On the way home.
For once walking home together with Yagyu, Ino could not help but complain, "Why did Iruka-sensei keep us until so late before letting school end today?"
A faint glint flashed in Yagyu's eyes. He already knew the reason, but he did not say it and instead guessed, "Maybe it's because the students in our class have been too lazy lately, so Iruka-sensei decided to be stricter with everyone."
The real reason, however, was that tonight was the night of the Uchiha Clan's destruction.
After hearing Yagyu's answer, Ino nodded and did not think too much about it. Instead, she chatted with him about ordinary everyday matters, her expression and mood completely carefree.
Looking at Ino like this, Yagyu felt a gentle fondness in his heart. "Ino, have you ever thought about what the future will be like?"
Hearing Yagyu's question, Ino tilted her head and shook it. "I haven't thought about it much, but if my future has you in it, then it definitely won't be bad. Don't you think?"
Damn. That really hit the heart.
Even though those words came from what he still considered a little girl, they struck directly into Yagyu's heart. A smile appeared on his face as he looked at Ino with gentle affection. "Yes, if your future has me in it, then your whole life will be happy and carefree."
It was a simple and straightforward answer, yet also the kind of response that resonated most deeply.
Ino's small face immediately turned red and her heartbeat quickened.
Looking at Ino like this, Yagyu had to admit that although she still looked like a child, in this world everyone's emotions sprouted early and were often very firm, the kind that lasted a lifetime.
At that moment, Yagyu felt his heart move toward Ino.
"I'm not a lolicon, I'm not a lolicon."
After quickly reminding himself several times in his mind, Yagyu stepped forward and said, "Let's go. It's time to head home, otherwise everyone will start worrying."
Tonight in Konoha, the roads were dark and slippery, so walking outside required extra caution.
…
The next morning.
After waking up from sleep, the first thing Yagyu did was sign in. "System, sign in."
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations, you obtained: One Tomoe · Sharingan.]
Buzz.
The moment the system's voice ended, a cool energy surged into his eyes.
After that cool energy faded, the moment Yagyu opened his eyes his pupils turned crimson, and everything in his vision became extremely clear and slow.
A fly passed through his field of vision, and Yagyu instantly captured the trajectory of its wings as they flapped.
"So this is the observation ability brought by the One Tomoe Sharingan. If used in battle, it would definitely give a huge advantage. No wonder the Uchiha Clan is so powerful. Only the Senju Clan could suppress them with their massive chakra."
The Sharingan was simply too powerful.
Originally Yagyu did not think much of the Sharingan, but once he actually possessed it he immediately understood how incredible it was.
"System, does this Sharingan need to be upgraded by myself, or can it be upgraded through sign-in rewards? Also, can it be concealed? I don't want others to see that I have the Sharingan."
After calming his excitement, Yagyu asked the question in his mind.
These points had to be clarified.
If it required upgrading by himself, then the most he would aim for was the Three Tomoe Sharingan. The Mangekyō Sharingan was something he did not dare to hope for, because Yagyu did not want to become blind.
Without blood-related siblings, excessive use of the Mangekyō Sharingan would definitely turn him into a blind person.
But if the system could upgrade it as well, then there would be no such concerns.
After all, the Mangekyō Sharingan was extremely powerful, and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was even more extraordinary.
If it could not be concealed, then he would have to prepare contact lenses, otherwise the Sharingan would have little practical use for him.
After all, he could not use it openly in front of others.
In the end, it all came down to the fact that the Uchiha Clan's reputation was too sensitive, and the Sharingan itself attracted too much attention.
[The system's sign-in rewards can upgrade the Sharingan. The host's own growth in strength can also develop the Sharingan. If necessary, the system can maintain the Sharingan's abilities while concealing its external appearance.]
In other words, both methods were possible.
"That's perfect."
Hearing the system's answer, Yagyu's eyes lit up. "In that case, there's no worry about the Sharingan. System, conceal the external appearance of the Sharingan."
Although the appearance of the Sharingan looked very cool and created strong psychological pressure on many shinobi in the ninja world, with Yagyu's current identity and strength it was not suitable to reveal it.
Concealing its appearance was the best solution.
After getting up and finishing washing and breakfast, Yagyu repeatedly confirmed that the Sharingan would not be exposed. Only then did he confidently leave home and head toward the academy.
…
At the Ninja Academy.
The topic of discussion in the classroom today was not the destruction of the Uchiha Clan.
However, Yagyu noticed that Uchiha Sasuke had not come to school.
"Most likely today the news of the Uchiha Clan's destruction will spread, and Uchiha Itachi will officially become an S-rank missing-nin."
Sitting in his seat with one hand supporting his head, Yagyu felt a slight sense of regret. "It's a pity that I never had the chance to interact with the man who could truly be called a legend of the shinobi world, Uchiha Itachi."
Of course, Yagyu found it difficult to agree with Itachi's choices.
In Yagyu's view, family came first, friends and companions came second, and the village came last.
A way of thinking like Uchiha Itachi's was something Yagyu would never be able to understand in his lifetime.
Shaking his head, Yagyu pushed those thoughts aside and stopped paying attention to them.
With that kind of mood, it would be better to think about how to make himself stronger.
…
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, three years had gone by.
Three years was neither long nor short.
But it was enough to change many things.
First was Ino.
Ino now kept her long hair and looked almost the same as she would a few years later, youthful and energetic.
Next were the two people Yagyu paid the most attention to, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.
After experiencing the destruction of his clan, Uchiha Sasuke had stepped onto the path of darkness, becoming gloomy and cold while losing much of his innocence and brightness.
Meanwhile Uzumaki Naruto had taken the path of a troublemaker.
He had also begun clashing with Uchiha Sasuke, starting the rivalry that would continue throughout their lives.
This ending was quite entertaining to watch.
Finally there was Yagyu himself, whose changes were enormous.
First was his external appearance, as he had grown into a handsome young boy, and combined with the maturity he had carried since birth it naturally caused people to feel trust and dependence toward him.
Second was his interpersonal relationships.
With Ino acting as a bridge between them, Yagyu had established good friendships with many people in the class.
Of course, his greatest change was his strength.