Visiting the Uchiha Clan Compound

Hearing this, Might Guy couldn't immediately figure out Sarutobi Hiruzen's purpose, but Hyuga Hiashi understood what he was getting at.

Hyuga Hiashi naturally had his own thoughts about Sarutobi Hiruzen's motives.

After all, the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan were both vying for the title of the village's foremost clan.

And the Uchiha Clan had made its name with Genjutsu, Fire Style, and Kekkei Genkai. Now that they had suddenly begun training in Taijutsu, it was hard not to wonder whether they had discovered some secret to improving their strength.

Still, since he couldn't figure it out, he might as well follow Lord Hokage's orders.

Might Guy then answered loudly.

"Understood, Lord Hokage. I'll observe them carefully."

Unlike Might Guy, Hiashi replied with perfect calm.

"I will too."

After hearing their answers, Sarutobi Hiruzen put on his Hokage hat and led the two of them toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Of course, the Anbu protecting Sarutobi Hiruzen secretly followed along as well.

Uchiha Clan Compound

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hyuga Hiashi, and Might Guy reached the entrance to the Uchiha Clan Compound, the Uchiha guards spotted them.

"Go inform the clan head, the Great Elder, and the Third Elder. Lord Hokage is here."

Several Uchiha, who had been keeping watch in secret, immediately ran off in two different directions.

Uchiha Fugaku was cultivating his insight, so there was no way he could be disturbed.

As for Uchiha Setsuna, who was out on a date, he could only be dragged back from Granny Cat against his will.

Damn it, just a little longer and Granny Cat and I would have taken our relationship to the next level.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, honestly! Doesn't he know that meddling in someone's romance is a good way to die?

But since this concerned the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Setsuna had no choice but to return, enduring Granny Cat's complaints, and receive Sarutobi Hiruzen.

After all, Uchiha Setsuna had learned from Uchiha Itachi that Uchiha Fugaku had ordered everyone not to disturb him.

Although he had no idea what Uchiha Fugaku was up to, the fact that he'd issued such an order meant it had to be important.

Apart from Uchiha Fugaku, only he and Kagami Uchiha were qualified to receive Sarutobi Hiruzen on behalf of the Uchiha Clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others walked slowly. They were only here to investigate and test the waters.

It would be best if someone from the Uchiha Clan came to receive them and willingly showed them around.

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen had expected, a moment later Uchiha Setsuna hurried over, looking like a scorned wife.

The Third Elder, Kagami Uchiha, arrived right behind him from the Senju Clan Compound.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced around and felt a little surprised. Uchiha Fugaku was nowhere to be seen.

Not seeing Uchiha Fugaku made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel that something was amiss.

Still, he could ask about Uchiha Fugaku later. There was no need to rush.

Uchiha Setsuna hurried over and spoke as soon as he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage, what brings you to the Uchiha Clan Compound?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and replied.

"I heard that the Uchiha Clan Compound was attacked by that mysterious Masked Man."

"I was busy with official duties before, so I never had the time. I just finished up today, so I came to check on you as soon as I could."

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Uchiha Setsuna couldn't help grumbling to himself.

You don't know who attacked us? You've got some nerve, using that as an excuse.

Although that was what he thought, Uchiha Setsuna smiled as he replied.

"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Clan didn't suffer much damage in that attack, and we also received the compensation you provided."

"Everything's pretty much repaired now."

At Uchiha Setsuna's cheeky attempt to have it both ways, the corners of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to stand around and waste time with him, so he got straight to the point.

"If that's the case, then why don't you invite us in for a look, Great Elder?"

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Setsuna fell silent for a moment.

He did want to refuse to let Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others enter the compound. But Uchiha Fugaku was training and had refused to come out, and today's visitors were the Hokage and the Hyuga clan head. It would be hard to stop them without a good excuse.

Fortunately, before he'd come, he had already arranged for people to hide the medicinal powder Uchiha Fugaku had ordered them to prepare.

Besides, there was nothing in the clan beyond a few members training. What was the harm in letting them look around?

Having thought it through, Uchiha Setsuna smiled and said,

"Then I've been remiss. I'll show Lord Hokage and Clan Head Hiashi inside."

As for Might Guy, Uchiha Setsuna simply ignored him. He vaguely recognized him, but didn't know his name.

After all, Might Guy wasn't a famous prodigy in Konoha yet. And with the Third keeping his abilities under wraps, hardly anyone knew how terrifying he was.

(Uchiha Fugaku: This is the man who nearly kicked his way to the finale. Even I'm wary of him, and you're looking down on him like that? Great Elder, you're getting way too cocky.)

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hyuga Hiashi, and Might Guy then began touring the Uchiha Clan Compound, led by Uchiha Setsuna and Kagami Uchiha.

The group soon fell into conversation.

After chatting for a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally revealed why he'd come.

"Elder Setsuna, Elder Kagami, I heard you've recently started organizing Taijutsu training for the clan."

"I brought two Taijutsu experts along today to exchange pointers."

"After all, I'm sure a little friendly exchange would benefit both sides."

Hearing this, Uchiha Setsuna, an old hand who'd seen it all, naturally understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's purpose. The Taijutsu training organized by Uchiha Fugaku had caught his attention.

As long as the medicinal herbs hadn't been exposed, that was fine. There was no way to keep the Taijutsu training a secret anyway.

With that in mind, Uchiha Setsuna replied openly,

"Certainly. I'll take you there now."

"The one overseeing the training is Uchiha Itachi, who once served in Lord Hokage's Anbu."

Seeing Uchiha Setsuna's attitude, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help wondering if they'd been reading too much into things.

Still, they'd already come all this way. There was no reason to turn back halfway—and what if Uchiha Setsuna was acting this way on purpose?

Maybe he was trying to dispel their suspicions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others followed Uchiha Setsuna toward the training ground.

As soon as they entered, they saw dozens of Uchiha clan members training hard.

Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi, who were focused on their suspicions, Might Guy's eyes lit up when he saw how they were training.

What an interesting training method! If I used it too, could it improve my training efficiency?

As Might Guy watched, he couldn't help exclaiming inwardly.

Who'd have thought these simple exercises could be used this way?

Before long, Might Guy had moved over beside Uchiha Itachi, who was training, and began observing him.

Uchiha Itachi did a push-up, then jumped up like a frog.

Then he repeated the movement over and over.

The longer Might Guy watched, the brighter his eyes grew.

Why hadn't I thought of this training method before?

He hadn't tried it himself, but as someone who regularly trained in Taijutsu, Might Guy could already see some of its benefits just from watching Uchiha Itachi.

Uchiha Itachi felt a chill run down his spine under the stare of someone beside him.

Had he run into a pervert?

At the thought, Uchiha Itachi stopped training and looked to the side.

Might Guy?

Once he saw that it was Might Guy, Uchiha Itachi understood why he was acting that way.

But then Uchiha Itachi turned his gaze away from Might Guy.

Instead, he glanced curiously toward the left side of the training ground, puzzled.

Why was Lord Hokage at the Uchiha Clan Compound?