Within the woods of the Uchiha Clan Estate, the afternoon sun filtered through the dense canopy, scattering fine specks of light across the ground.
Uchiha Eiji lay flat on the grass, his chest heaving violently as he gasped for breath, his eyes staring blankly at the sky.
After a while, his breathing gradually steadied. His eyes shifted, landing on Uchiha Gen, who stood not far away with his arms crossed.
"I can't believe I lost again," Eiji said bitterly. "That makes eleven consecutive defeats."
Uchiha Gen said nothing, merely observing him in silence.
Eiji let out a helpless sigh. "Ever since my Sharingan awakened, my chakra has increased rapidly, and I've been training nonstop to adapt to it. I can feel myself getting stronger every day… but in front of you, it's like none of that matters."
Gen smiled faintly. "Don't doubt yourself, Eiji. You really have gotten stronger."
Ever since Eiji awakened his Sharingan, Gen had deliberately observed him during each spar. Using his keen perception, Gen could clearly sense the changes in Eiji's body.
The unique chakra of the Sharingan was subtly tempering Eiji's physique, steadily enhancing his physical capabilities.
Eiji pushed himself up and stared at Gen with a complicated expression.
"Then why can't I defeat you? With my Sharingan, I can see all of your movements clearly. My body reacts in time—I can block your attacks."
Gen's expression turned serious.
"Eiji, did you really block them?"
Eiji fell silent.
"You can keep up with my movements now—that part is true," Gen continued calmly. "But every time you intercept my attacks, it doesn't feel good, does it?"
Eiji nodded unconsciously.
"Eiji," Gen said slowly, "we may be heading to the battlefield soon. I hope you understand something clearly: the Sharingan is powerful because we are powerful. We are not powerful simply because of the Sharingan."
Eiji frowned slightly. "I… don't quite understand."
"There are many shinobi in this world with special abilities," Gen explained. "The Sharingan is strong, but its advantages mean nothing in front of true powerhouses."
He looked directly at Eiji.
"You can see my attacks clearly—but so what? The force contained in each strike is something your body still can't fully withstand."
Eiji was silent for a long moment before nodding.
"I understand now. Thank you, Gen."
He then pulled a scroll from his clothes and tossed it toward Gen.
Gen caught it and unrolled it slightly, his eyes flashing with surprise.
"A B-rank genjutsu?"
"You've basically mastered all the intermediate ninjutsu already," Eiji said. "Low-level techniques wouldn't be worthy as a reward for our spars."
Although he had never once defeated Gen, Eiji knew that every battle exposed his weaknesses and pushed him forward.
Glancing around, he asked, "Why aren't Daishi and the others here? I haven't seen them in a while."
Nearby, only Uchiha Chuan and a few other members from minor ninja families stood watching.
Eiji recognized them but paid little attention. They were academy students who had consistently performed poorly.
"They don't really have talent as shinobi," someone said dismissively. "They've gone back to helping their families."
"That's right," another chimed in. "Without sufficient chakra, training taijutsu is pointless. No matter how hard they try, they'll never match a real ninja."
Eiji nodded in agreement.
---
Ninja Academy
Uchiha Gen sat quietly in the classroom, with Hatake Seiko, Senju Gen, and Hyūga Kagami seated nearby.
Every student wore a tense yet excited expression—today was their graduation day.
More than a year had passed since the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself during the Night of the Nine-Tails. The war had reignited, and the fighting over the past year had been exceptionally brutal.
Casualties mounted daily, and countless genin were treated as expendable resources on the battlefield.
With Konoha's frontline forces stretched thin, the academy was forced to send its graduates directly into service.
Uchiha Gen's class was among those mobilized.
Now, they waited for their team assignments.
Sarutobi Retsu entered the classroom, holding a booklet.
"Inuzuka Rin, Chōnan Eita, Gekkō Shō."
Three students stood and walked forward as a middle-aged ninja appeared at the door. They followed him out.
"Aburame Yūta, Kurosaki Kyū, Sakuragi Kōta."
"Nohara Shinsuke, Akagi Gō, Mito Shirō."
"…."
Hyūga Kagami and Hatake Seiko were assigned to Team Eight, joined by a girl named Kobayashi Yuka.
Then Sarutobi Retsu called out, "Senju Gen."
Immediately after, "Uchiha Gen."
The two were assigned to Team Nine.
Their third teammate was Aida Kai, a boy from a civilian family.
A middle-aged ninja with a long scar across his face appeared at the door. Seeing him, Uchiha Gen's brows knitted slightly.
The man led them to a training ground where other teams were gathering. Gen spotted Team Eight nearby.
The ninja's sharp, oppressive gaze swept over the three.
"I am Yoshiwara Yūto," he said coldly. "A Special Jōnin of Konoha. From today onward, I am your captain. On the battlefield, absolute obedience to my orders is mandatory."
He paused.
"Introduce yourselves. Your specialties, likes, and dislikes."
Under Yoshiwara Yūto's gaze, Aida Kai looked nervous.
"M-My name is Aida Kai. I'm… not particularly good at anything. I like grilled meat, and I dislike garlic."
Senju Gen followed smoothly.
"Senju Gen. I specialize in Water Release ninjutsu. I like sweets, and I don't have any dislikes."
Finally, Uchiha Gen spoke.
"Uchiha Gen. I specialize in taijutsu. I have no particular likes."
His gaze hardened as it settled on Yoshiwara Yūto.
"As for dislikes—Special Jōnin Yoshiwara Yūto, that would be you."
Silence fell instantly.
Yoshiwara Yūto, Senju Gen, and Aida Kai all froze in shock.
"Gen, what are you saying?!" Senju Gen exclaimed urgently. "Apologize to Special Jōnin Yoshiwara immediately!"
He couldn't understand why Gen would provoke their captain on their very first meeting.
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