On the day he turned one, he had not even seen his own father, because the Uchiha Clan had still been locked in fierce battle with the Senju Clan at the time. The Hagoromo Clan had joined the war as well, and the three clans fought bloody, desperate battles every day. Even now, Mingye did not understand whether some so-called inherited title was really worth that much. To him, the title of successor to the Sage of Six Paths was not even as important as a single coin. The former could give you nothing, while the latter could buy things and at least keep you from starving to death.
Standing before the dazzling assortment of small objects, Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly did not seem like a one-year-old child. Drooling as he crawled on the floor, he looked around at his smiling relatives, his mind seemingly occupied by who knew what. Then he glanced over the objects again and crawled toward a book with a cheerful grin. But just as he was about to reach it, he hesitated. Looking at a small wooden stick nearby, he reached out to grab it, yet he did not want to give up the book before him. In the end, he grabbed the book first, then hugged it as he crawled over to the stick, seized it, and happily showed them off.
"Such talent is rare in this age. Your son will certainly become one of Konoha's pillars!"
"You flatter us, my lord!"
Hearing Mingye's praise, Sarutobi Sasuke was delighted and humbly responded before having a servant take the child away. He then gave a meaningful look, signaling for everyone else to leave as well. At that moment, Mingye spoke again.
"I was not merely flattering you. The book represents knowledge, while the stick needs no