The Hyuga Clan

The two walked back, speaking in hushed tones. Uchiha Zhuang asked slowly, "Are you saying the Hyuga clan has no chakra nature? And that you've never used the Five Elements Nature Transformation?" Akihime chuckled, "Who told you such nonsense, or did you guess it yourself? Our Byakugan is a manifestation of Yin Release within the Yin-Yang Release. As for the Five Elements, they consume too much chakra and are inefficient for us, so no one bothers to practice them. We possess the ancient Gentle Fist, which we all study. People often praise Konoha-Style Taijutsu, but what happens when the forceful Konoha-Style meets the Gentle Fist, which uses softness to overcome hardness? I believe such a battle would be truly spectacular." Uchiha Zhuang looked at Akihime and asked, "Then if you encounter a long-range enemy, do you just use shuriken and explosive tags?" "Yes. No one can maintain long-range attacks forever; if you want to defeat an opponent, you must eventually engage in close-quarters combat." Uchiha Zhuang thought of figures like the elderly Ōnoki, Deidara, and Sasori from the later years and remained skeptical of Akihime's claim. After all, a fish swimming in a river cannot see the fisherman on the bank until it leaps out of the water.

A flash of inspiration struck. Uchiha Zhuang led Akihime to a deserted riverside in the park to demonstrate a certain ninjutsu.

"Akihime, I am going to teach you a technique. You must never pass it on to others, and don't show it off easily before you become a ninja." With that, Uchiha Zhuang extended one hand, condensing his chakra. As the crystalline sphere spun with increasing velocity, a stable Rasengan took shape. Having practiced this technique tirelessly since he first learned to extract chakra, Uchiha Zhuang now passed it on to Akihime without reservation. Watching the mesmerizing glow of the Rasengan, Akihime was astonished. "This must be a self-created ninjutsu! Zhuang-kun, to gift me something so precious..." "Don't just stand there. The power of this technique can be adjusted; it all depends on the user's control. This is called the Rasengan, a non-elemental chakra ninjutsu with formidable power. Do you want to learn? I'll teach you."

On the slow walk back to the Hyuga compound, Uchiha Zhuang explained his insights and the tricks to the technique in detail. Although Akihime understood the theory, she couldn't replicate it at all; it seemed she wasn't one of those "cheat-code" geniuses. "You can start practicing with a water-filled balloon at home. Once you can make the balloon rotate until it bursts, try a sand-filled one. With enough practice, you'll master it. Ganbatte, Akihime! I'll head back now, see you tomorrow!" After dropping Akihime off at the entrance of her compound, the two waved goodbye. Uchiha Zhuang turned and ran toward his home.

While teaching Akihime the Rasengan, Uchiha Zhuang had detected a follower with highly advanced stealth techniques. After ensuring Akihime was safely inside, he hurried toward his home, confident that the tracker who stopped at the edge of the Hyuga compound would also stop at the perimeter of the Uchiha clan's territory. He wove through the bustling streets, passed the Konoha Hokage Building, and skirted the quiet park, yet the figure behind him remained unshakable. How could the Konoha Military Police Force not have noticed such a persistent tail over such a long route? Upon reaching the clan grounds, Uchiha Zhuang realized the follower was still there. I see, it must be someone from the Uchiha clan. Are they testing me? After a moment of reflection, Uchiha Zhuang grew serious. Being unable to shake off the tracker for so long proved that the individual possessed exceptional skill and vast experience.

Just as he prepared to turn and face his pursuer, a clansman with his Sharingan activated appeared. The young Uchiha youth said to him, "Go to the clan's Training Ground No. 1. Everyone is waiting for you." The cold, emotionless words were followed by the youth vanishing in a Body Flicker. Uchiha Zhuang did not doubt him and ran toward the training ground. Upon arrival, he found over a dozen middle-aged and elderly clansmen waiting, including Genmu. A stern-looking old man stepped out from the crowd and said, "Young Uchiha, we hear you have awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan and can fight your father to a standstill. Your father even offered a secret treasure in hopes that the clan would cultivate you. To be honest, before seeing your combat prowess, we elders remained skeptical. We have seen cases where fathers hoped for special treatment for their sons, only for them to turn out to be trash. This time, I want to see if you are trash as well!"

"If you are, you will have to live under an assumed name and become a nameless assassin within the Uchiha clan. If not, then congratulations—we elders, along with the clan head who has been observing you, will focus on your development. After all, since the Warring States period, the Uchiha have suffered too much slaughter and death. Absolute power is the only way to save our clan!" The elder paused for a long moment, seemingly calming his emotions.

"Now, let us begin. Oh, and don't blame your father for not warning you about this trial; we ordered him not to reveal a single detail, or it would be void. Very well, Clan Head, you may reveal yourself." He shouted toward the space behind Uchiha Zhuang. A figure slowly became visible: a tall, thin man wearing the full standard Konoha combat gear—green flak jacket, Uzumaki-style bird-beak forehead protector, platform sandals, and a ninja tool pouch. "Uchiha Zhuang, young child. I am the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Ichinohe. You may call me Ichinohe. I am a Lightning and Fire Release ninja, characterized by rapid, lethal Lightning-style strikes and high-pressure Fire-style suppression. You cannot beat me in genjutsu, and I will not discard any of my methods for the sake of 'face.' I will go all out in this battle; I will not stop until you are exhausted and on the ground. Are you ready!?" Uchiha Zhuang's pupils constricted, and he trembled slightly. This is a fight to the death! Brother, don't be so intense, we're all just trying to make a living here! This isn't training me; this is trying to kill me! Uchiha Zhuang screamed internally, his palms sweating. He forced himself to calm down; if he couldn't pass this, he might as well give up on mastering the world and go get reincarnated. Slowly mocking himself into composure, Uchiha Zhuang began to analyze the situation rapidly.

A veteran Uchiha ninja skilled in Lightning and Fire Release meant his offensive capabilities were top-tier. Furthermore, the one who tracked him all the way here was likely him, proving his stealth skills were superb. As for genjutsu, since he was so open about his attributes, he wasn't playing games—he was at least a three-tomoe user. An offensive ninja would certainly not be weak in taijutsu, especially with Lightning Release, which guaranteed high speed. Looking at it this way, he has every advantage! No weaknesses? Don't panic, there must be some. Recalling the wisdom from his past life's "Kage-level insights," he knew that when facing an enemy far stronger than oneself, one must never panic. He had to focus on one word: stall! Stall for time, stall for stamina, stall for chakra! Use time to trade for the foundation and possibility of victory. With this thought, a series of plans rapidly formed in his mind.