The Beginning of Building Momentum

A beautiful day began with embracing the first rays of morning sunlight.

At that moment, Uchiha Tokimitsu, awakened by the sunlight, genuinely loved the sun.

Looking out from his room, the first thing he saw was one corner of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.

Konohagakure's main urban district was built along the eastern mountain range. Centered on Hokage Rock, it spread out in a fan shape, divided into western, southern, and northern districts. The Ninja Academy, Konoha Hospital, and Hokage's Office Building all stood beneath Hokage Rock, while the Military Police Force was located on the southern commercial street, far from Hokage Rock.

Although the Military Police Force was relatively far from Konoha's other departments, it was relatively close to Konoha Prison, making it more convenient to carry out interrogations and detentions.

The Military Police Force, a department wielding immense power in Konoha, was the exclusive domain of the Uchiha Clan.

The Military Police Force's authority was mainly reflected in its powers of arrest and detention. Put simply, it could arrest and imprison people directly without going through the Hokage or the Advisory Council. Though final judgments and trials had to be reported to the Hokage's Office Building, this authority visibly surpassed even the Anbu directly under the Hokage's command—after all, even the Anbu required a Hokage's Order to make an arrest.

Moreover, as a ninja village, Konoha had countless active-duty and Retired Ninja throughout its history. As a collective of Ninja who were inherently powerful weapons of war, if the Military Police Force wished to enforce the law in the village, inadequate combat strength would be nothing more than sending people to their deaths. The renowned, formidable, and fierce Uchiha Clan happened to be the ideal choice.

Although, in his previous life, the Uchiha had been unwilling to remain confined to the Military Police Force and sought the Hokage position through rebellion, only to end in death and the extermination of their clan.

"Now that I'm here, I'll change it!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu, gazing out at the Military Police Force beyond the window, came back to his senses and thought to himself.

He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and changed into the Uchiha Clan's standard black short-sleeved shirt. On its back was the Uchiha Fan Clan Crest, resembling a table tennis paddle. He loosely tied the ends of his hair with his usual golden hair tie. A handsome Uchiha child with a cold expression appeared before the full-length mirror.

Uchiha Tokimitsu was satisfied with today's outfit. Though he had not been some fashion expert or hairstylist in his previous life, he had still been a corporate drone in finance and had certain standards for clothing and cleanliness.

In the first-floor hall, Uchiha Nakagen was already fully dressed and sitting rigidly at the tea table, reading a scroll. When he saw Uchiha Tokimitsu come downstairs, he said nothing. As always, he was stiff and expressionless, merely giving a slight nod. Uchiha Tokimitsu greeted him, then obediently went to sit at the dining table. Uchiha Emiko emerged from the kitchen and brought him breakfast.

Today's breakfast was milk, eggs, and a beef sandwich.

Uchiha Tokimitsu quickly finished his breakfast, then left the house with Uchiha Nakagen.

The Uchiha Clan Compound was like a village within the village. The houses of Uchiha clan members stood in neat rows, with the Uchiha Clan Crest painted on both the homeowners' plaques by the doors and the walls, all declaring this to be territory exclusive to the Uchiha. Though it was still early, everyone on the streets—whether Ninja or civilians—as well as the shops lining the road, were Uchiha clan members.

What set the Uchiha Clan apart from other ninja clans was that the Uchiha Clan Compound had walls. The northern road entrance led to the Military Police Force, while the southern entrance faced Konoha Prison. Unless absolutely necessary, ordinary people would rather take a detour than travel through the Uchiha Clan Compound.

But in the eyes of Uchiha clan members, this estrangement from the rest of the village was entirely normal and of no concern. After all, as the people in charge of the Konoha Military Police Force, offending others was perfectly normal to them.

What was more, the Uchiha Clan was accustomed to viewing problems from the standpoint of strength, so they naturally did not care much about the opinions of civilians and ordinary Ninja.

As it happened, Uchiha Tokimitsu did not care either.

Because of his previous life, this world had always felt somewhat unreal to him. He could still feel hunger, pain, colds, and illness in this life; injuries bled, and improperly using Fire Style Ninjutsu could leave his mouth blistered. Yet he had always lacked empathy for outsiders. Simply put, deep down, he instinctively regarded all those irrelevant people as NPCs for farming experience and gold.

But it was precisely this mindset that made Uchiha Tokimitsu of this life appear very "Uchiha."

The road was not far, and they soon reached their destination.

Before them stood a spacious residence with its gates open. Directly opposite the entrance was a screen wall carved with the Uchiha Fan Clan Crest, while the courtyard walls were fitted with hollow brick windows shaped like Shuriken.

To the left of the screen wall stood a middle-aged Ninja around thirty. Seeing Uchiha Nakagen lead Uchiha Tokimitsu inside, he approached with a smile to greet them.

"Nakagen-kun, it's been a long time. I heard your Lightning Style has improved again. Let's spar sometime when we're free?"

"Good day, Captain Kamon. The Military Police Force has been busy lately, so it truly has been a long time. Speaking of Ninjutsu, your Fire Style is Konoha's finest..."

The two exchanged pleasantries For a moment before turning their attention to the small child beside them.

"This must be your son, right? I heard little Tokimitsu is a rare Ninjutsu prodigy in the clan."

"You flatter him, Lord Kamon. My son's little tricks are not yet worthy of mention. He will still need Elder Setsuna's nurturing and guidance."

