What is a Race

The golden light in Uchiha Gen's eyes subsided as he stood up to open the door.

The moment the door opened, a member of the Uchiha clan was standing right there.

"Gen, the Third Elder wishes to see you."

The Uchiha clansman at the door wore a friendly expression, speaking softly once Uchiha Gen had opened the door.

"...Understood."

Half an hour later.

Uchiha Gen appeared at...

The home of Setsuna Uchiha.

"Third Elder."

Uchiha Gen offered a formal greeting to Setsuna Uchiha, who sat cross-legged before him, sporting the same hairstyle as Kenji Uchiha and wearing a black iron mask over his face.

"You did well today. Defeating that branch-family brat of the Hyuga in a single move—Gen, you have great talent. But... a mere Hyuga is not enough. Do you understand what I mean?"

Setsuna Uchiha squinted at Uchiha Gen, his tone heavy with praise.

"I do not understand."

Looking at this representative of the Uchiha hawk faction, who had only been released from the Konoha prison a few years ago, how could Uchiha Gen possibly fail to grasp the meaning behind the man's words?

"You are still young, but you must have heard from many sources about the grievances between the Uchiha and... the Senju. Never mind... it is not yet time to speak of such things to you.

Your talent is sufficient, which is why this meeting is taking place. Uchiha Gen, you must remember: at no time will weakness or hiding yourself bring you the pity or attention of the strong. Since you have talent, then show it to me without reservation.

When your talent garners more attention, the clan will stand behind you to block any danger that may come your way."

Setsuna Uchiha spoke in a deep voice, and at the same time, surging ocular power rippled through the room as a scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun gently within his eye sockets.

"Talent? Do you mean... like this?"

Seeing Setsuna Uchiha suddenly activate his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Uchiha Gen's lips curled upward.

The next moment, amidst the surging ocular power, a relatively weaker but extremely tenacious force of ocular power emerged. The moment this different energy appeared, it collided head-on with the ocular power of Setsuna Uchiha.

This sight caused Setsuna Uchiha to startle, his gaze snapping toward Uchiha Gen's eye sockets.

There, a single pitch-black tomoe was slowly rotating within a blood-red pupil.

"Hahahahahaha!!! Hahahaha!! Good! Very good! Uchiha Gen! Your appearance makes me even more certain of that plan!"

After staring intently at Uchiha Gen's eyes for a moment, Setsuna Uchiha suddenly threw his head back and roared with laughter, the excitement and surprise in his voice clearly evident.

An Uchiha who awakened his eyes at such a young age...

Tobirama Senju! The time has come for the Uchiha to take back everything that belongs to them.

"Uchiha Gen, after tonight, I will consult with the other old fellows. Most of the clan's resources will be opened to you.

Whether it is ninjutsu, ninja tools, or money, you may take them as you please, provided the reason is appropriate—this includes the authority to mobilize a certain number of personnel."

As the laughter subsided, Setsuna Uchiha performed a hand seal and tapped his wrist. A puff of white smoke exploded, and as it cleared, a purple scroll appeared in his palm.

After placing the purple scroll in front of Uchiha Gen, Setsuna Uchiha spoke with gravity.

"And so... what is the price?"

Looking at the scroll before him, it would be a lie to say he wasn't tempted.

Mastering the Mist Space, Uchiha Gen certainly did not lack offensive capability, but in many situations, the support of the clan could save him a great deal of trouble.

For instance, having just mastered swordsmanship, he was currently lacking a good blade.

If he relied solely on the Mist Space, he might eventually draw a decent sword, but he certainly couldn't obtain one immediately. Moreover, what tempted Uchiha Gen most was the authority to mobilize a portion of the clan's manpower.

He was currently in dire need of opponents to earn new gacha attempts.

"Price? Hahahahaha! Gen, this has never been a transaction. If it is not a transaction, how can there be a price? Everything the clan gives you is simply because your talent is sufficient.

However... if you must call it a price, there is only one: do not disgrace the name of Uchiha, become a true powerhouse, and protect the glory of the Uchiha."

A smile returned to Setsuna Uchiha's face as he looked at Uchiha Gen—a smile that was... very sincere.

Looking at the beaming Setsuna Uchiha, Uchiha Gen suddenly understood.

What it meant to be a clan.

In the end, Uchiha Gen left Setsuna Uchiha's home carrying the scroll he had been gifted.

In Setsuna Uchiha's home after Uchiha Gen had departed.

"My lord, that child..."

Beside Setsuna Uchiha, a dark shadow appeared, looking toward the doorway along with him.

That was the place where Uchiha Gen had just left.

"I originally only wanted to see the grandson of the 'stubborn one' and have him target that Senju brat, but I didn't expect... Hahahahaha! She, arrange a clan meeting. I need to discuss Gen's talent with the other old fellows.

The future of the Uchiha has finally been grasped by me, Setsuna! Hahahahaha! Such a young Uchiha Gen who has awakened his eyes—the plan... can be reformulated. This time, they will be persuaded by me."

"Understood!"

"A pleasant surprise, indeed."

Inside his home, Uchiha Gen sat cross-legged on his bed, gazing at the scroll in his hands.

Displaying his Sharingan to Setsuna Uchiha had been nothing more than a whim; having lived in the Uchiha compound for so many years, Uchiha Gen was well aware of the status this Kekkei Genkai held within the clan.

Mastering ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu with ease? None of that could compare to the awakening of these eyes.

Within the Uchiha clan, only those who had awakened these eyes were worthy of being called geniuses; as for any other talent, they were merely ordinary people with a slight aptitude for being a ninja.

As for Uchiha Gen's Sharingan, it had awakened far earlier than Setsuna Uchiha imagined.

Back when Uchiha Gen had just begun practicing the Golden Light Spell, his One-Tomoe Sharingan had awakened as a result of the growth in his life-force cultivation.

And now, after several years of training, Uchiha Gen could clearly feel that his eyes would soon evolve into the Two-Tomoe stage. There was no need for extreme emotions to force the awakening; it would happen naturally, driven by the steady improvement of his life-force cultivation.