"So that's how it works."
Jun was stunned after learning how the Sharingan was awakened. He had always believed it would happen naturally when he graduated from the academy. That was the lie his father had told him.
Yuta noticed the anger on Jun's face and the way his fists clenched. He said nothing, simply picked up another piece of cooked meat and continued eating.
"Boss, if I awaken my Sharingan, will I become stronger than children from other clans?" Shota asked.
Yuta paused mid-bite, swallowed what was in his mouth, and replied, "Yes, you can. But I advise you to pick opponents your own size."
The Sharingan might seem broken, but there were plenty of jutsu capable of rendering it useless.
"Boss, after I awaken it, will I still need to evolve my eyes the same way?" Akira asked.
What are these Hawk members feeding their children, Yuta thought.
"No. Your eyes will evolve naturally during intense battles."
That was how it had always been shown, at least.
"Really? Then do you think I can surpass the previous clan head?" Akira asked excitedly.
"Yes, you can if you work harder, I think," Yuta answered honestly, adding the last part just in case.
"Great. I'll train harder, surpass the founder of Konoha, and become Hokage," Akira declared.
Pfft.
Yuta spat out his water in shock.
"Surpass the founder of Konoha and become Hokage," he repeated quietly.
This kid was insane, or maybe his father and the Hawk members were simply delusional to think they could even touch the Hokage's hat, let alone wear it.
"You boys listen carefully. I don't know what your fathers have been telling you, but thinking like that will get you killed young," Yuta said to Akira and Shota.
"Boss, my father said the Uchiha should have been given the Hokage seat, but we lost every time."
"I think the Hokage should come from the Uchiha too."
All four boys began voicing their opinions, but Yuta ignored them. He was certain they were being watched.
"Yuta, can you tell me who the First Hokage was, how this village was founded, and why the Uchiha want to become Hokage?" Rika asked, noticing that even Jun was agreeing with the others.
Yuta wanted to stop talking. He already knew this would bring him trouble.
As he reached for another piece of meat, Rika grabbed his chopsticks. He could have pulled away, but that would have burned her hand in the pot.
"Hmph."
Yuta exhaled deeply and looked at their faces. They all wanted answers.
"I'll say this only once. And Rika, if you ever do that again, it won't end well," Yuta said.
The boys rolled their eyes, clearly thinking it was an empty threat.
"Before Konoha existed, the clans constantly fought during the Warring States Era. Our clan competed with another powerful clan called the Senju for resources."
"They killed each other for years, until two boys met by a riverside and became friends without knowing each other's surnames. They spent more time together than with their own brothers."
"One day, they learned their clans were enemies, and they were forced to part ways. Losing his only friend caused the Uchiha boy to awaken the Sharingan."
"Wow. That's amazing. Boss, what were their names?" Jun asked.
"One was Madara Uchiha. The other was Hashirama Senju."
"They grew into great men and eventually became the heads of their clans. After many years, Hashirama proposed ending the endless killing. Most members of both clans opposed it, especially their younger brothers."
"Why did the younger brothers hate each other so much?" Rika asked.
Yuta already regretted opening this topic.
"One was Izuna Uchiha. The other was Tobirama Senju."
"Why didn't they want the war to end?" Shota asked.
Yuta shot him a cold glance.
"Because both of them lost siblings to the opposing clan."
"What happened next?" Rika asked, as if listening to a bedtime story.
Being a civilian was already a disadvantage. No matter how hard you worked, bloodlines always had the upper hand. Unless you awaken something like system.
"On the battlefield, Tobirama Senju killed Izuna. After that, Madara demanded Hashirama kill Tobirama to end the cycle of hatred."
"Instead, Hashirama tried to kill himself, but Madara stopped him."
"Yuta, when was the village created?" Rika asked again.
Yuta frowned and stabbed another piece of meat.
"Hashirama told Madara that since the war had ended, they should create a village where five-year-old children would never be sent to war."
"And Madara gave that village its name. The Hidden Leaf Village."