"Today's ninja tool lesson is on shuriken."
Iruka led the students to the Training Ground.
"Compared to kunai, shuriken are harder to throw, but they offer more possibilities."
"In most cases, kunai can only travel in a straight line."
"But shuriken can follow an arc, making them harder for opponents to predict."
"That requires more time and training to master."
There was no change from the previous lessons. Second Pillar was still the most outstanding student in the class.
Uchiha Setsuna maintained his usual principle.
He hid among the crowd without standing out, acting like an ordinary Uchiha.
Class ended. He went home, trained, ate dinner, and slept.
Early the next morning, Uchiha Setsuna got up.
"Start Simulation!"
[At age 6, you displayed the bearing of a genius and attracted countless people's attention.] [At 6 years and 1 month, Second Pillar challenged you and was utterly defeated. Second Pillar was extremely unwilling to accept it and swore that he would defeat you before graduating from the Ninja Academy.] [At 6 years and 2 months, Yamanaka Ino confessed to you. She was deeply disappointed when she received no response.] ... [At 6 years and 6 months, you became a member of Root.] [At 6 years and 7 months, you monitored the Uchiha Clan.] ... [At age 7, the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall erupted, and the Uchiha Clan was wiped out.] [At 7 years and 1 month, you carried out a mission under Shimura Danzō's orders and killed a Konoha ninja.] ... [At 7 years and 5 months, knowing what would happen a month later, you chose to flee during a mission. You hid in the Land of Earth, and Danzo quickly became aware of your actions.] [Danzo ordered Root Ninja to hunt you down.] [You killed 4 Root Ninja who caught up to you.] [You fled for half a month.] [An elite Root Ninja squad appeared before you. You recognized Yakushi Kabuto among them, so you told Yakushi Kabuto about Yakushi Nonō.] [Upon hearing Yakushi Nonō's name, Yakushi Kabuto gave you some time.] [You revealed Danzo's conspiracy.] [You explained that Yakushi Nonō had not forgotten Yakushi Kabuto. Danzo had given Yakushi Nonō the wrong photograph, which was why she could not recognize Yakushi Kabuto.] [This was Danzo's sick amusement.] [Yakushi Kabuto hesitated for a long time and did not believe you.] [You died.] [This Life Simulation has ended.] [Please choose the reward you want from the two options below.] [1: Nothing.] [2: The item in your hand before you died.]
Uchiha Setsuna opened his eyes.
"Yakushi Nonō truly is someone Yakushi Kabuto cares deeply about. The moment I mentioned her name, Yakushi Kabuto gave me time to say more."
"But words alone cannot make Yakushi Kabuto believe me."
"I need evidence."
Uchiha Setsuna's eyes flickered.
Then, he looked at the two reward options.
"I choose 2!"
The next moment, nothing appeared in Uchiha Setsuna's hand.
Uchiha Setsuna: "..."
"Does that mean I had nothing in my hand before I died in that Life Simulation?"
"In my next Life Simulation, I should find time to learn something."
"At least then I won't come away empty-handed."
"Even minor ninjutsu might come in handy at a critical moment."
After entering the classroom, Uchiha Setsuna continued thinking about Yakushi Kabuto during class.
"To make Yakushi Kabuto believe me, I need to find evidence. That evidence may be where Yakushi Nonō used to live, but Danzo has probably already destroyed it."
"If any evidence still exists, it is most likely in Danzo's possession."
"By normal reasoning, Danzo enjoys doing this sort of thing."
"Things like this give Danzo a sense of accomplishment, so he would definitely preserve some evidence."
Just then, Uchiha Setsuna felt a hand reach toward him from both sides at the same time.
Startled, he nearly counterattacked on instinct.
Fortunately, Uchiha Setsuna realized that he was still in the classroom and forcibly held himself back.
"Setsuna, Teacher Iruka is calling you."
Yamanaka Ino said.
Hyuga Hinata said the same thing from the other side, though her voice was much quieter.
Uchiha Setsuna came back to his senses and stood up.
"Teacher Iruka."
"Setsuna, today's lesson is quite important. Don't lose focus."
"Sorry, Teacher Iruka. I didn't rest well last night. I'll pay attention."
"Alright, sit down."
"Yes, Teacher Iruka."
Uchiha Setsuna sat down.
Second Pillar glanced in Uchiha Setsuna's direction.
"Setsuna, are you alright?"
Yamanaka Ino leaned a little closer and asked quietly.
"I'm fine."
Uchiha Setsuna shook his head.
"Thank you."
Then Uchiha Setsuna turned slightly toward Hyuga Hinata and quietly said,
"Thank you."
When the morning classes ended, Uchiha Setsuna took out his lunchbox.
Some students who lived nearby chose to go home.
Most, like Uchiha Setsuna, ate packed lunches.
For a time, the classroom filled with the scents of all kinds of food.
"Setsuna, want to eat together?"
Yamanaka Ino picked up her lunchbox and looked at Uchiha Setsuna.
This was something many Ninja Academy students did: sharing lunchboxes with close classmates. It represented their friendship and also allowed everyone to taste more kinds of food.
It was killing two birds with one stone.
Yamanaka Ino had previously always eaten with Sakura.
But Sakura had not brought a lunchbox today and had gone outside instead.
"No."
Uchiha Setsuna declined Yamanaka Ino's kind offer.
Yamanaka Ino looked somewhat disappointed.
Hyuga Hinata glanced toward Uchiha Setsuna and handed him a small snack.
"Setsuna, if you didn't rest well, eat some of this. It will help you feel more awake."
Uchiha Setsuna looked at it. It was a snack similar to dried tangerine peel candy.
"Thank you."
"But there's no need. I'm already fine."
Uchiha Setsuna had not truly failed to rest well. He had merely been preoccupied with his thoughts.
The Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall was like a great mountain, heavily pressing down on Uchiha Setsuna's shoulders. He had to find a way to break this fate and let Uchiha Kayan and the others live.
But it was far more difficult than Uchiha Setsuna had initially imagined.
Even with the Life Simulator, this was no easy task.
"The enemy's viciousness is beyond words."
"And within the Uchiha, there are plenty of useless teammates, along with an extremely powerful traitor."
Before you continue