"Impudent! What does a six-year-old brat know?!" Fugaku snapped, shocked and furious, though secretly relieved. Good thing the Uchiha's future won't fall to such a radical, or we'd be doomed in a few years!
As the other elders prepared to scold, a light tap of a cane echoed on the wooden floor.
Dong.
Silence fell, all eyes turning to the corner.
There sat Uchiha Setsuna!
A ruthless figure who'd dared to assassinate the Second Hokage! Though old ailments weakened him now, his authority remained unchallenged.
Setsuna's cold gaze swept over the elders, who froze like cicadas in winter. He snorted disdainfully.
Seeing them lower their heads, he turned to Chiren, who was about to leave, and spoke slowly, "Kid, you're interesting. You remind me of your grandfather."
Chiren turned, studying the legendary figure.
Uchiha Setsuna—if his assassination of Senju Tobirama hadn't failed, landing him in prison for a decade, he'd undoubtedly be Clan Head. If he rallied now, the clan's hawkish talents would flock to him.
But even heroes face their twilight.
Setsuna needed a cane just to stand.
Leaning on it, he rose shakily, ignoring the current Clan Head, and said, "Since the kid doesn't want to join Fugaku's team, is it a problem for this old man to help an old friend's descendant?"
Clan Head Uchiha Cangyue didn't dare object, bowing quickly. "I'll follow Senior Setsuna's arrangements."
Setsuna ignored him, shuffling toward the door. Passing Chiren, he said only, "Follow me."
Curious about the "grandfather" mention, Chiren followed silently.
They reached a small courtyard—pitifully small, with little beyond a reception hall. The two guards at the entrance seemed oddly lavish by comparison.
Hard to believe a Great Elder's home was so modest.
They sat in the courtyard. After the attendant served tea and the guards withdrew, Setsuna spoke, his voice heavy with the weight of years, "Some things I didn't want to revisit. But your performance today gratifies me. I thought the Uchiha's spine had been broken by those people."
Chiren already admired Setsuna's courage. Seeing his humble home, his respect grew. A Great Elder who shunned greed and fought fiercely was rare among the Uchiha.
"Senior, you mentioned my grandfather. Can you tell me more?" Chiren asked.
A spark flickered in Setsuna's cloudy eyes, as if revisiting turbulent times. "You know I ambushed Senju Tobirama, right?" Seeing Chiren nod, he continued, "When it failed, I should've been executed. But your grandfather, my best brother, stepped up, claiming he was the mastermind. That's how I escaped death—only imprisoned."
Chiren's heart stirred. He hadn't expected such a secret.
Setsuna's face twisted with anger, his voice trembling. "Think that hypocrite Tobirama let it go? While I was locked up for over ten years, my son and daughter died on so-called 'missions'! My only grandson—bitten by a venomous snake, no reason!"
He slammed the table, his words thundering in Chiren's mind: "Not one person from that operation survived! Including your parents—dead in a damned 'accidental mission'!"
The revelation hit hard. Though Chiren's memories of his parents in this world were vague, it took time to process.
But he quickly zeroed in: Could it all be coincidence?
Ninja died on missions often, after all.
He asked cautiously, "Senior, how can you be sure it's true?"
Setsuna lifted his teacup, forcing down his rage. "I thought it was coincidence at first. But when that brat Hiruzen Sarutobi released me, he had the gall to say, 'I'm truly sorry for what happened.' Isn't that a confession?"
He set the cup down, eyes full of self-mockery and grief. "And them releasing me? Proof they think this old man's no threat anymore."
Chiren fell silent.
Given Tobirama's hatred for the Uchiha and Hiruzen's political games to secure power early on, it was likely true.
"Then…" Chiren began.
Setsuna cut him off, patting his shoulder. "It's the past. Don't carry that weight alone—it'll crush you."
Chiren's expression stayed grim, his goal complex. "Then should I find a time to dig up Senju Tobirama and whip his corpse?"
Pfft—cough cough!
Setsuna spat his tea, his hand frozen mid-pat.
After a moment, he roared with laughter. "Hahahaha! Good kid! You've got guts to say that!"
Still chuckling, he shook his head, pleased. "I don't expect you to actually do it. But as my old friend's descendant, if you need help training, this old man's got your back."
He didn't know Chiren's deeper thoughts. To him, a six-year-old "school genius" was just one of many—most faded, few became dragons.
Chiren, seizing the chance, said, "I need ninjutsu most. The clan's scrolls are too expensive. I've saved forever and only learned Great Fireball Jutsu. Also, I want a strong sparring partner for real combat experience."
His real aim: fight someone strong for system rewards.
Setsuna didn't hesitate, unfastening a token from his waist and tossing it on the table. He called out, and a guard stepped in.
"This is my guard, Uchiha Yan. He's skilled in the clan. Need a spar? Come to him anytime."
Chiren eyed the ancient token, his heart racing. The Great Elder's token! With it, learning ninjutsu—or even talking about burning the Hokage's office—would make people think twice.
Uchiha Yan, about thirty, had a steady, blade-like gaze and wore a crisp Military Police Force uniform. As Setsuna's guard, his strength was no joke.
"Let's see you two spar," Setsuna said, intrigued.
Chiren knew this was a test and showed no fear, stepping into the courtyard with Yan.
Yan took a stance, calm. "When you're ready, we'll start. It's just a test—don't worry about winning."
To him, this was routine. A six-year-old, barely waist-high, couldn't be that strong.
Chiren nodded. No time to play weak.
Boom!
Chakra erupted from his feet, launching him like a cannonball, leaving a shallow pit in the sand!
Yan raised an eyebrow. That speed matched an average Genin!
But what came next shocked him more.
Chiren's punches were heavy, each carrying a gust that tore the air. When Yan took a hit head-on, his arm went numb.
How much chakra and stamina does this kid have to keep up this onslaught?
Chiren, meanwhile, was frustrated.
His abundant chakra, poured into every attack, usually overwhelmed opponents. But Yan neutralized his strikes effortlessly, like they vanished into the sea.
He'd have to take a risk.