What was an Uchiha like?
Arrogant, overbearing, disdainful of everyone, proud, and domineering.
At that moment, Uchiha Yuan perfectly matched everyone's impression of the Uchiha Clan.
Under his sharp gaze, the onlookers could not help but look away, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Hmph."
Uchiha Yuan snorted coldly, then strode out of the Training Ground.
When he reached the gathered crowd, they automatically parted, and Uchiha Yuan passed through them with a proud expression.
Within the crowd, Hyuga Kagami kept his eyes fixed on Uchiha Yuan's departing back, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
He was furious—furious that he had actually been intimidated by the other party's presence just now.
His pride as a member of the Hyuga Clan would not allow it!
He wanted to call out to Uchiha Yuan and challenge him as well, but he knew very clearly that, based on the skills Uchiha Yuan had displayed, he was probably no match for him right now.
On the other side of the crowd, Senju Gen was likewise watching Uchiha Yuan's back.
His expression was somewhat complicated. Uchiha Yuan, you didn't use your full strength, did you?
Senju Gen had keenly sensed that Uchiha Yuan had clearly held back on several occasions. By his estimation, Uchiha Yuan could have ended the fight within the first twenty exchanges.
As expected of the Uchiha, the only rivals my clan acknowledges.
He was still replaying those Taijutsu combinations Uchiha Yuan had used, filled with a technical beauty, and a fierce fighting spirit shone in his eyes.
Uchiha compound.
Uchiha Yuan walked home alone along a quiet alley.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned toward the alley entrance. "I wonder who has been following me all this way."
Ever since leaving the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Yuan had noticed a presence trailing behind him.
At first, he had been somewhat worried, thinking he had drawn the village's attention, so he had pretended not to notice all along. But even after entering the compound, that presence was still following him.
This made Uchiha Yuan secretly breathe a sigh of relief. He did not believe the village's ninja could evade the clan's notice.
Then curiosity arose in his heart. Who would follow him?
The stalker should also be an Uchiha.
Swish!
Uchiha Yuan's vision blurred, and a young man appeared before him.
Upon seeing the young man, Uchiha Yuan could not help showing a surprised expression.
"So it was you, Senior Shisui."
Uchiha Shisui looked at Uchiha Yuan with a warm smile.
"Yuan, that was excellent perception. When did you discover me?"
Uchiha Yuan said, "At the Ninja Academy gates."
Hearing that, Uchiha Shisui smiled. "Haha, Yuan, you really are impressive."
"Senior, you're a genius greatly valued by both the village and the clan. Why were you secretly following me?"
Uchiha Shisui revealed a humble smile. "I passed by the Training Ground earlier and saw the Taijutsu you used. Those chained techniques were truly beautiful.
"So I became curious and followed you."
After a pause, Uchiha Shisui asked, "Yuan, I noticed that your Taijutsu differs greatly from the clan's style. May I ask who taught you?"
Uchiha Yuan said, "I figured it all out myself."
When he heard that Uchiha Yuan had devised those Taijutsu techniques himself, surprise appeared on Uchiha Shisui's face.
Then he smiled. "If there's a chance, we can spar sometime. Perhaps I can learn a few moves from it."
Uchiha Yuan's gaze shifted slightly. "I'm looking forward to fighting you, Senior. You'll definitely help me discover my own shortcomings."
At that moment, Uchiha Shisui put away his smile, his expression becoming very serious. "Yuan, I actually followed you because there are some things I wanted to say."
"Please, go ahead, Senior."
"Our Uchiha Clan is too proud by nature, and as a result, our relationships with the other Ninja Clans in the village have grown distant.
"Especially recently, rumors about the clan have begun spreading through the village, making the villagers deeply dissatisfied with us. This is not good for the clan."
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuan said, "Senior, you hope the clan can ease its relations with the other Ninja Clans in the village."
"Yes. Ever since the Senju Clan declined, our clansmen have become increasingly arrogant and conceited. This has caused many people in the village to become dissatisfied, and it makes me worry about the clan's future."
"Senior, are you worried that the clan will come into conflict with the village in the future?"
Uchiha Shisui looked at Uchiha Yuan in surprise. He had not expected Uchiha Yuan's mind to be so perceptive, as though he had already seen through his thoughts.
"Yes."
Uchiha Yuan shrugged and asked with a puzzled expression, "But why are you telling me this, Senior? I'm not valued by the village and the clan like you are.
"I'm only a Ninja Academy student. Even within the clan, I'm just an ordinary clansman."
Uchiha Shisui said, "I think that if we want to change the relationship between the clan and the others in the village, it can only begin with us. The students at the Ninja Academy come from every Ninja Clan and civilian family.
"If we become friends with them and deepen our bonds, we will surely be able to improve the relationship between the clan and the village in the future."
"I understand what you mean, Senior."
Uchiha Yuan nodded, then said, "Senior, you haven't said these things to only me, have you?"
Uchiha Shisui showed a trace of distress and nodded lightly. "That's right. It's just that the other clansmen simply cannot understand my thoughts."
Then Uchiha Shisui asked somewhat anxiously, "Yuan, what do you think?"
Uchiha Yuan was silent for a while before suddenly asking, "Senior, do you know about the White Fang incident from several years ago? What do you think of it?"
Uchiha Shisui froze. "White Fang?"
Then he said with regret, "Senior Hatake Sakumo... what a pity.
"I've heard of Senior Sakumo's deeds. Even the proud clansmen of our clan admired him greatly.
"I don't understand why he committed suicide. If he had made a mistake and sincerely repented to the village, I believe the Third Hokage and the others would certainly have forgiven Senior White Fang.
"Sigh, if only he hadn't violated the village's rules, the tragedy would never have happened."
Hearing Shisui's words, Uchiha Yuan sighed inwardly.
Shisui really is a simple and naive fellow.
At that moment, Uchiha Yuan realized that Uchiha Shisui would be a liability. Perhaps Shisui had no ill intent, but with his loyalty to the village, if Uchiha Yuan performed too outstandingly, Shisui would certainly cause the village to notice him.
He decided to keep his distance from Uchiha Shisui.
Uchiha Shisui asked in confusion, "Why did you suddenly bring up Senior White Fang?"
Uchiha Yuan said, "Nothing. It's just that the recent rumors about the clan reminded me of Senior White Fang, who was similarly beset by rumors several years ago."
Then Uchiha Yuan said with a serious expression, "What you're worried about, Senior, is completely impossible. Konoha was founded jointly by the Uchiha and Senju, and the Uchiha Clan loves the village just as much as everyone else in it."
"As for making friends with classmates at the Ninja Academy, as you said, Senior, I don't think just anyone is qualified to become an Uchiha's friend. Uchiha are the strong, and the strong only see the strong."
After hearing Uchiha Yuan's words, Uchiha Shisui fell silent at once, a trace of disappointment appearing in his eyes.
"Yuan, I think you should still put aside your pride. Every classmate can be a companion we can trust on the battlefield."
Then his figure flashed, and he leaped onto a wall more than ten meters away. After several successive jumps, he vanished into the distance in the blink of an eye.
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