Qingyu: We Are the Ones Who Have Arrived

Just as he was preparing to leave, a member of the Uchiha clan walked up to him.

"Qingyu-kun, the Clan Head requests your presence."

It was time.

A summons from Clan Head Fugaku.

"A trap," Izuna said.

"The visitor is ill-intentioned, those evil Uchiha!" Tobirama cursed under his breath.

Qingyu: We are the visitors.

Qingyu's heart rate accelerated; his chakra sensed three powerful auras inside the study, pressing down like three mountains.

"Lead the way."

Following the Uchiha clansman along the stone path of the clan compound, Qingyu's mind was racing:

I know this plot!

A private summons from the Clan Head—this is either to issue a hidden quest or to trigger a major plot point!

According to game tropes, the next step should be a choice between two options:

A. Accept a secret family mission.

B. Be told, "You aren't actually a biological Uchiha."

...Wait, I'm a soul-transmigrator anyway, so that's fine.

"Qingyu-kun, this way." The clansman leading the way stopped in front of a Japanese-style mansion. "The Clan Head is waiting for you in the study."

Qingyu looked up at the grand yet elegant building before him.

As expected of the Clan Head's home; this facade is at least three times larger than my dilapidated shack.

Is the wealth gap in the Uchiha clan really this wide? Can I apply for some kind of clan mutual aid fund, hey!

Fugaku: I am suffering while you all enjoy the good life!

He pushed the door open and entered; slippers were already laid out in the entryway.

Qingyu changed into them and followed him into the inner courtyard.

The study was at the end of the corridor.

The clansman leading the way knocked on the door: "Clan Head, Qingyu-kun has arrived."

"Come in." Fugaku's voice came from within.

Qingyu pushed the door open and stepped inside, but his first glance left him stunned—Clan Head Fugaku was not the only one in the study.

Itachi Uchiha stood by the window, still wearing that calm expression of "the whole world owes me five million."

Shisui Uchiha sat by the tea table, smiling as he brewed tea.

Clan Head Fugaku sat behind the desk, holding a document in his hand.

Good grief, the Uchiha F4... oh wait, the F3 dream team is all here!

Are they holding a small fan meeting for me?

Do I need to scream to match the atmosphere?

"Sit." Fugaku pointed to the cushion beside the tea table.

Qingyu sat down obediently, and Shisui immediately handed him a cup of tea: "Just brewed, be careful, it's hot~"

"Thank you, Senior." Qingyu took it.

But he was muttering to himself.

Could there be some kind of "truth serum" in this tea?

Is Uchiha tea culture really this wild?

"How is your recovery?" Fugaku set down the document and got straight to the point.

"I'm already fine, thank you for your concern, Clan Head." Qingyu answered honestly.

"I watched your match against Neji." Fugaku picked up his teacup and blew on it gently.

"Your tactical choices were excellent, especially that final move... it was very bold."

Qingyu's heart tightened.

Here it comes, the main point!

"However," Fugaku's tone shifted, "your growth rate is abnormally fast."

The air in the study instantly stagnated.

Qingyu felt sweat beginning to break out on his back. Two voices rang out in his mind simultaneously:

Izuna: "What are you panicking for! Just say you're a genius who has awakened!"

Tobirama: "A more logical explanation is required. I suggest attributing part of the credit to our guidance, but package it in the form of 'inheritance through dreams'..."

"I..."

"No need to be nervous." Fugaku Uchiha suddenly smiled, though the expression carried a distinct air of "everything is under control."

"Every Uchiha has a period of explosive growth; yours just arrived particularly late and particularly fierce."

Qingyu: "..." Clan Head, with an explanation like that, my CPU almost fried.

So, is the Uchiha clan actually a race of Saiyans? Do you get a massive boost in combat power after a near-death experience?

Open!!!

"The Clan Head didn't call you here to interrogate you." Shisui interjected at the right moment, his smile as gentle as a big brother next door.

