Changes in the Uchiha Clan

Uchiha Fugaku, who had been immersed in the Qi Refining Manual, finally sensed something amiss and snapped out of his focused state.

Seeing Uchiha Itachi sitting in silence, he closed the manual and spoke.

"Are you finished eating?"

Uchiha Itachi gave a gentle nod to indicate he was done.

Uchiha Fugaku stood up, gathered the empty tableware, and walked away.

"Get some good rest. We continue training tomorrow, so wake up on time and don't even think about slacking off."

Hearing the words "continue training," the goodwill Uchiha Itachi had just felt toward Uchiha Fugaku vanished into thin air.

Give me back the touching moment I just had.

The next day.

After waking up early to drop off Sasuke Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi returned to the clan grounds to resume his training.

Uchiha Fugaku spent his morning the same way; after briefly reviewing the documents processed by Izumi Uchiha, he joined her at the training grounds to train together.

During today's session, Uchiha Itachi noticed that for some reason, he felt significantly lighter and more agile while training.

????

Could it be that I'm a genius at taijutsu training after all?

However, looking at his father, whose training speed was so fast it was practically flying, his newfound confidence vanished in an instant.

After all, with a father who suppressed him in every possible aspect, Uchiha Itachi felt quite helpless.

Uchiha Fugaku, meanwhile, was training with immense intensity. He discovered that after his taijutsu drills—perhaps due to the stimulation of his Senju Bloodline—his body was showing significant improvement even without the use of Body Nourishing Powder.

Furthermore, he didn't feel nearly as exhausted as he had after the first night of combat, which was exactly why Uchiha Fugaku's enthusiasm for taijutsu training was so high today.

If he added the Body Nourishing Powder to the mix today, he was certain he could make Uchiha Mikoto beg for mercy next time.

At this thought, Uchiha Fugaku's training speed involuntarily quickened even further.

Uchiha Fugaku's lead-by-example approach caused the other Uchiha clansmen training nearby to subconsciously become more diligent.

After all, if the clan head—the strongest among them—was training his taijutsu so seriously, it clearly signaled the importance of the discipline; there was no reason for them not to train with equal focus.

By the afternoon, Uchiha Fugaku followed his routine, handing the task of supervising the other clansmen over to Uchiha Itachi.

He then left a bit early to soak in his medicinal bath, intending to visit Oda Uchiha, Kojima Uchiha, and Tanaka Uchiha afterward to see how their culinary studies were progressing.

After Uchiha Fugaku departed, the Uchiha clansmen who remained to train were unusually quiet.

Even Akame Uchiha, who had been the most stubborn the day before, didn't come out to cause trouble, choosing instead to focus calmly on his taijutsu.

Uchiha Itachi, observing this scene from the shadows, felt quite satisfied with yesterday's results.

It was just a bit taxing on his eyes.

Uchiha Itachi subconsciously touched his left eye, which felt as though his vision had slightly deteriorated.

He made a firm resolution never to use that technique lightly again.

After finishing his medicinal bath, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at Oda Uchiha's kitchen.

He saw all three of them standing at the door, sporting dark circles under their eyes, waiting for him.

Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but be startled. Did these three not sleep at all last night?

Was I too harsh with my words yesterday?

But now was not the time to dwell on that; he needed to see the fruits of their labor first.

With that in mind, Uchiha Fugaku followed them into the room.

The table was covered with a spread of Chinese-style dishes.

The aroma of the food wafted through the room, lingering in the air.

Oda Uchiha, dark circles under his eyes, stepped forward first and said, "Clan Head, this is the result of our hard work. Please, have a taste."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very well. Excellent work."

With that, Uchiha Fugaku sat down.

However, he didn't pick up his chopsticks immediately. Instead, he asked the three of them, "How long have you been practicing these?"

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's question, Oda Uchiha replied with some embarrassment, "Clan Head, we haven't stopped since you left."

Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but be taken aback by these words, though he quickly returned to normal and said.

"What I said yesterday was merely to remind you all not to slack off."

"In the future, you should still take breaks when you need to."

"Sit down, all of you, and taste the dishes you've prepared yourselves."

Upon hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, Oda Uchiha, Kojima Uchiha, and Tanaka Uchiha couldn't help but look embarrassed as they replied.

"There's no need, Clan Head. We already tasted them right after we finished cooking. Besides, since we didn't really stop, we aren't hungry."

"Of course, Clan Head, we gave the extra portions we made to the neighbors nearby."

"However, this is the best batch we've made yet."

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku gained a new appreciation for the three of them and offered his praise.

"You have done very well."

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's praise, Oda Uchiha, Kojima Uchiha, and Tanaka Uchiha couldn't help but smile.

After Uchiha Fugaku carefully tasted the food, he gained a clear understanding of their culinary skills.

With the foundation they had previously, what they were making now was already quite decent.

Now, they only needed to practice a bit more and fully master that cookbook.

Afterward, Uchiha Fugaku pointed out the issues in the dishes they had prepared and then told them to go get some rest.

After all, the three of them had stayed up all night together, so it was time for them to rest.

After returning from Oda Uchiha and the others, Uchiha Fugaku went to check on Izumi Uchiha, who had gone early to handle paperwork.

He then headed straight for the Great Elder's place, intending to see how the idea he had proposed yesterday was faring.

As Uchiha Fugaku arrived near the Great Elder's residence.

Uchiha Fugaku walked quietly toward the vicinity of the house and began to peek inside.

However, he was spotted by the Uchiha clansman guarding the gate, but Uchiha Fugaku used his status as Clan Head to gesture for him to remain silent.

The Uchiha clansman, intimidated by the authority of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, chose not to report his presence.

Unfortunately, although the Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna was still excited today, he wasn't acting as he had yesterday.

He simply seemed lost in thought, repeatedly drinking from an empty teacup.

Somewhat disappointed, Uchiha Fugaku revealed himself and teased, "What good things is the Great Elder thinking about?"

????

Uchiha Setsuna, who had been immersed in pleasant fantasies, couldn't help but be startled.

He was just about to fly into a rage when he realized it was Uchiha Fugaku.

He immediately changed his demeanor, stood up, and said, "To what do I owe the pleasure of Clan Head Fugaku's visit today?"