The Uchiha clan was one of Konoha's founding families. In theory, even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would have no excuse or justification to wipe out the clan. Yet, through his own mistakes, he had pushed the Uchiha into the abyss of annihilation.
Before entering the Uchiha estate, the streets were modern and commercial. Beyond that, inside the clan's residential area, the architecture leaned toward a more traditional style.
Every wall bore the Uchiha emblem: the red-and-white fan. Most people on the streets wore Uchiha clan attire. Many were ninjas in green vests, members of the Uchiha Security Division, responsible for policing and protecting the clan.
"Why are you entering the Uchiha estate, Genin Folken?" asked a young man with sharp black eyes and long hair. A ninja sword hung at his waist, and he wore a green vest, standing in the path of the three newcomers.
Noroi Nono and Mite Dai swallowed nervously. They rarely dared venture this far. The imposing building ahead was the village's Security Department, responsible for disciplining and capturing criminals. Ordinary residents avoided this place.
"I'm looking for my student, Uchiha Mikoto. Do you know her?" Folken was not surprised that a Uchiha ninja recognized him. As a D-rank mission fanatic, most Uchiha ninjas were part of the Security Division. Even if they hadn't met him before, they would have heard of him. And this young man in front of him did not look like an ordinary ninja.
"I see. I am Uchiha Fugaku, a Jonin of the Uchiha clan," the slightly mature-looking Fugaku said. "I have heard from my father about Mikoto. This matter will be personally reported to the Hokage. You need not come here."
Fugaku paused, as if recalling something. "Additionally, Genin Folken, there will be a Chunin exam in mid-July. Mikoto will pass it on the first try. The less than two months of preparation can be handled within the Uchiha clan. Please return."
"I have not received orders from the Hokage. If Jonin Fugaku has already obtained approval from the Hokage, please provide me with the documents so I can confirm," Folken said calmly, meeting Fugaku's sharp gaze without fear.
"What can you teach Mikoto? Ninjutsu? Genjutsu? Shuriken?" Fugaku glanced at the sword Folken carried. "Or perhaps kenjutsu?"
Folken's expression remained neutral.
He had anticipated this societal test. The pressure of status and tradition was everywhere. The young Uchiha heir's presence, coupled with the expectant eyes of the clan members behind him, made the situation dangerous. If he acted prematurely, even killing a Jonin would escalate matters he had to restrain himself.
Not yet. This is not the time to show off.
Fugaku observed the slight tremble in Folken's fingertips and sighed. Just a Genin, after all.
"Very well. I will give you a chance to challenge me," Fugaku said. "Shuriken is the fairest test. If you can… match me evenly, I will personally take you to see Mikoto."
"Agreed." Folken took a deep breath, steadying his hand as it moved further from the sword handle.
Noroi Nono and Mite Dai whispered behind him.
Noroi Nono asked, "Do you think he can win?"
Mite Dai's youthful bravado faltered. "He will. Folken's strength is no joke!"
Noroi Nono paused, remembering he had said yesterday that Folken's strength was comparable to Mite Dai's.
"Ten shuriken, ten kunai. Average score wins. Don't say I'm cheating."
At the training ground, Uchiha clan members gathered, murmuring things like, Is the heir really bullying a Genin? and This Genin doesn't know his place.
Folken nodded at Fugaku's rules, gripping a kunai. Even these training kunai were of high quality worth around 1,000 ryō each, middle-tier grade.
"Who goes first?" Folken glanced at the line on the ground, then up at the target 100 meters away. Only with chakra-enhanced control could one hit it at this range.
Without precise chakra control, the kunai and shuriken would miss. The body became a living weapon, the projectiles its ammunition. Too much or too little force disrupted accuracy.
"I train at this distance regularly. My average accuracy is seven rings," Fugaku said.
He grabbed five shuriken at once. With a whistling sound, five black streaks flew straight and hit the target every shuriken struck.
The Uchiha onlookers gasped. They cheered for the heir.
Five more arcs cut through the air, hitting the target with precision.
"Average score: seven rings."
"Want to try kunai next?" Fugaku asked lightly. Even a full Jonin could not throw five shuriken at once and maintain a 150-meter accuracy within seven rings.
Folken held a shuriken. "So I also have to throw five at once and achieve an average of seven rings to win?"
Fugaku paused, then smiled. "No, no. You can use whatever method you like, just don't cross the boundary."
Thud!
A Uchiha, writing down the results, suddenly saw a red-hot projectile fly past. Half a kunai, glowing with heat, embedded itself clearly in Folken's designated target.
"Ten… ten rings?!"
The clan scribe's voice startled the nearby spectators. Noroi Nono and Mite Dai braced themselves Folken's teacher might lose, and the mission might end in chaos. They could not achieve seven-ring accuracy at 150 meters.
Cheap kunai are often low-quality, have limited range, and require multiple throws to hit the target.
To see a nameless Genin surpass them in their specialty stunned Fugaku.
Moments later, he activated his Sharingan. At eighteen, a talented graduate, one year senior to Folken, he had to be strong.
"You. Shoot again!"
He had to be seeing things. Folken's technique seemed to use a B-rank ninjutsu in an unconventional way. Normally, that jutsu didn't work like this.