Persuasion Mission

Uchiha Yufeng, who had defeated Uchiha Homura and claimed first place in the Ninja Academy's Ranking Match, instantly became the school's most talked-about figure.

The sight left everyone stunned.

Countless students and teachers had never expected Uchiha Yufeng to make it this far.

Not long ago, after all,

Uchiha Yufeng had still been a Dead Last who slept through class and constantly lost focus during practical training.

His theory and practical grades had always barely scraped past the passing line.

Yet now, relying solely on his taijutsu, he had defeated Uchiha Homura, who had awakened the Sharingan, and soared to the top of the entire Ninja Academy's practical Ranking Match!

Defeating an Uchiha with taijutsu was even more shocking than Uchiha Homura awakening the Sharingan!

Ignoring the envious and astonished stares around him, and refusing Might Guy's youthful taijutsu challenge,

Uchiha Yufeng quietly went up to the rooftop with Yuhi Kurenai.

"I did what I promised you."

As was his habit, Uchiha Yufeng sat on the ground and leaned against the railing.

Feeling the breeze against his face, he smiled as he spoke.

"You did more than that—you got first place!"

Yuhi Kurenai knew Uchiha Yufeng had not even used his full strength, so she added.

Her cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes brimmed with excitement.

"Yufeng! The top ten in the practical Ranking Match are qualified to apply for early graduation! And they don't even have to take the exams! Are you planning to graduate early now?"

Uchiha Yufeng shook his head.

"Graduating now is only one month earlier than graduating normally. There's not much point in graduating early."

Just then,

A figure used Body Flicker to arrive on the rooftop.

"Uchiha Yufeng, Lord Hokage summons you!"

"Yes!"

Uchiha Yufeng slowly stood up and brushed the dust from his pant legs.

"Kurenai, head back first! I'll be right back!"

With that, Uchiha Yufeng left with the Anbu ninja.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

"Greetings, Lord Hokage!"

"Yufeng, you're here!"

The Third Hokage looked up and spoke kindly to Uchiha Yufeng.

"I've already heard about your performance at the academy today. Well done!"

"Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage."

Seeing Uchiha Yufeng's calm, unassuming demeanor, the Third Hokage was even more satisfied.

The Third Hokage stepped forward.

"There is one more matter in which I need your help!"

"My help?"

Uchiha Yufeng asked in confusion.

"How has Tsunade treated you?"

The Third Hokage put his pipe to his lips, took a deep drag, and spoke slowly.

A trace of seriousness appeared in his clouded eyes.

"Lady Tsunade has not treated me differently because of my Uchiha identity. During this time, she has earnestly taught me medical knowledge and fulfilled her duties conscientiously..."

Naturally, Uchiha Yufeng would not deliberately speak ill of Tsunade. Besides, Tsunade was, in the end, this old man's disciple.

The Third Hokage nodded.

He naturally knew all of this.

"What would you do if Tsunade left the village?"

"Left? Isn't Lady Tsunade doing fine at Konoha Hospital right now? Why would she leave?"

Uchiha Yufeng understood what the Third Hokage meant, but he still played dumb.

"Ah!"

The Third Hokage sighed.

"If you must blame something, blame this cruel war..."

The Third Hokage then told Uchiha Yufeng about Tsunade's boyfriend, Dan Katō, and her younger brother, Nawaki, dying on the battlefield.

"Tsunade contributed greatly to the village during the Second Shinobi War. I am deeply grieved by the deaths of her family and friends as well. I wanted to let Tsunade rest, too, but the village still cannot do without her.

Yufeng, you go to Konoha Hospital every day and have more contact with Tsunade. You must do your best to persuade Tsunade to stay in the village!"

Hearing the Third Hokage's spiel, Uchiha Yufeng could not help giving him the middle finger in his heart.

"Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade has a mind of her own. She may not listen to me. I might not be able to accomplish this..."

What kind of person was Tsunade? Would she listen to an Uchiha like him?

Unless this Uchiha managed to win Tsunade over, it was nearly impossible.

The Third Hokage forced a smile.

"I know, Yufeng. Just do your best!"

As he spoke, he walked over and patted Uchiha Yufeng on the shoulder.

As long as it was not a mandatory mission, whether Tsunade stayed or left had nothing to do with him. That made the mission flexible enough that the old man could not trap him with it.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will do my best to persuade Lady Tsunade!"

"Yufeng, I know you won't disappoint me!"

"In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much. The village will depend on young blood like you in the future!"

This old man was trying to brainwash him again.

Uchiha Yufeng hurriedly voiced his stance, giving his own version of the Will of Fire.

The Third Hokage looked satisfied. Then he changed the subject.

"Yufeng, now that you are first in the practical Ranking Match, you can relax until you receive your ninja graduation certificate! If you want to graduate early, I can write you a certificate now and have your graduation certificate issued ahead of time."

"No, Lord Hokage. I want to graduate together with my companions!"

Hearing the word "companions" and recalling the Ninja Way Uchiha Yufeng had spoken of before, the Third Hokage nodded almost imperceptibly.

It seemed Uchiha Yufeng was an Uchiha clansman who had inherited the Will of Fire.

The Third Hokage then said a few more inconsequential things before finally allowing Uchiha Yufeng to leave.

The only thing Uchiha Yufeng cared about was the special privileges the Third Hokage mentioned at the end.

During this final stretch of academy life, he could sleep for as long as he wanted.

No teacher would ever disturb him again.

Thinking about how he had been repeatedly targeted before, it really had been this old Third Hokage's doing.

After Uchiha Yufeng left the Hokage's Office,

Shimura Danzō emerged from the shadows.

"Hiruzen, I didn't expect you to actually cultivate him into something. This Uchiha Yufeng truly is good material, but what a pity. His future achievements will be limited."

The Third Hokage naturally understood that Danzo was referring to Uchiha Yufeng. As an Uchiha, instead of developing his Sharingan, he was dabbling in medical ninjutsu and taijutsu...

To an Uchiha who possessed the Sharingan, medical ninjutsu and taijutsu were like seeking what was far away while ignoring what was close at hand. Danzo believed his future accomplishments would be too limited.

After all, this was still an era that revered ninjutsu and Genjutsu.

"About Tsunade..."

"Root has no authority to interfere in Tsunade's affairs."

The Third Hokage refused outright.

"Hiruzen, the First Hokage's Wood Release was power that pacified a chaotic age! Don't you want it to appear in Konoha once more?"

Danzo sneered, then spoke seriously.

"Enough!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked coldly at Danzo.

"You were even given the corpses of the First Hokage and the Senju Clan for your research, but what have you produced so far?

How many ninja have willingly become test subjects during this time, yet not a single one has survived to this day.

And now you actually want to set your sights on Tsunade and make her one of your experimental samples?"

After speaking, the Third Hokage closed his eyes. Pain showed on his aged face.

"Too many members of the Senju Clan have already died.

If even Tsunade, the Senju Clan's princess, were to meet with misfortune...

How would we face the other great clans in the future? Would they still trust us?

Even if you and I go to the next world someday, how would we face our teacher?"

"Letting you secretly research the First Hokage's Cells is already the limit. As for Tsunade... no one may touch her!"

Danzo looked at the Third Hokage, anger evident on his face.

"Danzo, if anything happens to Tsunade, resign and make way for someone else!"

Danzo snorted coldly and stormed out the door.