Does Any Other Uchiha Deserve to Live? (Seeking Votes, Seeking Follow-ups)

Uchiha Sasuke finished the long-distance run first.

The second event followed immediately.

For students only six years old, the training volume Iruka had arranged was truly substantial.

As a result, barely halfway through, many could no longer hold on.

Gasping heavily, sweat dripping nonstop.

Uchiha Setsuna pretended to be struggling.

"Setsuna, are you okay?"

Yamanaka Ino came over on her own, offering a bottle of water.

"I'm fine, thank you."

But Uchiha Setsuna didn't take the water from Yamanaka Ino.

Yamanaka Ino awkwardly withdrew the bottle, quickly glancing around to see if anyone had noticed, then let out a small sigh of relief.

Sakura was staring at Uchiha Sasuke with sparkling eyes.

"As expected of Sasuke!"

"Amazing!"

"Go, Sasuke!"

Sakura was squeezed in with a crowd of other girls.

In this single small class, there were plenty of girls who liked Sasuke, and Sakura faced fierce competition.

Still, Sakura had some confidence in herself.

Especially since her biggest potential rival wasn't interested in Uchiha Sasuke.

"Without Ino, no one can compete with me."

"Oh right, where's Ino?"

Sakura turned her head and spotted Yamanaka Ino sitting not far away, staring at Uchiha Setsuna with the same look Sakura had for Uchiha Sasuke.

"Ino actually likes Uchiha Setsuna?"

"Sasuke is clearly the cooler one."

"But this works out."

Hyuga Hinata glanced at Uchiha Setsuna, her eyes flickering slightly.

"Setsuna-kun works so hard, even training before coming to school in the morning, yet he's not performing well now. Is it because his talent isn't good?"

"It's a pity, I can't share the Hyuga Clan's training methods..."

The morning physical training ended.

Uchiha Sasuke unsurprisingly took first place.

Naruto started off strong.

But gradually, his results in some events weren't ideal.

Uchiha Setsuna glanced in Naruto's direction.

"Right now, Naruto hasn't fully tapped into his strengths; he's just relying on reckless momentum."

"Combined with his abysmal academic scores, that's why he's the dead last."

A breeze blew, carrying a chill.

"Training's over!"

Iruka looked around and said, "Everyone performed well this morning. Special praise goes to Uchiha Sasuke. I hope you all can learn from him."

Uchiha Sasuke lifted his chin, looking very proud.

"But for those who didn't perform as well, don't worry. Your studies at the Ninja Academy have only just begun. In the days ahead, we'll work hard together."

"I believe you can all become qualified ninjas."

Naruto heard Iruka's praise for Uchiha Sasuke, envy showing in his eyes.

That was exactly what Naruto dreamed of.

In truth, Naruto didn't ask for much—just acceptance and recognition from others.

Uchiha Setsuna deliberately stood far from Naruto.

He felt sympathy for Naruto.

But he was even more aware that Naruto's identity was special. The Konoha High Command would certainly keep a close eye on him. If Setsuna got too close, he'd be noticed immediately.

In the Life Simulator, Uchiha Setsuna could try all sorts of things.

But in the real world, he couldn't afford a single mistake.

One wrong move, and there would be no chance left to change the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall.

The bell for the end of class rang.

Everyone filed out of the classroom one after another.

"Uchiha Setsuna."

Uchiha Sasuke caught up to him.

"Uchiha Sasuke, is there something?"

"About yesterday, I really didn't take your actual situation into account. Sorry. But if you run into any problems while studying, you can always come ask me."

Uchiha Sasuke said, "I'll do my best to help with whatever I can."

Uchiha Setsuna was silent for a moment.

"Why me?"

"Huh?"

"There's more than just me in the Uchiha Clan. Plenty of others are your age too. Their circumstances aren't all great, and they need help as well."

"Because you're the closest to me."

Uchiha Sasuke said, "My dream is to lead the entire Uchiha Clan to its peak and restore the glory we deserve. I believe I can do it."

"My brother, Uchiha Itachi, is a genius of the Uchiha Clan."

"I believe I won't fall short either."

"The Uchiha Clan isn't in a good place right now. I want to change all of this."

"But with my current ability, I can't do much."

"So I have to start by changing things around me first."

"Uchiha Setsuna, it's not just you I want to help—it's all the Uchiha."

Uchiha Setsuna was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Uchiha Sasuke to say something like that.

If Uchiha Sasuke had said he wanted to help Uchiha Setsuna just because they were in the same class, Setsuna would have thought Sasuke was only doing it for his own pride.

But when Sasuke said he wanted to help all the Uchiha, and was only starting with Setsuna because his ability was limited—that carried a different meaning.

Uchiha Setsuna held no malice toward Uchiha Sasuke, but because of Uchiha Itachi's existence, he had felt some resistance toward Sasuke. Now, though, a sliver of goodwill toward Uchiha Sasuke grew in Setsuna's heart.

This was someone who had the other members of the Uchiha Clan in mind.

Not like Uchiha Itachi.

"Thanks."

But Uchiha Setsuna still didn't say much to Uchiha Sasuke. He quickly turned and headed home.

Uchiha Sasuke watched Uchiha Setsuna's retreating back and broke into a smile.

"I will definitely lead the Uchiha to its peak!"

When he got home, Uchiha Sasuke immediately ran up to Mikoto Uchiha.

"Mother, I got first place in today's physical training!"

"First place? That's really good."

Mikoto Uchiha didn't hold back her praise.

In the backyard, Uchiha Setsuna was training while thinking about Uchiha Sasuke.

"Uchiha Sasuke isn't beyond saving. He still has the other members of the Uchiha Clan in his heart."

"But Uchiha Itachi is truly hopeless."

"He doesn't treat the lives of other Uchiha Clan members as lives at all."

"In the Life Simulator, he killed me several times."

"If he had any humanity left, what would it matter if he let me leave?"

"Is he really so unable to tolerate another Uchiha?"

"Uchiha Sasuke gets to live, but other Uchiha don't deserve to?"

Day broke.

Uchiha Setsuna opened his eyes.

"Begin simulation!"