The Great Elder's beard trembled with excitement as he returned to his seat, his expression full of elation.
"Good, good! You truly are a genius of the Uchiha clan.
The Sharingan is naturally gifted with the ability to copy ninjutsu. However, most Uchiha are limited by their chakra nature, unable to utilize this ability to its full potential.
But you are different—you possess all five elemental affinities.
Given time, I believe you could surpass even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who is renowned as the Professor of Ninjutsu."
Uchiha Tunan simply nodded with a polite smile. Picking up the teapot, he poured tea into the Great Elder's cup and said,
"There is one thing I forgot to mention. Some time ago, I was promoted to Chūnin."
The Great Elder's excitement settled slightly as he regarded Uchiha Tunan with growing satisfaction.
"I already knew," he said with a smile. "I initially thought that, since you recently selected a ninjutsu from the clan archives, you should take some time to refine your skills before choosing more.
But I never expected you to possess all five chakra natures.
Under these circumstances, you may study any of the lower-ranked ninjutsu recorded in the clan archives freely.
As for advanced Kinjutsu and Kekkei Genkai techniques… have you mastered the Shunshin Bunshin no Jutsu (Instant Clone Technique)?"
Uchiha Tunan shook his head. "I'm still working on it, but I don't believe it will take much longer."
The Great Elder nodded approvingly. "Don't rush it. Mastering the Instant Clone Technique is extremely difficult, but with your talent, success is inevitable.
I advise you not to burden yourself with too many advanced jutsu until you have fully mastered it, lest you spread yourself too thin."
Uchiha Tunan offered a composed smile. "I will follow the elder's guidance."
"Wait here," the elder said, rising and heading toward the storage room.
After a short time, he returned and handed Uchiha Tunan a scroll marked with the clan's sealing emblem.
"This contains all recorded lower-ranked Uchiha ninjutsu. Aside from Fire Release and Lightning Release techniques, which are common among our clan, the other elemental techniques are relatively rare."
Uchiha Tunan took the scroll with a calm, appreciative smile. "This will be sufficient."
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Elder, there is something else I'd like to ask.
I wish to purchase land in a scenic part of the village to build a welfare institution."
The elder's expression darkened slightly. "A welfare institution?"
Uchiha Tunan nodded. "A facility for orphans and the elderly."
The Great Elder narrowed his eyes slightly. He immediately understood Tunan's intent.
While he personally doubted the long-term effectiveness of such a strategy, he chose to respect Uchiha Tunan's decision.
"How large are you planning to build it?"
"A Ninja Academy first, and then expansion if necessary."
The elder frowned deeply, contemplating the request. After a long pause, he sighed and said with some hesitation,
"Tunan, while I oversee the clan's finances, I still need to report our expenditures to the council of elders each month."
Uchiha Tunan shook his head. "I don't intend to ask the clan for money. I recently inherited the estate of Sanhe Yuanliang, totaling approximately twenty million ryō."
But after he spoke, the elder's expression turned awkward.
"Isn't that enough?" Tunan asked, puzzled.
The elder let out a dry chuckle and shook his head.
"That might have sufficed twenty years ago. But now, Konoha's land prices have skyrocketed.
With your funds, you might afford land on the outskirts of the village, but even that would barely be enough."
"How much would I need?"
The elder raised two fingers.
"Two hundred million ryō. That would buy you a modest estate in the outskirts."
"Hah—"
Uchiha Tunan took a slow, deep breath, falling into thought.
A moment later, he stood up and bowed slightly.
"I see. Then I will focus on my training first.
I bid you farewell, Elder."
---
That evening
Back at home, Uchiha Tunan carefully carved a wooden statue of Sanhe Yuanliang as a tribute to his late mentor.
Then, retreating into his private chamber, he unrolled the newly acquired Fūinjutsu scroll and examined the ninjutsu techniques within, all while contemplating his future plans.
His initial intention had been to establish an orphanage, a place to take in Konoha's orphans and widows.
By doing so, he could gradually earn their trust, their devotion—until, in time, he could quietly reap the rewards from the shadows.
Like a well-maintained crop, one harvest after another.
The orphans would provide chakra and spiritual energy. The elderly would impart their knowledge, experience, and techniques.
But the unforeseen rise in land prices forced him to reconsider.
An S-rank mission's guaranteed pay was only about one million ryō.
Two hundred million would require hundreds of high-risk assignments.
For now, this ambition would have to be set aside.
---
A Few Weeks Later
Uchiha Tunan joined Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake on a series of C-rank missions.
Most of his time was spent either refining new ninjutsu or sparring with Kakashi, allowing his rapidly developing body to push his strength to new limits.
Though he had yet to test himself in a true battle, he could feel it—his power was growing stronger each day.
Still, he was cautious. It wouldn't do to reveal too much in front of Minato or Kakashi.
One notable development, however, was his increasing encounters with Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Time and again, they crossed paths.
And each time, Sarutobi Shinnosuke made an effort to converse, offering subtle mentorship, guiding him in jutsu, or simply engaging in warm conversation.
Uchiha Tunan could sense it clearly—Shinnosuke was attempting to win him over.
Even during briefings at the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself would make casual remarks about his son in Tunan's presence.
"The leaves nurture the young sprouts… one day, they too will grow strong and shelter the village."
Mentions of Shinnosuke's kindness, his sense of duty, his commitment to the village—all slipped naturally into their conversations.
It was almost as if… he were arranging a political marriage.
Uchiha Tunan did not resist these efforts.
After all, the Sarutobi clan still controlled the village.
There was no harm in playing along.
---
The Mission That Changed Everything
One morning, the Minato Squad was called for an urgent briefing at the Hokage's office.
But this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not present them with a mission scroll.
Instead, his expression was grave as he addressed them directly.
"This is an auxiliary mission for an S-rank assignment. Your mission has been tentatively classified as A-rank.
A coup d'état recently erupted in Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers).
The daimyo managed to suppress the rebellion, but the insurrectionists hired rogue ninjas who, upon their defeat, kidnapped Princess Haruka and fled toward the Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village) border.
Enraged, the Land of Rivers has issued an S-rank rescue mission, offering it to Konohagakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Amegakure.
Thus, this has turned into a contest of strength. The first village to retrieve the princess will gain favor and prestige.
Both Sakumo Hatake and Danzō Shimura's Root operatives have already departed.
Your squad will be assigned to border town outposts to assist and ensure safe transport of the hostage once secured.
Your two additional teammates await at the village gate.
Follow their lead."
"Understood."
The three of them—Minato, Kakashi, and Tunan—bowed in unison before swiftly departing toward the village entrance.
The mission had begun.