Qualification for the Anbu

"This clan is truly beyond saving!"

Itachi's eyes were filled with cold indifference.

Even the last shred of belonging he felt had been shattered by his father's words, so stubbornly fixated on the clan.

"Uchiha!"

"Uchiha!"

"It's always Uchiha, every time you open your mouth!"

"To be so obsessed with a single clan, to value the reputation of the premier noble family more than the village itself—that is the very definition of stupidity and narrow-mindedness!"

"Born in Konoha, one should prioritize the big picture of Konoha!"

Of course, he could not possibly voice these thoughts aloud right now, but the seed of rebellion had already sprouted deep within his heart. It only required a catalyst for it to bloom into flowers as scarlet as blood.

Watching his silent, beloved son and sensing that resistant attitude, Fugaku Uchiha's expression remained unchanged, yet his heart tightened incessantly.

This was the eldest son he had once been so incredibly proud of!

At four, he had followed him to witness the horrors of the ninja war; at seven, he had graduated from the ninja academy ahead of schedule; at ten, he had been promoted to Chunin as the top of his class.

But now...

Fugaku Uchiha stared at Itachi. Though only a door frame separated them, the true distance between them felt like mountains and seas.

"Arata wants to spar with you."

After a moment, he spoke again, his mind made up.

Hearing this, Itachi lowered his eyelids, the excuse he had been using for nearly half a year slipping out: "The Anbu have had many missions lately; I don't have the time."

"Then make the time!"

Fugaku Uchiha growled.

His patience was reaching its limit. Dissatisfaction within the clan was growing, and as the clan head, he had to respond.

Continuing to shield the headstrong Itachi would only chill the hearts of the clansmen.

"Only the winner earns the right to remain in the Anbu. This is the unanimous decision of the elders."

"If you refuse to fight, then withdraw directly. I will speak to the Third Hokage about this matter."

Having said his piece, Fugaku Uchiha closed his eyes, ignoring Itachi's reaction, appearing as if he intended to rest.

Conversely, Itachi, standing outside the courtyard, had clenched his fists at some point, his calm face twisting into something slightly ferocious.

First, they sent his close friend Shisui to monitor him, and now they wanted Arata to replace his position in the Anbu.

"Heh, what a ridiculous clan."

"Nii-san!"

Just then, a childish voice reached Itachi's ears.

That familiar tone instantly suppressed the violent impulses in his heart, and the ferocity on his face vanished without a trace.

"Nii-san, welcome home."

The speaker called out again, and the sound of "pitter-patter" footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Itachi turned his gaze to see little Sasuke sprinting toward him.

"Mm, I'm home."

A gentle, faint smile hung on his face.

Itachi accepted the challenge.

It would take place in seven days, during the next Anbu rotation break; only the winner would have the qualifications to enter or remain.

When Uncle Yashiro brought this news, Arata fell silent.

He simply packed a few things, shouldered his custom-made horizontal blade, and headed to the training ground, ignoring all of Uncle Yashiro's attempts at persuasion, even as the moon hung in the treetops.

Because this was the turning point where he had the best hope of changing the trajectory of the clan's annihilation.

There was no other!

Currently, there were three ways to provide himself with combat power in a short time: First, achieve mastery in swordsmanship; whether practicing Konoha-Style Kenjutsu or the swordsmanship he received as a reward, either could become a decent trump card. Second, complete the thousand-day achievement for weighted running; this was the easiest to accomplish, and he was determined to succeed. Third, summon a new Yokai Shikigami and forcibly borrow power through Demon Bind!

"Ren."

Upon reaching the training ground, Arata immediately summoned two Shadow Clones to begin training in the Dance of the Crescent Moon. Seven days was neither short nor long, but to master this swordsmanship, he had to give it his all.

Fortunately, his daily rewards gave him the foundation to sustain such high-intensity training.

As for summoning a new Yokai Shikigami.

Arata had already considered this. The talismans he currently possessed were all low-grade; he could not summon the Nightmare-grade Demon Fox or the Lord-grade Hyakume.

As for the minor-demon-grade Four Heavenly Evil Oni, their power was too weak, and borrowing their strength held little meaning.

That left the Juzu and Heiyong of the strange-tale grade. The former did have the ability to dispel abnormal status effects, which might be useful against the genjutsu of the Sharingan, but the summoning materials required prayer beads consecrated by a high monk. There was a fairly famous Fire Temple within the borders of the Land of Fire, but it was clearly too late to go seeking Buddhist treasures now.

The latter leans more toward physical defense, which does not quite align with his own combat style. Furthermore, for Itachi, who excels in Fire Release and genjutsu, it is of little use.

As for performing a random summon directly, Arata had once held seven contract talismans, ready to summon, but ultimately chose to give up.

At this stage, having the assistance of Yuki-onna is sufficient; too many bizarre abilities would only attract the attention of others, especially Danzo.

The fate of Shisui is the best warning.

The next day.

The entire Uchiha compound was in an uproar.

Perhaps the clan head, in order to force Itachi to take this matter seriously, had spread the news of Arata challenging Itachi. Now, the entire clan knew of this and was looking forward to the day of the duel with great anticipation!

After all, these were the two most outstanding members of the younger generation in their clan; either one of them could suppress the ninjas of other clans from the same period so thoroughly that they couldn't even lift their heads!

They were the pride of the Uchiha!

Of course, there was another person who shared this pride. That was Shisui, who had deterred the Mist ninjas from advancing with his own strength—Body Flicker Shisui.

"Arata."

"Are you back?"

That night, Izumi, who had been waiting in the small courtyard, knocked lightly on Arata's door.

She had been waiting for a long time, and according to his strict daily routine, it was long past his usual time to return home.

Yet, after knocking several times, there was still no response.

According to her mother and Granny Kome next door, they hadn't seen Arata go out since the morning. In the past, he would always go out for a morning run, rain or shine.

"Why."

"Why did it turn out like this."

Izumi Uchiha murmured to herself in her heart.

She had only gone to perform her first genin mission with her newly formed team, and upon returning, she heard the clansmen discussing this matter.

Arata was going to challenge Itachi.

The former was someone she regarded as her own younger brother; although they had no blood relation, the bond built over five years of being together could not be severed no matter what.

The latter had saved her life during the Nine-Tails incident and had once been someone she admired.

It could be said that they were the two most important peers in her life.

But now, they were going to duel.

Unlike the other clansmen, Izumi did not view this as a spectacle or a whim of the younger generation.

Because Arata had never competed with anyone for anything, and it was even less likely that he would go out of his way to cause trouble.

There must be a more complex reason behind this match.

Thinking of this, Izumi couldn't help but gaze toward the training ground; if Arata wasn't at home, that was the only place he could be!

However, just as she took a step, intending to run toward the training ground, she suddenly stopped.

Anbu!

The spot for the Anbu!

Izumi suddenly remembered the stakes of this match—the stakes that most of the clansmen had forgotten.

"Ever since Itachi-kun joined the Anbu, I've rarely seen him."

The girl's voice was filled with melancholy.

"Anbu."

The boy's voice was very weak, perhaps just repeating it casually.

Images hidden deep in his memory began to manifest; Arata had already made certain plans.