[Reward Received: Sensory Ninjutsu] [First Teaching Completion Reward: Appraisal Technique] [First 'A-Rank' Evaluation Reward: Fire Release Nature Transformation (Mastery)]
The triple-header of rewards caught Luke by surprise. A tidal wave of information surged into his mind, the bulk of it consisting of decades' worth of grueling Fire Release training. The memories were so visceral that Luke felt a phantom heat in his lungs, as if he had been a dedicated fire specialist for a lifetime.
"Teacher Luke... may I ask you a question?" Shisui asked respectfully.
Luke, who was about to dive deeper into his new system interface, paused. He led Shisui behind the quiet Academy building. He pulsed his new Sensory Ninjutsu; detecting no powerful chakra signatures nearby, he relaxed.
He offered a warm smile. "Was there something from the lecture you didn't understand? Go ahead."
Shisui shook his head. "It's not the lesson. It's... a doubt I have."
"You said the Senju and Uchiha founded Konoha together. But why does everyone only talk about the Senju? Why is the Uchiha's contribution treated like a secret?"
Though only a child, Shisui was precociously mature. Walking through the streets with his elders, he had noticed the way villagers looked at the flame-fan crest on their backs—eyes filled with suspicion or cold indifference. If they were heroes, why were they treated like outcasts?
Luke looked at the troubled boy and sighed inwardly. How do you compare the reputation of Hashirama Senju to Madara Uchiha? One is a god of peace; the other is a ghost story used to scare children.
"You've likely only read the history provided by your clan, right?" Luke asked.
Shisui nodded.
"The truth of how we got here is buried under layers of politics and tragedy," Luke said, letting a flicker of hesitation cross his face.
Seeing the teacher's reluctance, Shisui felt a pang of guilt. He started to retract the question, but Luke spoke again.
"Tell you what. If you have time after school, come find me. I'll walk you through the real history," Luke sighed, his expression turning nostalgic. "I suppose I owe the Uchiha clan a debt of gratitude. Think of this as me paying it back."
Shisui's eyes widened. "A debt? To my clan?"
"My parents were once surrounded by enemies during the war," Luke lied smoothly, his voice thick with practiced emotion. "They were saved by a ninja named Uchiha Kagami. Though they eventually fell in a later battle, I've never forgotten that act of mercy."
He thanked his lucky stars the original owner of this body was an orphan. Dead parents made for excellent, uncheckable plot devices. Sometimes, the dead were far more useful than the living.
Shisui gasped. Uchiha Kagami was his grandfather. This wasn't just a random connection; it felt like fate.
Shisui wasn't the type to demand favors based on his lineage, so he simply bowed deeply to Luke in thanks. Before the boy left, Luke triggered his new Appraisal Technique.
Name: Shisui Uchiha
Chakra: 500
Potential: SS-
Evaluation: Bearer of the Sage's bloodline. Perfect for Fire Release and Genjutsu. Massive potential. Highly recommended for Mentorship.
Walking back to the office, Luke marveled at those two glowing 'S' ranks. Even the system was screaming at him to snatch this kid up. He then checked his own updated profile.
Name: Luke Hayate
Age: 18
Chakra: 4,300
Evaluation: Master of Fire Release Nature Transformation. Your only bottleneck is your meager Chakra reserves. If you solve this, you will be an elite among Jonin.
"Mastery is a heavy word," Luke mused. He realized he had underestimated the reward. In terms of pure Fire Release theory and application, he was likely on par with the Third Hokage now. For a guy who previously only knew two basic fire spells and a flicker technique, this was a massive leap. An "Elite Jonin" was the tier of people like Kakashi or Asuma.
But his joy was dampened by his Root status. The "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal" on his tongue was a constant reminder that he was Danzo's puppet.
"I need disciples," Luke reminded himself. "I need to grow strong enough to either kill Danzo or at least make him too afraid to use me as a disposable pawn."
He entered the faculty lounge, where three other teachers—two men and a woman—were complaining about their students. Luke recognized them from his orientation. He casually scanned them.
Name: Ikeya Yu
Chakra: 2,000
Potential: C
Evaluation: Standard Chunin cannon fodder.
All three were roughly the same.
"I'm so cursed," Ikeya Yu groaned, throwing his hands up. "Class 2, Grade 4 is a nightmare. I've got Might Guy and Obito Uchiha—the two biggest dead-lasts in the school. How am I supposed to teach them?"
"My parents even set up a blind date for me tomorrow afternoon," Ikeya continued, "but that's exactly when I have Class 2's lesson."
"A blind date is more important," Aya Ueda suggested. She turned to see Luke. "Teacher Luke! How was your first day? Did my little trick help?"
Luke recalled her advice: If you're nervous, just imagine the students are all cabbages and radishes.
"The trick worked great," Luke joked. "Though the students did advise me not to be a picky eater after class."
Aya laughed. "You're a natural, Luke!"
"Teacher Ikeya," Luke said, setting his lesson plans down. "I'm free tomorrow afternoon. I can cover your class for you if you'd like."
Unlike the others, Luke craved more class time. Especially if it involved the future "Strongest Taijutsu User" and the future "Masked Man."
Ikeya's face lit up with pure joy. He thanked Luke profusely, promising to buy him dinner at the first opportunity.
In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the crystal ball intently. He saw Luke's stern but passionate lecture on the Will of Fire and stroked his goatee.
"Not bad for a Root youngster," the Third Hokage murmured. "He truly understands the spirit."
Danzo thought he kept his "unofficial" operatives secret, but Hiruzen knew about many of the Academy plants. He allowed it, figuring Danzo was at least contributing to Konoha's strength. But the Academy was Hiruzen's heart. Seeing a Root ninja instill a sense of responsibility in the youth pleased him.
"Let's see how he performs. If he's a true talent, perhaps I'll 'liberate' him from Root later."
Later that evening, Shisui followed the directions Luke had given him. Luke's home was in the southeast corner of the village—a sparsely populated, remote area far from the bustling center.
Because the buildings were few and far between, Shisui found it easily: a simple, single-story wooden house in a modest courtyard.
As Shisui stepped into the yard, he froze. His jaw dropped, and his heart hammered against his ribs at the sight before him.