Chapter 33: The Hero's Father's Training

The next day.

From now on, Tōshirō decided to return to his usual sleep routine, but he had trouble adjusting and ended up suffering from insomnia.

When he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

He was undoubtedly late, but Tōshirō didn't mind much as he was used to being late. After slowly eating his breakfast, he headed to school.

Opening the door, he braced himself for a scolding, but to his surprise, the teacher's expression was one of astonishment.

"Tōshirō, why did you come to school?"

Tōshirō, confused, replied, "I came to study, of course."

"Your family sent someone this morning to complete your graduation procedures. Didn't they inform you?"

Tōshirō stood there, stunned...

Were they really this eager?

Suddenly, Tōshirō felt a bit disappointed. He was supposed to graduate with his friends and then go out for training with their Jōnin instructor, but now it seemed like he was dropping out, and it didn't look like he would meet any Jōnin instructor. So, he decided to return to his family's grounds to find out how things would be arranged.

Tōshirō returned to the family's land and went straight to Elder Itachi to ask what he should do next.

"I'll tell you in advance, I'm only agreeing to this training because you promised me I would become a medical ninja, so here I am."

Despite his lack of respect, Elder Itachi didn't show any reaction, but the man standing next to him, a man in his mid-thirties with sharp features, couldn't stay silent and said, "Tōshirō, you really don't know the blessing you have. Many wish for this opportunity but can't get it."

This man was named Uchiha Kira, a member of the hardline faction within the Uchiha clan. He was an expert in Fire Style jutsu and was well-known for using a technique that transformed fire into the shape of dogs. Due to his relentless pursuit of goals, he was nicknamed "The Red Dog."

Tōshirō clasped his hands together and bowed slightly, saying, "I am truly grateful. Thank you for your appreciation."

Uchiha Kira opened his sharp red eyes and looked at him sternly.

But Tōshirō quickly changed his stance, lowered his head, and said humbly, "Brother, I'm sorry."

"Hmph."

Uchiha Kira thought his intimidation had worked, but Tōshirō whispered to himself in a low voice, "A hero is never defeated. I'll make you pay one day."

Elder Itachi interrupted them, saying, "Enough, there's no need to quarrel. The strong don't need to fight; you should focus on increasing your power. I believe Tōshirō is right, but you should keep such thoughts to yourself."

Tōshirō quickly nodded, realizing his mistake and seemingly thinking seriously.

Then Elder Itachi said in a calm voice, "Arrangements have been made with the medical department. You can go register yourself this afternoon. But before that, I'd like to see your true strength."

Tōshirō responded indifferently, "What do you want me to do?"

Elder Itachi gestured toward a small six-year-old child: "I want you to fight Fugaku again."

Fugaku frowned.

Even though he was only six years old, his personality was more mature than ordinary children, as his father had sent him to the battlefield when he was four to taste the bitterness of war.

When Fugaku learned that Tōshirō had held back against him last time, he felt insulted and angry.

Fugaku suddenly said, "I want you to take this fight seriously. Don't hold back this time."

Tōshirō sighed and said, "You're mistaken. Last time, I wasn't holding back."

Then he added sarcastically, "I was over-holding back."

Over-holding back?

This term was unfamiliar to Fugaku, but he was smart enough to understand the implied insult, and he looked at Tōshirō with intense anger.

At that moment, Tōshirō started looking around as if noticing something unusual and calmly said, "What's that?"

Fugaku instinctively turned to see what he was looking at, but there was nothing there.

In a moment of distraction, Fugaku was hit with a sudden blow from Tōshirō, knocking him to the ground.

Fugaku was stunned...

To trick a six-year-old child?!

Tōshirō even turned around, smiling as if it were just like throwing a ball into a basket.

"What a simple trick; kids are easy to fool."

Uchiha Kira felt enraged and said, "You deceitful child!"

But Tōshirō didn't care and nonchalantly replied, "What's wrong with ending a fight quickly? Only a fool enjoys fighting all day."

Uchiha Kira tried to argue, but in the end, he found nothing to say.

Elder Itachi looked at Tōshirō with half-closed eyes and began to think deeply.

At that moment, a sharp cough was heard behind Tōshirō. He turned to see that Fugaku had risen again, determined to continue the fight.

