Setting the Facts Aside

Uchiha Chuan sauntered into the classroom, his gaze sweeping across one familiar face after another before he casually picked a window seat. The sunlight outside was just right, and a breeze drifted past. He narrowed his eyes, wondering whether he could successfully slack off today.

Before long, the classroom door opened, and a burly middle-aged man walked in. A prominent scar marked his face, his eyes were sharp, and his steps steady. He was clearly a ninja who had been tempered by the battlefield.

"My name is Sarutobi Gang, and I am your homeroom teacher." The man stood at the podium, his voice booming. "I have been to war, but for certain reasons, I can no longer go. So, my dream is to train batch after batch of powerful ninja to take my place on the battlefield and protect Konoha!"

After saying that, he swept his gaze over the class and spoke firmly. "Now, it is your turn to introduce yourselves. Start from the left side of the first row and go in order."

Asuma Sarutobi, seated in the first row, stood up with a hint of pride in his voice. "My name is Asuma Sarutobi. My dream is to surpass the Hokage and prove that I am stronger than my father!"

Ebisu pushed up his glasses and said solemnly, "My name is Ebisu. My dream is to become an elite teacher who trains Hokage."

Genma Shiranui stood up, his tone flat. "My name is Genma Shiranui. My dream is to become a Jonin."

When it was Rin Nohara's turn, she smiled gently, her voice soft. "My name is Rin Nohara. My dream is to become an outstanding and useful ninja."

Kurenai Yuhi stood up, her eyes resolute. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi. My dream is to become the strongest Genjutsu user."

Obito Uchiha scratched his head and said somewhat sheepishly, "My name is Obito Uchiha. My dream is to become Hokage, and... and..." At this point, he secretly glanced at Rin Nohara. Someone noticed and immediately began to tease him, shattering Obito's courage into pieces. His face reddened, and he blurted out, "And defeat Uchiha Chuan!"

The whole class burst into laughter. Uchiha Chuan raised an eyebrow, a faint smile curling at his lips. He did not care at all about being dragged into this for no reason.

When it was Kakashi Hatake's turn, he still had his head lowered, a book in his hands. In a lazy tone, he said, "My name is Kakashi Hatake. My dream is to become a ninja as powerful as my father."

Finally, it was Uchiha Chuan's turn. He rose slowly, both hands in his pockets, and spoke casually. "My name is Uchiha Chuan. My dream is to fulfill all of your dreams, then sell them back to you for money."

"What?!" The class instantly erupted. Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at Uchiha Chuan in disbelief.

Sarutobi Gang frowned, his tone stern. "Uchiha Chuan, dreams are sacred things. How can you be so mercenary as to sell them for money?"

Uchiha Chuan shrugged, his tone as calm as ever. "Why not? As long as I have it, and he wants it, once we agree on a price, there is nothing that cannot be sold."

Sarutobi Gang's expression darkened at once, anger entering his voice. "Hmph. By your logic, if someone could afford the price, would you even sell the village's classified intelligence? Are you trying to become a rogue ninja?"

Uchiha Chuan remained unruffled and asked in return, "Teacher Sarutobi Gang, since you are making assumptions, let me make one too—if sacrificing yourself could completely destroy Kumogakure, but you would not know it, would you be willing?"

Sarutobi Gang answered without hesitation, "Of course I would!"

Uchiha Chuan smiled faintly and continued, "Then what if the intelligence that led to your sacrifice was what I sold? Do you think that intelligence could be sold?"

"You!" Sarutobi Gang was left speechless for a moment. His face flushed red, and he did not know how to respond.

Uchiha Chuan turned toward his classmates and asked with a grin, "Teacher Sarutobi Gang does not know how to answer. Do you?"

The students exchanged looks. Even Kakashi frowned, clearly stumped by the question.

Seeing this, Uchiha Chuan chuckled. "Let me tell you. If you encounter something like this in the future, answer like this—setting the facts aside, do you have no fault at all?"

"Whoa!" The classroom instantly broke into an uproar. Everyone was stunned by Uchiha Chuan's words.

Uchiha Chuan continued, "Our Konoha Military Police Force maintains order in the village, yet many villagers and ninja from the clans insist on setting the facts aside and picking fights over trivial matters. Things like violent law enforcement, bad attitudes, or using Genjutsu directly to solve cases and causing mental harm. Heh. Is that not the classic example of setting the facts aside and claiming you have done nothing wrong? The Sarutobi Clan and the Shimura Clan have the most people like that. So, Teacher Sarutobi Gang, do you know how to answer now? You can keep showing off the Sarutobi Clan's talent for twisting logic."

The moment Sarutobi Gang opened his mouth, Uchiha Chuan had understood that he was here to pick a fight. Naturally, he was not about to indulge him in the slightest—first strike back, then do exactly what Sarutobi Gang had done. Uchiha Chuan felt that he had been logical, justified, and restrained today. Damn, I am amazing.

Sarutobi Gang's face turned completely black. He slammed a hand onto the desk and roared, "Uchiha Chuan! You are far too presumptuous! As expected of an Uchiha genius, so arrogant and rude! I cannot teach you. If you have any problems in the future, do not come to me!"

Uchiha Chuan shrugged and said without caring, "Whatever."

"Bullshit! Our Sarutobi Clan is not like that!" Asuma Sarutobi shot to his feet and retorted furiously.

Uchiha Chuan shot him a glance and sneered. "Have you investigated? Without investigation, you have no right to speak. Why not go investigate first? Of course, as the Hokage's son, I doubt anyone will tell you the truth. You do not know Genjutsu, so how will you make people tell the truth? People's hearts are hidden beneath their ribs—what results could you possibly uncover? At most, you would end up with some report meant to fool people."

He paused, his tone filled with mockery. "Do you really think being the Hokage's son makes you capable of anything?"

"You!" Asuma was so enraged that he could not speak. His fists clenched with cracking sounds, but he could not refute him. After all, Uchiha Chuan had made his point airtight. Even if Asuma wanted to investigate, he could not, unless he could first prove that he was able to make people tell the truth. But could he? Clearly not. The Uchiha's Genjutsu could. If he really came up with something fake and had it verified by Uchiha Genjutsu, he would only embarrass himself even more. Having been influenced by the Third Hokage since childhood, Asuma understood at least this much.

"Enough!" Sarutobi Gang swept out his arm, forcibly cutting off the argument. "This ends here. Shut up, all of you! Continue with the introductions. Once they are done, class will begin!"

The classroom immediately fell quiet, but everyone's eyes were fixed on Uchiha Chuan. Some were surprised, some admired him, and others were displeased. Uchiha Chuan did not care in the slightest. He lazily sat back down, gazed out the window, and silently thought, Another day of slacking off.