Uchiha Tatsuno had just selected a scroll from the clan library on Sharingan usage and experience, then quietly left.
Why not, right? No need to waste an opportunity—especially when he already had no shortage of ninjutsu.
But right now, he really wanted to curse out Uchiha Yama and give him the finger.
You people are too much!
Uchiha Tatsuno was losing it internally. I'm not even trying to stand out! Why has a second-year Academy student like me suddenly caught the attention of all these high-level people?
Just recently, he was nothing more than a background extra, a salted fish flopping in the street.
Tatsuno had always followed the rule of silent success—low-key growth while hoarding ninja points.
That was the wisdom of someone with an old soul.
And yet, here they came—his clan's patriarch appearing out of nowhere, patting him on the shoulder, and essentially saying: "I've already decided. Study hard in the clan. You'll be the future Hokage."
Isn't this too much pressure?
Tatsuno slowly walked home. He wasn't even sure if anyone was watching him from the shadows.
The Uchiha district, under the quiet of night, felt especially still. Dim streetlights cast long shadows on the road.
At that moment, the entire Uchiha compound looked to Tatsuno like a glorious yet oppressive grave. And his home? Just a lonely little tombstone.
Yeah... I'm definitely moving out in the future.
But that was a matter for later. Right now, he had to accept that to be a chess piece, he needed the mindset of one. To flip the board or become a player, he needed power. Without it, he'd just be sacrificed.
Tatsuno didn't believe Uchiha Yama's words about his father's death, not completely.
There was something suspicious about Uchiha Kagami's demise—and whether it involved the Uchiha clan or someone else, he would get to the bottom of it.
But at present, he was still too weak. All he could do was carefully navigate between the factions pulling at him.
---
When the first rays of sunlight filtered in, Uchiha Tatsuno woke up.
Sunlight streamed through the thick green leaves of the trees outside, casting flickers of light onto his face.
He cracked his eyes open, yawned, and lazily formed a Wind Release hand seal.
A soft breeze brushed over him. He let out a content sigh.
These minor ninjutsu weren't just relaxing—they were excellent chakra control training.
Since leveling up his Wind Release skill, this sort of subtle control had become second nature.
The first time he had tried something like this was during class.
It had been a lovely afternoon, and he had a random idea—why not try out a Wind Release technique?
It felt great. Powerful. Invigorating.
Then... there was no "then."
Because he ended up blowing every desk in the classroom to the back wall.
Uncle Nishimura, the on-duty instructor, had given him a week's worth of punishment.
Still, Tatsuno believed integrating ninjutsu into daily life helped hone chakra control better than repetitive drills.
Chakra isn't just for war.
Still half-asleep, Tatsuno tightened the blanket around himself and rolled over to doze off again.
Time passed, and eventually—
Knock knock knock.
Three precise knocks echoed from the door.
Then silence.
A moment later, whoever it was casually pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside after changing their shoes.
Mikoto? Tatsuno realized.
She occasionally came early to wake him up. So, of course, she had a spare key.
Thanks to her, he was almost never late.
He heard faint sounds from the kitchen.
Tatsuno threw on his signature Uchiha windbreaker and stepped out.
Sure enough, Mikoto was in the kitchen, wearing a scarf, busily preparing breakfast.
The entire scene shifted from intense shinobi drama to slice-of-life youth romance in an instant.
"Mikoto, you're up early," Tatsuno said as he approached.
"Mmm, I just wasn't sleepy. What about you, Chen? Still tired?"
"Haha, I can get up early sometimes."
Mikoto hesitated for a second. "Hey, Chen..."
"Hm? What's up, Mikoto?"
"Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?"
"Not really. Whatever you cook is good."
"Really? Hehe... Got it."
"Actually—I tried baking cookies last night. They got a little burnt..."
"…I see."
After breakfast, the two headed off to the Academy together.
It was rare for them to be this early. As they walked through the market street, they ran into Rope Tree—Senju Nawaki.
"Yo, Chen! Morning, Mikoto!" Nawaki greeted.
"Morning, Rope Tree," Mikoto replied.
"You're early today, Chen. That's new," Nawaki said, raising a brow.
"Hey, I can be punctual too, alright?"
"You, who were late even on the first day of school? Bold words."
"I was late helping an old lady cross the street. As the future Hokage, you wouldn't understand."
"Hmph. You better prepare yourself for a scolding from my sister."
"..."
Mikoto smiled as the two boys bickered like usual.
But Tatsuno was eyeing Rope Tree strangely.
"…Huh? Chen, why are you looking at me like that? That's a little intense…"
Nawaki's body tensed. Wait—does he know?!
"No, it's just... You seem different this morning."
"W-what? Different? Nope, I'm exactly the same as always!"
Nawaki quickly turned away, avoiding Tatsuno's probing gaze.
Damn, was I that obvious?
He was trying to hide something. His grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, had just told him that his little sister would be coming to Konoha from another village soon.
There's no way I'm letting Tatsuno, that pervert, find out about her!
Tatsuno narrowed his eyes. "You're unusually happy this morning. And you seem on guard around me."
Too sharp...!
Nawaki panicked. Tatsuno had hit the mark again.
"I can't help but be curious. Come on, Rope Tree—ninja share intel, right?" Tatsuno grinned. "We could trade."
"W-what intel…?"
"Let me think… Mikoto and I passed a certain café earlier… lots of older girls in short skirts…"
"What are you saying!? Tatsuno! We need to check it out immediately!"
"…?"