In early June, Itachi Uchiha celebrated his fourth birthday, which also meant that he would officially Jonin.
Although he was still very young, Itachi Uchiha was already able to use Chakra, and had completed all the basic training in controlling Chakra.
On his birthday, Fugaku Uchiha returned to his old clan home with his son, and the clan members warmly welcomed the arrival of the new genius.
In Konoha, ordinary children celebrate their birthdays with gifts and lavish meals, but Itachi Uchiha was completely different!
First, he demonstrated his basic skills to his tribesmen, and then he showed off his Shuriken throwing technique.
During the sparring session, Itachi Uchiha demonstrated excellent ninja skills. His keen insight drew praise from the surrounding clansmen, many of whom even flattered Shu Furukawa: "As expected of Osamu-sama, he trained Itachi into an outstanding ninja in just one year!"
"That throwing technique you just used must have been taught by Master Xiu. It's incredible that a four-year-old can reach this level."
The ordinary birthday party turned into a "stage play" showcasing Itachi Uchiha's ninja talent. Sitting in the dojo, Shu Furukawa could only sigh in admiration of the Uchiha's good father.
"Watch your breathing, Itachi!"
"Don't let your opponent's attacks disrupt your concentration; a ninja must always remain calm."
Shisui Uchiha was also present. Seeing Itachi Uchiha sweating profusely yet still persisting in his offensive and defensive maneuvers, and hearing Fugaku Uchiha's stern voice, he couldn't help but think of his own family.
His father also taught him in the same strict way, sending him to the battlefield at a young age in order to comply with the clan's plan.
"Bite!"
The Kunai clashed again, Itachi Uchiha finally exhausted himself. After the Kunai in his right hand was knocked away, the boy in front of him immediately took a step back.
Itachi Uchiha also stopped respectfully in place, straightened his body as he stepped forward to complete the Seal of Reconciliation with the other party, and then bowed his head and said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior!"
"There's no need to be so polite. Your performance was excellent; you truly deserve your reputation as a genius."
The Uchiha with medium-length black hair spoke with envy. Although he had also received training within the clan, he was still playing ninja games when he was four years old.
The surrounding Uchiha clan members applauded, and Fugaku Uchiha, who had maintained a serious expression, finally smiled, very satisfied with his son's performance.
This isn't a training tool; for a 4-year-old to fight calmly, that courage alone surpasses that of most ninjas.
"Clan leader, will Itachi use medication to awaken his Sharingan in the future?"
A gray-haired Uchiha man in his fifties suddenly asked a question. Fugaku Uchiha didn't hide his intentions and calmly replied, "Although he is my son, he is also a member of the Uchiha."
"Since I've taken on this bloodline, I must be prepared. It's not just about using medicine to help me awaken my Sharingan; I will also guide Itachi to experience the real ninja world."
The so-called real ninja world is actually all about killing. Even the Uchiha members, who had extreme emotions, were shocked when they heard that the clan leader was going to take his 4-year-old son to "see blood".
"I have always emphasized that there is no need to resist drugs."
"Xiu is right here. He should have explained the mechanism of the drug to everyone; it's a test of willpower."
"As members of the Uchiha Clan, we should not doubt our bloodline. Itachi will prove it; he will strictly implement the training plan we jointly devised."
"We have gained the Lord Hokage's trust. This is the best time for the Uchiha to rise. The new generation of children will eventually become the strength of the village."
"In the past, you complained about unfairness, but now we have the opportunity to prove ourselves, and the Uchiha Clan can produce Hokage in the future!"
"All conflicts will come to an end in the future, everyone, let's work together!"
After speaking Fugaku Uchiha, who was kneeling on the floor, immediately bowed to his clansmen. The excited Uchiha members in the room responded loudly, "Yes, Clan Chief!"
A bewildered Itachi Uchiha bowed in return, his little face full of confusion. How did his birthday turn out like this? Where were the cake and presents?
Shisui Uchiha straightened up and let out a long breath, a hint of reluctance appearing on his face.
He started taking medication at the age of four and began to suffer from turbulent emotions. It's hard for Shisui to really evaluate this kind of fatherly love.
Thinking about how many more children would follow the same path in the coming years, Shisui clenched his fists. He had already achieved his goal of integrating into the village, so why did he still need to pursue so-called power?
Around noon, members of the Uchiha Police Force also started gossiping, spreading rumors about the clan leader's genius son throughout the village.
Fugaku Uchiha had already left with his son. For the next month, the father and son would travel through the Shinobi World, Rong Uchiha would also witness the true ninja world.
In the dense forest, Shisui Uchiha looked up at the azure sky. The clansmen had integrated into the village, but this had ironically fostered even more ambition.