"Haha, all right, all right. Nakagen-kun, ever since your promotion in the Military Police Force, you've become much more polite. Come in. Elder Setsuna is already waiting."

Uchiha Kamon led the two inside. After passing through a long corridor, they arrived in the reception room.

An elderly man sat kneeling in the hall. He wore a casual black kimono and was slightly stooped, gazing kindly at those approaching.

"Good day, Elder Setsuna!"

Before Uchiha Kamon could introduce them, Uchiha Nakagen took the initiative to bow and greet the elder. Uchiha Tokimitsu followed his example, bowing as well.

"Good day, Elder!"

The smile on the old man's face deepened, and he looked every bit like a kind, benevolent grandfather.

"Nakagen-kun, it has been a long time. Come in."

They removed their shoes and entered, sitting kneeling before Elder Setsuna.

"This is little Tokimitsu, then? I've heard something of your talent. You are a Ninjutsu genius of our Uchiha Clan."

Once everyone was seated, Elder Setsuna spoke first.

Uchiha Tokimitsu felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this and did not know how to respond. He merely gave a slightly awkward smile and bowed faintly in reply.

"You give him too much credit. The clan produces many talented individuals; my son is merely half a step ahead of others. Yet my own abilities are limited, and I fear I may waste his talent. Therefore, I earnestly hope to entrust him to you, Elder, for your instruction, so that he may become a pillar of our Uchiha."

Uchiha Nakagen bowed again as he spoke.

"The clan's talented individuals... Heh. Only those who are of one heart with the clan are Uchiha's true heroes."

Elder Setsuna sighed softly, his voice carrying a hint of desolation.

No one spoke.

Uchiha Tokimitsu felt as though he had just heard something significant.

After a brief sigh, Elder Setsuna's face blossomed into a smile once more. He said to Uchiha Tokimitsu, "Little Tokimitsu, how long did it take you to learn the Great Fireball Technique~?"

"One day!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu replied respectfully.

Everyone was startled upon hearing that. Learning a C-rank Ninjutsu in one day without anyone's guidance—perhaps there would be successors, but there had surely been no predecessor.

"Even Lord Madara only learned this technique under Old Clan Head Tajima's instruction." Elder Setsuna sighed, the smile on his face growing wider. "I'll give you another Ninjutsu. Do you think you can learn it?"

"I'll try!" Uchiha Tokimitsu replied.

At the side, Uchiha Nakagen hesitated to speak, but Elder Setsuna ignored him. He Took out a scroll from his sleeve and Handed it over to Uchiha Tokimitsu. "This technique is the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. Take a look first."

Uchiha Tokimitsu accepted the scroll, opened it, and studied it closely. As he read, he practiced the corresponding hand seals described in the scroll, refining and circulating the Chakra within his body as he did so.

The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique was a Fire Style Ninjutsu that continuously spat fireballs From the Mouth to attack an enemy. The trajectories of the fireballs could be controlled with Chakra, and because they resembled phoenix sage flowers, it was named Phoenix Sage Fire. Though it was also a C-rank Ninjutsu like the Great Fireball Technique, it was somewhat more difficult to perform.

Watching Uchiha Tokimitsu's serious expression, Elder Setsuna grinned broadly enough to reveal several uneven old teeth. Uchiha Nakagen, meanwhile, Appeared somewhat restless.

After a long while, Uchiha Tokimitsu raised his head, rolled up the scroll and placed it before him, then said to Elder Setsuna, "I've learned it."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Nakagen and Uchiha Kamon both felt somewhat dazed.

Elder Setsuna pressed his lips together, intending to restrain his expression, but he could not hide the smile covering his face.

"Good, good, good. Let's try it in the courtyard."

Elder Setsuna rose cheerfully and impatiently pulled Uchiha Tokimitsu toward the courtyard.

Uchiha Kamon hesitated to speak, while Uchiha Nakagen looked slightly uneasy.

Once they reached the courtyard, Elder Setsuna stopped in its center and cheerfully called to Uchiha Tokimitsu. "Little Tokimitsu, begin."

"Please excuse me, Elder."

Uchiha Tokimitsu stood roughly ten meters from Elder Setsuna and prepared to perform the technique.

"Rat—Tiger—Dog—Ox—Rabbit—Tiger."

To coordinate the circulation and mobilization of the Chakra within his body, Uchiha Tokimitsu formed the hand seals slowly.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

A string of fireballs rapidly erupted From the Mouth of Uchiha Tokimitsu like a volley of beads. They traced arcs through the air and shot toward Elder Setsuna before him.

Elder Setsuna also clasped his hands together and rapidly formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

An identical Phoenix Sage Fire Technique burst forth as well. The erupting fireballs followed strange curves, striking Uchiha Tokimitsu's Ninjutsu fireballs one after another. As the techniques collided, clusters of sparks scattered in every direction like meteors and fireworks, blasting pockmarked little holes into the courtyard's lawn, flowers, potted plants, and rockeries.

Brilliant and dangerous like blooming fireworks—such was the charm of Fire Style.

"Good!"

Elder Setsuna used the Body Flicker Technique to rush forward, supporting Uchiha Tokimitsu, who felt slightly dizzy from excessive Chakra consumption. The old man's face bloomed as brilliantly as a flower.

"This is the Thousand Li Colt, a pillar of our clan!"

At this moment.

Elder Setsuna was filled with ambition. Uchiha Nakagen was greatly relieved. Uchiha Kamon looked at the wrecked garden and hesitated to speak.