This Captaincy Isn't for Me

Suifeng really wanted to run over to the Great Elder, grab him by the ears, and shout, "I'm still just a kid, damn it!!"

Sometimes, he really couldn't understand how people in this world thought. This was child labor exploitation, plain and simple.

They graduated at seven or eight and went straight to the battlefield to kill people. Sure, newly graduated Genin weren't assigned particularly dangerous missions, but what wasn't dangerous on a battlefield?

Who knew how many of these young cannon-fodder ninja died in a single war?

Training started as soon as they entered the Ninja Academy—or rather, many ninja families started training their kids before they even enrolled. Suifeng had always looked down on this practice. Forget it, don't bother working hard. This was a world where looks—or no, bloodlines—mattered. If you didn't have the right bloodline, you might as well stop dreaming.

Every year, the Ninja Academy produced a few geniuses. They started competing fiercely from a young age to claim the top spot. But where did all those geniuses and top students end up?

Most of them ended up in the graveyard. The rest faded into obscurity.

Suifeng knew what the Great Elder was planning. He wanted to push Suifeng forward as a representative of his branch and build up its influence. But making him captain now was asking too much of him.

He was only eight and had never been to the battlefield. Even if he had some strength, there was no way he could earn anyone's respect. If even his own clan members didn't respect him, he'd be in an awkward position once he got to the battlefield.

This was like trying to force a seedling to grow by pulling it up. In Suifeng's plans, he would spend a few years honing himself on the battlefield, kill a few powerful opponents, and make a name for himself. By then, he'd be eleven or twelve, and only then would he start taking on some authority. That would be the natural way to do things.

Some things couldn't be rushed. Take the strained relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha: no one could expect it to be resolved overnight. Changing the Uchiha Clan wasn't something he could accomplish just by gaining authority. Too many issues were involved, and he needed to proceed carefully. What he needed now wasn't authority, but a reputation and connections.

He already had a reputation. Why had he knocked Kakashi out of the running? For the reputation. With Kakashi out, the title of youngest Chunin went to him. Even if Kakashi passed the Chunin Ninja Exams next year, he'd be the same age as Suifeng. People would only remember the first youngest Chunin. Who would remember the second?

Never underestimate a reputation like that. Just look at Kakashi. Years later, his strength had declined badly, and he'd nearly lost to Zabuza. But whenever people mentioned him, no one overlooked the fact that he'd graduated at six and become a Chunin at seven. They were always envious and jealous.

Now Suifeng had secured that reputation. Next came connections, both within the clan and in Konoha. Getting drawn into this power struggle too early would do him no good. He was too young to command respect and couldn't lead the Uchiha. He might even get trapped in the Uchiha family's internal disputes because of his position, make enemies, and find it difficult to deal with outsiders. Even if he became captain, his youth meant he could only be a puppet. Give him a break. Without a track record, why should anyone hand him power?

Giving him power now would be building castles in the air. He'd only be the Great Elder's puppet. But he knew the Third Great Ninja War was about to begin, and his chance to distinguish himself was coming.

Once he'd earned merit on the battlefield, killed a few famous opponents, and become a Special Jonin, he wouldn't need the Great Elder or the clan. He could seize authority and earn a reputation right there on the battlefield. What did the Uchiha Clan's power even matter?

So the Uchiha Clan's Jonin Conference never took place.

Suifeng went straight to the Great Elder and said he'd heard rumors about the matter and didn't feel good about it. He turned the offer down outright.

His reason left the Great Elder with no answer. His research into the Strength Enhancement Technique had reached a crucial point, and he couldn't spare the time.

What could be more important than getting stronger?

The Great Elder wasn't pleased, but Suifeng stood firm, and in the end, he gave in. The boy was one of his trump cards now. It was better to keep him in hand and play him at a more crucial moment in the future. The results might be even better that way.

Fugaku, the second elder's son, seemed interested in marrying Mikoto, the clan leader's daughter. He'd already started maneuvering for the next clan leader's position. Should I help things along, or stop him?

Fugaku was one of the clan's finest. No one of his generation could match him. If Suifeng hadn't come from his own branch, Fugaku becoming clan leader would have been all but certain. Having a wise leader would be a blessing for the clan. But now that Suifeng had appeared, the Great Elder couldn't help feeling reluctant.

If Suifeng weren't so young, he would have pushed him forward to compete, no matter what. Even with his age, he wanted Suifeng to come out and test the waters. That was why he'd let the rumor spread that Suifeng might be appointed captain.

But unfortunately, Suifeng's reaction showed he hadn't grasped the situation at all. As soon as he heard the rumor, he came over to turn it down. Clearly, he was still too young to understand what it meant. And if he didn't understand the significance, the Great Elder couldn't feel at ease making him captain. It could easily backfire. Better to keep this trump card in hand.

Once he was outside the Great Elder's residence, Suifeng breathed a sigh of relief. "Damn it, the Military Police Force squad captaincy can go to whoever wants it. The Third Great Ninja War is about to begin anyway. I'll try to get to the battlefield as soon as possible, then spend a few years honing myself there. Maybe by the time Obito and the others go to war, I'll already be a Special Jonin. Then I'll have a lot more room to maneuver."

It was another calm, peaceful day.

As usual, Fushan's squad was on patrol in Konoha. Everything seemed much the same as always.

Outside the orphanage, Rin was playing with a few of the children in an open area.

"Zeqin, over here! Throw it to me!"

"Rin, I'm over here! Don't let him get it!"

"Keiko, keep it up! We can win this!"

Lost among a group of five-, six-, seven-, and eight-year-olds, Rin didn't stand out much. In the woods not far away, Obito crouched down, staring at Rin in the crowd with a lecherous grin.

"Suifeng, that kid's Obito, right? What's he doing?"

Obito thought he was hiding well, but there was no way he could fool Fushan and the others.

"Oh, that's definitely him. He probably just learned a sneaking technique and came here to try it out!" Suifeng said with a laugh.

"I don't think he came here to try it out. He came to check out the girls, didn't he?" Hideki said with a laugh. "What's with kids these days? They're so young, and they're already thinking about...!"

"Whoosh!!"

Before he could finish, a sharp whistle rang in their ears. Suifeng spun around and kicked out. Hideki and Haku were half a beat slower, but immediately followed his lead.

As for Obito, who was sneaking around to spy on the girls, he had no idea what was happening.

Thud! Thud! Thud...

Suifeng kicked two kunai away and darted forward. With one arm, he scooped up Rin; with the other, he grabbed another little girl, carrying them several yards away. Fushan rushed in from the other side, knocking the kunai away as well and shielding the remaining orphans behind him.

"Who's there?!"

Fushan's face darkened. He held a kunai at the ready and called out in a cold voice, "Come out!"

"Heh, heh, heh. Konoha's Police Force, the Uchiha Clan..." A thick mist spread in every direction, and a bone-chilling killing intent swept toward them.

"Careful! It's Kirigakure's Silent Killing Technique!"

Fushan's expression changed dramatically. Three-Tomoe appeared in his eyes, spinning rapidly.