Yamanaka Secret Technique, Obtained! (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Same as last weekend?"

"Mhm."

Uchiha Sagiri's request was actually very simple—she didn't need Uchiha Setsuna to do anything with her. She just wanted to watch him train. That was all.

Uchiha Sagiri had no other friends.

But even a little girl so easy to satisfy seemed unforgivable in Uchiha Itachi's eyes. On the night of the clan's downfall, Itachi killed many like her.

The next day.

"Begin simulation!"

[Age 6: You display a genius talent, drawing the attention of many.]

[Age 6, 1 month: Yamanaka Ino confesses to you. You accept. Yamanaka Ino is overjoyed.]

[However, your other deskmate, Hyuga Hinata, seems a bit downcast.]

[Age 6, 2 months: Sakura approaches you, hoping you'll help her set up a date with Uchiha Sasuke. You refuse.]

[Age 6, 3 months: You reveal that your eyes have awakened, gaining even more attention.]

[Age 6, 4 months: You take the initiative to find Hiruzen Sarutobi and tell him about the Uchiha Clan's impending rebellion. Under Hiruzen's arrangements, you gain an Anbu identity.]

[You secretly monitor the Uchiha Clan, providing intelligence to Hiruzen Sarutobi.]

[Age 6, 5 months: Under your guidance, Yamanaka Ino invites you to visit the Yamanaka Clan. When you're alone together, you use Genjutsu: Sharingan on her.]

[You obtain the location of the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique scrolls.]

[You arrive at the Yamanaka Clan.]

[You use Shadow Clone Technique and Transformation Technique to search the Yamanaka Clan.]

[Someone observes you from the shadows.]

[The observers include not only Yamanaka Clan members but also Anbu ninja.]

[They seem to be waiting for you to succeed.]

[Finally, you find the location of the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique scroll. You open the box and take the scroll in hand. The observing ninja rush in.]

[Your Shadow Clone outside is destroyed. Yamanaka Ino stands frozen, not understanding what's happening.]

[Yamanaka Inoichi and the Anbu ninja corner you in the room, leaving no gap for escape.]

[You grip the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique scroll tightly, flash them a smile, then pull out a kunai with your other hand and stab it fiercely into your own heart.]

[You die.]

[Yamanaka Inoichi and the Anbu ninja's pupils contract. They stare at your corpse in silence.]

[They exchange glances, all thinking you were insane.]

[Yamanaka Ino weeps over your body.]

[This simulation ends.]

[Please choose one of the following two rewards:]

[1: Nothing.]

[2: The object you were holding in your hand at the moment of death.]

"I got it!"

Uchiha Setsuna broke into a smile.

"Not bad."

"In the simulation, Yamanaka Inoichi and the Anbu ninja all thought my actions were incomprehensible, unable to understand what I was trying to achieve—because they're just characters in the Life Simulator."

"But for me, as long as I obtain it in the simulation, I can acquire it in the real world."

"That's the meaning of my Life Simulator."

"Though... I used Yamanaka Ino again."

Uchiha Setsuna made up his mind.

"I choose 2!"

The next moment, two objects appeared in Uchiha Setsuna's hands.

A kunai, and a secret technique scroll.

Uchiha Setsuna tossed the kunai aside.

Then he immediately opened the scroll.

"This is the technique."

The Yamanaka Clan's secret technique scroll—one scroll per technique. The one Uchiha Setsuna had obtained was exactly what he wanted: the Memory Invasion Technique.

As long as he could touch the target's head, he could invade their memories.

Uchiha Setsuna watched for a moment, then hid the secret technique scroll.

"As expected of a secret technique—learning it is quite difficult."

"But I can study it inside the Life Simulator."

"Right now, in the Life Simulator, I can secure at most a year and a half of time."

"That's enough. A year and a half will definitely be enough to learn it."

Uchiha Setsuna walked out of the room. After breakfast, he headed to the small forest.

"Brother Setsuna."

Before long, Uchiha Sagiri arrived.

She sat on the Old Actor Stone, watching Uchiha Setsuna train.

As she chatted with him about last week's events—things nearby, some of her own thoughts and guesses, and plans for the future—

Uchiha Setsuna listened while continuing his training.

Neither was neglected.

Elsewhere.

Uchiha Sasuke was training on the practice ground.

Naruto was in the small forest.

Akimichi Choji was at the barbecue restaurant.

Nara Shikamaru was spacing out.

Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura were shopping together.

Hyuga Hinata was at the Hyuga Clan's training ground.

Kiba Inuzuka was training with Akamaru.

Hokage Office Building.

"Two weeks have passed, Iruka. How are those students doing?"

Iruka came before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Lord Hokage, most of the students are performing quite well. Only a few are disobedient."

"Tell me about it."

Iruka paused, then said, "The best performer is Uchiha Sasuke. In every subject, he's basically at the top."

"Next is Hyuga Hinata."

"Both of them had already undergone considerable training before entering the Ninja Academy."

"Nara Shikamaru's grades aren't bad, but he's very lazy."

"Akimichi Choji often sneaks snacks during class."

"Among the civilian ninja, one named Haruno Sakura stands out."

"Naruto has caused quite a bit of trouble—he doesn't listen in class and frequently pulls pranks."

"Kiba Inuzuka's ninja dog has caused plenty of disruptions in the classroom."

"Uchiha Setsuna often zones out. Compared to Uchiha Sasuke, he's far behind. For another Uchiha, he can't even match some civilian ninja."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"That's normal. No matter how powerful a ninja clan, there are always mediocre members."

"Just like back then with Minato's student, that one named Tobi Uchiha—wasn't he also the dead last?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

"Iruka, in such a short time, you've already gotten to know those students so well. Very good. I didn't misjudge you. I'm entrusting these children to you."

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will do my best."

"Good."

Watching Iruka leave until his figure disappeared, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened slightly.

"Uchiha Sasuke..."

"Is the Uchiha Clan about to produce another genius?"

"As expected of the Uchiha."

"Truly enviable."

"What a pity..."