"There is just a matter... we would like to hear your opinion on."

My opinion? What kind of opinion could a twelve-year-old genin possibly have in front of the Clan Head and two big shots?

I can't even decide what to have for lunch today, okay!

"Please, go ahead." Qingyu appeared obedient on the surface.

Fugaku took another document from his drawer and pushed it over: "Next month, Konoha and Sunagakure will hold a joint Chunin exchange event. Each village will send three newly promoted Chunin to participate in a week of tactical drills and live combat exercises."

Qingyu picked up the document and scanned it.

A joint event? Was this part of the original story?

Wait, could it be...

"Are you asking me to participate?" he asked tentatively.

"Not just you." Fugaku looked toward Itachi by the window.

"Itachi will also go as one of the team leaders for Konoha. As for the other two spots, one is Neji Hyuga, and the other... will most likely be Naruto Uzumaki."

Qingyu's hand trembled, and his tea nearly spilled.

Good grief! Uchiha plus Hyuga plus the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! Is this lineup going for an exchange or to wreck the place?

Won't Sunagakure pack their bags and run away overnight after seeing this?

"Of course, the final roster still needs to be confirmed by the Hokage." Fugaku continued.

"But for the Uchiha side, I have recommended you."

Qingyu set down his teacup and turned serious: "Clan Head, may I ask why? I only just promoted..."

"Because you need experience." Fugaku looked him straight in the eyes.

"And you also need... to be seen by more people."

There was a hidden meaning in those words!

Qingyu understood instantly.

They were padding his resume! The Uchiha clan was paving the way for him!

Following corporate logic, this was the treatment for a "key talent in training"!

But why? Just because he beat Neji?

Qingyu: In the past, I had no choice, but now I want to be a Senju!

"It's not just because of the match." Shisui seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a smile.

"Qingyu-kun, your combat style is very unique. It has both the explosive power of an Uchiha and the steadiness of the Senju school, along with some... things I can't quite put my finger on."

He paused: "This kind of diversity is rare among the current young generation of Uchiha. The Clan Head feels that perhaps you can carve out a different path."

A different path... does that mean a path where we don't have to wait to be exterminated?

"The joint event is an opportunity." Itachi suddenly spoke, his voice calm and ripple-free.

"You can make contact with ninjas from other villages, understand different combat systems, and also... observe the movements of Sunagakure."

Observe Sunagakure? Qingyu's heart skipped a beat.

Right, in the original story, didn't Sunagakure collude with Orochimaru to execute the Konoha Crush Plan around this time?

Could it be that the Uchiha have already sensed something?

"Of course, it is up to you whether you go or not." Fugaku said.

"However, if you do go, Itachi and Shisui will provide you with special training. After all, the ninjas of Sunagakure... have a rather unique style."

"Unique" is an understatement; they're aiming to kill!

Qingyu thought of Kankuro's poisonous puppets, Temari's iron-slicing fan, and Gaara's sand-smothering face... This isn't an exchange; this is extreme survival!

I'm not Bear Grylls!

[Ding!]

[System Prompt: Important plot node detected!]

[Side quest triggered: Sunagakure Exchange Survival Guide]

[Quest Objective: Accept Fugaku Uchiha's proposal, participate in the Konoha-Sunagakure joint Chunin exchange event, and complete the following goals during the event:]

1. Engage in "friendly" sparring with at least three Sunagakure ninja (knocking them flat counts).

2. Collect combat data on Sunagakure ninja (the more, the better).

3. Return alive (most important).

[Mission Rewards: Depending on the completion rate, unlock "Sunagakure Ninjutsu Analysis (Partial)" or "Receive one exclusive training session from Itachi Uchiha/Shisui."]

[Failure Penalty: Sunagakure favorability -100 (though there wasn't much to begin with), and leave behind a dark history within the Uchiha Clan of "kneeling the moment you step outside."]

[Uchiha: Experts at civil war, amateurs at foreign war.]