Inside the Konoha border encampment.
Yun stood in front of the Uchiha clan members, led by Uchiha Tetsuhi.
He glanced at the scroll in his hand, which listed the abilities of the gathered clan members. Including Tetsuhi, already a three-tomoe Sharingan wielder, there were four Jonin, all three-tomoe, skilled in Fire Release and Genjutsu.
Following them were twelve Chunin, most with two-tomoe Sharingan and a certain proficiency in Fire Release and Genjutsu.
"Yun, the clan head, sent us to the frontlines under your command. What missions do you have for us?"
Thanks to the book Yun had secretly altered three times in the Konoha Police Force detention room, the Uchihas had finally begun to show some change through more reading and reflection.
Otherwise, under the old Uchiha attitude, taking orders from him would've been a miracle; issues of seniority existed in every system.
Yun looked toward the four Jonin and thought for a moment before saying, "You'll be deployed alongside the first batch of Hyūga to various watchposts. While Sharingan's scouting isn't quite on par with the Byakugan, it's still better than most ordinary ninja."
He glanced down at his scroll again and frowned slightly. "Uchiha En? Just graduated less than a year ago, passed the Chunin Exams, but still a kid, "
Tetsuhi chuckled awkwardly. "He has Lightning Release chakra. The Yashiro wants him to follow that genius from the Hatake family."
'Hmm?'
Yun paused, thinking. "But Chidori is an S-rank Lightning Release ninjutsu that Hatake invented himself. Learning that won't be easy."
Tetsuhi pulled out a boy from the group who was wearing a Konoha headband. "This kid's personality is different from your typical Uchiha. The clan head hopes this can help improve relations with the Hokage."
Uchiha En looked at Yun and said, "I know you're strong, but you're younger than me. I'm not just gonna respect you because of that!"
Yun twitched slightly and glanced at Tetsuhi. "He doesn't look much different to me."
"Uh… haha," Tetsuhi scratched his head. "You'll see once you've spent time with him. Anyway, this is the clan head's wish."
Yun waved him off. "Fine, let him tag along for now. I'll find a chance to introduce him to Kakashi. Whether he'll take him as a student is another matter."
With that, Yun handed over the list of squad assignments to Tetsuhi, who then organized the Uchiha members to join the watchposts.
As for En, freshly graduated, he started tailing Yun like a shadow.
"Yun, I heard you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan beyond the three tomoe. Can I see it?"
"That's the same eye the clan head has! How did you awaken it? Some secret jutsu or training?"
"You're younger than me, how are you already so powerful? Do you have some special training method?"
...
En chattered nonstop like a talkative bird behind Yun. Mildly annoyed, Yun glanced toward Kakashi's tent.
'Should I… dump this burden on him?'
En suddenly darted in front of Yun. "You were totally thinking something bad just now. Your expression was weird."
Yun paused. "That obvious?"
En smirked and whispered, "I've got the latest collector's edition of Icha Icha Paradise. You tell me your special training method, and I'll… lend it to you. For free."
'Uh...'
Yun studied the kid again. 'Definitely different.'
'Most Uchiha were quietly arrogant. This one was flashy! And already developing that kind of taste so young...'
"…You brought the collector's edition with you?"
En winked slyly. "Of course! No barbecue, no sake on the battlefield, gotta have something to pass the time."
Yun nodded. "Good. Come with me. I'll introduce you to someone. Use your collector's edition as your offering to become his student. If things go well, you might learn an S-rank Lightning jutsu."
'S-rank Lightning jutsu?!'
En was overjoyed and eagerly followed Yun toward Kakashi's tent.
But just as they approached, two ninja sprinted toward them.
"Watchpost Seven has sent out a distress signal!"
Even before they arrived, their voices had already reached the tent.
Kakashi came out and immediately spotted Yun. "Yun, did you memorize the positions of the 23 watchposts from the map last night?"
Yun nodded. "Don't worry. I was in the ANBU for over half a year, I've been around this part of the border a few times."
Without further words, he shoved En toward Kakashi. "This kid brought a gift to become your student. Whether you accept him or not is up to you. I'm off!"
"Wait!"
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Kakashi slammed his hand onto the ground. A puff of smoke, and the ninja dog Pakkun appeared.
Pakkun immediately leapt to Kakashi's head. "Kakashi, not this guy again! That creepy chakra on him, it's terrifying for a dog!"
Kakashi twitched. "Not here to fight Yun this time. I need you to follow him. After he clears the enemies at the post, reverse summon back to report to me."
"If needed, help bring him to assist me. I'm counting on you, Pakkun."
Reluctantly, Pakkun dropped to the ground and stood behind Yun.
"You probably can't keep up with my speed," Yun said as he picked Pakkun up and plopped him on his shoulder. Then he nodded at Kakashi and vanished from the camp.
…...
Yun disappeared, and only then did Kakashi realize En was still staring at him with big, hopeful eyes.
'Who... is this?'
'Did Yun say anything?'
'Maybe not?'
As Kakashi tried to walk around the kid blocking his path, En grabbed him. "Yun said you'd teach me an S-rank Lightning jutsu!"
Kakashi stared. "Did he? I don't remember."
He shrugged off En and walked back into the tent, starting to pack his gear, especially soldier pills, a must for chakra-depleted ninja.
Rustle.
En pulled open the tent flap, walked in, and silently held out a book.
Kakashi's eyes locked onto it instantly.
"Icha Icha Paradise: Collector's Edition, released last month. How did you get this?"
En crossed his arms. "Teach me the S-rank Lightning jutsu, and it's yours."
Kakashi snatched the book and stuffed it into his gear pouch.
"You're too young. This stuff isn't allowed for underage brats. So... I'm confiscating it."
Securing his pouch, he smiled at En. "This is a wartime emergency. We'll talk about jutsu later, if we both survive."