Not All Uchiha Are Hard to Get Along With

As Uchiha Daiki recalled the hand seals for Lightning Release, a system notification sounded in his mind.

Ding! You are about to use the Basic Lightning Release Technique and have comprehended the complete series of Lightning Release Ninjutsu!

The complete series of Lightning Release Ninjutsu included every Lightning Release Ninjutsu and Secret Technique from D-Rank to S-Rank.

As the system notification echoed in his mind, a massive flood of information appeared there as well.

The corners of his mouth slowly curled into a knowing smile, and his amused gaze fell once more upon the three Jinin Akebinos charging toward him.

It looked as though he was about to deal with the three Water Clones.

But in the very next second, Uchiha Daiki suddenly vanished.

As he turned, a flash of lightning burst forth.

With a deafening boom, the earth suddenly shattered. Rocks Flying sent dust billowing into the air.

Jinin Akebino, who had just moved underground and was preparing to launch a Surprise Attack from directly beneath Uchiha Daiki, was struck by a single Lightning Release attack. He instantly collapsed into a puddle of liquid smeared across the ground.

Faint arcs of electricity still flickered over his body.

He was clearly in a state of Complete Paralysis, utterly unable to move.

"D-damn it..."

"Damn Uchiha!"

Jinin Akebino snarled unwillingly.

"Looks like you aren't someone willing to cooperate honestly, either."

Uchiha Daiki casually picked up Jinin Akebino's twin blades, Hiramekarei, from the ground. After examining them closely for a few moments and deciding they were decent enough, he accepted them with a smile.

Only then did he look toward Jinin Akebino, who lay unable to move in the crater.

"Wait!"

Seeing that Uchiha Daiki was about to finish off this enemy as well, Might Duy suddenly shouted to stop him.

"Hmm?"

Uchiha Daiki turned to look at him.

"This man might be useful to the village. We can hand him over to the Intelligence Division and obtain information from him..."

Might Duy explained.

Though he was merely an "Eternal Genin," he possessed all the fundamental qualities of a ninja.

Otherwise, he could never have developed such powerful Taijutsu as the Eight Inner Gates.

Hearing that, Uchiha Daiki lowered his gaze and looked once more at Jinin Akebino in the crater, who had completely lost all Resistance. Then he nodded.

"In that case, he's yours."

With that, Uchiha Daiki turned and prepared to leave.

"P-please wait!"

Might Duy called out to Uchiha Daiki again.

"What now?"

Uchiha Daiki stopped once more and turned back toward him.

By then, Might Duy had led Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui over to him.

After arriving in front of him, Might Duy was the first to bow deeply to Uchiha Daiki.

Then, lightly holding his son Might Guy's head, he bowed to Uchiha Daiki again. "Thank you so much for saving us!"

"I'm Might Duy, and this is my son, Might Guy!"

As he spoke these words of thanks, tears were already streaming down Might Duy's face.

And the young Might Guy had clearly inherited his father's passion and sincerity.

At that very moment, tears were streaming down his face as well.

"Thank you very much!"

Might Guy said as he looked at Uchiha Daiki.

"I was just passing by."

"Besides, we're all ninjas of Konoha Village. There's nothing to thank me for."

With that, Uchiha Daiki turned and left without looking back.

Seeing that this young powerhouse of the Uchiha Clan remained so calm and unbothered, as though he had not taken the battle just now to heart at all, nor regarded saving them as some favor worth mentioning—

For a moment, Might Duy, Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui were all somewhat stunned.

After standing there blankly for a while, Might Duy suddenly broke into a wide grin. With tears in his eyes, he said to his son, "Guy, did you see that?"

"I saw it, Father!"

"What a warm-hearted Tough Guy! Hahahaha... You must keep that same passion and sincerity in the future. As long as it is for the village, no matter how much you must give, never complain! Guy!"

"I understand, Father!"

Might Guy clenched his fists tightly, pursed his lips, and stared in the direction Uchiha Daiki had left with firm eyes brimming with tears.

Meanwhile, Genma Shiranui muttered quietly to himself, "Didn't they say the Uchiha Clan doesn't get along well with the people in the village...? It doesn't seem entirely true."

"Ah... perhaps, like Uchiha Shisui, he's just an exception. Still, no matter what, he did save us. We owe him a favor."

Ebisu replied casually.

Konoha Village of the Land of Fire, Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was holding a meeting with several high-ranking advisors. The latest intelligence from the battlefield had already been delivered.

The newest casualty list was among the documents.

Aside from those files, there were also documents from the daimyo residences of several other nations involved in the war.

"The Daimyo of the Land of Water has sent a letter seeking peace talks through an envoy. They are willing to sit down and negotiate with us properly."

"However, Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning, Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, and Sunagakure of the Land of Wind are still refusing peace talks."

"Their forces are still causing trouble along our borders and intercepting our active forces. Hiruzen, I believe it is time to alter our strategic deployment."

"Recall every ninja under eighteen whose strength is below Chunin!"

Mitokado Homura proposed to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

With his pipe in his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the battle map and remained silent in thought.

Shimura Danzō, the leader of the Root Organization, was silent as well. His half-lidded eyes held the same lifeless look as ever.

After waiting a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke.

"Now that Kirigakure's forces have withdrawn, the pressure on the eastern battlefield has greatly diminished. We must seize this opportunity and press forward, committing more forces to operations against the other three ninja villages."

"But if we do that, the village's casualties will increase further. The current list of fallen is already long enough..."

Utatane Koharu reminded him.

Hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a slow puff of his pipe before replying calmly, "I heard the Uchiha Clan performed exceptionally well on the Eastern Front. Aside from Shisui, another ninja named Uchiha Daiki emerged, and he too has made the enemy tremble with his Body Flicker Technique."

"Sending them to support the other fronts may allow them to create even greater miracles."

"Besides, do not forget that while Konoha has paid a terrible price, the other ninja villages are not faring well either. If it comes down to population, their combined populations may not even surpass that of our Land of Fire."

"Judging by the current trend, the war will be completely over in another month—and those ninja villages will be the ones begging us for peace talks."