After a while, the old man sitting in the living room caught the scent of food drifting from the kitchen and swallowed involuntarily.
Moments later, Uchiha Tunan walked out carrying a tray of freshly prepared dishes.
"Grandpa Yuanliang, I made something light. I hope it suits your taste."
He carefully placed the dishes on the table: one meat dish, two vegetable sides, a steaming bowl of miso soup, and two bowls of perfectly cooked white rice.
Sanhe Yuanliang hadn't had such a proper meal in a long time. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and his eyes widened.
Too delicious!
Without hesitation, he began eating with enthusiasm.
Uchiha Tunan smiled subtly, poured a bowl of soup, and pushed it toward the old man.
"Eat slowly, Grandpa. Don't choke."
He then picked up his own chopsticks and ate in a composed manner.
Cooking was nothing new to him. In his previous life, he had learned to cook out of necessity, and after assimilating the abilities of Uchiha Nanako, his skills had reached another level. The system had even categorized cooking proficiency as a transferable skill. Knowing that the elderly preferred light and balanced meals, he had tailored the food to Sanhe Yuanliang's tastes.
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Perhaps the same applies here.
"Grandpa Yuanliang, my name is Uchiha Tunan. I realized I haven't asked for your full name yet."
The old man, savoring his food, paused and replied with a rare hint of warmth in his voice.
"Sanhe Yuanliang."
Uchiha Tunan picked up a piece of tender braised meat and placed it in the old man's bowl.
"Grandpa Yuanliang, eat more meat to keep up your strength."
Sanhe Yuanliang narrowed his eyes in appreciation. "You're a good kid, and your cooking is excellent. But I don't have the money to hire you."
Uchiha Tunan shook his head. "I'm not here for money."
Hearing this, Sanhe Yuanliang relaxed and opened up.
"Not here for money, huh? That makes sense—you're from the Uchiha clan, after all. You Uchihas are always full of surprises. I didn't expect to see one of you so... bright and considerate."
He chuckled, then leaned back with a thoughtful expression.
"You're still young. You don't understand the importance of money yet. Back in the Warring States period, it was everything. People didn't just starve—ninjas starved too. Even some of the strongest clans had shinobi dying, not from battle, but from hunger."
Uchiha Tunan feigned a look of surprise, as if hearing such a thing for the first time.
"Ninjas… starved to death?"
Sanhe Yuanliang took a slow sip of his soup and sighed.
"You think ninjas are invincible just because they wield jutsu? During the Warring States era, war was constant. No stability, no guaranteed food supplies. Without the backing of a powerful clan, many shinobi had no choice but to work for the highest bidder, like mercenaries. And if food was scarce? It could cost more than a stack of explosive tags."
Uchiha Tunan nodded thoughtfully, refilling the old man's soup.
"Is that why you're so frugal, Grandpa Yuanliang?"
The question made Sanhe Yuanliang freeze for a moment.
He took the bowl of soup in his wrinkled hands, stared into it, and after a few breaths, murmured, "Not exactly."
Sensing the change in mood, Uchiha Tunan didn't press further. Instead, he continued eating in silence.
Once they finished, he washed the dishes and even brewed a pot of tea before preparing to leave.
As he placed the teapot in front of the old man, Sanhe Yuanliang looked at the steaming cup and sighed.
"…Kid, I think you're alright. If you're living alone, why not stay here? There's a spare key on the shoe cabinet."
Uchiha Tunan paused at the doorway, then turned back with a cheerful expression.
"I have training in the afternoon, but I'll move in tomorrow night. I'll be in your care from now on, Grandpa Yuanliang."
With that, he left.
But as he walked toward Kakashi's house, his mind was spinning.
So, he used to be an ANBU captain? That means he must have been incredibly strong in his prime.
If I earn his trust, and when he passes away… how much power can I inherit?
Looking at his age, he probably didn't have much time left.
The real question is—how does the inheritance system determine what I receive?
Would it be based on his current weakened state? If so, then only his knowledge would be valuable.
Or—would it transfer his strength from his prime?
If it was the latter, then Sanhe Yuanliang wasn't the only one worth considering.
Konoha is full of old warriors who survived countless battles. If they lived this long, they must have been elites in their youth.
Uchiha Tunan adjusted his glasses, and his lips curled into a subtle smile.
So this is how the inheritance system works…? No wonder it's called that.
A new path had opened before him.
His steps became lighter as he walked.
---
The Next Day
Before dawn, Sanhe Yuanliang awoke from his light sleep.
As people age, their sleep grows shallower, and he had always been an early riser.
He glanced around his dimly lit room, his thoughts drifting to Uchiha Tunan.
The kid said he had a mission in the morning and training in the afternoon… He should move in tonight.
With some effort, he shifted from his bed to his wheelchair and pushed himself toward the living room.
But as soon as he opened his bedroom door, he stopped in shock.
The cold white lightbulb had been replaced with a warm-toned fluorescent lamp.
A proper breakfast was already set on the dining table—two steaming bowls of rice porridge, accompanied by three well-prepared side dishes.
And there, kneeling by the table with a book in hand, was Uchiha Tunan, reading intently.
Sanhe Yuanliang coughed lightly to get his attention.
"Ahem."
Uchiha Tunan looked up, quickly stood, and walked over, gently pushing the old man's wheelchair toward the table.
"Grandpa Yuanliang, you woke up early. The porridge is still hot; you might need to wait a bit before eating."
Sanhe Yuanliang, still processing what he was seeing, narrowed his eyes.
"You came this early just to cook breakfast for me?"
Uchiha Tunan knelt back down at the table, adjusted his glasses, and replied calmly,
"The morning sets the tone for the day. I've always been an early riser."
After all, the early bird catches the worm.
Sanhe Yuanliang stared at him for a long moment before letting out a rare chuckle.
"Good. Good…"
As he sipped the warm porridge, he glanced at the book Uchiha Tunan had been reading.
"What are you studying?"
"Hiding and disguise techniques. I might be sent on missions soon, and I don't want to be a burden to my team."
Sanhe Yuanliang frowned. "Where'd you get that book?"
"At the street bookstore."
The old man scoffed. "Tch. That swindler Dunta's shop? Those books are filled with nonsense. You won't learn much from them."
He took another sip of porridge, then spoke casually.
"If you're serious about learning, ask me. I did my fair share of assassination missions back in the day.
Consider it my way of repaying you for taking care of me."
Uchiha Tunan put down his book, smiled gently, and said,
"I take care of you because I want to, not because I expect anything in return."
Sanhe Yuanliang paused, then nodded approvingly.
"…Alright, what do you want to know?"
Uchiha Tunan thought for a moment before asking,
"If I ever meet a samurai… how do I earn his respect?"