Do Other Uchiha Not Deserve to Live?

Second Pillar was the first to finish the long-distance run.

The second event followed immediately after.

For students who were only six years old, the training Iruka had arranged was already quite demanding.

Thus, they had barely reached the halfway point when many were already unable to keep going.

They panted heavily as sweat dripped continuously from their bodies.

Uchiha Setsuna pretended to be exhausted.

"Setsuna, are you alright?"

Yamanaka Ino took the initiative to approach him and handed him a bottle of water.

"I'm fine, thanks."

But Uchiha Setsuna did not take Yamanaka Ino's water.

Yamanaka Ino awkwardly withdrew her hand. She immediately looked around, and only after confirming that no one had noticed did she sigh in relief.

Sakura was staring at Second Pillar with sparkling eyes.

"As expected of Sasuke!"

"He's amazing!"

"Go, Sasuke!"

Sakura was squeezed together with many other little girls.

Even in this small class, quite a few girls liked Sasuke, and Sakura faced fierce competition.

However, Sakura still had some confidence in herself.

Especially since the biggest rival she had been worried about was not interested in Second Pillar.

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

"Wait, where's Ino?"

Sakura turned around and saw Yamanaka Ino sitting nearby, looking at Uchiha Setsuna with the same gaze Sakura used when looking at Second Pillar.

"Ino really likes Uchiha Setsuna?"

"Obviously Sasuke is much more handsome."

"But this is good too."

Hyuga Hinata looked at Uchiha Setsuna, her gaze flickering slightly.

"Setsuna works so hard. He even trained before coming to school this morning, yet he isn't performing very well now. Is it because his talent isn't good enough?"

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

The morning physical training came to an end.

Second Pillar took first place without any suspense.

Naruto had performed quite well at first.

But gradually, his results in certain events became less than ideal.

Uchiha Setsuna glanced in Naruto's direction.

"Naruto hasn't fully developed his strengths yet. He's relying entirely on a reckless burst of momentum."

"Combined with his utterly terrible academic grades, that's why he became the dead last."

A breeze blew through, carrying a faint chill.

"Training is over!"

Iruka looked around and said, "Everyone did very well this morning. Second Pillar deserves special praise in particular. I hope everyone can learn from him."

Second Pillar raised his chin, looking very proud.

"However, those of you who didn't perform as well don't need to worry. Your studies at the Ninja Academy have only just begun. In the days ahead, we will work hard together."

"I believe all of you can become qualified ninjas."

When Naruto heard Iruka praise Second Pillar, envy appeared in his eyes.

This was precisely what Naruto dreamed of.

In truth, Naruto did not ask for much. All he wanted was acceptance and recognition from others.

Uchiha Setsuna deliberately stood far away from Naruto.

Uchiha Setsuna sympathized with Naruto.

But Uchiha Setsuna knew even more clearly that Naruto's identity was special. The Konoha High Command would certainly be watching Naruto closely, and if he got too close to Naruto, he would immediately draw attention.

Within the Life Simulator, Uchiha Setsuna could make all kinds of attempts.

But in the real world, Uchiha Setsuna could not afford to make even a single mistake.

Once he made a mistake, he would never again have any chance to change the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall.

The bell signaling the end of class rang.

Everyone left the classroom one after another.

"Uchiha Setsuna."

Second Pillar caught up to him.

"Second Pillar, do you need something?"

"What happened yesterday really was because I didn't take your actual circumstances into account. Sorry. But if you run into any problems while studying, you can come ask me."

Second Pillar said, "I'll do my best to help with anything I can."

Uchiha Setsuna fell silent for a moment.

"Why me?"

"Huh?"

"There isn't just one Uchiha. Besides me, there are quite a few people your age whose circumstances aren't very good either. They need help too."

"Because you're the closest to me."

Second Pillar said, "My dream is to lead the entire Uchiha Clan to its peak and restore the glory the Uchiha Clan deserves. I believe I can do it."

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

"I believe I won't be any worse."

"The Uchiha aren't doing very well right now. I want to change all of that."

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

"I can only try to start by changing what is around me."

"Uchiha Setsuna, it's not just you I want to help. It's every Uchiha."

Uchiha Setsuna was slightly stunned. He had not expected Second Pillar to say something like that.

If Second Pillar had said that he wanted to help Uchiha Setsuna because they were classmates, Uchiha Setsuna would have only thought that Second Pillar was trying to save face.

But Second Pillar said he wanted to help every Uchiha, only that his abilities were limited, so he was starting with Uchiha Setsuna.

The meaning behind that was different.

Uchiha Setsuna bore no ill will toward Second Pillar, but because of Uchiha Itachi, he had always felt some resistance toward him. Yet now, a trace of goodwill toward Second Pillar arose in his heart.

This was someone who kept other members of the Uchiha Clan in his heart.

Unlike Uchiha Itachi.

"Thanks."

But Uchiha Setsuna still did not say much more to Second Pillar. Instead, he quickly headed home.

Second Pillar watched Uchiha Setsuna's retreating figure and smiled.

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

After returning home, Second Pillar immediately jogged over to Mikoto Uchiha.

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

"First place? That's wonderful."

Mikoto Uchiha did not hold back her praise.

In the backyard, Uchiha Setsuna trained while thinking about Second Pillar.

"Second Pillar isn't beyond saving. He still cares about the other members of the Uchiha Clan."

"But Uchiha Itachi really is beyond saving."

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

"He killed me several times in the Life Simulator."

"If he had even a shred of humanity, what would have been wrong with letting me leave?"

"Could he really not tolerate even one other Uchiha?"

"Second Pillar gets to live, but other Uchiha aren't qualified to live?"

Dawn came.

Uchiha Setsuna opened his eyes.

"Begin simulation!"