Just like that, Uchiha Tunan and Hiruzen Sarutobi spent an entire afternoon discussing the Will of Fire in the teachers' office.
Most of the time, Uchiha Tunan spoke while Hiruzen Sarutobi listened.
By the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer fully understand Uchiha Tunan's views.
Yet he could hear two words between the lines: loyal minister.
With around ten minutes left before school ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally took the initiative to end their conversation.
Looking reluctant to part, Uchiha Tunan left the teachers' office.
Only after returning home did Uchiha Tunan open the envelope and check the money inside.
There was even more than the money his parents had left him when they departed.
In an instant, Uchiha Tunan had risen directly from the poverty line to a comfortably well-off life.
That was the benefit of choosing the right side.
Uchiha Tunan merely glanced over the money in the envelope. Not a trace of greed appeared in his eyes as he put the envelope into a drawer.
Then he went to the desk, opened his diary, and began writing:
"Today, I was very happy. The Third Hokage personally met with me in the teachers' office.
"The Third Hokage had no airs about him. He felt just like a real grandfather to me.
"His meticulous care made me feel warm, just like his broad palm.
"A word suddenly came to mind: bond.
"I had never known what the meaning of living in this world was.
"But today, I understood. From now on, the meaning of my existence is to follow in the Third Hokage's footsteps.
"I once saw a sentence in a book about ninjas.
"A ninja is a tool without emotions.
"I am a living person, so I cannot be without emotions.
"However, if there is a need, I am willing to become a tool in the Third Hokage's hands.
"...(Twenty thousand words omitted.)
"Today, the Third Hokage also gave me a great deal of money. It has been a long time since I had any money to buy meat.
"But I am somewhat reluctant to spend it. After all, this money is the Third Hokage's salary, earned through his hard work.
"I plan to save this money and use it to buy him a gift on the Third Hokage's birthday next February 8.
"Oh, right. Today, I fought Kakashi. He really is far too strong.
"Even after awakening my Sharingan, I was still no match for him. I hope the distance between us will not grow too great."
After finishing his diary entry, Uchiha Tunan closed the notebook.
He selected several vegetables from the refrigerator and cooked them in a pot.
That was all he would have for dinner tonight.
The next day, after school, Uchiha Tunan did not head straight home. Instead, he caught up with Kakashi, who was alone.
"Kakashi."
Kakashi lazily turned around and looked at Uchiha Tunan. "What is it?"
"Can I train with you? I want to become stronger and become a ninja as soon as possible. Please." Uchiha Tunan placed both hands on his knees and bowed deeply.
Kakashi hesitated. Perhaps he felt that Uchiha Tunan was strong enough to serve as a sparring partner, because he nodded lightly. "Sure. Where do you want to train?"
Uchiha Tunan's face lit up with delight. "Let's go to your house. Since you're the one accompanying me in training, I don't want you going too far out of your way for me."
Kakashi nodded and continued strolling slowly toward his home.
Uchiha Tunan silently followed behind him.
Before long, the two arrived at Kakashi's home.
The Hatake Family had few members, but their courtyard was still quite large.
The residence itself did not take up much space, since only Kakashi and White Fang lived there.
The large open area could all be used for training.
The two stood facing each other in the open space and formed the same hand seal.
The next moment, training began.
The sound of kunai clashing rang out across the clearing.
The Three Body Technique had long since become second nature to both of them.
Gradually, they stopped merely exchanging taijutsu and began using the ninjutsu each had mastered.
Kakashi truly deserved his reputation as a genius. He had already mastered several kinds of ninutsu.
By comparison, Uchiha Tunan only knew one ninjutsu: the Great Fireball.
Uchiha Tunan found an appropriate opportunity and surrendered, claiming that his Chakra had been depleted.
"As expected of Kakashi. It seems the gap between us has grown again." Looking exhausted, Uchiha Tunan supported himself with both hands on the ground and panted heavily.
Kakashi was panting as well, but he clearly still had strength left.
"You're much stronger than them."
Uchiha Tunan staggered to his feet and bowed to Kakashi.
"Thank you for being willing to train with me. Can I come again in the future?"
"Do as you like." Kakashi placed both hands behind his head, returning to his lazy demeanor.
Uchiha Tunan smiled, packed up his things, and waved at Kakashi.
"Then let's stop here for today. Goodbye, Kakashi."
With that, he left the Hatake home under Kakashi's gaze.
Unfortunately, Hatake Sakumo was not home today.
But Uchiha Tunan was not in a hurry. A qualified hunter needed sufficient patience.
When Uchiha Tunan returned home, he discovered that the refrigerator had somehow been filled with meat and milk.
Touched, Uchiha Tunan hurriedly opened his diary again and wrote:
"There is a lot of extra meat and milk in the refrigerator.
"I do not even need to ask to know that the Third Hokage must have had someone put them there.
"In this world, only the Third Hokage would treat me this well.
"...(Fifty thousand words omitted.)
"Oh, right. Today at school, I heard Hyuga Rong say that the front lines are in urgent trouble. It seems the enemy has cut off the supply routes on several battlefields.
"The Third Hokage must be frantic with worry right now. I really want to grow up quickly and help Lord Hokage shoulder his burdens.
"I remember that Father and Mother are on one of those battlefields. I hope they can overcome this crisis."
Days passed one after another.
Perhaps because the war had reached a fever pitch, Hatake Sakumo never returned home.
That was normal. Hatake Sakumo was so strong that he surely had many missions to carry out at a time like this.
All Uchiha Tunan had to do was go to the Hatake home every single day without fail.
As long as someone did something every day, it would become perfectly normal in the eyes of others.
However, Uchiha Tunan noticed something.
Kakashi was growing stronger by the day.
Now, even if Uchiha Tunan did not hold back, he might not necessarily be able to defeat Kakashi.
That meant Kakashi's strength had nearly surpassed that of the deceased Uchiha Tenyu.
One had to know that Uchiha Tenyu had originally ranked sixth among the graduates.
If theoretical grades were excluded, he would likely have ranked even higher.
Especially since Uchiha Tenyu had not yet awakened his Sharingan at the time.
After awakening it, he would probably have been evenly matched with Uchiha Tetsugo.
Taken together, Kakashi's current strength was among the very best in the graduating class.
What a frightening genius.
Uchiha Tunan let out a long sigh and took a book titled Essential Spy Disguise Techniques from the cabinet.
While he was still in his growth stage, he would learn as much knowledge as he could.
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