The strongest clan, the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan —in his view, these things would not help him in any way to have a happy life.
"Senior, is reputation really that important?"
"We've already achieved a better life, yet these children will face an even harder future."
"Power often corrupts a person's mind. If you become Hokage, what will your next goal be?"
"Launching a war to unify the Shinobi World? The thought is terrifying. Why can't everyone cherish the life they have now?"
Shisui Uchiha felt increasingly distressed. He seemed to have become an accomplice in the "persecution" of the young clan members, and his efforts had instead fueled even more desires among them.
Shu Furukawa believed that most members of the Uchiha Clan were affected by a special Chakra in their brains, unrelated to their nature, but rather a slight side effect of their bloodline.
While not inherently evil, most Uchiha members are indeed warlike and worship power.
"Change takes time, don't worry about Itachi, this child is more mature than you think."
"He enjoys thinking, and at this age he's starting to have his own independent thoughts. As for killing, he should already be prepared."
"A ninja always needs a goal so he doesn't get lost."
"A confused ninja is easily swayed, Shisui. You should continue to communicate with your clansmen; there will always be someone who agrees with your views."
Shu Furukawa patted Shisui on the shoulder. For a child, thinking about these things is easy to "brain drain." Seeing the other's frustrated expression, he immediately said, "I'll teach you a new technique. With your current eye power, you should be able to use some of its functions."
"The side effects are quite significant, though. Remember, once you've mastered it, don't push yourself; it will erode your life!"
Shisui Uchiha finally snapped out of his daze and stared wide-eyed at the purple Chakra bones covering Shu Furukawa's right hand.
"The pupil power stimulated by drugs is also this kind of power; it's an application of Yin Release of martial arts technique)."
"To convert this special Chakra into a relatively complete technique, with your current eye power, you'll need several more years of accumulation."
"Remember, the Sharingan is just one form of Chakra. The so-called legendary power is simply higher quality Chakra."
Shu Furukawa, Shisui was staring blankly, demonstrated the basic application of Yin Release: Shaping once again, Shisui, perhaps realizing something, stammered excitedly, "Senpai, this... this is the legendary Susanoo?"
"You could say that Yin Release can even be combined with other powers to achieve similar effects."
"Remember to keep this a secret. Don't force yourself; let your body get used to the transformed eye power first."
Shisui Uchiha vigorously. Thinking of their shared secret, the boy blushed slightly and solemnly replied with his head bowed, "Senior, I will make good use of these powers!"
In mid-June, on the border of the Land of Grass, Fugaku Uchiha successfully captured a rogue ninja.
In the woods, facing the rogue ninja from Kusagakure, Itachi Uchiha lowered his head. Soon, he heard his father's command, "Itachi, this time, pierce his heart with Kunai!"
"I don't want to see you fail because of any emotion. Remember, the skill of killing is also a key measure of a ninja's strength."
"Just like your teacher, who, in a battlefield of hundreds, could still remain unstained by blood when the battle ended."
"Remember the techniques I taught you, now kill him!"
Itachi Uchiha pulled a sharp Kunai from his ninja tool pouch and held it in his hand. He could see the fear in the other person's eyes, as well as their desire for life.
Fugaku Uchiha looked at his son with bloodshot eyes. The first time he killed someone, he used Genjutsu to control Itachi Uchiha, but recently, he no longer needed to do that.
Kunai pierced his heart, blood gushing out, but Itachi Uchiha calmly dodged the ninja who fell to the ground; his body seemed to have become accustomed to killing.
"He truly is my son!"
"Itachi, you did an excellent job. Now, let's continue the slaughter."
"Remember, every powerful ninja embarks on this path of slaughter; this is the true world of ninjas."
"You must separate killing from life, making killing a physical instinct."
Upon hearing these words, Itachi Uchiha looked up at his father, Fugaku Uchiha, who was usually stern but now had a smile on his face, seemingly proud of his performance.
"I understand, Father!"
Seeing his son's calm response, Fugaku Uchiha's smile widened even further. After ruffling Itachi Uchiha's hair, he thought to himself, "It seems my son has the potential to become Hokage!"
"This ninja skill is simply incredible."
Itachi Uchiha blinked and looked at the ninja lying on the ground. He suddenly remembered the experience of Shu Furukawa taking him to jump off a cliff. His body seemed to have long been accustomed to the feeling of being on the verge of death.
"Teacher, is this what it means to control your emotions?"
"I think I've managed to control my fear, my tension, and all the distracting thoughts in my mind, teacher."
Although Itachi Uchiha still felt tension and disgust while killing, such emotions never appeared on his face. "Father, let's continue the mission!"
"Haha! As expected of my son!"