The Hyuga Clan

As the two walked back, they spoke in low voices. Uchiha Zhuang said, "So you mean the Hyuga Clan has no chakra affinities? You've never used the Five Nature Transformations either?" Akihime chuckled. "Who told you we don't have chakra affinities? Or did you just make that up yourself? Our Byakugan is Yin Release, one of the Yin-Yang Releases. As for the Five Nature Transformations, they use up a lot of chakra for us, and the results aren't good, so no one bothers training in them. We have the Gentle Fist, an ancient art passed down through generations, so we all learn it. People are always talking about how powerful Konoha-Style Taijutsu is, but what happens when that fierce style goes up against the Gentle Fist, which uses softness to overcome hardness? I'm sure it would make for a spectacular fight." Uchiha Zhuang looked at Akihime. "Then if you run into an enemy who attacks from a distance, you use shuriken and Explosive Tags?" "That's right. No one can attack from a distance forever. If you want to defeat your opponent, you'll have to engage them at close range eventually." Uchiha Zhuang thought of later-era fighters like old man Ōnoki, Deidara, and Sasori, and wasn't entirely convinced by Akihime's words. After all, a fish in the river couldn't see the fisherman above the surface until it leaped out of the water.

A sudden idea struck Uchiha Zhuang. He led Akihime to a secluded riverside in the park to show her a ninjutsu.

"Akihime, I'm going to teach you a ninjutsu. Don't teach it to anyone else, and don't show it off before you become a ninja." With that, Uchiha Zhuang extended one hand and gathered chakra into a sphere. As the shimmering chakra orb spun faster and faster, it took shape as a stable Rasengan. Uchiha Zhuang had been so eager to practice this technique after learning to extract chakra that he'd trained for ages before finally mastering it. Now he taught it to Akihime without holding anything back. Staring at the Rasengan's enchanting glow, Akihime was astonished. "You made this technique yourself, didn't you? Zhuang, you're giving me something so precious?" "Don't just stand there staring. This technique's power can be great or small; it all depends on the user's control. It's called the Rasengan, a chakra technique with no nature affinity, and it's not to be underestimated. Want to learn it? I'll teach you."

As they walked back to the Hyuga Clan Compound, Uchiha Zhuang explained the technique's principles and finer points in detail. Akihime understood what he was saying, but when she tried it, all she managed was a puff of air. It seemed Akihime wasn't one of those overpowered prodigies. "When you get home, start by practicing with a water-filled balloon. Once you can spin it until it bursts, try a sand ball. Keep practicing until you get the hang of it, and then you'll be able to master the technique. Do your best, Akihime! I'll head back now. See you tomorrow!" He walked Akihime to the entrance of the compound, and they waved goodbye. Uchiha Zhuang turned and ran home.

While teaching Akihime the Rasengan, Uchiha Zhuang had noticed someone following them. Their concealment skills were superb. After making sure Akihime had returned safely to the compound, he hurried home, certain that the pursuer who had stopped at the Hyuga Clan Compound would also stop at the Uchiha Clan's grounds. He dashed through the busy streets, past the Hokage Building, and through a quiet park, but he couldn't shake the figure behind him. Why had the pursuer followed him so closely for so long without the Hokage's security forces noticing? Once he reached the clan grounds, Uchiha Zhuang went deeper into the compound, only to discover that the pursuer was still following him. I get it. This must be someone from the Uchiha Clan, testing me. Uchiha Zhuang considered the situation and gradually grew serious. If he hadn't been able to shake his pursuer all this time, then the man was highly skilled and extremely experienced.

Just as he was preparing to turn and face his opponent, a clan member with the Sharingan activated appeared. The young Uchiha said to Uchiha Zhuang, "Go to the clan's first training ground. Everyone's waiting for you." His words were cold and emotionless. Then he used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished. Uchiha Zhuang didn't question him and ran toward the first training ground. When he arrived, more than a dozen middle-aged and elderly clan members were already waiting, including Genmu. A sturdy old man stepped out from the crowd and said, "Young Uchiha, I hear you've awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan and can fight your father to a standstill. Your father has also offered the clan a treasured secret, hoping we'll give you special training. To be honest, we elders have our reservations until we see your fighting ability. We've had fathers ask the clan to give their sons special training before, only to find out the boys were useless. This time, I want to see for myself whether you're useless or not!

"If you are, you'll have to disappear from the village and become an anonymous assassin for the Uchiha Clan. If you aren't, then congratulations. We elders, along with the clan head who's been observing you all this time, will give you special training. After all, our people have endured too much bloodshed and death since the Warring States Era! Only absolute power can save the Uchiha Clan!" The elder fell silent for a long moment after his lengthy speech, seemingly trying to calm his emotions.

"Then let's begin. Oh, and don't blame your father for not warning you about this trial. We elders ordered him not to reveal a single detail. Otherwise, the trial would be void. All right, Clan Head, you can come out now." He shouted toward the space behind Uchiha Zhuang. A figure slowly came into view: tall and lean, wearing a full Konoha standard combat uniform—a green flak jacket, a spiral-shaped bird-beak Forehead Protector, platform shoes, and a ninja tool pouch. "Uchiha Zhuang, young man, I'm the current Uchiha Clan Head, Uchiha Ichinohe. You can call me Ichinohe. I'm a Lightning Release and Fire Release ninja. My specialties are fast, lethal Lightning Release attacks and the pressure of high-powered Fire Release. You can't beat me with genjutsu, and I won't hold back any of my methods for the sake of appearances. I'll fight with everything I have. I won't stop until I collapse from exhaustion. Are you ready?" Uchiha Zhuang's pupils contracted, and he visibly trembled. This is a fight to the death, man. Don't go all out like that! We're all just trying to make a living. This isn't training me—it's trying to kill me! His palms began to sweat as he forced himself to calm down. If I can't get through this, how can I talk about conquering the world? I might as well reincarnate now. Gradually settling himself with self-deprecating humor, Uchiha Zhuang quickly began analyzing the situation.

An experienced Uchiha ninja skilled in Lightning Release and Fire Release—his offensive ability would be top-tier. He must also have been the one tailing me all this way; his stealth and infiltration skills are exceptional. As for genjutsu, since he's openly told me his abilities, he's probably not trying to trick me. He must have at least a three-Tomoe Sharingan. An offensive ninja's Taijutsu definitely won't be weak, especially one who uses Lightning Release. He'll be incredibly fast, too. So he's got an advantage in everything! No weaknesses? Don't panic. There has to be one. Remembering the lessons he'd learned about Kage Level opponents, Uchiha Zhuang recalled that when facing an enemy far stronger than himself, he absolutely couldn't panic. He had to focus on one thing: stall! Stall for time, wear down the enemy's stamina, and drain their chakra! Buy time to create the conditions—and possibility—for victory. At that thought, a series of plans rapidly took shape in his mind.