On the earthen platform, Uchiha Yuan folded his arms across his chest and stared coldly at everyone below.
"How disappointing. You're even weaker than I expected."
Uchiha Daishi rubbed his aching limbs and said helplessly, "Big Brother, I don't think we're weak. I think you're just too strong."
The others nodded as well, their faces filled with dejection.
Through their arduous daily training, they could all feel themselves growing stronger.
They had secretly sparred with other clan members and defeated them with ease.
But they had never expected that even the combined assault of all twelve of them would be utterly helpless before Uchiha Yuan.
Uchiha Yuan swept his sharp gaze across everyone. Then he formed Hand Seals with one hand, and two Shadow Clones appeared behind him.
He said, "Starting today, my Shadow Clones will stay here at all times. They'll accept challenges from any of you. I wonder who among you will be the first to defeat one of my Shadow Clones."
Everyone turned to look at Uchiha Yuan's two Shadow Clones, their faces gradually filling with eager anticipation.
If they couldn't beat the original, could they really not beat a mere Shadow Clone?
When Uchiha Yuan leaped down from the earthen platform and signaled for everyone to begin training, someone immediately sprang onto another platform and challenged one of Uchiha Yuan's Shadow Clones.
It was Uchiha Kaede once again.
Uchiha Yuan's Shadow Clone smiled. "Kaede, I'm very pleased by your fighting spirit. Begin."
Uchiha Kaede flipped her right hand, three Kunai clasped between her fingers.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Amid the sound of them cutting through the air, the three Kunai flew toward Uchiha Yuan's Shadow Clone.
Earth Release: Earth Wall.
An earthen wall rapidly rose before Uchiha Yuan's Shadow Clone, blocking the three Kunai.
But at that moment, a searing heat suddenly appeared beside the Shadow Clone. A roaring blaze surged toward him.
Fire Release: Great Flame Jet.
Uchiha Kaede rapidly formed Hand Seals and unleashed a Fire Release Ninjutsu.
Chakra light flared in the Shadow Clone's right hand. He then rushed forward, charging straight into the flames.
He swung his right palm like a blade, scattering the flames, and charged directly in front of Uchiha Kaede.
Bang!
The Shadow Clone struck Uchiha Kaede in the chest with the back of his hand, sending her flying with a single blow.
Uchiha Kaede traced a helpless arc through the air before crashing outside the earthen platform.
Uchiha Yuan walked up to Uchiha Kaede and said, "Not bad. Compared to before, you're thinking about your attacks now."
After that, everyone began their combat training.
During that time, several others also challenged Uchiha Yuan's Shadow Clones, but all of them were defeated within a few exchanges.
Some time later, when today's training ended, Uchiha Yuan took a scroll from inside his robes.
He said to everyone, "There's a Summoning Technique formula here that you need to master. This formula will be your only way to enter and leave the base from now on."
Then a malicious, amused smile appeared on his face. "Anyone who can't learn this formula will probably have no choice but to stay trapped here and starve."
This Summoning Technique formula was the result of Uchiha Yuan's research into the Summoning Technique. He believed that although the Summoning Technique was quite common in the Ninja World, its potential was extremely high.
The S-rank ninjutsu Flying Thunder God in the village should have been developed by Senju Tobirama through his research into the Summoning Technique.
Uchiha Yuan also had another theory: the Summoning Technique had probably existed within this world's native power system even before ninjutsu appeared.
After mastering the Summoning Technique under his teacher, Hatake Sakumo, he had continued analyzing and studying its intricate formulas.
By constantly breaking down and recombining the formulas, he had finally discovered some patterns and developed a formula he called the Directional Anchor.
He had set up Directional Anchors inside the base. As long as someone activated the formula, they could be transported from outside into the base, much like Reverse Summoning.
Through this formula, Uchiha Yuan had also thought of other applications. Perhaps he could use it to create a "return scroll" like those in the games of his previous life.
The Directional Anchor formula was much simpler than the complete Summoning Technique. After carefully memorizing it, everyone began practicing.
A moment later.
Amid a cry of surprise, Uchiha Kawa's figure suddenly flickered and vanished from where he stood.
He had succeeded.
Uchiha Yuan had set up several Directional Anchors in remote corners of the clan grounds. Anyone who activated the formula to leave the base would appear randomly at one of those locations.
Not long afterward, another person vanished with a bang.
When the final person successfully activated the formula and disappeared, only Uchiha Yuan remained inside the underground base.
Uchiha Yuan looked at his two Shadow Clones and said, "From now on, I'll leave this place in your hands."
"Don't worry, original. With us here, we'll never let anyone discover the base."
It was an ordinary day.
Uchiha Yuan returned to the clan grounds carrying a box of Three-Colored Dumplings. As he passed an empty area within the clan grounds, he saw his younger sister, Izumi.
Izumi was giggling as she teased a baby. Whenever she lightly poked his finger, the baby's little mouth would twitch, and an impatient expression would appear on his tiny face. Several times, he opened his mouth as if about to cry, only to smile again after Itachi, who was holding him, comforted him.
The moment he saw Itachi, Uchiha Yuan realized that the baby was Sasuke.
Uchiha Yuan walked over and called out, "Izumi."
Izumi raised her head and saw Uchiha Yuan. Her face immediately lit up with delight, and she rushed over to hug his left arm. "Big Brother."
Then Izumi pointed at Sasuke in Itachi's arms and said, "Big Brother, look! This is Itachi's little brother, Sasuke. Isn't he adorable?"
Uchiha Yuan looked at Itachi and smiled. "Itachi, long time no see. Your little brother is adorable. He'll definitely grow up to be a genius just like you."
A faint smile touched Itachi's lips. "Yuan, long time no see. Thank you for the compliment. Sasuke will definitely become stronger than me someday."
Uchiha Yuan stepped forward and studied the pink-cheeked Little Sasuke with a smile. "Itachi, we're both older brothers. We'll both do everything we can to protect our younger brothers and sisters."
Itachi lowered his head and looked at Sasuke, smiling gently. "Yes."
Uchiha Yuan affectionately waved the paper bag of Three-Colored Dumplings in front of Izumi. "Izumi, these dumplings just came out of the oven. They're still warm."
Izumi cheered and took the paper bag. Then she pulled out a skewer of Three-Colored Dumplings and handed it to Itachi.
Itachi hurriedly declined, and Izumi immediately pouted and looked at him unhappily.
Uchiha Yuan said, "Itachi, just take it. Otherwise, Izumi will be upset."
"Thank you."
Itachi hesitated for a moment before reaching out to accept the Three-Colored Dumplings from Izumi.
A sweet smile appeared on Izumi's face. She took out another skewer of Three-Colored Dumplings and handed it to Uchiha Yuan.
Only after Uchiha Yuan accepted it did she take out another skewer and gently bite into it.
At that moment, perhaps noticing that her older brother's attention was no longer on her, Little Sasuke began crying.
Itachi hurriedly rocked him gently and soothed him. Then he said goodbye to Uchiha Yuan and Izumi before leaving.
Watching Itachi's departing back, Uchiha Yuan said, "Itachi will definitely be a good older brother."
Hearing that, Izumi hugged Uchiha Yuan's arm and said, "In Izumi's eyes, Big Brother is the best brother in the world."
Uchiha Yuan gently stroked Izumi's hair. As he watched the direction in which Itachi had left, a resolute light shone in his eyes.
"Izumi, Big Brother will always protect you. I won't let you suffer any harm."
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