Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken some interest in Second Pillar.
Over the years, Hiruzen Sarutobi had seen many geniuses of the Uchiha Clan.
Not to mention Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna from back then.
Uchiha Madara had been on par with Hashirama Senju.
Uchiha Izuna had been comparable to Tobirama Senju.
Those two had both been Hokage of Konoha.
Then there was Kagami Uchiha, an Uchiha who had earned Tobirama Senju's recognition.
That was exceedingly rare.
After that came Uchiha Shisui, who had made a name for himself at a very young age.
The name Body Flicker Shisui was known not only in Konoha, but by people in many other parts of the ninja world.
Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.
It was called Kotoamatsukami, reputed to be the strongest genjutsu, capable of directly altering a person's thoughts.
Such a terrifying ability was enough to make countless people deeply wary.
Uchiha Itachi's strength had likewise reached an extremely high level.
According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's understanding, he was likely no weaker than Uchiha Shisui.
"Now another genius, Second Pillar, has appeared."
"The Uchiha truly are a frightening existence."
"Especially the Sharingan—no, to be precise, the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"Both are clans of ocular jutsu users, yet the Hyuga Clan falls far too short."
"If the Uchiha were like the Hyuga Clan, that would save me a lot of worry."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked toward the Hyuga Clan's compound, then turned toward the Uchiha compound. Only after a long while did he withdraw his gaze, his thoughts churning endlessly.
The name Uchiha Setsuna left no impression in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
As evening approached, Uchiha Setsuna finished his training.
"Sagiri, let's head back."
"All right, Brother Setsuna."
The two held hands as they emerged from the woods.
When they returned home, Uchiha Kayan had already prepared dinner.
Ever since using the Life Simulator, Uchiha Setsuna had noticed something: his appetite had become far greater than before, and he had to eat a lot to feel full.
Little ninjas his age, even with training intensity similar to Uchiha Setsuna's, did not eat even half as much as he did.
Fortunately, that was no big deal.
There were plenty of big eaters in Konoha.
The Akimichi Clan was a typical example. Naruto could eat a lot too, but Hyuga Hinata could eat even more.
She was the sort of person who would definitely win a big-eater competition.
Therefore, the little bit Uchiha Setsuna displayed was not a problem.
The next day.
"Begin simulation!"
Uchiha Setsuna opened his eyes.
"The main objective of this simulation is to learn the Yamanaka Clan Secret Technique, Mind Invasion."
"This secret technique isn't only useful for obtaining intelligence within the Root Organization. It will surely be useful in many other situations too. It's an extremely convenient ninjutsu."
[At age 6, you were utterly ordinary and attracted no one's attention.]
[In secret, you studied Yamanaka Secret Techniques.]
[At 6 years and 1 month old, Yamanaka Ino confessed to you, but you rejected her. Yamanaka Ino was deeply disappointed.]
[In secret, you studied Yamanaka Secret Techniques.]
[At 6 years and 6 months old, you still had not learned the Yamanaka Secret Technique. You realized that you needed more time; one year might not be enough for you to learn it.]
[You took the initiative to seek out Danzo and pledged allegiance to him.]
[You wanted to use Danzo to gain yourself another half year.]
[At 6 years and 7 months old, under Danzo's orders, you monitored the Uchiha Clan.]
[In secret, you studied Yamanaka Secret Techniques.]
[At age 7, the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall erupted.]
[At 7 years and 1 month old, you carried out the missions assigned by Danzo.]
[In secret, you studied Yamanaka Secret Techniques.]
[At 7 years and 4 months old, you finally learned the Yamanaka Secret Technique, Mind Invasion.]
[Overjoyed, you immediately captured a Root Ninja and used Mind Invasion on him. You read the memories in the ninja's mind, and he became an idiot.]
[At 7 years and 5 months old, you returned to the Root Organization's base, captured Root Organization members, and used Mind Invasion. You obtained a great deal of intelligence about the Root Organization.]
[You were discovered.]
[Danzo issued an order to kill you on sight.]
[A large number of Root Ninjas hunted you down.]
[You tried to escape.]
[But you failed.]
[The Root Ninjas surrounded and trapped you.]
[You died.]
[Please choose the reward you desire from the following two options.]
[1: Yamanaka Secret Technique, Mind Invasion.]
[2: The item you held in your hand before dying.]
"Anything that can be called a secret technique is indeed difficult to learn."
"My talent isn't that great, but I'm an Uchiha after all."
"And I've awakened the Sharingan."
"Yet it still took a full year and four months to learn this Yamanaka Clan Secret Technique."
"Good thing I have the Life Simulator."
"Only one day passed in the real world."
"If I had tried to learn this secret technique in the real world, I would never have had the chance to master it."
A smile appeared on Uchiha Setsuna's face.
"With this secret technique, my next moves will become much more convenient."
A thought crossed Uchiha Setsuna's mind.
"I choose 1!"
A flood of information poured into Uchiha Setsuna's mind.
In an instant, Uchiha Setsuna completely mastered the secret technique Mind Invasion.
After breakfast, Uchiha Setsuna headed for the Training Ground.
On the way, Uchiha Setsuna ran into someone he did not want to meet.
Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Setsuna did not look at Uchiha Itachi, but he could feel Uchiha Itachi's gaze settling on him. It was different from last time.
Uchiha Setsuna's eyes flickered.
Only after confirming that Uchiha Itachi had gone far away did he glance back.
"Last time, Uchiha Itachi's gaze toward me was very indifferent."
"But this time, there was a faint trace of disgust in the way Uchiha Itachi looked at me."
Rather than being alarmed, Uchiha Setsuna breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's more like it!"
"Uchiha Itachi looks at most members of the Uchiha Clan that way."
"But I didn't sense it last time."
"That's why I kept even more distance from Second Pillar in the real world."
"It seems what I said to Second Pillar last time had an effect."
"Now, in the real world, Uchiha Itachi won't pay much attention to me."
Uchiha Setsuna walked into the small forest.
"But this is actually rather ironic."
"No member of the Uchiha Clan owes Uchiha Itachi anything."
"On the contrary, Uchiha Itachi will commit the atrocity of wiping out the Uchiha Clan in the future."
"Yet Uchiha Itachi can righteously despise the members of the Uchiha Clan."
Before you continue