Training

Uchiha Zhuang was stunned by the sudden good news! So this was the clan leader's trial? He'd actually passed! Uchiha Zhuang, who had been brimming with fighting spirit just moments ago, slowly relaxed. He felt as though all the strength had drained from his body and collapsed onto the ground, though he remained conscious. Everyone cheered and carried him to the clan's infirmary. There, barely able to move, Uchiha Zhuang watched as people excitedly chatted about something, seeming to have completely forgotten him. Just then, Genmu came over and patted him on the head. He said nothing, only nodded at him before turning and leaving.

The young doctor at the infirmary told Uchiha Zhuang, "You've suffered a severe penetrating injury to your upper arm. The arteries, veins, tendons, and nerves have all been severed, and you've also sustained serious burns. Your condition isn't good. Even if you recover, your arm may not function properly, and you might not be able to grip things. In the worst case, it could even have to be amputated." Uchiha Zhuang teased, "You're going to recommend surgery as soon as possible, then ask whether I want the hundred-thousand-yen package or the two-hundred-thousand-yen package, right?" The young woman didn't understand at first and stared at him blankly. Then she caught on and frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about? Medical care is free for the Uchiha Clan. We'll send you to Konoha Hospital for treatment as soon as possible. You need to notify your family and have them come over." Uchiha Zhuang looked around the now-empty clinic. Had Genmu anticipated this and made himself scarce? Damn it.

"Never mind, then. Just let me lie here for two days. I'll get better on my own. Thanks. Oh! And please tell my school I'm sick and need a few days to recover. Arigato gozaimasu—thank you!" The young woman immediately took offense and stood up. "Here, everyone has to listen to me. You little brat, do you think this is your home? If I say you're going, then you're going. Otherwise, I'll make you regret ever coming in here!" As the young woman changed before their eyes, the atmosphere around them took on a strangely terrifying edge! Shivering, Uchiha Zhuang thought, Yikes! An angry young woman is terrifyingly intimidating! Better not mess with her. Time to make a run for it! He kept apologizing and promised he'd go to the hospital right away and call his parents. Only then did she calm down. Unable to make sense of the Ninja World's bizarre technology, he watched as the young woman called the landline at home and told his parents to come take him to Konoha Hospital. Genmu entered the infirmary looking thoroughly unwilling, hoisted Uchiha Zhuang onto his shoulder with practiced ease, and was about to make a break for it. But the young Uchiha woman, wearing a white coat that showed off her impressive figure, paid no mind to the two pairs of eyes popping out of their owners' heads as they hit the ground. "I'm coming too. This patient's injury is serious, and we can't delay treatment. Let's go."

The three of them made their way to Konoha Hospital. After they'd completed the admission paperwork, the young woman said, "All right, my job ends here. Make sure you take good care of yourself. The clan's prosperity depends on you." Uchiha Zhuang picked at his ear. "Daijoubu—I'm fine. Got it." A strange light flickered in the young woman's eyes. Then she smiled warmly at Uchiha Zhuang and turned to leave. Lying in his hospital bed, Uchiha Zhuang said, "Don't bother calling a doctor to operate. I'll heal on my own. I have strong regenerative abilities." Genmu said nothing, sitting nearby with his eyes closed as he rested. Seeing that, Uchiha Zhuang paid him no mind and closed his eyes to think.

Now that he'd successfully become a candidate for clan leader of the Uchiha Clan, his next step was to focus on training and improving his basic abilities; practice more to improve his ninjutsu; and take on more missions to earn points for system items. The All-Purpose System's mission list rarely displayed any tasks, perhaps because the original story hadn't begun yet. Uchiha Zhuang had completed the few tasks that had appeared so far. At the start, he'd received a mission to create an organization, and its progress was now at ninety percent. He just needed to push a little harder to finish it. The mission offered a whopping five thousand points, along with a mysterious bonus reward. Uchiha Zhuang was thrilled. With the system at his side, he could take on the whole world—the Shinobi World was his home. As for his influence, he already had the beginnings of an organization and was a candidate for the position of future Uchiha Clan leader. As for his personal strength, his chakra was already at elite Jonin level, and his stamina was on par with an average Jonin. But his physical constitution surpassed Kage Level; a body capable of cultivating Natural Energy was fundamentally different. His genjutsu was decent enough not to hold him back. After all, the Two-Tomoe Sharingan was already enough to make him immune to most ordinary genjutsu, and with three tomoe, he'd be practically immune to ordinary genjutsu. His equipment included shoes, a sword, armor, eye-evolution fluid, a Nano Healer, three Senzu Beans, a Teleportation Bracelet, a Fire Element Energy Amplification Bracelet, and the God King Gu. These items were all well suited to the current situation. He was slowly getting a handle on the world, and this was more than enough to deal with ordinary circumstances for now. If anything major changed, the system would be his last and most reliable safeguard.

After confirming the date in the current world, he found it was October of Konoha Year 8. Senju Tobirama had been Hokage for over half a year, and the Ninja Academy had already admitted two batches of students. Uchiha Zhuang was in the second batch. Homura, Koharu, and Danzo were now eight, nine, and ten years old, while Sarutobi Hiruzen had only recently become the Second Hokage's student. The First Shinobi World War, the first world war led by ninja, would break out in four years. Senju Tobirama would die during that war, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would take his place as the Third. Uchiha Zhuang understood that he didn't have much time. He needed to get things done over the next four years and lay the groundwork for uniting the world in the future. Everything for peace! In secret, Uchiha Zhuang shamelessly patted himself on the back and brainwashed himself. But in truth, his idea of peace meant a world entirely under his own control!

Watching the yellowed leaves fall as autumn deepened, Uchiha Zhuang felt a chill in his heart. Countless times, he'd asked himself what he wanted with control over the world. Wouldn't it be nice to simply build up a measure of strength, find a secluded paradise, and live out his days there? He could travel now and then. The world would be at peace by Konoha Year 70 anyway, and the chosen heroes would save the day. He could live happily into old age and enjoy a carefree life. Wouldn't that be nice!? He'd wavered in his resolve countless times.

Watching the wind carry the withered leaves into the distance, Uchiha Zhuang felt lost. Then he glanced at Genmu, who was still resting with his eyes closed, and thought of Akihime, the cheerful Hyuga girl with a bit of a temper. He thought of his obedient organization members, all of them orphans. Orphans? Orphans! Uchiha Zhuang's eyes snapped open as an idea struck him! The Shinobi World didn't belong only to the great ninja lords. This world was vast, and it was home to countless ordinary people! They didn't have the powerful strength of ninja, but they still worked diligently at their own lives—farming, laboring, raising the next generation. In this twisted world of ninja, they seemed superfluous, barely more than dust. And hardly anyone would do anything for them—not even the original author, who treated them like dust! As if their deaths didn't matter. Uchiha Zhuang's resolve slowly solidified. He would save the common people and bring peace to the Shinobi World! A peace of prosperity and progress for both ninja and civilians! No one would be left behind on the road to peace!