Chapter 47: Conversation.

"Is it that you still do not understand the cruelty of war for a ninja?"

"Or is it that you are strong inside and fearless?"

"Or perhaps you are too shocked, making it difficult for your expression to accurately reflect your true feelings?"

With his extraordinary 'insight,' Uchiha Fugaku scrutinized every micro-expression on Toshiro's face. Even without activating the 'Sharingan,' the Uchiha bloodline granted him talents far surpassing those of ordinary ninjas.

Just as Toshiro had imagined.

In the presence of a jonin, especially an Uchiha jonin, controlling one's facial expressions to confuse the opponent was nearly impossible.

"The clan intends to select some ninja academy students who have not yet graduated and arrange for them to graduate early. Elite jonin from the clan will then guide them to prepare for the impending Third Shinobi World War."

"Early graduation, huh? After circling around such a big topic, they finally revealed the true purpose of this visit!"

"Didn't expect that even I couldn't escape the inevitable early graduation that comes with traversing. However, unlike those who apply voluntarily, this feels more like being 'graduated'!"

In Konohagakure, ninja training was generally conducted by the ninja academy, supplemented by family-secret techniques and the like. Except for a few with special statuses, this was the standard procedure.

It was also a way for the ninja clans to show their 'attitude' to the Hokage.

Now, as war was about to erupt, ninja clans wished to speed up the training of their young ones. The Hokage was also pleased about this! After all, no matter how exceptionally you train them, they will still be sent to the battlefield for him to command.

"War and early graduation, huh? I understand."

"I wonder if we will join the regular ninja task forces or the police force afterward?"

Rather than being elated at the prospect of early graduation to become a ninja, Toshiro merely asked a question to get a brief understanding of his future.

Whether joining the ninja task force or the police force made little difference to him. Typically, Uchiha ninjas joined regular ninja squads after graduation. After undergoing some training and becoming chunin, they would be transferred to the police force.

By this time, some family ninjas who had experienced the slaughter and pain succeeded in awakening their eyes and became the pillars of the clan. Even those who did not awaken their eyes had undergone good honing and were capable of perfectly handling various tasks in the police force.

As for those family ninjas who neither awakened their eyes nor became chunin after a certain period, they would be encouraged to take up other roles to avoid leaving a family of orphans and widows due to deaths during missions.

Toshiro's situation was slightly special. A clan elite had been assigned as his guiding jonin. If his teammates were other civilian or clan ninjas, he would be categorized as a regular ninja. If all his teammates were Uchiha peers, he would directly enter the police force.

This arrangement subtly reflected the relationship between the Uchiha clan, the master-apprentice system, and the group of civilian ninjas.

"The clan will select suitable teammates from among your contemporaries to form a task force. You will then directly join the police force."

Not paying too much attention to the question, assuming that Toshiro just wanted to better understand the clan's arrangement for him, Fugaku replied indifferently.

He did not expect the kid in front of him to have so many thoughts.

"Excluded from the master-apprentice system, huh?"

How could the Third Hokage easily allow the Uchiha to blend into the master-apprentice system? Letting Uchiha graduates join task forces to experience the 'Will of Fire' was acceptable, but them taking on the role of jonin instructors? That was out of the question...

"This isn't bad; at least I won't have unreliable teammates. Also, having a clan elite as the jonin instructor ensures we won't face scenarios where the instructor flees, leaving students behind in danger!"

Although Naruto was a hot-blooded series full of bonds, sacrifice, and dedication, in the face of death and fear, people instinctively chose to protect themselves, often at the expense of others.

Otherwise, where did all those rogue ninjas come from? Living alone in the village can lead many down this path.

Even if a mission failed, the punishment would not be overly cruel. Not everyone was Konoha's White Fang!

"I wonder if the clan has any rewards in terms of ninjutsu or secret techniques for having us graduate early?"

"Graduating early seems inevitable! But taking this opportunity to get some perks from the clan wouldn't be bad!"

Fugaku was somewhat surprised by Toshiro's question, but he didn't think much of it. After all, the Uchiha pursue power. What's more normal than that? Would they pursue love and peace instead?

Oh, he forgot that the young man sitting in front of him would be the future 'Clan Leader,' a true paragon of love and peace...

"For those who graduate early, the clan will provide substantial training. If your jonin instructor approves, a couple of jutsus are not out of the question."

The Uchiha clan is generous with its young ones. Excluding some special techniques involving the Sharingan like Izanagi, Izanami, or those forbidden due to their significant costs.

Common techniques and secret techniques, on the other hand, are quite accessible within the clan.

This has made the clan ninjas scornful of any techniques other than those related to the Sharingan. Those fortunate enough to awaken their eyes are entirely focused on developing the Sharingan's potential. Even those unable to awaken their eyes aim for it as their primary goal.

"If that's the case, I have no further questions. Thank you, Fugaku-senpai, for coming to notify me personally. Sorry for the lacking hospitality; I appreciate your understanding."

With that, Toshiro quickly rose and bowed.

Although dissatisfied with the future clan leader in his heart, he knew Fugaku was at least a clan elite and the 'young clan leader' at present. Thus, showing basic courtesy was essential. Coming from a working background, these were just minor courtesies...

"That's good. School tests shouldn't be a problem for you. Excuse me then!"

Fugaku got up and bid farewell, having other students' houses to notify.

"Talking to this boy under eight feels no different from talking to an adult!"

Getting up, Toshiro escorted Fugaku out, stood at the porch, and watched him leave the courtyard.

Toshiro felt an infinite emotion welling up.

From this day onward, his leisurely life would be gone, soon to be replaced by missions, slaughter, and bloodshed — experiences he never had in his previous life...

(End of Chapter)