Fearing causing a serious injury, Tōshirō had held back in his previous strike, allowing Fugaku to stand up again. It's undeniable that he is the hero's father; his vitality reminds us of how hard it is to kill cockroaches.

Fugaku, glaring at Tōshirō with eyes full of anger, said, "You... You're so despicable."

Uchiha Kira wanted to say something, but Elder Itachi raised his hand, signaling him not to intervene, letting the two continue their conversation.

Tōshirō responded indifferently, "If it makes you feel better, you can insult me all you want; I won't lose anything."

Fugaku continued angrily, "People like you, who are so lowly, what do you think of the honor of the ninja?"

Tōshirō was silent for a moment, then asked, "How much does honor cost?"

Fugaku stammered, unable to reply, as he had never heard such a response before.

Tōshirō smiled mockingly, "What is this honor you speak of? Don't try to fool me with such things. I like practical things, like... money."

Fugaku, who seemed to have grown up in a privileged environment, replied, "Money is just a means; having enough to meet our needs is sufficient."

Tōshirō calmly pulled out two bills from his pocket and waved them in front of Fugaku, saying, "I have two bills here. Can you tell me which one is more noble and which one is more trivial?"

Fugaku couldn't answer.

Tōshirō continued with a twisted smile, "You can't answer, can you?"

Fugaku asked sharply, "What are you trying to say?"

Tōshirō replied, "I'm trying to tell you not to think with a ninja's mentality alone. Because of naive people like you, others remain poor and are forced to engage in bloody battles to earn a living."

Tōshirō spoke as if he was looking for a chair to sit on, and then continued, "Do you know why ninjas always end up dying in battles?"

Fugaku asked, "Why?"

Kuzan answered, "Because they're poor. Otherwise, who would want to take on such difficult and dangerous missions?"

He paused for a moment, then said with a strange expression, "When I was in school, I wondered why we ninjas, with our great power, work as mercenaries to earn money? I heard that merchants make a lot of money without any risk. If the goal is money, why not go into business instead?"

Fugaku, still young, didn't fully grasp the depth of Tōshirō's words, but Kira, Elder Itachi, and even Uchiha Madara, who was controlling Itachi, were all deeply pondering his words.

Kira thought, "Yes, we work as ninjas to earn money; otherwise, why would we put ourselves in danger?"

Fugaku muttered, "Nonsense."

But Fugaku was still thinking about Tōshirō's earlier trick.

Tōshirō sighed and said, "I just want to make a lot of money so that people don't have to fight for food and shelter. And if you think that's wrong, then I have nothing to say."

Tōshirō stood up, dusted off his clothes, and continued, "We've talked enough; now, to the point. I don't like fighting, but if I have to, I'll use the simplest and most effective way to end the battle, even if it seems dishonorable or cowardly to you. You can insult me or try to hit me... Oh, by the way, you can't beat me."

Fugaku remained silent.

Tōshirō added, "I won't care because, during a person's growth, they develop a certain perspective based on their environment, family, and personality. Ninjas call this the 'Ninja Way.' And for me, my way is 'to live at any cost.' My parents and grandparents who brought me into this world wanted me to live a good life, so I won't disappoint them."

He continued, "On this journey, I may use some methods that others see as dishonorable, and I may be criticized. But I assure you, honor is just a tool used by some to restrain others."

"I know you're angry about my previous trick, but have you thought that you are to blame?"

"I'm to blame?"

Fugaku, despite his relative maturity, wasn't prepared for this deep philosophy. How could Tōshirō's trick be his fault?

In fact, even Kira, Itachi, and even Madara, who was controlling Itachi, were shocked by Tōshirō's words, seeing him as an odd being.

Tōshirō said loudly, "Yes, the fault lies with you because you're not strong enough. The strong don't fear sudden attacks or challenges."

"And if you want to talk about the honor of the ninja, you should prove your strength first, then come back and talk to me when you can defeat me."

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then said, "Can I take your words as motivation?"

Tōshirō nodded, "You could say that. I'm someone who doesn't care about ninja; I just want to make money and live a luxurious life. You seem talented, and maybe you'll be the leader of the Uchiha clan in the future. When that happens, I might need some of your clan members to work for me as bodyguards. I'll give you a 20% discount."

And Tōshirō winked slyly.

Fugaku: .....

Itachi (Madara): .....

Kira: .....

This Uchiha is strong and smart, but it seems there's something wrong with his mind.

(End of Chapter)

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