Fugaku's residence.
Uchiha Jing was already about seven and a half years old and stood around 1.5 meters tall. Since he was attending the celebration, he wore a loose, dark-blue changpao.
His features were sharply defined, and there was always the faintest hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Shisui followed behind him, looking left and right. His large eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Big Brother, there are so many people here. What are they doing?"
"To celebrate the birth of a child." Uchiha Jing spoke indifferently as he looked at the child in Mikoto Uchiha's arms, his gaze detached.
"Jing, you're here." The somewhat aged Elder Shenhuo approached.
He glanced at Fugaku's family, who were receiving the clan members, and sneered. "I heard someone calling that little brat the Clan Head's heir. Heh."
"We Uchiha aren't the Hyuga. We don't play at passing things down through a single line. Even Lord Madara wasn't called the Clan Head's heir until after he revealed his talent."
"A baby in swaddling clothes is worthy of that title?"
"If he can grow up normally, then perhaps he will indeed be qualified." Uchiha Jing responded indifferently.
He hated Itachi, but he would not deny his talent because of that.
"I often feel that your eyes can see the future." Shenhuo sighed and smiled as he patted Uchiha Jing on the shoulder.
"In a few years, you may be able to defeat Fugaku. When that happens, I'll initiate a clan duel. You are the one suited to lead the Uchiha!"
Uchiha Jing shook his head.
In another year or two, the Third Shinobi World War would begin. Even now, skirmishes along the borders had already become frequent.
According to the original course of events, the Uchiha would not get the chance to go to the Mist Battlefield until the latter stages of the war.
Moreover, the clan was not united as one. The Radical Faction held the majority, but quite a few people had still chosen the village's side.
Obito, who later joined Minato's team, was merely a relatively representative example.
Where else could Danzo have gotten the Sharingan before the Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre?
To put it more darkly, the reason Kakashi was able to retain his Sharingan later was also because the Uchiha Clan compromised with the Fourth Hokage.
For a thousand years, the Uchiha Clan's ironclad rule had been that, no matter what, outsiders were not allowed to covet the Sharingan.
For that, they could mobilize the entire clan to hunt someone down, never stopping until one side was dead!
Without Uchiha Madara, the Uchiha were merely a group of weaklings anyone could bully, no longer possessing the bearing of the Ninja World's foremost clan.
Fugaku probably had not awakened the Mangekyo yet. He awakened it during the Third Shinobi World War.
If he only had the Three-Tomoe Sharingan...
"I'll challenge Uchiha Fugaku later."
!!
Shenhuo's pupils contracted sharply. "So suddenly?!"
"This isn't a big deal."
Uchiha Jing swept his gaze over everyone before continuing, "Since everyone is here, let's have a fight first. I don't want to become the Clan Head yet."
Fugaku was a fence-sitter. He lacked the ability to steer the Uchiha, but he could still serve as a transitional leader.
Uchiha Jing planned to appear as the Uchiha Clan Head only after the Third Shinobi World War began. That way, the Third Hokage's faction would have little energy to spare for targeting him.
For the Seven-Day Celebration of the Clan Head's child, basically everyone qualified to participate in the clan council had arrived, along with quite a few ordinary Uchiha clan members.
At the banquet.
Uchiha Fugaku raised a toast at Uchiha Shenhuo's table.
"Elder Shenhuo, thank you for your contributions to the clan."
"Jing-kun, and little Shisui, Itachi is your younger brother. Please look after him in the future."
The clan members exchanged glances.
The divisions within the Uchiha Clan were already obvious. The village was still pursuing a conciliatory policy toward the Uchiha, and Fugaku leaned toward peaceful coexistence.
Most of the Uchiha in the Security Force were members of the Doves.
It was only later, when the village oppressed the Uchiha too severely, that the Radical Faction overwhelmed the Doves.
At the founding of the village, the Uchiha Clan had grown tired of war and had even betrayed Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Jing set down the juice in his hand and slowly rose to his feet.
"Clan Head, on this fine day of passing the torch, I would like to ask you for some guidance in ninjutsu."
Uchiha Fugaku's smile did not change. "Of course. I'll wait for you at your usual training ground tomorrow."
Uchiha Jing's lips pressed together slightly, his smile faint. "Do I need to make myself clearer? I'm challenging you, Uchiha Fugaku."
If he had merely been an ordinary Uchiha boy, no one would have taken his words seriously.
Just like how some Uchiha boy could shout every day that he wanted to become Hokage—did anyone think the Third Hokage would take him seriously?
But Jing was different...
The Uchiha Clan revered strength. Whether someone had awakened their eyes was one standard, and after awakening them, each additional tomoe represented another rank.
Any Uchiha with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan possessed publicly acknowledged Jonin-level combat strength.
"Jing, saying that here is somewhat inappropriate."
An Uchiha elder spoke up, trying to give Fugaku a way out.
Uchiha Jing looked at him and said indifferently, "Since when have we Uchiha needed to consider the occasion when fighting?"
"Has a long life of comfort made you start imitating the Hyuga?"
When it came to the Hokage, the Uchiha clan members still held differing opinions.
But regarding the Hyuga—the people competing with them for the title of the foremost dojutsu clan—all Uchiha clan members were disdainful and disgusted.
What kind of standing do you Hyuga have? You think you can compete with my Sharingan?
But the more frustrating part was that... without the Mangekyo, the Uchiha truly could not suppress the Hyuga.
The Hyuga prided themselves on their noble and pure bloodline and looked down on the loudmouthed Uchiha. The Uchiha, in turn, could not stand those effeminate bastards.
Uchiha Jing's words immediately left the man speechless.
Fugaku's gaze darkened slightly, and he waved to indicate that Mikoto did not need to worry.
He looked solemnly at Uchiha Jing and said in a deep voice, "You aren't even a ninja yet. Isn't it too early to say you're challenging me?"
Uchiha Jing turned and slowly walked toward the door. The sound of his geta echoed through the hall.
He turned his head, revealing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes, as fierce Chakra swept outward!
"Clan Head, I'll give you one minute."
"What incredible Dojutsu Power... This isn't an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan!"
"It's Jing, after all. He can definitely reach the realm of the Mangekyo!"
No one blamed Uchiha Jing for disrupting the celebration.
To them, whatever a genius did was reasonable and forgivable.
No matter how rational the Uchiha were, the only thing they believed in was strength!
There was a large open space in front of the Clan Head's residence. Fugaku stood there, his face expressionless as he looked at Uchiha Jing.
"I'm not afraid to say something that makes me look weak. If you truly want to become Clan Head, I'm willing to train you for a few years and let you take over the Clan Head's authority more smoothly."
"You're still too young. You won't be able to handle the village's affairs properly. I know Elder Shenhuo has influenced you, but some matters aren't as simple as you think..."
"You're mistaken, Clan Head." Uchiha Jing shook his head.
"I only want to test my mettle."
"And besides..."
Uchiha Jing assumed a stance and said with a smile,
"Nothing is as complicated as you think. This world..."
"Has always been ruled by the strong. Isn't that right?"
Whoosh!!
An invisible edge hurtled toward him.
Fugaku sidestepped it. The trees behind him were cut down in a wide swath, crashing to the ground with a thunderous roar.
A flash of crimson appeared in his eye.
"As a new father, I'll treat this as a training exercise for Itachi."
Surging Dojutsu Power instantly spread out, carrying an intensely oppressive force.
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