Ninja Academy, Teacher's Office.
"What?! You want to take a leave of absence?!"
Honda Take stared at Uchiha Tendō in disbelief, letting out a gasp.
Uchiha Tendō expressionlessly pointed to the young Akiho in his arms, then raised an index finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet.
Honda Take hastily covered his mouth.
"Sorry, Heavenly Dao, I was too excited."
After speaking, he cautiously glanced at young Akiho.
Seeing her sleeping soundly, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Uchiha Tendō's tone was calm.
"Teacher, you should know a bit about my situation.
My leave of absence is also to better care for young Akiho. I hope you can understand."
Honda Take, who already understood the situation, sighed helplessly.
"Heavenly Dao, you're right. After all, she's your only relative now, and it's certainly more reassuring to take care of her yourself."
"However, taking a leave of absence isn't something I can decide. I'll take you to see Hokage-sama, and I'll speak for you then."
Uchiha Tendō bowed to him.
"Thank you, Teacher Honda Take."
Honda Take waved his hand, indicating not to worry about such small matters.
Then, with a pained expression, he pulled a wallet from his pocket, counted out twenty banknotes, and handed them to Uchiha Tendō.
"Heavenly Dao, it's not easy for you alone. This two hundred thousand ryo is my contribution as your teacher."
Uchiha Tendō rarely showed a smile.
"Teacher, the Family gives me a hundred thousand ryo subsidy every month, so I'm not short on money."
Honda Take: "---"
I hate you rich bastards!!!
Subsequently, led by Honda Take, the three quickly arrived at the Hokage Building.
"Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in!"
Hearing the knock, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the documents in his hand and called out towards the door.
One adult and two children walked in.
Seeing the visitors, Hiruzen Sarutobi gently put down the pipe he had subconsciously picked up.
Although he was an old smoker, he would never smoke in front of children.
Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully observed the Uchiha boy in front of him.
"Is this the Uchiha boy Tsunade mentioned? It seems he's the one who came to see me this time. I want to see what's special about him."
At this time, the Third Hokage was in his prime and did not harbor the same animosity towards the Uchiha as he would in his old age, so he had no intention of suppressing them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a benevolent smile.
"Teacher Honda, is there something you need to see me about today?"
Honda Take quickly stepped forward to explain.
"Third Hokage, the situation is like this---"
A moment later.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in understanding, his gaze turning to Uchiha Tendō beside Honda Take.
"Heavenly Dao, you want to take a leave of absence to better care for your sister?"
Uchiha Tendō's tone was respectful.
"Yes, Third Hokage."
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi would later be one of the masterminds behind the extermination of the entire Uchiha, that was a matter for the future.
It's not like you can blame someone for things they haven't done yet.
At most, he would stop him in the future. As long as he didn't harm those close to him, everything was fine.
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a gratified smile.
"Excellent, I see your love for your Family."
Then his tone changed.
"However, I still need to evaluate you. Only if you pass will I approve your leave of absence, and it will only be for one semester."
Uchiha Tendō said nothing, quietly looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, awaiting his next words.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly. "Good, he's a smart child."
"Academics might not be a problem for you, but a too quiet home is not conducive to mental and physical well-being.
Whether for you or your sister, I think this arrangement is best. What do you think?"
Uchiha Tendō fell into thought.
Mental and physical well-being might be part of the reason, but Hiruzen Sarutobi definitely wanted him to form more bonds and strengthen his sense of belonging to the Village.
However, it was indeed better for young Akiho to attend school with him than to stay at home.
Thinking of this, he immediately nodded.
"Alright, Third Hokage, I'll follow your arrangement."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, stood up, and put on his Hokage hat.
"I knew you would make that choice. Follow me."
Then he looked at a shadow beside him.
"Go notify Tsunade and tell her to meet me at Training Ground Three."
A dark figure quickly disappeared from its original spot.
Uchiha Tendō raised an eyebrow. No wonder he felt that spot was strange when he came in; an Anbu was hiding there.
Everyone quickly arrived at Training Ground Three, and soon after, Tsunade also rushed over.
"Hey! Old Man, why did you call me?"
Tsunade complained with a displeased expression.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was not annoyed, smiling as he pointed to Uchiha Tendō.
"I called you here because I want you to evaluate Uchiha Tendō's strength."
Tsunade's face immediately darkened.
"Old Man! Do you think I'm very free?!"
I'd rather my tits hurt from boredom than evaluate a brat.
"Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru are not in the Village right now, so I could only call you.
Also, get to know our Uchiha young Prodigy here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to persuade her.
Tsunade was not stupid and quickly understood her teacher's intentions.
"It's probably a pretense to test his strength, and the real goal is to understand the Heart-Nature of this Uchiha young Prodigy through battle."