Uchiha Hikaru

After taking a day to rest, Sen first went to Mikoto's home. When he learned she hadn't returned from her mission yet, he headed to the small courtyard of Uchiha Setsuna, a little disappointed.

When he arrived, Uchiha Hikaru, the guard, greeted him with a smile and led him inside.

In the courtyard, Uchiha Setsuna sat in his wheelchair, sipping tea as he dealt with clan paperwork.

Seeing Sen, he stopped working and gave him a pleased smile.

"You're back? I heard you accomplished quite a bit on the battlefield. Good work. You've done the clan proud."

Sen nodded, but his gaze fell on the wheelchair.

"Great Elder, your legs..."

"I'm old. They don't work like they used to." Uchiha Setsuna patted the table casually, gesturing for Sen to sit. "As long as you youngsters make something of yourselves, that's all that matters!

"Come, tell this old man about what happened on the battlefield."

Sen sat down and briefly recounted the fierce battle on Lookout Island: how they'd been ambushed, how he'd stayed behind and killed his pursuers, and how he'd eventually lured the enemy into an ambush and wiped them out.

"Excellent! What a brilliant scheme within a scheme!" Uchiha Setsuna praised him, clapping his hands. "You've got a bit of my old spirit in you, boy. Fearless and bold!"

He took Samehada from Sen. His rough palm slowly stroked the blade, as if he were experiencing firsthand the rough and thrilling battle through the sword.

"You flatter me, Great Elder."

Uchiha Setsuna changed the subject, a knowing smile flickering in his eyes. "All right, just say what you came here for. You and I are cut from the same cloth. Neither of us moves without a reason. You wouldn't have come here first thing in the morning unless you wanted something."

Sen chuckled, no longer bothering to hide it. "I heard our Uchiha Clan has two kinds of Summoning Technique: Ninja Cats and crows. I want to learn how to summon crows."

"You've got big ambitions, little rascal." Uchiha Setsuna shook his head and handed Samehada back to Sen. "Ninja Cats are standard for the Guard Unit. There's no harm in learning to summon them.

"But crows can greatly enhance a practitioner's Illusion Technique and Substitution Technique. Since ancient times, only the strongest members of the clan have been allowed to learn it. You could even say it's a prerequisite for becoming Clan Leader."

He looked at Sen, his gaze sharpening. "Think carefully. The moment you sign this contract, you'll be openly declaring war on Uchiha Sōgaku and his son.

"From that point on, you'll belong to my branch of the Uchiha. Aren't you afraid that after this old bag of bones dies, Uchiha Sōgaku will come after you?"

There was a hint of amusement in Uchiha Setsuna's words, along with a cold warning.

The struggle for Clan Leader was no different from a battle for the heir's position. It had to be settled with overwhelming force, or the consequences would be disastrous.

Sen fell silent, considering his words.

His goal had always been to eliminate Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen, and to deal with Uchiha Fugaku, that spineless weakling of the future, while he was at it.

Now that he thought about it, why not seize the position of Clan Leader too? He could kill two birds with one stone.

Seeing Sen deep in thought, Uchiha Setsuna lifted his teacup and said slowly, "You don't have to give me an answer right away. This path won't be easy."

"I'm not afraid of a difficult path." Sen raised his head, his eyes shining with a light unlike any he'd shown before. "Great Elder, I want to learn it now!"

Even Uchiha Hikaru, standing nearby, looked stunned. Was this guy not afraid of dying?

"No!"

Uchiha Hikaru's expression changed drastically, and he immediately objected. "Great Elder! This is too dangerous! If the Clan Leader finds out, he'll definitely look for a chance to retaliate! Sen is only eleven. How could he protect himself?!"

Uchiha Setsuna didn't answer. He simply watched Sen in silence, waiting for him to prove himself.

"In that case," Sen said, turning to Uchiha Hikaru with a calm expression, "I challenge you to a fight, senior.

"If I'm lucky enough to win, wouldn't that prove I can protect myself?"

The Uchiha Clan had always valued strength above all else. If you could shut everyone up with your fists, no one would dare say another word.

Uchiha Hikaru's face darkened as he glared at the cocky boy. "Uchiha Sen! Half a year ago, you couldn't even get the better of me once!

"Don't think beating a few Jonin from Kirigakure makes you invincible! Uchiha Jonin aren't in the same league as—"

He was still speaking when he saw Sen form the Seal of Confrontation with one hand. Having grown stronger through systematic training, Sen wanted to find out whether he could truly fight a Jonin.

Or, more accurately, whether he, a Chunin, could take on a Jonin above his rank.

"Looks like you need a lesson before you learn how high the sky is!"

The two went to the open space in the courtyard. At Uchiha Setsuna's quiet command to begin, both pairs of scarlet Sharingan began spinning rapidly!

"Boom!"

A powerful surge of chakra burst from Uchiha Hikaru!

His Sharingan seemed to conceal countless Illusion Techniques, all waiting to ensnare Sen.

"Sen, the gap between us is right there in our eyes!" Uchiha Hikaru's Three Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, unleashing its powerful Dojutsu Power!

The scenery before Sen's eyes twisted. Uchiha Setsuna's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Sen, forget it. Try again in a couple of years. The gap between you two is too great."

Sen was confused. Why hadn't Setsuna stopped him earlier, only to object now that the fight had begun?

No!

It was an Illusion Technique!

Sen's heart tightened. He immediately bit his tongue, and the sharp pain snapped him out of the illusion!

Seeing his illusion broken, Uchiha Hikaru was startled. He immediately made a decision and formed Hand Seals at lightning speed!

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

A raging sea of flames, broad enough to cover the entire courtyard, surged toward Sen!

Seeing his opponent get serious, Sen didn't dare take him lightly. He drew Samehada and swung it hard!

The great sword drank in the flames like a giant whale sucking in water, devouring every last one.

Ignoring Samehada's complaints as it squirmed against him, Sen saw Uchiha Hikaru charge toward him and puffed out his cheeks.

"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"

As the dense mist spread, Uchiha Hikaru furrowed his brows. The mist was saturated with chakra, making it impossible to see Sen clearly.

No good. He had to blow the mist away first, or he'd be at too great a disadvantage!

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Uchiha Hikaru frowned and tried to clear the mist with flames, but another voice rang out in the distance.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Fire and water collided with a thunderous crash! Water overcame fire, and steam rose across the clearing as the mist grew even thicker!

"Interesting."

Uchiha Hikaru created a Shadow Clone. Then he and his clone each hurled several Shuriken attached to steel wires, sweeping them across the area like a radar.

Suddenly, one of the wires snapped with a sharp pop.

There!

The Shadow Clone pushed off the ground and rushed toward the broken wire. Sen was preparing to retreat, but the clone immediately thrust a Kunai at him!

"Clang!"

The Kunai clashed against Samehada, sending out a shower of sparks.

"Your sword is too slow!" Wielding a Kunai in each hand, Uchiha Hikaru unleashed dozens of relentless attacks on Sen!

Sen could only defend himself awkwardly with Samehada's massive blade.

"With your body the way it is, you'll never swing a great sword as fast as a short blade!" Uchiha Hikaru stabbed at Sen's face with both Kunai.

After barely blocking the attack, Sen smiled instead of backing away. "Senior, haven't you noticed that every time Samehada grazes you, your body gets weaker?"