After the Uchiha Clan left, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Hokage Building with a group of Anbu.
He immediately summoned Shimura Danzō to his office.
The two had a fierce argument and ultimately parted on bad terms.
Uchiha Tunan had never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to truly do anything to Shimura Danzō for his sake.
He had merely used Hiruzen Sarutobi's words to give Shimura Danzō a warning.
At the very least, it would ensure that Shimura Danzō would not stir up any trouble for a while.
"No one can be relied on."
Uchiha Tunan lay in his spacious new bedroom, staring up at the ceiling as he spoke.
He had only just gained the faintest sense of security after his strength improved, and now it was gone again.
This time, the one who had come was merely an ordinary Aburame Clan jonin.
If the Sharingan's dynamic vision and the Byakugan's insight had not happened to counter his opponent,
Uchiha Tunan would not have dared claim he had any certainty of victory.
In the end, he was still not strong enough.
Hatake Sakumo should meet with disaster in about a year.
He was getting a little impatient.
Right now, the only living prey that acknowledged him were Mizuki Uno, Kakashi, Uchiha Tenzo, and those three useless female classmates.
It seemed Mizuki Uno was the most suitable choice.
Although Mizuki Uno was not especially useful, he was at least a Chunin.
If he killed him, he could provide him with... a Chunin's Chakra and spiritual energy.
Uh... now that he thought about it, that did not seem very useful either.
A civilian Chunin like Mizuki Uno knew only a few ninjutsu and lacked combat experience.
More importantly, Uchiha Tunan did not want to personally take the risk.
Taking the initiative made it easy to expose flaws. If anyone discovered that he had killed Mizuki Uno, he would be completely finished.
Excellent hunters always lurked in the shadows, waiting for their prey to expose a weakness on its own.
Konoha was such a vast hunting ground; there would always be suitable prey.
Thinking this, Uchiha Tunan sighed, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
Dawn shone through the early morning sky, awakening the sleeping Konoha.
Today was the day Uchiha Tunan became a Genin.
Uchiha Tunan got up early and washed up.
After packing his ninja tool pouch, he left home.
Although this was the center of the Uchiha Clan Compound, the courtyard the Great Elder had arranged for Uchiha Tunan was no smaller than his previous one.
The moment he stepped outside, Uchiha Tunan saw clan members on both sides of the street pointing at him and whispering.
Clearly, word of what had happened last night had already spread.
Some people did not even bother lowering their voices, and Uchiha Tunan could faintly hear their insults.
But Uchiha Tunan did not get angry in the slightest.
These people were future food, tools that would help evolve his Sharingan.
So what if they cursed him a little?
"Tunan, heading in to report so early?" In the neighboring courtyard, the Great Elder watered his flowers and smiled kindly at the passing Uchiha Tunan.
Uchiha Tunan was slightly startled. He had not realized the two of them lived so close to each other.
He immediately bent at the waist and bowed. "Good morning, Great Elder."
"Come by my place first when you return," the Great Elder instructed.
Uchiha Tunan nodded and quickened his pace slightly as he left.
Spending even one extra second around that old schemer made him uncomfortable. Hiruzen Sarutobi was easier to manipulate.
Ninja Academy.
Uchiha Tunan entered the classroom and casually found a seat.
After a while, Kakashi entered the classroom and looked around.
When he spotted Uchiha Tunan sitting by the window, he slowly walked over.
"Why haven't you come these past few days?"
"A small situation came up."
Kakashi nodded and said nothing more.
At around nine o'clock, the examiner from the previous assessment entered the classroom, cleared his throat, and said:
"Congratulations. You have passed the Ninja Academy assessment and officially become Genin.
"Other than special assignments, Genin squads are generally formed in teams of three, with one squad leader per team.
"I will now call out names. Please come up to receive your ninja forehead protectors."
"Team One members: Furukawa Nohara."
"Inuzuka Tsuna."
"Hyuga Boksen."
"Team Nine members."
"Kakashi."
"Uchiha Tunan."
"Alright, I'll leave the rest of the time to your squad leaders." After saying that, the examiner left the classroom.
Before long, squad leaders entered one after another and led away the Genin assigned to their teams.
"Team Nine, come with me." A blond young man who looked somewhat youthful beckoned to Kakashi and Uchiha Tunan.
Uchiha Tunan narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded with a smile, and followed.
Then he and Kakashi followed the blond young man outside.
He had guessed the newcomer's identity almost exactly.
Blond hair, such a friendly-looking face—it should be Namikaze Minato.
Flying Thunder God, Rasengan—those were all good things.
If possible, he could even bring Uzumaki Kushina along.
But that was too far in the future, still several years away. Distant water could not quench immediate thirst.
On the rooftop, Namikaze Minato sat casually on the railing, idly playing with a kunai as he carefully assessed the two prodigies rumored throughout the village.
Kakashi leaned lazily against the railing on the other side, his eyes seeming to hold a trace of doubt regarding Namikaze Minato's strength.
After all, Namikaze Minato looked far too young, giving off an unreliable impression.
Uchiha Tunan, meanwhile, stood straight and obediently.
Time passed bit by bit, but Uchiha Tunan maintained a gentle smile without showing the slightest impatience.
"Coo, coo."
Several white doves landed on Uchiha Tunan's shoulders and affectionately rubbed against his face.
Uchiha Tunan gently stroked the doves' heads and whispered, "Be good. I'm busy with something important."
"Coo, coo." As though they understood, the white doves spread their wings and flew away.
Seeing this, Namikaze Minato broke the silence. "These pigeons seem to like you a lot."
Uchiha Tunan nodded. "Yes, they've always been very attached to me."
"I'll introduce myself first. My name is Namikaze Minato. I'm a Konoha jonin and your squad leader.
"I like ramen, and my dream is to become the future Hokage.
"What about you two?"
Namikaze Minato first turned his gaze to Kakashi.
Kakashi replied flatly:
"Hatake Kakashi. I don't have anything I particularly like. My dream is to become a powerful ninja."
As he spoke, Hatake Sakumo's image involuntarily surfaced in Kakashi's mind, and his fists clenched slightly.
Father, one day I'll become a ninja as powerful as you.
"That's a wonderful dream. I'm sure you'll achieve it." Namikaze Minato smiled, then turned his gaze toward Uchiha Tunan.
Uchiha Tunan tilted his head slightly and adjusted his glasses.
"My name is Uchiha Tunan. I enjoy drinking tea, reading books, and feeding small animals.
"As for my dream..."
At this point, Uchiha Tunan revealed a bright, warm smile.
"I want to earn the acknowledgment of more people."
At that moment, Namikaze Minato seemed to see his own reflection in Uchiha Tunan. He smiled as well. "That's a very special dream. I believe everyone in Konoha will acknowledge you someday."
A trace of longing flashed through Uchiha Tunan's eyes. "If that truly happens, I'll be so happy."
Namikaze Minato jumped down from the railing, walked to Uchiha Tunan's side, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Alright, introductions are over. Now for the next step.
"Come with me."
Before you continue