[Please choose one of the following two options as your reward.] [1: Nothing.] [2: The item you were holding before your death.]
"I choose 2!"
The next moment, nothing appeared in Uchiha Setsuna's hand.
This proved that in this Life Simulation, Uchiha Setsuna had been holding nothing before his death.
Uchiha Setsuna was in a somewhat foul mood.
It was not because this had been a failed Life Simulation. In fact, this Life Simulation had been fairly successful.
Uchiha Setsuna had bought himself five years.
A full five years.
Uchiha Setsuna had gained more time from this Life Simulation than from any previous one.
Uchiha Setsuna had thought he might be able to raise his Chakra level from Elite Jonin to Kage level.
Or perhaps raise his Two Tomoe Sharingan to Three Tomoe.
But there had been nothing.
Over a full five years, he had not improved in either respect at all.
That was the real reason Uchiha Setsuna was in such a foul mood.
If the simulation failed, Uchiha Setsuna could adjust his plan.
But if these two things failed, it could only mean that Uchiha Setsuna's talent in those areas truly was insufficient.
Uchiha Setsuna forced himself to calm down and analyzed this Life Simulation.
"I thought that if I gave Kumogakure enough intelligence on Konoha, Kumogakure would trust me."
"But that was just wishful thinking."
"Kumogakure would never trust me."
"Even after I revealed so much secret intelligence about Konoha, Kumogakure still imprisoned me and guarded me tightly. I tried to escape, but I couldn't get away."
Uchiha Setsuna had chosen Kumogakure because it was safe and unafraid of Konoha.
"No matter what I say or do, Kumogakure will imprison me and take away my freedom."
"If that's the case, then there's no need for me to tell Kumogakure so much about Konoha."
"Without enough intelligence, Kumogakure won't go to war with Konoha."
"That way, I can gain more time."
After thinking it over seriously, Uchiha Setsuna felt that he had two options for his next simulation.
One was to continue along the Kumogakure route, but not give Kumogakure so much intelligence about Konoha. If Kumogakure did not go to war with Konoha, he could stay safely in Kumogakure until at least the Fourth Shinobi World War.
"Even if Uchiha Itachi is dissatisfied with an Uchiha like me who fled Konoha, if Kumogakure hasn't fought a major war with Konoha, Uchiha Itachi will have to pay a price to invade it."
"For Second Pillar's sake, Uchiha Itachi won't do it either."
The second option was to temporarily abandon the Kumogakure route and focus on acquiring ninjutsu from Konoha or Kirigakure.
To increase his strength, Chakra level and Kekkei Genkai were one aspect.
Ninjutsu was another.
Uchiha Setsuna made his decision.
"I'll keep trying the Kumogakure route and fight for more time. After all, Chakra is the foundation."
"If it truly doesn't work, then I'll consider gathering ninjutsu."
"And causing some trouble."
Uchiha Setsuna narrowed his eyes, thinking of a possible move.
"What if, without fleeing Konoha, I leak important Konoha intelligence to Kumogakure through Kumogakure spies and make Kumogakure attack Konoha? Could that win the Uchiha a sliver of hope?"
"With my current strength, as long as the Konoha High Command doesn't target us too heavily, I can still protect the Uchiha clansmen close to me. It depends on what the Konoha High Command will do in that situation."
If Kumogakure launched a war against Konoha, the Konoha High Command would have two possible attitudes toward the Uchiha.
One was to temporarily set aside its conflict with the Uchiha Clan.
The second was to treat every member of the Uchiha Clan as cannon fodder and use the war to eliminate the Uchiha.
"Students."
Iruka stood at the podium, looked around the classroom, and said, "Today, we'll have a new lesson called the Clone Technique."
"For all ninjas, there are three jutsu that must be learned at the Ninja Academy."
"The Transformation Technique we learned before is one. The other two are the Clone Technique and the Substitution Technique."
"These three jutsu are collectively known as the Three Basic Jutsu."
"They are relatively easy to learn, consume little Chakra, and are simple to use, but they can often produce excellent results. They are highly practical."
"The Clone Technique is simple in principle. It creates a clone."
"This clone is only an illusion. It has no real offensive or defensive ability, but suddenly creating one during battle can easily disrupt an opponent."
"Now, let me demonstrate."
Iruka formed hand seals.
The next moment.
"Poof!"
A cloud of white smoke burst forth, and then a figure appeared beside Iruka, a figure identical to Iruka. This was Iruka's clone.
A wave of astonished cries rose from below.
"So cool!"
Uchiha Setsuna glanced over.
The Clone Technique?
Was this thing useful?
Uchiha Setsuna truly did not think so. At least in the original story, it had not shown any effective uses. Its biggest role had been obstructing Naruto's ninja graduation exam.
Because after becoming Genin, ninjas had many substitute jutsu that were far more useful than the Clone Technique.
Konoha's Shadow Clone Technique.
Kirigakure's Water Clone Technique.
The Land of Earth's Earth Clone Technique.
And so on.
Iruka slowly explained the essentials of the Clone Technique.
"All right, that's basically the process and details of the Clone Technique. Everyone can start trying it now. If there's anything you don't understand, raise your hand and ask at any time."
The moment Iruka finished speaking, Second Pillar raised his hand.
"Sasuke, do you have a question?"
"No."
"Then why did you raise your hand?"
"Teacher Iruka, I've learned it."
Second Pillar immediately formed hand seals.
"Poof!"
A clone appeared.
Iruka was a little surprised, but quickly recovered and smiled at Second Pillar.
"Well done. Everyone should learn from Sasuke."
Most of the students looked at Second Pillar with admiration and envy.
However, a small number were mostly unconvinced, with Naruto as the prime example.
Uchiha Setsuna pretended to practice.
Before long.
"Poof!"
Another student succeeded, though the clone was not as good as Second Pillar's. Still, at least in terms of speed, he ranked second, which was enough to make others envious.
To Uchiha Setsuna, the scene in the classroom felt like children playing house.
Yet Uchiha Setsuna had no choice but to blend in.
I really hope this can all end sooner.
Before you continue