Iruka spoke.
"The foundation of a ninja is Chakra. It is because of Chakra that the profession of ninja came into being."
"Whether it is Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, or Genjutsu, all of them require Chakra to perform."
The students listened attentively.
But not all of them did.
Because many students had already learned it before coming to the Ninja Academy.
Quite a few students came from ninja families.
Second Pillar, Hyuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, and others were among them.
Uchiha Setsuna pretended to listen seriously.
Other than the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, no one could see Uchiha Setsuna's condition. Though he came from the Uchiha Clan, he was a relatively ordinary Uchiha.
His parents had died early, and he had been raised by his disabled grandfather.
In the real world, Uchiha Setsuna did not want to draw attention.
"Teacher Iruka, I can feel it!"
One student raised his hand high, hoping to receive praise.
Iruka smiled.
"Well done."
For those who could enter the Ninja Academy, extracting Chakra was not difficult.
Some were faster, while others were slower.
But even the slow ones would not lag far behind.
Chakra already existed within the human body.
All they needed to do now was extract it.
Uchiha Setsuna chose a middle point in time.
After raising his hand and receiving Iruka's confirmation, he lowered it without saying anything else.
He was completely inconspicuous.
Seeing this, Second Pillar showed a disappointed expression.
"How could someone from the mighty Uchiha be this slow?"
After class, Uchiha Setsuna headed straight home.
A figure caught up from behind him.
Uchiha Setsuna turned around. It was Second Pillar.
"Uchiha Setsuna, wait."
"Hm?"
"As an Uchiha, your progress is too slow. Starting today, train with me. You can ask me anything you don't understand. We Uchiha absolutely cannot fall behind others."
Uchiha Setsuna: "???"
Did he need Second Pillar's guidance?
Someone who had not even mastered Fire Style: Great Fireball wanted to guide him, someone who had already awakened the Sharingan, learned two C-rank Fire Style Ninjutsu and one B-rank Fire Style Ninjutsu, and stood among the best of the Genin?
Uchiha Setsuna had not expected Second Pillar to think this way.
If he were an ordinary Uchiha, he would definitely have been delighted by Second Pillar's proposal.
Whether it was for the Uchiha's honor or something else, Second Pillar's intentions were good.
But Uchiha Setsuna could not agree.
Training with Second Pillar would be no different from delivering himself right before Uchiha Itachi, would it?
Uchiha Setsuna considered a suitable way to refuse.
One that would not draw Uchiha Itachi's attention.
After hesitating for a moment.
"I'm sorry, but I have things to do when I get home."
"Second Pillar, you're the son of the Uchiha Clan Head, so you were born with excellent conditions. But not everyone has the same conditions as you. I don't have that much time."
Uchiha Setsuna had found an excuse, but there was truth in it as well.
After returning home, Uchiha Setsuna did often help Uchiha Kayan.
Uchiha Kayan was old and disabled.
Second Pillar froze for a moment.
By the time Second Pillar came to his senses, Uchiha Setsuna had already left.
When Second Pillar returned home, he was still somewhat distracted.
"Sasuke, what's wrong?"
Mikoto Uchiha noticed that something was off about Second Pillar.
Second Pillar looked up.
"I want to ask a question, Mother. Are our family's circumstances much better than those of other Uchiha? Are there young Uchiha ninjas who do not even have enough time to train?"
Mikoto Uchiha fell silent for a while.
"Your classmate?"
"Yes."
Mikoto Uchiha nodded. "Our family's circumstances are certainly better. After all, your father is the Uchiha Clan Head and holds the highest position among the Uchiha."
"Some Uchiha clansmen really do live in rather difficult circumstances."
Confusion appeared on Second Pillar's face.
"But why is that? Aren't we Uchiha the strongest ninja clan in Konoha?"
"Only in name."
Mikoto Uchiha said, "The Uchiha are not doing very well. Our compound is on the edge of the village, and the profits from our businesses have fallen sharply over the years."
"We are still called Konoha's number one ninja clan now, but that is only because the reputation of our predecessors is holding us up."
Halfway through, Mikoto Uchiha stopped and shook her head.
"Honestly, why am I telling you this... Sasuke, this isn't something you should concern yourself with. For now, you only need to study hard at the Ninja Academy. You don't need to worry about anything else."
"Your father is there to handle those matters."
Second Pillar's pupils contracted.
After a long while, Second Pillar said, "Mother, don't worry. My brother is so strong, and I will work hard too. The two of us will definitely restore the Uchiha's glory!"
Mikoto Uchiha smiled and rubbed Sasuke's head.
"Then I'll look forward to what you two can accomplish."
"Mm!"
Second Pillar nodded heavily.
Uchiha Setsuna pushed open the courtyard gate.
"Grandpa, I'm back."
"How was your learning today?"
"Today, Teacher taught us how to extract Chakra. I've successfully extracted Chakra already."
"Good, good."
Uchiha Kayan nodded. "Now that you've extracted Chakra, Setsuna, you're a real ninja."
"Go wash your hands. Dinner is already ready, and it's your favorite."
"Okay."
After dinner, Uchiha Setsuna went to the backyard to rest for a while, then did a brief round of training. He stopped only after night had fallen, washed up, and returned to his room.
The next day.
"Simulation begins!"
[At age 6, after entering the Ninja Academy, you learned quickly and displayed the bearing of a genius, drawing the attention of Iruka and the other students in the class.] [At age 6 years and 1 month, you learned the Three Basic Jutsu.] [At age 6 years and 2 months, Naruto challenged you and was utterly defeated.] [At age 6 years and 3 months, Kiba Inuzuka challenged you and was utterly defeated.] [At age 6 years and 4 months, Yamanaka Ino confessed to you. She received no response and was deeply disappointed.] [At age 6 years and 5 months, you trained hard.] [At age 6 years and 6 months, you trained hard.] [At age 6 years and 7 months, Hyuga Hinata developed a strong curiosity about you.] [At age 6 years and 8 months, Second Pillar challenged you and was utterly defeated.] [At age 6 years and 9 months, you gained the attention of the Uchiha Clan.] [At age 6 years and 10 months, you met Fugaku Uchiha and applied to study Genjutsu. You learned the Fox Heart Technique.] [At age 6 years and 11 months, you trained hard.] [At age 7, on the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall, you hid in the shadows. When Uchiha Itachi came out, you used the Fox Heart Technique on him. Uchiha Itachi easily broke it, and you died!]
Before you continue