There Was Such a Good Thing?

A Jonin?

Uchiha Aoba's heart stirred, and he was about to refuse.

He didn't want Root setting its sights on him. Though as a member of the Uchiha Clan, they had probably been watching him ever since he started at the Ninja Academy.

But ordinary attention and close scrutiny were two entirely different things.

Twelve years old, a member of the Uchiha Clan, and possessed of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Each of those facts on its own might not seem like much, but put together, they hit every one of Root's sore spots. He'd probably have a hard time enjoying any peace from then on.

In Uchiha Aoba's ideal scenario, until his safety was fully assured—that is, until he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—the Chunin rank was best suited to him, and he wanted to remain a Chunin for a long time.

It was a position that was neither too high nor too low, allowing him to pass through his growing years without incident.

If circumstances had allowed, Uchiha Aoba had even wanted to stay a Genin from the very beginning and never accept a promotion.

But now...

The refusal was on the tip of his tongue, yet Uchiha Aoba couldn't bring himself to say it.

Thinking it over, with Third Hokage Sarutobi Hizashi's level of control over Konoha, information about him had probably already been laid out on the Hokage's desk.

If he refused the Jonin promotion now and deliberately concealed his strength, there was a good chance it would backfire.

So after a quick bout of deliberation, Uchiha Aoba changed his mind and agreed.

Uchiha Fugaku looked pleased. Then he took out a storage scroll and swiftly formed Hand Seals to undo its seal. Ten ninjutsu scrolls appeared between them.

"This is the second matter I wanted to discuss with you."

Pointing at the scrolls, Uchiha Fugaku said, "The clan will never let those who have rendered service go unrewarded."

"You may choose any five of these ninjutsu to learn."

"Thank you, Clan Head."

Uchiha Aoba's eyes lit up. Although he wasn't lacking in ninjutsu after merging with Madara's template, there were some techniques he couldn't use freely.

So he was delighted by the ninjutsu reward Uchiha Fugaku had offered. It would help him unlock some techniques.

After expressing his thanks, he picked up the scrolls and examined them one by one.

The more he looked, the wider Uchiha Aoba's smile grew. His opinion of Uchiha Fugaku improved, too.

It had to be said that Uchiha Fugaku had plenty of flaws. He was rigid, indecisive, and not particularly capable as a leader.

But when it came to cultivating promising younger members, he was remarkably generous.

The ten scrolls contained only Fire Release and Lightning Release techniques. One was a C-rank jutsu; of the remaining nine scrolls, seven contained B-rank jutsu, and two even contained A-rank jutsu.

That meant Uchiha Aoba could unlock five advanced techniques from Madara's jutsu collection.

Right then, he wanted to say to Uchiha Fugaku, "I'd go through fire and water for you, Brother Fugu."

Before long, Uchiha Aoba made his choices.

Uchiha Fugaku glanced at them, put away the remaining scrolls, and nodded. "Four B-rank jutsu and one A-rank jutsu. Be sure to destroy the scrolls after you've finished learning them."

"Also, if you have any questions while you're learning, you can come straight to me."

"Yes."

Uchiha Aoba nodded, planning to come ask for help one day when he had nothing better to do and pretend he needed guidance.

Then he was about to take his leave.

"Wait."

Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku thought Uchiha Aoba couldn't wait to go practice his new jutsu. He stopped him with an exasperated smile. "There's something else I need to tell you. Given your current situation, you're ready to learn about certain matters."

"Ah, sorry."

Embarrassed, Uchiha Aoba sat back down.

"It's still about the war." Uchiha Fugaku sighed. "Although the village's war with Sunagakure has ended, the other fronts show no sign of letting up, especially the war with Iwagakure."

"Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki used human-wave tactics. Not only did he repel Kumogakure's advance, he also killed the Third Raikage. They suffered considerable losses, but at least they won't be fighting on two fronts anymore."

"So, Aoba, you should prepare yourself. Once you've been promoted to Jonin, there's a good chance Lord Hokage will send you to the front lines of the war against Iwagakure."

There was such a good thing?

Uchiha Aoba paused. He'd thought Uchiha Fugaku was going to tell him something important, but that was it?

For other people, taking part in a war was something they had no choice but to do.

But as someone eager to increase his panel's fusion rate, he couldn't have been happier.

Uchiha Aoba had already prepared himself for the possibility that he wouldn't be able to return to battle for some time.

He'd thought he would have to wait until next year at the earliest—that is, Year 47 of Konoha, when Kirigakure joined the war. The Uchiha Clan would then serve as a major force, and he would be able to return to the battlefield and raise his fusion rate.

So he'd planned to gather some people and increase his fusion rate by taking on missions first.

He hadn't expected Uchiha Fugaku to give him such a wonderful surprise.

If he'd known that becoming a Jonin came with this sort of benefit, Uchiha Aoba would have agreed without a moment's hesitation.

But then again...

No matter how delighted he was inside, Uchiha Aoba couldn't let it show on his face.

Instead, he had to look troubled and sink into thought. After a while, he finally gave a strained reply. "It's all for the clan. I won't shirk my duty."

"I understand how difficult this is for you, but I'm truly relieved that you agreed."

Uchiha Fugaku spoke solemnly. "In that case, as I said before, the clan will never let its heroes go unrewarded. As long as you return safely from the battlefield, you can choose any of the clan's ninjutsu."

"Good." Uchiha Aoba nodded, paying no mind to the tempting promise held out before him. He rose directly to take his leave.

"Then, if there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"No rush." Uchiha Fugaku waved him down again.

"It's getting late. Stay for lunch at my house."

"Sure."

He wouldn't have to cook, and he could get a free lunch at a wealthy household. Uchiha Aoba was delighted all over again.

Uchiha Fugaku really was a generous man.

Lunchtime.

To welcome him, Uchiha Mikoto cooked up a lavish meal, and Uchiha Aoba thoroughly enjoyed it.

At the table, Uchiha Aoba also met the three-year-old little darling, Uchiha Itachi.

Looking at the curious little face, he couldn't help pinching Itachi's cheeks. Then he watched as Uchiha Itachi wore an unwilling expression but couldn't get away, laughing to himself the whole time.

No matter how "filial" you might be in the future, right now you're still at my mercy, Uchiha Aoba!

But now that he'd come to this world and gained Madara's template, there were tragedies he would never allow to happen again.

There were regrets he'd decided to do everything in his power to make right.

Otherwise, what would have been the point of coming here?