Sanhe Yuanliang narrowed his eyes slightly at Uchiha Tunan's words and said coldly,
"You've been awfully kind to an old man like me. You're not a spy, are you?"
Uchiha Tunan was momentarily startled but quickly smiled. He removed his glasses and activated his Sharingan.
Sanhe Yuanliang's eyes widened as he saw the three-tomoe Sharingan spinning in Uchiha Tunan's eyes. After a long silence, he finally sighed in relief.
"I'm getting old, overthinking things. A poor, crippled man like me isn't worth deceiving. Besides, you've already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan... Whatever you want, the Uchiha clan will provide it."
Sanhe Yuanliang chuckled at himself, then continued while sipping his porridge:
"Getting a samurai's approval isn't easy. They are a stubborn and loyal bunch, dedicated to their code. You need to understand what the bushidō truly is..."
Uchiha Tunan listened attentively, eating quietly as Sanhe Yuanliang explained the essence of the samurai spirit.
After all, Uchiha Tunan had long given up on gaining Hatake Sakumo's recognition through emotion—Sakumo's bond with his son, Kakashi, was unshakable. If he wanted Sakumo's approval, he would have to appeal to philosophy and ideals, much like how the Uchiha elders saw him as the future hope of their clan.
As for earning respect through strength, that method would only work on battle-hardened warriors.
Sanhe Yuanliang only introduced the basics of samurai ideology, promising to teach more when Uchiha Tunan had absorbed this first lesson.
After finishing their meal, Uchiha Tunan washed the dishes, then retrieved a fleece blanket and draped it over Sanhe Yuanliang's lap.
Sanhe Yuanliang glanced at the blanket, puzzled.
"Why are you covering me with this?"
Uchiha Tunan smiled and tucked a hot water bottle beneath the blanket.
"It's chilly outside. Staying indoors all day isn't good for your health, so I'm taking you out for some fresh air."
Sanhe Yuanliang hesitated for a moment before sighing, "Alright then."
The two of them strolled through the streets of Konohagakure, like a grandfather and grandson.
Sanhe Yuanliang couldn't remember the last time he had gone out simply to enjoy the village. Even when he did go out, it was only to buy necessities from the local grocery store.
As they walked, villagers started whispering and pointing at Uchiha Tunan.
Sanhe Yuanliang noticed their reactions and asked, "Are they talking about you?"
Uchiha Tunan adjusted his glasses and responded flatly,
"Yes. Lately, the whole village has been discussing me."
Sanhe Yuanliang smirked, now genuinely intrigued. Even his tone became lighter.
"I didn't realize you were famous. Come on, tell Grandpa what happened."
Uchiha Tunan's expression stiffened slightly. He pursed his lips and lowered his voice.
"Let's talk about it another time."
Sanhe Yuanliang was an old man—he could tell Uchiha Tunan was avoiding the topic. Instead of pressing, he nodded and changed the subject.
"Ah, I'm not one for gossip anyway. The fresh air is what really matters."
Uchiha Tunan continued pushing Sanhe Yuanliang's wheelchair, guiding him up the mountain path toward Hokage Rock to watch the sunrise.
As the golden light bathed them, Sanhe Yuanliang sighed, feeling a rare sense of peace.
"The village has changed so much over the years..."
Uchiha Tunan adjusted the fleece blanket again and replied, "And it will change even more in the future."
A warm smile appeared on Sanhe Yuanliang's wrinkled face as he suddenly asked,
"Tunan, do you know your chakra nature affinities?"
Uchiha Tunan, gazing down at the village below, responded, "Why do you ask, Grandpa Yuanliang?"
"Just curious," Sanhe Yuanliang said casually.
Uchiha Tunan nodded. "I haven't officially tested them, but I seem to have affinities for Lightning, Fire, Water, and Earth."
Sanhe Yuanliang frowned slightly. "No Wind nature?"
Behind his glasses, Uchiha Tunan smirked subtly.
"I should have Wind as well."
"Hmm..." Sanhe Yuanliang seemed deep in thought.
"Grandpa Yuanliang, I have to report for team training in half an hour. I'll take you home first."
"Alright."
---
A Few Days Later
Sanhe Yuanliang had fully accepted Uchiha Tunan, and the two now had the air of a real grandfather and grandson.
Sanhe Yuanliang even wanted to pass down his family's secret technique, Sanhe Gale, to Uchiha Tunan. But Uchiha Tunan firmly refused, claiming he was still too young and that his Sharingan had yet to reach its full potential.
Each morning, Uchiha Tunan completed missions with Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake.
In the afternoon, he would either train with Kakashi at his house or take advanced lessons from Minato—learning chakra control techniques like tree climbing, water walking, and refining his chakra more efficiently.
During their weekly team dinners, Kushina Uzumaki would often drop by, both to eat and to check in on Uchiha Tunan.
At night, Uchiha Tunan locked himself in his room to practice the Shunshin Clone Technique—an advanced jutsu requiring mastery of speed, afterimages, and chakra control.
Despite weeks of effort, he had yet to make any real progress.
Then, one day, the peace was finally broken.
---
Hokage's Office
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi slid a mission scroll across his desk toward Minato.
"Given your team's capabilities, I'm assigning you this B-rank mission."
Minato furrowed his brow. "A B-rank mission? Isn't that too soon for them?"
Hiruzen took a deep puff of his pipe and explained,
"This mission is a bit unusual. While it's classified as B-rank, it's a simple escort mission with a very low risk of encountering enemy shinobi."
Minato was still skeptical. "If there are no enemy ninja, shouldn't this be a C-rank mission?"
Hiruzen chuckled and tapped the mission's payment section.
The employer was willing to pay a high price.
"This mission is to escort Master Dīgo from the Fire Temple to the Yunō Temple for a Buddhist debate.
Master Dīgo holds a prestigious position and is a likely candidate to become the next head monk of the Fire Temple.
Although we don't anticipate danger, you must remain vigilant. If something does happen, I trust your mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique will ensure his safety."
Minato nodded. "Understood."
He took the mission scroll and turned to Kakashi and Uchiha Tunan.
"This is a long journey. Go home, pack your gear, and meet me at the village gate by 1 PM."
Uchiha Tunan nodded but, before leaving, cast a subtle glance at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Then he followed Minato and Kakashi out of the Hokage Building, his mind already working on what this mission might reveal.