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Uchiha Yuan looked up, his gaze calmly sweeping over the attacking Crimson Black Giant Python.

The next second, his figure was swallowed by the giant python's gaping maw.

However, after the Crimson Black Giant Python's lunge, it confusedly flicked its tongue, searching for its target's scent.

Its mouth was empty, its belly not bulging; Uchiha Yuan's figure was nowhere to be seen.

Outside the Death Forest.

On the ground near Konohagakure's massive walls, a figure suddenly emerged from the earth.

It was Uchiha Yuan.

The moment the giant python lunged, he had used the Earth Moving Technique to burrow underground, then traveled rapidly beneath the surface, leaving the Death Forest.

After all, the Death Forest was rich in resources, and the Ninja Clans within the village had industries there; for example, the Nara Clan's deer farm was on the outskirts of the Death Forest, and the Sarutobi Clan's herb garden was within it.

By moving underground, he didn't have to worry about being discovered by people from other Ninja Clans.

Arriving outside the village walls, Uchiha Yuan's eyes flashed with golden light.

Before him was an invisible barrier.

This area was constantly monitored by the village's Barrier Team, and anything passing through the barrier would be sensed.

At this moment, Uchiha Yuan released his spiritual power to sense the frequency changes of the barrier, then adjusted his own aura fluctuations to match the barrier's.

Then, he leaped forward, crossing the village walls.

The village's Barrier Team remained completely unaware.

The village was as bustling as ever, with shopkeepers on the lively commercial street enthusiastically attracting customers.

Passing by a pastry shop, Uchiha Yuan bought a box of Three-Colored Dumplings.

Returning home, Uchiha Yuan sensed only his sister Izumi's presence.

His mother wasn't home; she was likely out preparing ingredients for dinner.

In the attic at home, his sister Izumi sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, her small face full of concentration.

Her breathing was strong and steady, her rhythm subtly exhibiting a special cadence.

As if sensing Uchiha Yuan's arrival, Uchiha Izumi opened her eyes, a troubled expression on her small face.

"Brother, the cultivation method you taught me is so difficult."

Uchiha Yuan comforted her, "Izumi, don't be anxious. Take your time, and remember the rhythm of each breath."

Izumi turned her face away from Uchiha Yuan, saying, "I don't want to train anymore, it's so boring."

Hearing this, Uchiha Yuan's brow furrowed immediately, but then quickly relaxed. He knew his sister was just throwing a tantrum and saying things she didn't mean. If she truly didn't want to train, Uchiha Yuan would be seeing his sister playing right now.

Uchiha Yuan reached out and rubbed the little girl's head, chuckling softly, "Izumi, I'll need you to protect me in the future. Do you really not want to train?"

Izumi turned her face back, pouting at Uchiha Yuan, "Brother is so mean, you only use that to trick me."

"Izumi has always known that brother is actually very powerful and doesn't need Izumi to protect him at all."

Uchiha Yuan smiled slightly, "But Izumi and Mother are the people closest to brother. You are brother's weakness; only when Izumi becomes stronger will brother become stronger."

Izumi seemed to understand but not understand Uchiha Yuan's words, a confused expression on her small face.

After all, in her heart, Konohagakure was the safest place. Her clan was the strongest Ninja Clan, the Uchiha, so where could danger possibly come from?

At this moment, Uchiha Yuan took out the paper box of pastries from behind him and said to Izumi, "Izumi, look what I have!"

"It's Miki Hall's Three-Colored Dumplings."

Uchiha Izumi cheered and immediately took the paper box, opening it and taking out a skewer of Three-Colored Dumplings to eat.

The sweet taste of the Three-Colored Dumplings immediately made the little girl beam with joy, forgetting her troubles with training.

Watching his sister eat the Three-Colored Dumplings with a happy expression, Uchiha Yuan placed one hand on her back.

A brilliant light lit up in his palm, and a mass of pure Chakra slowly flowed into Izumi's acupoints on her back.

Through his understanding gained from absorbing natural energy, Uchiha Yuan had developed a new breathing technique based on the Sage · Ultimate Evolution breathing method.

This breathing technique, he had only taught to his sister Izumi.

Currently, he was transferring his own Chakra into his sister's body.

In various Ninja Clans, each had their own secret recipes to improve the physical fitness of their disciples.

The Uchiha Clan naturally had them too, but firstly, those recipes and ingredients were very expensive. Secondly, these secret recipes were only accessible to those in the Main Family Branch.

Uchiha Yuan's family was merely an Outer Branch of the clan and did not receive any special treatment.

Unless one showed exceptional talent from a young age and gained the clan's attention. But this was something Uchiha Yuan had always avoided.

Therefore, Uchiha Yuan used his own Chakra to warm and refine his sister Izumi's bones and blood, and to clear her meridians.

Night.

After dinner, Uchiha Yuan came to a secluded storage area near the clan grounds.

The surroundings were dark and silent.

A figure landed before Uchiha Yuan, kneeling on one knee. It was Uchiha Daishi.

"Big Brother."

Uchiha Yuan nodded slightly and asked, "You left a mark to summon me, did something happen?"

Uchiha Daishi said in a low voice, "Yes, Big Brother. Three clan members want to join us."

After a moment of silence, Uchiha Yuan asked, "Have they arrived?"

"Yes, they are currently waiting in the stronghold for your summons, Big Brother."

The two figures flickered, and after a few leaps, they landed in a warehouse.

The warehouse was brightly lit, and about thirty Uchiha children were gathered inside.

When the figures of Uchiha Yuan and the other appeared in the warehouse, all the Uchiha children bowed in unison to greet him.

"Big Brother."

Their voices were uniform and their presence was awe-inspiring.

However, three other boys, around ten years old, stood aside somewhat helplessly. They looked at the scene before them with a mixture of surprise and fear.

Then, their gazes turned curiously towards Uchiha Yuan.

As the three boys looked at Uchiha Yuan, they met a pair of sharp eyes filled with authority.

"What are your names?" Uchiha Yuan asked.

"Uchiha Kawa."

"Uchiha Ryosuke."

"Uchiha Isamu."

The three replied, their eyes looking at Uchiha Yuan with some hesitation.

The Uchiha Yuan who appeared did not match their imagination of a strong person. His aura was calm, unlike the domineering and arrogant sharp aura exuded by other main family members.

Uchiha Yuan looked at the three and said, "Why do you three want to join us?"

The three looked at each other, and after a few minutes of silence, one of them spoke, "We want power, but..."

He paused here, seeing Uchiha Yuan frown, and said, "But I feel very disappointed now. There might not be the power we want here."