Shift in Thinking and Uchiha Setsuna (Seeking Collection)

Shisui's brows furrowed slightly. His figure flashed as he dodged the Wind Release attack and swiftly closed the distance to Yan.

The kodachi in his hand slashed out again with fierce momentum.

It was so fast that even the Three Tomoe could barely track it.

Yan had no time to dodge and could only raise his kunai to block.

Metal clashed, sparks flew, and the powerful impact forced both of them back several steps.

The surrounding Uchiha Clan members had long since been drawn in by the fierce battle.

Their eyes were wide, their expressions tense and focused.

Some clan members even clenched their fists unconsciously, as if they themselves were in the fight.

Uchiha Tekka's eyes brimmed with excitement and anticipation as he muttered, "Elder Setsuna, your choice was indeed right. Yan truly has tremendous potential!"

Even as everyone marveled, several more fierce exchanges erupted in the field.

Yan's ninjutsu was like a raging inferno, flames churning and surging, while Shisui's genjutsu resembled an invisible net, mysterious and unfathomable.

Their figures crossed, light and shadows flickered, and every collision rang out with a dull thud.

The earth and rocks beneath them shattered and scattered. Dust filled the air, as though the entire arena were trembling beneath their fierce battle.

When the two separated once more, Yan panted heavily, but his gaze grew ever more resolute.

Sure enough, memories were only memories in the end.

Real battles changed in an instant. There was no time to slowly think through a response.

Yan now truly dared to say that his on-paper strength was no weaker than that of any elite jonin. He merely still lacked combat experience.

Otherwise, he would not have missed so many chances to counterattack!

A tiny difference could lead to a vast error!

What a pity!

"Yan, you've improved greatly, but it's still not enough!" Shisui said as he activated the Body Flicker Technique again, vanishing from the spot like a ghost.

Yan vigilantly scanned his surroundings, sweat sliding down his cheeks.

Suddenly, he felt a chill strike from behind. He spun around, only to find Shisui's fist already right before him.

Bang!

The punch landed heavily on Yan's chest.

His entire body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the ground and kicking up clouds of dust.

The battle was over!

Yan lay on the ground, staring at the gloomy sky overhead, his thoughts briefly drifting.

At the very beginning, he had truly imagined that he could defeat the famed Body Flicker Shisui head-on.

That thought had reached its peak during the many evenly matched exchanges of their battle.

But soon, the fantasy shattered!

His defeat made him truly recognize reality.

This was not a game. It was a supernatural world where individual power surpassed everything else.

And this world was extremely cruel.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Footsteps sounded in the silence, like leisurely drumbeats within a quiet forest.

The sunlight was gradually blocked out. Yan felt a shadow quietly descend, and a slender yet powerful hand extended before him.

Yan rolled his eyes toward it.

Shisui stood there with a smile, like warm sunlight piercing through the gloom. His eyes were as clear as spring water as he said gently, "Yan, you're strong!"

"I can hardly believe it's only been a short time since you awakened the Three Tomoe."

Yan smiled openly and grasped Shisui's outstretched hand, rising to his feet with Shisui's help.

After brushing the dust from his clothes, he said, "Shisui, I understand now!"

"What do you understand?" The gentle smile on Shisui's face grew even brighter.

"You're a person, a living person! You're not a chess piece, and I won't allow anyone to treat you as one either!" Yan's expression was utterly serious.

The bonds of the Uchiha Clan were simply that straightforward!

But Shisui was somewhat confused. He frowned and said, "Yan, why are you saying strange things again?"

Yan smiled and shook his head, patting Shisui on the shoulder.

"You can think about it slowly."

"But remember this: always keep your guard up. You can't judge a person by appearances alone. You have to look at what they've actually done."

After saying that, Yan walked toward Uchiha Tekka and the others, accepting their fervent, spirited cheers.

Shisui remained where he was, his brow tightly furrowed as he sank into thought, trying to make sense of Yan's disjointed words.

Yet after pondering for a while, he still could not make heads or tails of them.

All he could do was shake his head helplessly, look toward Yan as he joked around with the clansmen, let out a soft sigh, and walk over.

Even as he walked, he continued turning Yan's words over in his mind, wondering why he had suddenly said something so strange yet solemn.

It was already dusk.

Yan entered an estate, then quickly came back out.

There was now a sealing scroll hanging at his waist.

It contained the thirty million ryo Uchiha Fugaku had promised him.

Yan patted the scroll slung across his waist, a faint smile appearing on his face.

As expected of the clan head. He promised it yesterday, and had it ready for me today without saying a single unnecessary word.

For that alone, once I kick you out of office in the future, I'll make sure to take good care of you.

As he walked home, a shadow suddenly appeared and blocked his path.

It was Uchiha Tekka.

"Yan, Elder Setsuna wants to see you!"

Yan paused slightly before the corners of his mouth slowly rose.

As expected, they had finally come.

Ever since Uchiha Tekka, Uchiha Yashiro, and the others had joined him, he had known that the old man Setsuna might have other intentions.

Had he only truly decided to approach him after that fight with Shisui in the afternoon?

Was it because he was worth investing in... or for some other reason?

Still, there was no harm in meeting him.

As far as Yan knew, Uchiha Setsuna had once rebelled against the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and had been imprisoned for it. He was not released until the later stages of the Third Shinobi World War.

But even after his release, he had never settled down. He directly led the Radical Faction in causing trouble for Konoha everywhere.

Yan was quite curious about this man, so he nodded.

"Lead the way!"

Without a word, Uchiha Tekka turned and led the way.

Yan followed behind him, silently speculating about the upcoming meeting.

They passed through one quiet alley after another before finally stopping in front of an ancient courtyard.

Tekka gently pushed open the courtyard gate and gestured for Yan to enter.

He himself remained standing to one side of the entrance, making no move to follow.

The courtyard was quiet, with only a few cherry trees swaying gently in the breeze.

Inside the house, Uchiha Setsuna sat upright at a table, his deep gaze fixed on Yan as he entered.

His face was etched with the marks of age, yet he still exuded an air of authority.

"Yan, you've come." Elder Setsuna spoke slowly, his tone quite gentle.

"May I ask why Elder Setsuna wished to see me?"

Uchiha Setsuna smiled faintly. "Your performance has allowed me to see hope for the Uchiha Clan."

Yan sneered inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged. "You overpraise me, Elder."

"You should be well aware of the Uchiha Clan's current situation." Uchiha Setsuna walked up to Yan. "I need young people with potential like you to fight alongside me for the clan's future."

Yan took two steps back, his tone slightly stiff. "Elder Setsuna, you had Uchiha Tekka, Yashiro, and the others join my side, and now you want to see me."

"You must have something to say."

"Let's be straightforward. There's no need for anyone to beat around the bush."