The Uchiha were on the verge of changing leadership. Sasuke needed a backer.
After careful observation, Fugaku had concluded that Konosuke was the most suitable choice.
Konosuke held no prejudice against the Uchiha. He was close friends with Shisui. Only by entrusting Sasuke to someone like him could Fugaku feel at ease.
Since Konosuke had agreed, Fugaku returned to the Uchiha compound. The clan had been anything but peaceful these past few days.
At the academy, Konosuke found Sasuke and asked whether he knew about Fugaku's request.
Sasuke looked at him and bowed deeply.
"Konosuke-sensei, my father has already told me. I truly wish to learn under you. Please accept me."
For all his aloofness, Sasuke's manners were impeccable. It said a great deal about his upbringing.
Konosuke helped him straighten up and ruffled his hair.
"No need to be so formal. Act like you always do."
"How's the Finger Gun I taught you yesterday? Any progress? Anything you don't understand?"
At the mention of it, Sasuke's faint smile disappeared. He lowered his head.
"Sensei… I'm sorry. I haven't made any progress. I can't even gather chakra at my fingertip."
"Look up."
Konosuke's tone turned firm.
"Don't ever say sorry again. And don't bow your head to anyone."
"No matter the situation, never lower your proud head."
"As for Finger Gun, I didn't expect you to master it in a day. It took me three years to develop that technique. If you learned it in one day, what would that make me as your teacher?"
As he turned casually, Konosuke noticed Naruto peeking from across the courtyard.
He beckoned him over.
Naruto ran up eagerly.
"Konosuke-sensei! Are you finally going to teach me that awesome jutsu?"
"Teach you my foot. Have you mastered the Substitution Technique yet?"
Konosuke lightly kicked Naruto's backside.
With both Naruto and Sasuke present, he decided it was time for a warning. He had no intention of having his techniques used for petty fights over some girl—that would lower their prestige.
Placing a hand atop each boy's head, Konosuke felt an odd sense of accomplishment.
The heads of Asura and Indra themselves.
Not just anyone could claim to have patted those.
After indulging his private amusement, he spoke seriously.
"Naruto. Sasuke. You two are my favorite students. I'll teach you my techniques."
"But remember this—if you ever use my jutsu to fight each other, I'll take them back personally. Understood?"
"I understand, Sensei," Sasuke replied immediately. "I won't use your techniques to harm Naruto."
Naruto, meanwhile, looked confused.
"Sensei, I wouldn't fight Sasuke! But… how do you take back a jutsu?"
"Ha!"
Konosuke burst out laughing at Naruto's innocence. Then he pointed at their hands.
"If you break my rule, I'll cut off your fingers one by one. Then you won't be able to use my techniques anymore."
He was still smiling.
Yet his words felt like a devil's whisper.
Naruto and Sasuke shivered.
With that warning delivered, Konosuke sent them to class. Iruka's lesson on the Will of Fire was about to begin.
There were only eight days left before the system's deadline. He needed to push these students harder. So far, only half had mastered the Substitution Technique.
Not long after he returned to the office, Kakashi arrived with a summons from the Hokage.
Konosuke nearly groaned.
You're the Hokage. Why are you always fixated on one academy teacher? If you're bored, go shred newspapers.
At the Hokage's office, Konosuke muttered,
"Old man, is the Hokage's job really this idle? If so, I can take over right now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed calmly on his pipe, watching him with an amused smile that made Konosuke uneasy.
"Just say what you want," Konosuke sighed. "If I can do it, I will. If I can't, don't blame me. You—"
Before he could finish, Hiruzen placed two blank scrolls on the desk.
"Write down the jutsu you know. Strengthen Konoha's foundation."
Konosuke instantly understood.
"You've been spying on me again, haven't you? Don't you feel embarrassed? Sitting there with that crystal ball all day? Maybe I should warn the village women about the peeping old man."
Hiruzen remained unfazed and pushed the scrolls closer.
With no other choice, Konosuke sighed and wrote down three of the five techniques he had developed.
Hiruzen studied them carefully. His eyes gradually brightened.
He had thought Konosuke was merely a combat prodigy. He hadn't realized he could also create jutsu.
And from what he saw, all three were lethal techniques.
After the copies were made, Konosuke added casually,
"Fugaku asked me to teach Sasuke. Just letting you know. Don't misunderstand—I'm just compensating the village for Itachi."
Hiruzen waved dismissively.
"Fugaku already informed me. Teach Sasuke well. These children are Konoha's future."
Konosuke suddenly felt like he'd been played.
He was the last to know.
"Unbelievable. Fugaku takes advantage of me, and now you do too. You old foxes are insufferable."
Grumbling, he left the office, intending to gamble off his frustration.
The moment he left, Hiruzen chuckled.
"It's rare to see that brat outmaneuvered."
Outside the Hokage Tower, Konosuke smiled faintly.
This was exactly the outcome he'd wanted.
A few jutsu in exchange for easing tensions between the village and the Uchiha.
A profitable deal.
Within the Uchiha compound, Fugaku spoke to Itachi.
"The operation begins as planned. Sasuke has been entrusted to Konosuke. We no longer need to worry about him."
"Yes, Father. As long as Sasuke is Konosuke's student, no matter what happens to the Uchiha, no one will dare bully him. Shisui truly chose a remarkable friend."
"Indeed. Shisui has good judgment. Entrusting the Uchiha to him… I can rest easy."