Uchiha Tajima's Probe

Uchiha Clan Land, interrogation room.

"That's roughly what happened."

After hearing the academy teacher's account, the administrator responsible for security in the clan land pondered briefly before raising his hand and slapping the teacher across the face.

The poor one-armed instructor was not very strong to begin with, and the security administrator's strike had been so swift that—

By the time he reacted, the slap had already landed.

"You were put in charge of the academy, yet you allowed something like this to happen. Don't you know the Clan Head hates people who bully the weak?!"

At those words, Sosuke nearly laughed out loud.

What kind of person the Clan Head was was known not only to him. Any cleaning lady they randomly called over could rattle off four or five examples.

Things like this happened frequently within the clan, yet he had never seen anyone speak up for them.

"Looks like the reputation of being a genius really is useful."

After putting on a fake show of reprimanding the instructor, the administrator turned around and immediately changed his expression. His face blossomed like an old chrysanthemum as he said, "Sosuke, come to me if you run into any trouble in the future. If all else fails, the Clan Head will stand up for you too."

Though he kept sneering inwardly, Sosuke nodded repeatedly on the surface, looking as if he were deeply moved.

Seeing this, the security administrator smiled in satisfaction, thinking, Brat, don't forget to put in a good word for me with the Clan Head.

"Go on. The Clan Head is still waiting for you. Remember to be humble. You'll definitely benefit from it in the future."

"Understood."

After Sosuke turned and left, a middle-aged man with a gloomy expression walked out from inside.

"I really didn't expect it. This little bastard actually got the chance to turn things around."

The man was Sosuke's uncle, Uchiha Takeshi.

No one besides the two brothers knew about the sordid affair between him and his younger brother. In any case, it was certainly impossible for him to continue targeting that brat now.

"You'd better restrain yourself." The security administrator warned him sternly. "Opening the Sharingan at six years old means something. You understand that better than I do. Be careful he doesn't settle the score with you later."

"Hmph. Do I need you to remind me?"

With a forceful sweep of his sleeve, Takeshi left the interrogation room with a dark expression.

Behind him, the administrator's face was full of mockery. How could he not understand the man's narrow-minded nature?

His pride and joy, his son, had been beaten down in just a few moves by his younger brother's child, completely reduced to a backdrop for the boy's rise.

Forget making peace. That man probably wouldn't sleep well for an entire week.

"Heh heh. That's what they call bringing disaster upon yourself and bringing about your own destruction."

Not long afterward, Sosuke met the current Clan Head in the conference room—the father of Madara and Izuna, Uchiha Tajima.

With a classic black spiky haircut and dressed in a loose black combat uniform, the man wore a serious expression as he lowered his head and wrote something.

A light-purple layered armor hung on the wall behind him, with a long blade gleaming coldly beside it.

In later generations, hidden villages would be established and the Ninja Academy created, systematically nurturing children into capable shinobi. After graduation, teachers would even be assigned to guide them.

But things were different now. Even within the Uchiha, without battle achievements to support them, anyone who wanted to learn ninjutsu could only copy it with the Sharingan.

Compared to the era of the hidden villages, Warring States shinobi placed greater emphasis on Taijutsu. Pure fist-and-foot techniques were less useful than weapons, so nearly all famous experts possessed formidable swordsmanship.

Clearly, Uchiha Tajima was also a master swordsman.

Standing there quietly without moving, Sosuke was no longer young enough to lose his patience after waiting a few minutes.

After an unknown amount of time, Uchiha Tajima finally raised his head. His gaze toward the boy was filled with appreciation. "Not bad. I like steady children."

"Sit."

Only after receiving the Clan Head's permission did Sosuke drop into the chair beside him.

What followed was an extremely boring round of pleasantries. A genius had finally appeared in the clan, so as Clan Head, Tajima naturally had to show some concern.

"Rest assured. No one in the clan will be able to bully you from now on. If you encounter trouble you can't resolve, come to me."

Heh. That sounds nice.

When we're brothers, you're there in spirit. When something happens, your phone can't be reached.

He had heard too many hypocritical courtesies like this. If he really took the initiative to seek out the Clan Head, he probably would not even be allowed through the door.

Uchiha Tajima was a strong leader, and his strength ranked among the peaks of the Warring States era. However, he was utterly unscrupulous in what he did. He could even use his own sons to achieve his goals.

If Tajima sensed that Sosuke posed a threat, then no matter what people said about him being a genius of the clan, Tajima could cut off his head in one stroke without the slightest hesitation.

He could reveal his talent, but he could not covet power. Otherwise, he would certainly arouse the Clan Head's hostility.

"Ugh, what a nuisance."

As soon as the thought What a hassle arose in his mind, he heard Clan Head Tajima speak.

".I'll arrange a teacher for you and ensure that you receive the best education possible."

"Thank you, Clan Head."

After so much hemming and hawing, he had finally seen some benefit, and Sosuke's smile became a little more genuine.

With a dedicated teacher guiding him, his progress in every area would certainly be rapid. He might even be able to get some Fire Style Ninjutsu for free.

Huh, come to think of it, he had not tested his chakra nature yet.

He would definitely have the Fire nature. As for the others, he could only leave them to fate.

"My spiritual energy is exceptionally powerful, and I have fused two souls. Isn't it reasonable for me to master every nature?"

In fact, during the era of the hidden villages, only Jonin-level shinobi had the ability to develop a second chakra nature.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had developed all five natures, earning himself the title of Professor of Shinobi. The difficulty was obvious from that alone.

Of course, even without developing the corresponding nature, one could still use the related ninjutsu. It was simply much harder to learn, and the resulting power would be insufficient.

After chatting idly for a while, a scar-faced man walked in from outside.

"Clan Head, you called for me?"

"Come, let me introduce you." Tajima gestured for him to come over, then patted the boy's shoulder and introduced him. "This is Sosuke. From now on, he'll be your student."

Upon hearing this, the man's eyes instantly lit up. His gaze toward Sosuke was full of curiosity.

The day's farce had already spread throughout the clan. Everyone was saying that the family had produced an unparalleled genius who had awakened his eyes at the age of six.

People had once said that the Young Clan Head's talent was rarely seen in a century. Now, it seemed that the seat of the number-one genius would probably have to be given to someone else.

Suddenly, the man seemed to think of something. His body trembled almost imperceptibly, and the excitement on his face quickly faded into calm.

"You're Sosuke, right? I'm Uchiha Nagahiko. Starting tomorrow, you'll receive my instruction together with Izuna."

Izuna?

Sosuke suddenly understood. No wonder the Clan Head had said he would receive the highest level of education. It turned out he would be studying together with Izuna.

At that thought, the image of a spiky-haired man suddenly flashed through his mind.

Then where exactly was Uchiha Madara now?