"Are you asking me to serve as their instructor?"
In the Hokage's office, Kakashi asked in shock after hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's instructions.
"Heh... I don't have much choice. The Council of Elders unanimously recommended you, and I also think you're a suitable candidate."
Looking at the stunned Kakashi, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a rueful smile and spoke softly.
"Then why didn't you consider letting the three of them stay at the Ninja Academy? They're all still so young..."
Kakashi met Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze and asked quietly.
He wasn't trying to turn down the assignment. He just thought it was risky for Sasuke and the others to leave the Ninja Academy so early. After all, ninja missions could be unpredictable and fraught with danger.
"Of course I considered that..." Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled, looking at Kakashi's masked face with a smile. "But the elders all agreed to let them graduate..."
"Uh... all right, then."
Kakashi pressed his lips together. He understood now: no matter what, he was going to be their instructor.
"Well? Do you agree? If you really can't do it, then forget it. I'll find another suitable Jonin." Seeing how reluctant Kakashi seemed, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
"Then I'll give it a try... But I want to test them first. If they don't meet my standards, I definitely won't serve as their instructor."
Being an instructor was a serious responsibility, and Kakashi had his principles. He answered without hesitation.
"Heh, of course. Every instructor has the right to test students who are graduating." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and smiled. "And if none of them pass your test, I'll have grounds to make them stay at the Ninja Academy for another year."
"Understood!"
Kakashi smiled faintly.
"All right. I'll arrange for someone to take your place in Anbu for the time being. Tomorrow, go to the Ninja Academy and collect your students."
Relieved, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke softly.
"Mm."
Kakashi nodded and headed for the door.
With the Third Hokage's approval, Iruka invited Uchiha Fugaku to the Ninja Academy. Since Sasuke was graduating early, he needed a parent's signature.
Uchiha Fugaku was already familiar with the process, and Sasuke's graduation paperwork was soon completed.
As evening approached, Uchiha Fugaku's family of four gathered in the living room for dinner. The smile on his face had not faded since he left the Ninja Academy.
In the past, Itachi's graduation from the Ninja Academy in just a year had brought Uchiha Fugaku great honor. Now Sasuke had graduated in only three months. As the father of two gifted sons, Uchiha Fugaku was naturally thrilled and proud.
"Sasuke, you graduated from the Ninja Academy in three months. How did you train..." Uchiha Fugaku suddenly set down his bowl and chopsticks and asked with an amused smile.
Hearing him, Sasuke froze for a moment.
"Dad, there's no shortcut to success. As long as you work hard, anyone can do it. And since Big Brother often gives me pointers, I've been able to train faster." Sasuke scratched his head, then answered with a smile.
Itachi had certainly helped Sasuke graduate so quickly, but he knew his guidance hadn't been the deciding factor. Sasuke had achieved it through his own hard work.
"Itachi may already be stronger than I am. Having him guide you must help with your training."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded and spoke softly.
"Big Brother is my idol. I'll definitely listen to him."
Sasuke smiled.
"You shouldn't let today's achievement make you arrogant, and you mustn't slack off in your training. Once you become a Genin, you'll take the Chunin Ninja Exams. The younger generation from Konoha's other clans will be competing, too. You can't tarnish the Uchiha Clan's reputation."
Uchiha Fugaku paused for a moment, then turned stern again and spoke gravely.
Sasuke knew about the Chunin Ninja Exams. They were among Konoha's liveliest events, held twice a year. They were usually an important opportunity for the great nations to assess one another's strength, so every country took them very seriously.
To achieve good results in the exams, the Genin who participated were all outstanding among their peers. Their opponents would naturally be strong.
But Sasuke had never feared a challenge!
"I understand, Dad. I'll keep training hard and become a Chunin as soon as I can."
Sasuke put aside his thoughts, looked up, and smiled.
"Good."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded with satisfaction. "When we've finished eating, come out to the yard. I have something to tell you."
"Okay."
Sasuke had no idea what Uchiha Fugaku wanted to discuss, so he simply nodded.
After dinner, Uchiha Fugaku and Sasuke went out to the spacious yard as promised.
"Sasuke, once you become a Genin, you'll start taking missions. Even if you'll only be doing D-Rank Missions, for your own safety, you still need to learn a lot of ninjutsu."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at Sasuke and smiled.
Those simple words revealed how much a father cared for his son.
Sasuke felt as if he were seeing that great father from Naruto again—the one with few scenes, overlooked by fans, but still remarkable.
Itachi-sama massacred the Uchiha Clan.
Why hadn't Uchiha Fugaku fought back? Was he weaker than Itachi-sama? That wasn't the case. Anyone who became clan head had surely already proven their strength.
Besides, Uchiha Fugaku had been a candidate for Fourth Hokage, though Namikaze Minato had ultimately been chosen.
If Uchiha Fugaku had resisted, it probably wouldn't have been easy for Itachi and Obito to kill him. But then Itachi would have been punished for failing his mission, and Sasuke would have had nowhere to go, even if he survived.
For the sake of his two sons, Uchiha Fugaku had been willing to die. He was truly a remarkable father.
"So tonight, I'll teach you one of the Uchiha Clan's most basic techniques," Uchiha Fugaku added as Sasuke continued pondering.
The most basic technique? Could it be the Great Fireball Technique?
As soon as he heard those words, Sasuke guessed.
"Sasuke, watch closely!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
After forming Hand Seals, Uchiha Fugaku immediately breathed out a blazing ball of fire. The dim yard brightened in an instant.
Just as he'd expected!
Sasuke knew this Fire Release Ninjutsu very well. He had mastered it three months ago.
"Sasuke, give it a try!"
With his arms crossed, Uchiha Fugaku waited eagerly to see how Sasuke would do.
"Okay, Dad!"
Sasuke nodded, brought his hands together, and quickly formed Hand Seals.
He could have simply told Uchiha Fugaku the truth: that he had already learned the Great Fireball Technique. But he didn't. Uchiha Fugaku teaching him ninjutsu was an expression of fatherly love, and Sasuke was enjoying every moment of it.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Under Uchiha Fugaku's watchful gaze, Sasuke performed the technique with care. The fireball he breathed out was flawless—better, even, than Uchiha Fugaku's.
"Haha! That's my boy!"
"You've mastered it on your first try!"
Seeing Sasuke perform so brilliantly, Uchiha Fugaku laughed with delight.
Looking at Uchiha Fugaku's beaming face, Sasuke felt just as happy inside.