"Second Elder! Second Elder!! Are you even listening?"
From across the platform, Uchiha Fugaku turned his head slightly as Uchiha Setsuna called out sharply to Uchiha Muneyoshi.
Letting a genius slip by unnoticed would be a crippling loss for the Uchiha clan.
With that thought in mind, Setsuna's gaze drifted downward toward the arena below. His eyes settled on a four-year-old child standing calmly amidst the aftermath of battle.
According to the clan's intelligence, that boy possessed remarkable potential. But the mont Setsuna recalled that the child was a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, a faint trace of irritation surfaced in his expression.
Compared to the passive, compromising doves within the clan, those who maintained close ties with the Hokage were even more intolerable in his eyes.
"Hm? I didn't quite catch what the First Elder was referring to just now?"
Muneyoshi suppressed the smile threatening to break across his face, though the pride in his eyes was impossible to hide. Deep wrinkles folded across his aged features as his lips twitched upward.
If there was ever a man smiling so wide it seed his face might split, this was it.
Seeing Muneyoshi's undisguised reaction, a faint glint flickered in Setsuna's eyes.
Could it be that even this old fox had only just realized how terrifying his grandson's swordsmanship talent truly was?
"Second Elder, your grandson's talent is this extraordinary, yet you've never once ntioned it to the clan?"
Setsuna's voice carried a subtle edge of accusation. To defeat so many opponents in succession—and among them, even soone with the strength of a seasoned genin—was no minor achievent.
"My grandson's talent in ninjutsu has always been diocre."
Muneyoshi answered calmly, though a faint trace of disdain lingered in his tone. How could he not see through Setsuna's intentions? This was nothing more than an attempt to pin bla on him—to suppress the influence of their dovish faction within the clan.
An accusation of hoarding talent. Of failing to contribute to the Uchiha as a whole.
His ninjutsu talent being average—that much was true.
But his talent in swordsmanship… was sothing else entirely.
It was monstrous.
"Hmph."
Noticing the pleased expression on Fugaku's face, Setsuna chose not to pursue the matter further. Regardless of factional disputes, the ergence of a swordsmanship prodigy was, without question, sothing the clan could take pride in.
Uchiha Zoro had already firmly established himself as the strongest among the younger generation. To openly challenge Muneyoshi now would be unwise.
If Zoro continued to grow at this pace, it would only be a matter of ti before he possessed the qualifications to contend for the position of future clan head.
---
Character Template: Zoro
Synchronization: 9%
After displaying his overwhelming talent in swordsmanship, the clan's attitude toward Zoro underwent a complete transformation. Doubt gave way to recognition—within the Uchiha, strength had always been the most undeniable proof.
A three-dinsional model quietly ford within Zoro's mind.
The sudden increase of one percent in synchronization caused him to pause slightly.
He was certain he hadn't made any breakthroughs in swordsmanship today.
Then the answer could only be one thing—
Reputation alignnt.
That conclusion made sense. The Roronoa Zoro he knew ultimately sought to beco the world's greatest swordsman.
But as for becoming like him in personality…
If that day ever ca, would he still be himself?
By crushing the entire younger generation of the clan in a single day, he had effectively made a na for himself throughout the Uchiha. Even the higher-ups of Konohagakure had begun to take notice.
Just as Zoro had expected—
At that very mont, inside the Hokage's office, the elderly Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with an unlit pipe between his fingers, his eyes slightly narrowed as he listened to the report from the Uchiha youth standing before him.
This ninja was a descendant of his forr teammate, Kagami—a child he had personally watched grow.
"Shisui, are you certain about what you're saying?"
Hiruzen asked again, his tone asured. A few years ago, he had personally evaluated Zoro. Upon discovering that the boy's ninjutsu aptitude was unremarkable, he had not paid him much further attention.
"Reporting to the Hokage, those Uchiha clan mbers couldn't withstand even a single exchange against Brother Zoro. The strongest among them was said to be at the level of a genin."
Genin…
Hiruzen slowly opened his eyes.
As far as he knew, Zoro was only a little over six years old—and the grandson of Muneyoshi, the leader of the clan's dovish faction.
The doves might not pose a significant threat, but they were still Uchiha.
If a prodigy on the level of Hatake Kakashi had truly erged, then careful observation would be necessary.
"Shisui, you've done well. Seeing you reminds of my old friend Kagami. If he were still alive, he would surely be proud of you."
A faint smile appeared on Hiruzen's face, carrying a hint of approval.
"It was nothing. Everything I do is for the sake of the village."
The young Uchiha Shisui replied respectfully.
At his current age, he still did not understand—
That if he continued down this path, he would one day be forced to stand between clan and village, caught in conflicts that demanded painful choices.
"Sigh… you should know, your predecessor—"
Just as Hiruzen was about to continue speaking about the Will of Fire—
"Bang!!"
The tightly shut door burst open without warning.
A figure cloaked in black strode in, exuding an oppressive, suffocating aura of authority.
As though long accustod to such interruptions, Hiruzen rely frowned slightly.
"Hiruzen, I have urgent intelligence to report."
The newcor's right eye was wrapped in bandages. His voice was low and heavy, carrying a cold edge that made it clear he was not soone to be taken lightly.
"And this is…?"
Shimura Danzō's gaze shifted toward Shisui. The mont he sensed the boy's Uchiha lineage, a flicker of vigilance passed through his eyes.
"He's Kagami's descendant—the one I ntioned before. A talented young ninja. Shisui, you may take your leave. Continue to uphold the will you believe in."
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I won't disappoint you."
At only four years old, Shisui already carried the seeds of becoming a double-edged blade. Rising to his feet, he quietly exited the Hokage's office under Danzō's watchful gaze.
"That boy… Kagami's descendant. Can he be trusted?"
Danzō spoke without restraint, his eyes fixed on Hiruzen seated behind the desk. If this old man ever made a misstep, he wouldn't hesitate to take that seat for himself.
Sensing the weight of that gaze, Hiruzen gave a light cough.
"Of course he can. Shisui is an outstanding inheritor of the Will of Fire."
"Hmph. Spare that nonsense. The Uchiha have produced a swordsmanship prodigy—what do you intend to do about it?!"
Danzō snorted coldly, cutting straight to the point.
"Oh? A genius erging—shouldn't that be a good thing for Konoha?"
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe, his tone deliberately calm, almost evasive.
At this point in ti, the incident involving the Nine-Tails had yet to occur. The village's suspicion toward the Uchiha had not yet reached its peak.
"Bang!!"
Hearing Hiruzen's noncommittal answer, Danzō slamd his hand heavily against the desk.
"A good thing? If Konoha produces a genius, of course that's good—but he's from the cursed Uchiha clan!"
His gaze locked onto Hiruzen's, sharp and unyielding.
He wanted a clear answer.
…
A shadow passed over Hiruzen's expression at Danzō's blatant overstep.
"Danzō, don't forget—I am the Hokage."
"Hmph."
Shimura Danzō's eyes flickered. As though arriving at a decision, a faint trace of killing intent surfaced deep within them.
"You'll regret this…"
"Bang!!"
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