Grandpa Sarutobi's Kunai Attack on the Ninja Village!

Two Shadow Clones emerged and immediately started pinning labels on him; it was fortunate only three people were present, or he would have been scared to death!

The evening was reserved for cultural studies, primarily Tobirama explaining the political structure of Konoha, the relationships between various clans, and the mission system, with Izuna occasionally interjecting with snide remarks.

"So, Konoha is currently governed by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, with the advisory council consisting of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura..." Izuna evaluated.

"Shimura Danzō's Root organization operates independently of the Anbu, acting from the shadows; it requires high vigilance," Tobirama said.

"Secret units that aren't bound by overt rules are often the most dangerous. For the sake of so-called 'village interests,' they are capable of anything."

<General Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Commander of the Ninja World!>

<Grandpa Hiruzen fights ninja villages with a kunai!>

<General Hiruzen flies through the sky and tunnels through the earth!>

Qingyu: Loyalty! Like, flower, like, palms pressed together...

Hashirama: True Several Thousand Hands!

Qingyu took notes while asking, "What about the Uchiha? What is the Uchiha's position in Konoha right now?"

The air went quiet for a moment.

"Based on your description of the Military Police Force's duties, the location of the clan grounds, and this recent budget cut," Tobirama said slowly.

"The Uchiha have been marginalized, and it was a deliberate marginalization. The Military Police Force sounds like a department with real power."

"In reality, it is a double-edged sword. It grants the Uchiha control over a portion of the coercive apparatus while simultaneously causing them to accumulate friction with ordinary villagers during law enforcement. Over time, the impression of 'Uchiha police' will solidify."

Tobirama: Good method!

"Stupid," Izuna sneered.

"Since you hold the coercive apparatus, you should use it to the extreme. Either integrate completely and use gentle means to change your image."

"Or... become completely independent and let your strength do the talking. This state of being stuck in the middle—neither willing to fully submit to the Konoha high-ups, nor possessing the resolve and strength to rebel—is the most dangerous. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff; a single gust of wind could send you falling."

Izuna: No, what kind of spineless worms are the Uchiha now! How am I supposed to get things done with you lot...

Qingyu stopped his pen, lost in thought.

Three days passed in a flash, filled with this high-intensity, high-density, and mentally taxing "private tutoring from Warring States legends."

On the evening of the fourth day, Qingyu stood on the training ground, watching the sunset dye the Uchiha clan crest gold.

With the session over, Qingyu had successfully maintained the Water-Fire Rotation for 30 seconds in a live combat scenario, shattering a corner of the training ground and feeling the true power of the new technique for the first time.

He pulled up the system interface:

[Host: Qingyu Uchiha]
[Age: 12]
[Status: Dual-Soul Symbiosis (Stable Phase)]
[Soul Fusion Rate: Izuna Uchiha 23%, Tobirama Senju 25%]
[Strength Assessment: Mid-Chūnin (Theoretical) / High-Chūnin (Combat Technique) / Special Jōnin (Tactical Mind)]
[Skills Mastered: Water-Fire Rotation Series (Proficient), Uchiha Style Shurikenjutsu (Mastered), Senju Style Chakra Control (Proficient), Improved Great Fireball (Novice), Shadow Clone Self-Abuse Training Method (Mastered)...]

"The fusion rate went up again," Qingyu said.

"And this strength assessment... why do I feel like it's heavily inflated?"

"It is indeed heavily inflated," Izuna said mercilessly.

"Chūnin? The standard for a Chūnin during the Warring States period was the ability to independently complete B-rank missions."

"Serving as the tactical core of a three-man squad, you currently count at most as a 'fairly capable veteran Genin'."

"But the rate of progress is acceptable," Tobirama offered a rare compliment.

"Given this training intensity and our guidance, you have a chance to reach the combat level of a Special Jōnin within three months, provided that... you don't train yourself to death."

Qingyu twitched his mouth, unsure if that counted as praise.

Forget it, let's just take it as one!

He looked toward the center of the Uchiha clan grounds, where the silhouette of Naka Shrine loomed in the twilight like a crouching beast.

Tonight at the Hour of the Boar, the Uchiha clan meeting.

What is meant to come cannot be avoided.

Eight-fifty in the evening.

Qingyu changed into a clean Uchiha clan uniform, a dark blue high-collared long shirt with crisp fabric, the red and white fan crest displayed on his back.

This was one of the keepsakes left behind by his parents; he rarely wore it, taking it out only for festivals or ancestral rites.

"Is it really necessary to be this formal?" He adjusted his collar in the mirror, feeling as though his neck were being throttled. "It feels like I'm going to a funeral... ugh, bad luck."

Besides, with a collar this high, was he going to be thrown into a pit again?!

"Yes," Izuna said.

"The Uchiha are one of the clans that value ritual and appearance the most. If you dress sloppily, you've already lost half the battle before you even start. Your strength might be lacking, but your presence cannot."

"Furthermore, the material of this garment is quite interesting," Tobirama analyzed.

"The fabric is woven with trace amounts of chakra-conductive metal wire, which can enhance the resonance efficiency of Fire-style chakra."

"The patterns on the collar and cuffs aren't just decorations; they are simplified chakra-conduction circuits... tsk, you Uchiha even turn your clothing into a research project."

"This is called heritage, you white-haired Senju," Izuna scoffed.

"Flashy and impractical, evil Uchiha!" Tobirama retorted with a sneer.

Qingyu took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The Uchiha compound was very quiet at night, with almost no one on the streets.

Only a few windows emitted light, and the faint sound of a television could be heard from within.

Was that a late-night drama adaptation of Icha Icha Paradise? Or perhaps one of those shows requiring parental guidance?

"What on earth is this..." Qingyu's mouth twitched, and he quickly averted his gaze.

"The Uchiha are watching a drama adapted from a smutty book? This vibe is all wrong, isn't it?"

Come on, man, you're an Uchiha, your looks are at least up to the readers' average standard—instead of going out to be a heartthrob, you're hiding here watching Icha Icha Paradise?

Get out of the Uchiha clan! Your hair conditioner is confiscated!

"Amusing oneself to death," Tobirama commented.

"One of the side effects of long-term peace. During the Warring States period, at this hour, you'd either be on night watch or planning a night raid. Who would have the time to watch this?"

"But at least they don't have to live in constant fear," Izuna said, uncharacteristically not refuting him.

"It can be considered... a form of progress, I suppose."

Qingyu: They can even spin this into a win?!

Walking up to Naka Shrine, Qingyu's pace slowed involuntarily.

The shrine gates were wide open, and the interior was brightly lit.

Inside the shrine, the lights flickered, and over twenty people sat around the ancient well, the air thick with oppressive silence.

Low voices could be heard, but the specific content was muffled, as if separated by a layer of water.

Two Uchiha chunin stood at the entrance, both in their early twenties with sharp gazes.

Seeing Qingyu, the one on the left nodded slightly: "Qingyu? The clan head gave instructions; go straight in. They are by the ancient well in the backyard."

"Thank you, seniors." Qingyu bowed his head in acknowledgment, his heart beating a little faster.

He passed through the main hall and arrived at the backyard.

More than twenty people were already gathered there, surrounding the ancient well.

Fugaku Uchiha stood at the very front, wearing his formal clan head attire—a deep purple haori—his presence steady and composed.

Beside him were Yashiro Uchiha and several other elders, all with stern expressions.

Further back were clan members Qingyu recognized or didn't: Itachi, Shisui, several jonin seniors, and even... Sasuke?

Sasuke was actually here too?

Are there even more experts hiding here?!