Counterattack Upgrade

"Mm."

The Third Hokage nodded. "That's why I only had the ANBU watch from the sidelines instead of intervening."

"I don't know why, but Yan really is guiding their training."

Ever since Yan had set Konoha Back Mountain ablaze, the Third Hokage, like Orochimaru, had recognized that he was far stronger than others his age.

The Third Hokage looked up at the other silent ninja. "What do you all think?"

"I think it's a good thing. If possible, I'd like Yan to keep training them. But we should ask the children what they want."

Sakumo spoke first, and Mitarashi Masamune nodded along.

His little girl might be growing attached to someone else, but with the Shinobi World as it was, Anko needed enough strength to protect herself.

"I agree."

Shinku Yuhi agreed with Sakumo as well. The other ninja nodded too. Who wouldn't want their child to be stronger?

The Third Hokage looked at the silent Fugaku.

"I have no objection, but I think someone should keep an eye on them. Yan's... ahem, behavior can be a little unconventional."

Fugaku worried that Yan's Sharingan might be exposed, but under the circumstances, he could find no reason to stop him.

All he could do was curse inwardly:

You little brat. You'd better keep it hidden.

Fugaku glanced around without giving anything away. Danzo wasn't here, but he would certainly hear about what had happened today.

If the Third Hokage refused to take a stand, Fugaku would have no choice but to stop Yan by force.

"You needn't worry about that. Come in."

As soon as the Third Hokage spoke, the office door swung open.

Orochimaru walked in, his face pale.

"Orochimaru has no missions outside the village for the time being, so I've asked him to watch over the children. I've also assigned several ANBU."

Orochimaru nodded to everyone.

"I'll keep an eye on the children."

Fugaku frowned slightly. Orochimaru was too clever. He might spot Yan's Sharingan with ease.

Fugaku had intended to have someone from the Uchiha watch over them, but that might give Danzo an excuse.

Forget it. Orochimaru will do. At least Danzo won't be able to pull anything underhanded.

Meanwhile, the Crystal Ball continued to show the training ground. Yan's Shadow Clone entered carrying a pile of boxed lunches.

"Hey, isn't this a bit much?"

After setting down the lunches and grumbling at the original, the Shadow Clone vanished in a puff of white smoke.

"Everyone, come eat!"

Smiling, Yan handed out the lunches to the exhausted group.

"You really didn't pull your punches."

Anko rubbed her sore backside. Beside her, Kurenai looked at Kakashi, who had only just woken after being knocked unconscious, and Obito, who was struggling to get up. She smiled without saying a word.

Seeing Yan's bright smile in the Crystal Ball, the Third Hokage felt, for a moment, as though he were looking at that blond man who had always worn a gentle smile.

Another Minato...?

What the Third Hokage didn't know was that Yan was smiling because system notifications kept ringing in his mind.

[Victor decided! Defeated Kakashi Hatake (Ninja Academy). Received 100 Gold Coins.]

[Victor decided! Defeated Asuma Sarutobi (Ninja Academy). Received 100 Gold Coins.]

...

Yan had earned a full 800 Gold Coins from that one fight.

He reviewed his experience earning Gold Coins so far. It seemed the deciding factor wasn't how strong his opponents were relative to him. There was some sort of minimum threshold.

Even Rin Nohara and Anko had yielded Gold Coins, yet Obito hadn't given him any before.

Watching Yan hand out lunches to his classmates in the Crystal Ball, Fugaku smiled faintly, then froze.

Where did that brat get the money to buy so many lunches?!

"Now then, go home and ask your children what they think."

Everyone bowed slightly to the Third Hokage before leaving the office.

Once they were gone, the Third Hokage rose and looked toward Hokage Rock.

The last rays of sunset fell across Konoha. Night was about to descend.

Tension at the border had not disturbed the village's peace, but beneath that calm, trouble was brewing.

"Hiruzen! What are you thinking? Why are you letting that Homura Uchiha gather the younger generation around him?!"

The door was shoved open, and Danzo's accusation followed.

When Danzo learned that Yan had taken the younger generation to the training ground, he immediately sent Root to disperse them and bring Yan back to Root Base.

But the ANBU had stopped them outside the training ground.

"Have you forgotten our teacher's teachings? If the Uchiha win over the younger generation, what will happen to the village?"

Danzo stepped forward, his one visible eye fixed on the Third Hokage's back.

"Aren't the Uchiha members of the village too?"

More than a decade later, the Third Hokage would be weak and ineffectual, compromising with threats both inside and outside the village.

But that would be when he was old and frail, and postwar Konoha lacked promising successors.

Now he still carried the presence of the Shinobi Hero. The Third Hokage turned and met Danzo's gaze.

Danzo looked away involuntarily, though he kept arguing that the Uchiha were a threat. "Hmph. They're a dangerous clan. I say we have Root seize that brat—"

Bang!

"Enough, Danzo! The Uchiha are members of this village too! Homura Uchiha is a child with the Will of Fire. Keep your hands off him!"

Without the Nine-Tails' Rampage to influence him, the Third Hokage still preferred a peaceful approach to the Uchiha. Only afterward would he grow more suspicious of them.

The Hokage's Office then staged its classic performance:

You'll regret this!

I'm the Hokage!

Bang!

The Uchiha Clan Compound.

Yan returned home only after seeing everyone else safely back to theirs.

The moment he stepped through the door, Fugaku stopped him.

A bill appeared in front of Yan's face.

"Would someone explain what this bill is about?"

Fugaku had thought Yan had found his secret stash of money, but when he checked, it was untouched.

Instead, someone had come to his door saying Yan had bought things on credit at their shop and told them Clan Leader Fugaku would cover every expense.

"Uh, well... you wouldn't want Mikoto to find out about the money you've been hiding, would you?"

"I've already used my secret stash to pay your bill. If I get rid of you too, there'll be no witnesses!"

Yan swallowed and prepared to bolt.

But Fugaku merely sighed. "Go inside and eat. There are some leftovers. Heat them up and they'll be fine."

"You made quite a scene today. Luckily, the Third Hokage didn't hold it against you. He's even letting you continue. But be careful. Don't expose those eyes."

Yan knew his gamble had paid off. He had anticipated the Third Hokage's reaction before putting this plan into motion.

To prevent the Uchiha from becoming a marginalized minority in the future, he first had to ease the rift between the clan and the village leadership, especially the Third Hokage.

If the Third Hokage saw Yan's actions as an attempt by the Uchiha to win over the younger generation, their relationship would only worsen.

Fortunately, before the Nine-Tails' Rampage, the Third Hokage's attitude toward the Uchiha was still uncertain. He had seen this as a chance to break the ice.

Yan opened the system while he ate.

He silently instructed it:

Upgrade Counterattack.

With a ding, the Counterattack panel changed:

[Counterattack Lv2: Successfully defend against an attack within 1.5 seconds of assuming a defensive stance to gain a buff that boosts all your abilities. Can trigger twice in succession. Lasts 5 seconds.]

Yan marveled inwardly:

Counterattack into another Counterattack. I'm such a menace.