"Daishi, how is everyone's training coming along?"
Uchiha Yuan's sharp gaze swept across the group who were busy practicing before he spoke.
"Leader, you can rest easy," Uchiha Daishi replied respectfully. "Everyone has been training diligently—especially Uchiha Chuan and the other two. Their progress has been remarkable; they've already reached the first stage of the Standing Posture Method."
At those words, Yuan turned his gaze toward the few mentioned. Extending his spiritual sense, he could feel that the flow of their blood and chakra had already reached the level of young shinobi within the clan.
Besides Uchiha Chuan and his companions, several more children from ninja families had recently joined their ranks.
Satisfied, Yuan nodded and walked to the raised platform before the warehouse. From that vantage point, he could overlook the entire training area.
He stood silently for a moment, then said, "Daishi, from now on, our activities must be kept even more secret. Our training must also be moved to a far more hidden location."
Daishi froze for a moment, then his expression darkened. "Brother, has the clan found out about our gatherings? Could it be that someone has betrayed you?"
His tone hardened, his eyes snapping toward several of the children from ninja families in the formation below. In his mind, if there truly was a leak, they were the most likely suspects.
But Yuan said calmly, "No. Don't jump to conclusions. You are my hidden cards—and hidden cards are only useful if they remain hidden until the right moment. Only then can we seize victory."
His gaze fell upon Uchiha Chuan and the others. In Yuan's design, those few would one day serve as his open followers, helping him expand his influence within the Konoha Police Force.
However, the reason he wanted Daishi and the rest to become more discreet had little to do with the clan—and everything to do with one man.
Uchiha Obito.
Ever since he had sensed Obito's gaze upon him at the cemetery near the Memorial Stone, Yuan had felt an uneasy thorn lodged in his throat.
Before, Obito's focus had been entirely on the Fourth Hokage and his wife, in preparation for unleashing the Nine-Tails. At that time, he hadn't paid attention to the Uchiha clan.
But Yuan knew—Obito had been one of the key hands behind the Uchiha massacre. There was no telling when he might once again turn his eye toward the clan.
With his Kamui, Obito could slip in and out of Konoha as if walking through an open field—impossible to detect or stop.
And besides Obito, there was another just as insidious—Zetsu.
Zetsu's Mayfly Technique allowed him to meld perfectly with the earth, trees, and grass, while his Spore Clone Technique could quietly parasitize people and beasts alike.
For that reason, to avoid being noticed by Obito or Zetsu, Yuan had to ensure that Daishi's group trained in a place utterly hidden from prying eyes.
He had been researching Summoning Techniques for several days for precisely this purpose—and at last, he had results.
"Brother," Daishi asked, "where will we gather and train from now on?"
Yuan smiled faintly. "I've already prepared a place for you all—completely secret. It will be our new base."
He waved a hand, signaling the group to stop their drills, then raised his voice. "Everyone, assemble!"
The sound of synchronized shouts abruptly ceased. The trainees dropped their stances and gathered before the raised platform.
Looking down on them, Yuan said, "Up until now, your training has been about laying a solid foundation. But it's time to enter the next phase. Before that, however, there's somewhere we need to go."
As soon as his words fell, four shadow clones leapt out from behind him, landing in four corners around the group.
Each clone slammed a palm onto the ground. Glowing sealing patterns rapidly spread across the floor.
A ripple shimmered through the air—then, in an instant, everyone vanished.
"Brother!" Daishi cried, staring in disbelief at the empty space where the others had stood.
"Daishi, come with me," Yuan said, leaping forward into the glowing seal. His body disappeared in a flash of light.
Daishi followed without hesitation. His vision blurred—and the next moment, he found himself standing in an enormous underground chamber.
"Brother… where are we?" he asked, scanning the vast space.
"We're dozens of meters below ground," Yuan replied, leaping down to stand before the others.
Forming a quick hand seal, he pressed his palm to the earth. A rumble echoed through the cavern as several large square platforms of packed soil slowly rose from the floor.
Yuan sprang lightly onto the center platform, landing in a graceful backflip. "The next stage of training will be combat sparring. Only through battle can you uncover your weaknesses. Now—let's see just how far your strength has come."
His eyes swept over the group. "Who will be the first challenger?"
After a moment of silence, one figure leapt out from the crowd, landing on the platform.
"Leader, please guide me," said Uchiha Feng respectfully.
Yuan gave him a measured look. "Feng, show me everything you've got."
"Yes, sir!"
Feng exhaled softly, eyes sharpening with resolve. The next instant, his figure blurred—disappearing with a Body Flicker Technique.
The young Uchiha below watched with wide eyes, hearts pounding.
Yuan turned smoothly, swinging a single punch—meeting Feng's kick head-on and blocking it effortlessly.
Feng used the rebound to retreat midair, hands forming seals in rapid succession.
Fire Release – Great Fireball Technique!
A roaring sphere of flame burst from his mouth, surging toward Yuan.
Yuan calmly swung his palm like a blade, slicing forward. A gust of chakra wind cut the fireball cleanly in half.
Then, in a blur, he lunged forward—appearing before Feng in an instant.
So fast!
Gasps rippled among the onlookers. Yuan's speed was terrifying.
Feng had only just released his jutsu and hadn't yet landed. Still airborne, he was struck squarely in the chest by Yuan's palm and sent crashing down onto the platform.
Coughing, he climbed to his feet, face full of frustration. He hadn't even been able to react before being completely overpowered.
"Leader, I lost," Feng admitted and jumped down from the platform.
Yuan's gaze moved across the group again. "Who's next?"
Silence.
His brows furrowed slightly. Then his eyes locked onto the dozen strongest chakra signatures below.
"Daishi, Chuan… the rest of you—come at me. All at once."
The twelve called by name leapt onto the platform. They exchanged determined glances, battle intent burning in their eyes.
Once they were ready, Daishi called out, "Brother, we're coming!"
Swish—swish—swish!
Their figures vanished simultaneously, reappearing around Yuan in a coordinated assault.
Yuan's leg swept out in a wide arc, a fierce gust erupting outward that sent several attackers flying back.
Almost at the same moment, multiple chakra surges flared—
Fire Release – Great Fire Stream!
Earth Release – Earth Bullets!
Wind Release – Great Breakthrough!
Yuan dashed forward, his form blurring into a string of afterimages. The ninjutsu detonated behind him in a series of fiery explosions.
His silhouette flickered like a phantom among them; muffled impacts rang out one after another as bodies were struck and thrown from the platform.
Moments later, only Uchiha Yuan remained standing at the center—alone and unscathed.
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