Chapter 47: Conversation
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When Uchiha Tōshirō heard the news of an impending war, he maintained a calm and composed expression. Uchiha Fugaku was quite surprised.
[Does he not understand how brutal war can be for a ninja?]
[Or is he so strong-willed that he is unafraid?]
[Or is he so shocked that his expression can't convey his true feelings?]
With his exceptional 'perception,' Uchiha Fugaku observed every micro-expression on Tōshirō's face. Even without activating the 'Sharingan,' the Uchiha bloodline granted him abilities far beyond those of an ordinary ninja.
Just as Tōshirō had imagined.
In front of a jōnin, especially an Uchiha jōnin, trying to control one's facial expressions to deceive the other was almost impossible.
"The clan intends to select some of the ungraduated students from the Ninja Academy and arrange for them to graduate early. We will then have elite jōnin from the clan guide them to prepare for the upcoming Third Great Ninja War."
[Graduating early? After all this buildup, he finally revealed the purpose of his visit!]
[I didn't escape the early graduation that is a rite of passage for those who have traveled through time. But unlike those who apply voluntarily, I'm being forced to graduate!]
In the Hidden Leaf Village, ninja are generally trained by the Ninja Academy, supplemented by family-secret techniques and the like. This is true for most, except for a few with special statuses.
This is also a way for the ninja clans to express their 'attitude' to the Hokage.
Now, with war imminent, the various ninja clans hope to accelerate the training of their young talents. The Hokage is also happy to see this, as no matter how well you train them, they will eventually be sent to the battlefield for his use.
"War and early graduation? I understand!"
"I wonder if we will join a regular ninja mission team or the Police Force?"
Tōshirō did not show excitement at the prospect of graduating early to become a ninja. He simply asked a question, seeking to understand his future path.
Whether he joined a regular ninja mission team or the Police Force made little difference to him. Generally, Uchiha ninja would join regular mission teams after graduation. After becoming a chūnin through trials and tribulations, they would be transferred to the Police Force.
At this point, clan ninja who had successfully awakened their Sharingan after experiencing the harsh realities of combat would become pillars of the clan. Even those who did not awaken their Sharingan would have undergone significant trials and could handle various Police Force tasks perfectly.
As for those who, after a certain period, neither awakened their Sharingan nor became chūnin, they would be encouraged to take on other roles to avoid leaving behind orphans and widows in the event of their sacrifice on missions.
Tōshirō's current situation was somewhat unique, being guided by an elite from the clan. If his teammates were other civilians or clan members, he would be part of a regular mission team. If all his teammates were Uchiha of the same age, he would be directly assigned to the Police Force.
This would also reflect the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the master-apprentice system, as well as the civilian ninja community.
"The clan will select suitable teammates from your graduating class to form a mission team, and you will be directly assigned to the Police Force!"
Fugaku did not pay too much attention to Tōshirō's question, assuming he simply wanted to understand the clan's plans for him. He did not realize the complexity of the young boy's thoughts.
[Excluded from the master-apprentice system?]
[Well, that's to be expected!]
How would the Third Hokage easily allow the Uchiha to join the master-apprentice system? Letting Uchiha graduates join mission teams to experience the 'Will of Fire' is enough. As for letting Uchiha serve as jōnin leaders, that's a different story...
[This isn't bad, at least I won't have unreliable teammates. And with my jōnin leader being an elite from my clan, there's no risk of them abandoning me in a dangerous situation!]
While *Naruto* is a passionate anime that emphasizes bonds, sacrifice, and dedication, when faced with death and fear, people instinctively choose to preserve themselves at the expense of others.
Otherwise, where would all the rogue ninjas come from? Those with families in the village are less likely to go down this path, but those who are alone are more prone to it.
Even if a mission fails, the punishment is not overly severe; not everyone is the White Fang of Konoha!
"I wonder if the clan has any rewards in terms of jutsu or secret techniques for those of us who are graduating early?"
[Graduating early is a given, but it wouldn't hurt to get some clan perks while I'm at it!]
Uchiha Fugaku was slightly surprised by Tōshirō's question but did not pay it too much mind. After all, Uchiha pursue power. Isn't that normal? Should they be pursuing love and peace?
Oh, right! He forgot that the future clan leader sitting in front of him was a prime example of someone who pursued love and peace...
"For those of you graduating early, the clan will provide extensive training. If your team leader approves, one or two jutsu should not be a problem!"
The Uchiha clan is quite generous with its young talents, except for certain special techniques involving the Sharingan, like Kamui, Tsukuyomi, or those with significant drawbacks.
As for regular elemental techniques and secret techniques, the clan has a wide range of resources.
This has led to clan ninja, except for Sharingan techniques, looking down on all other jutsu. Those fortunate enough to awaken their Sharingan focus solely on developing its power. Even those who cannot awaken it still aim to do so.
"In that case, I have no further questions. Thank you, Fugaku-senpai, for coming to inform me. I will work hard to pass the Ninja Academy graduation exam! Please forgive me for any lack of hospitality!"
With that, Tōshirō quickly stood up and bowed.
Although he was not entirely satisfied with this future clan leader, Fugaku was, after all, an elite 'Young Clan Leader.' It was only proper to maintain appearances! As a former employee, he knew how to handle such situations...
"Very well, the school exam should not be a problem for you! I apologize for the disturbance!"
With that, he stood up to take his leave, as he still had other students to inform.
[But talking to this boy, who is not yet eight, is really no different from talking to an adult!]
Tōshirō escorted him to the door, standing in the doorway and watching him leave the courtyard.
For a moment, Tōshirō felt a wave of emotion.
From now on, his carefree life would be a thing of the past. He would face missions, killing, and bloodshed—things he had never experienced in his previous life...
(End of Chapter)