Three Tomoe? When Did He Awaken Them?!

At the center of the courtyard stood a pavilion.

A thin old man in a loose kimono was quietly brewing tea.

His lips were pursed, and he had an air of authority that commanded respect without anger.

He had stopped going on missions outside the village long ago, so he wore no Forehead Protector. The only symbol of his identity was the Uchiha Clan Crest embroidered on the back of his clothes.

Still the same as ever...

In Uchiha Xiu's eyes, Elder Shin's habits were more like those of the Hyuga Clan. He was particular about certain things and rather old-fashioned.

"Elder Shin." Uchiha Xiu bowed slightly.

Facing the gentle elder who had personally taught him chakra control and various basic ninjutsu when he was young, he absolutely couldn't get carried away and put on the ugly airs of a small-time victor.

Uchiha Xiu was no Some Third:

"Still not satisfied with being level thirty, old man?"

"Come on, don't be so formal. Have you eaten?"

Uchiha Shin said casually, smiling as he turned and called out, "Old woman, hurry and get Xiu a bowl of miso soup and some grilled fish."

"You're in luck, brat. Did you know I went night fishing at the Naka River last night? Is that why you came by?"

As he teased him, a kindly voice called from inside the house, "Xiu, you haven't come over to Grandma's for a meal in ages. You used to love the shrimp tempura I made when you were little."

"..." Uchiha Xiu.

This was one of the reasons he had wanted to come back.

To let tragedy unfold and allow Konoha's High Command and that treacherous Itachi to slaughter every Uchiha, men and women, young and old, regardless of their stance—even ordinary clan members who lacked the ability to become ninja and merely carried Uchiha blood—and then hand their bodies over to Root for secret research? That would be too hellish!

Looking at Uchiha Xiu's utterly serious expression, Elder Shin was puzzled. He gestured for him to sit, then handed him a cup of tea.

"It's just a Chunin promotion exam. Why do you look so worried, like it's some grave matter?"

"With your Sharingan, even if the village arranges for an experienced Chunin to fight you, victory is practically guaranteed..."

He broke off mid-sentence.

Sitting across from him, Uchiha Xiu had three Tomoe in his eyes!

So early in the morning, and the old man's caught in a genjutsu?

What kind of joke is this?!

In an instant, Uchiha Shin revealed a matching pair of Sharingan. As their eyes met, even he, an elder, felt the pressure of Xiu's ocular power.

Just how stimulating was that porn book he read? I think it was called Young Obito. I heard it was even more outrageous than Jiraiya's Icha Icha Paradise series... Could it really have taken him from One Tomoe to Three Tomoe?

An absurd thought flashed through Uchiha Shin's mind.

Because they were close, Elder Shin knew that the boy had awakened his eyes after two Ninja Academy classmates and teammates had died right in front of him.

As a war orphan, he treasured such bonds above all else. It was hard to imagine anything more devastating to his spirit.

After all, as far as Shin knew, Uchiha Xiu didn't have many friends or much of a social circle.

Yet the Sharingan's evolution was triggered precisely by violent upheavals of emotion!

The loss of parents, siblings, or children in battle—Shin knew all too well what kind of tragedy lay behind eyes of this level.

The person in question felt no joy at all!

So... he couldn't bring himself to press Xiu for an explanation, much less say something as abstract as, "First, I grieve for you; second, I congratulate you."

Not unless Uchiha Xiu brought it up himself.

"sigh"

"..."

Uchiha Xiu lowered his head and sipped his tea, feeling a little uncomfortable under Shin's gaze. He decided to get straight to the point.

"Elder, I want to train in more advanced ninjutsu."

"Good."

Still shocked and struggling to compose himself, Elder Shin stood up. "Let's go to the clan's sparring grounds. You'll learn faster if you copy the techniques in battle."

With just one Sharingan, Kakashi had earned the title Copy Ninja. What could an entire clan do?

They had accumulated techniques over hundreds, even thousands, of years!

From the Warring States period through the founding of the hidden villages, Uchiha ninja had fought throughout the Ninja World. Any technique that didn't require a specific Kekkei Genkai to use could be copied the moment it was performed in front of a clan member with awakened eyes.

The training ground.

The younger clan members trained in the outer ring, where the open space was filled with all kinds of equipment: wooden posts, pools, targets, weapon racks...

The inner ring resembled a bird's nest, surrounded by thick walls. It was where the clan's strongest members sparred.

"Elder."

"Elder."

Several diligent little kids bowed their heads.

"Big Brother Xiu!"

"Mm."

Only after the two had gone inside did the children begin whispering.

"Isn't Big Brother Xiu only a Genin? Why is the elder taking him into the arena?"

"My dad said the village will promote a batch of squad-leading Chunin next week. Brother Xiu is one of the top candidates—he's sure to pass."

"I wouldn't call him one of the top candidates. Itachi, who's about his age, already has Three Tomoe. He'll probably join Anbu and work for Lord Hokage."

At the mention of Itachi, the simple-minded children all looked wistful. They stopped discussing Uchiha Xiu, that unremarkable little genius.

At the center of the training ground,

Uchiha Shin stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the young man across from him, who had quietly astonished him. Out of habit, he began to lecture.

"Xiu, I'm starting. Remember..."

"Whether it's ninjutsu, genjutsu, or Taijutsu, simply copying a technique only means you can use it. You still need to judge for yourself when to use it and how to get the most out of it."

"You must never let the Sharingan make you slack off on your training!"

Uchiha Xiu had an immense chakra reserve, but he didn't boast. He answered solemnly,

"Yes, please instruct me, Elder."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Uchiha Shin moved. Rather than closing in, he formed Hand Seals in an instant, his hands moving so fast they became a blur.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

A surging torrent appeared out of nowhere, gathering into a monstrous dragon's head. It roared as it charged forward, its momentum astonishing—no ordinary Jonin could have wielded it.

Faced with the sudden attack, Uchiha Xiu's gaze sharpened.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall."

With a rumble, a solid, unadorned earthen wall rose from the ground, precisely blocking the Water Dragon Jutsu's path.

Water and mud splashed everywhere. The wall shook violently, but it didn't collapse.

"Oh? Sharp judgment, quick execution, and plenty of chakra, by the looks of it." Elder Shin maintained his air of authority, still speaking as though he were giving instruction.

"But defense is always passive."

Almost as soon as the Water Dragon Jutsu was blocked, he used a Shadow Clone to complete the Hand Seals for his next technique—

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"

Chakra poured out, and a fireball took the shape of a dragon as it lunged ferociously forward.

I've copied it.

Uchiha Xiu had awakened Wood Release thanks to the Hashirama Cells in his body, and he now possessed a Water Release affinity as well. He decided to give Elder Shin a taste of his own medicine.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

The monstrous water dragon surged forward to meet the attack.

Ssshh—

Steam billowed wildly. For a brief moment, Uchiha Shin thought of the Bloody Mist Village in the Land of Water.