uchiha Tenyu heard someone calling him, he turned his head and froze slightly.
He recognized Uchiha Tunan at a glance—the disgrace of the clan, spoken of far and wide among its members.
He wanted to ignore him, but Uchiha Tunan kept calling out in public.
He could only rise coolly from his seat, walk outside the classroom, and say coldly,
"Kid, what do you want from me?"
"I heard that Tianxiong-san is the greatest genius among the graduating students. Can I train with you?"
"Oh?" Uchiha Tenyu answered coldly, but the corner of his mouth curled up slightly. Clearly, he was in an exceptionally good mood.
After thinking for a moment, he said casually, "That Tetsugo guy is ranked first, while I'm only sixth. Why not go find him?"
Uchiha Tunan looked confused. "Isn't Tetsugo-san's good ranking only because his theory grades are high?"
"You do have a good eye. A ninja's strength is what matters. I can't be bothered to study those theory classes.
"I train every day at the training ground north of the clan compound. If you want to come, then come yourself.
"If I have time, I can give you a few pointers."
After saying that, Uchiha Tenyu coolly shoved his hands into his pockets and walked back into the classroom without looking back.
Uchiha Tunan, meanwhile, gave a cheer and skipped back toward the first-year classroom.
He looked exactly like a child.
Inside the third-year classroom, Uchiha Tenyu had just returned to his seat.
Uchiha Tetsugo beside him turned his head and said indifferently, "Tenyu, stay away from that trash. He's a disgrace to the Uchiha Clan."
"Hmph! It's not your place to tell me what to do." Uchiha Tenyu snorted coldly.
"Hmph!" Uchiha Tetsugo snorted as well and turned his head away.
After school, Uchiha Tunan arrived at the training ground north of the clan compound. Sure enough, Uchiha Tenyu was practicing Fire Release there.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique."
Boom—
A blazing fireball burst from Uchiha Tenyu's mouth and crashed into the pond beside the training ground.
"S-So... amazing." Uchiha Tunan stood rooted to the spot, his face filled with shock.
With his back to Uchiha Tunan, Uchiha Tenyu smiled faintly. In truth, he had noticed Uchiha Tunan's arrival long ago.
That Great Fireball Technique just now had been purely for show.
"Kid, you're here." Uchiha Tenyu turned around coolly and spoke with an indifferent expression.
"Mhm, mhm! Tianxiong-san, you're incredible! You can actually spit out such a huge, huge fireball." Uchiha Tunan spread his hands wide and traced an enormous circle.
"It's only a C-rank Fire Release." Uchiha Tenyu was very satisfied with Uchiha Tunan's reaction. He pointed at the wooden post beside them and said,
"Your physical condition is still too poor. Start by training your taijutsu."
"Okay, Tianxiong-san." Uchiha Tunan eagerly walked up to the wooden post and began striking it with complete seriousness.
However, Uchiha Tunan's taijutsu was truly awful. Uchiha Tenyu could not help correcting him again and again, yet the results remained unsatisfactory.
By evening, Uchiha Tunan was sitting on the ground, gasping heavily from exhaustion.
Uchiha Tenyu was tired as well, but for the sake of appearances, he still maintained his cool demeanor. With his hands in his pockets, he stood before Uchiha Tunan and said disdainfully,
"You're already done after training for such a short time?"
Uchiha Tunan looked dejected. He buried his head deeply between his knees and said timidly, "Sorry, Tianxiong-san. I disappointed you."
"I heard the clan members talk about you before. Why do you hold such foolish ideas?" Uchiha Tenyu asked.
At those words, Uchiha Tunan lowered his head even further and replied in a tearful voice,
"Because... I'm useless. Dad and Mom don't like me, and the clan members look down on me.
"Only the Third Lord smiles at me.
"I feel that the Third Lord truly loves the village and loves us."
So that was it. The hearts of the weak instinctively needed to rely on the strong...
Uchiha Tenyu understood at once. His tone was no longer so cold as he softened it slightly.
"From now on, put the clan first. Otherwise, I won't be willing to teach you."
"Sorry for disappointing you." Uchiha Tunan stood up and gave Uchiha Tenyu a deep bow.
Uchiha Tenyu could hear the refusal in Uchiha Tunan's words. A trace of anger rose in his eyes as he turned away.
"Get lost."
"Sorry." Uchiha Tunan apologized again, then took a book from his pocket and offered it to him.
"This is a gift for Tianxiong-san. Thank you for being willing to guide my training."
Hearing that, Uchiha Tenyu turned around and fixed his gaze on the book, asking coldly,
"What is this?"
Uchiha Tunan answered with a sincere expression,
"I studied the theory courses for the upper grades over the holiday. These are the key points I noted down for the exams.
"I hope Tianxiong-san can truly become the number one among the graduating students."
Uchiha Tenyu froze.
After all, most members of the Uchiha Clan were rather arrogant and rarely expressed their feelings openly. Most Uchiha clan members had never received gifts while growing up.
Uchiha Tenyu was no exception. Faced with the theory notes that his junior had painstakingly organized for him, his heart could not help trembling.
He snatched the book away and haughtily turned his head aside.
"Hmph! Remember to come early tomorrow."
With that, he strode toward the clan compound.
"Ding, Uchiha Tenyu's recognition obtained."
Upon hearing the system notification, Uchiha Tunan felt a faint surge of joy. He waved at Uchiha Tenyu's retreating figure.
"Thank you, Tianxiong-san. I'll work hard."
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