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Uchiha Sasuke was the first to finish the long run. Next came the second event. For students only six years old, the amount of training Iruka arranged was already quite substantial. That's why many couldn't hold on even halfway through. They panted heavily, sweat dripping continuously. Uchiha Setsuna pretended to be struggling.
"Setsuna, are you okay?"
Yamanaka Ino came over voluntarily, handing over a bottle of water.
"I'm fine, thank you." But Uchiha Setsuna didn't take the water from Yamanaka Ino. Yamanaka Ino awkwardly retracted the water, quickly glanced around, and only relaxed when she saw no one was paying attention.
Sakura was looking at Uchiha Sasuke with sparkling eyes. "As expected of Sasuke! So amazing! Go Sasuke!" Sakura squeezed in with many other little girls. In this small class alone, there were quite a few girls who liked Sasuke, and Sakura faced fierce competition. However, Sakura was somewhat confident in herself. Especially since her biggest competitor, whom she originally worried about, wasn't interested in Uchiha Sasuke.
'Without Ino, there's no one to compete with me. By the way, where's Ino?' Sakura turned to look and saw Yamanaka Ino sitting not far away, looking at Uchiha Setsuna with the same gaze she had for Uchiha Sasuke. 'Ino actually likes Uchiha Setsuna? Clearly, Sasuke is the more handsome one. But that's fine too.'
The morning's physical training ended. Uchiha Sasuke unsurprisingly took first place. Naruto initially performed well. But gradually, his results in some events weren't ideal. Uchiha Setsuna glanced in Naruto's direction. 'Naruto hasn't fully tapped into his potential yet and is relying entirely on sheer momentum. Coupled with terrible academic performance, that's why he's at the bottom.' A breeze blew, bringing a slight chill.
"Training is over!" Iruka looked around and said, "Everyone performed well this morning, especially Uchiha Sasuke. I hope you all can learn from him." Uchiha Sasuke lifted his chin, looking very proud.
"But those who didn't perform as well, don't worry. Your studies at the ninja academy have just begun. In the days ahead, we'll work hard together. I believe you can all become qualified ninjas."
Naruto heard Iruka's praise for Uchiha Sasuke, envy in his eyes. This was exactly what Naruto longed for. In fact, Naruto didn't ask for much, just acceptance and recognition from others.
Uchiha Setsuna deliberately stood far from Naruto. Uchiha Setsuna felt sympathy for Naruto. But Uchiha Setsuna knew better that Naruto's identity was special, and Konoha's higher-ups would surely pay close attention to him. If he got too close to Naruto, he would immediately be noticed.
In the life simulator, Uchiha Setsuna could try all sorts of things. But in the real world, Uchiha Setsuna couldn't make a single mistake. Once he did, there would be no chance to change the Night of the Massacre.
The bell for the end of class rang. Everyone left the classroom one after another.
"Uchiha Setsuna." Uchiha Sasuke caught up.
"Uchiha Sasuke, what's up?"
"About yesterday, I didn't consider your situation. Sorry, but if you encounter any problems in your studies, feel free to ask me. I'll help as much as I can."
Uchiha Setsuna was silent for a moment. "Why me?"
"Huh?"
"There are more Uchihas than just me. Besides me, there are many your age who aren't in great conditions and need help too."
"Because you're the closest to me." Uchiha Sasuke said, "My dream is to lead the entire Uchiha clan to the pinnacle, to restore the glory our Uchiha clan deserves. I believe I can do it. My brother, Uchiha Itachi, is a genius of the Uchiha clan. I believe I won't be inferior. The current situation of the Uchiha isn't great, and I want to change it all. But with my current ability, I can't do much. I can only start by changing those around me. Uchiha Setsuna, I want to help not just you, but all the Uchihas."
Uchiha Setsuna was slightly taken aback, not expecting Uchiha Sasuke to say such things. If Uchiha Sasuke had said he wanted to help Uchiha Setsuna because they were classmates, Uchiha Setsuna would have thought Sasuke was doing it for his own face. But Sasuke said he wanted to help all Uchihas, just starting with Setsuna due to limited ability. This meant something different.
Uchiha Setsuna didn't harbor ill will towards Sasuke, but because of Itachi, he felt some resistance. However, now, Setsuna felt a bit of goodwill towards Sasuke. This was someone who cared about other members of the Uchiha clan. Unlike Uchiha Itachi.
"Thanks." But Uchiha Setsuna still didn't say much to Sasuke and quickly walked towards home. Uchiha Sasuke watched Setsuna's back, smiling. "I will definitely lead the Uchiha to the pinnacle!"
Returning home, Uchiha Sasuke immediately ran to Uchiha Mikoto. "Mother, I got first place in today's physical training!"
"First place? That's great." Uchiha Mikoto praised without reservation.
In the backyard, Uchiha Setsuna trained while thinking about Sasuke. 'Uchiha Sasuke isn't beyond saving; he still cares about other Uchihas. But Uchiha Itachi is beyond redemption. He doesn't consider the lives of other Uchihas as human lives. In the life simulator, he killed me several times. If he had any humanity, why not let me leave? Can't he tolerate another Uchiha? Sasuke can live, but other Uchihas don't deserve to?'
The morning came. Uchiha Setsuna opened his eyes. "Begin simulation!"