Exiting Seclusion to Display Immortal Arts

Might Guy, feeling a bit embarrassed after being spotted by Itachi, gave a small smile before heading off to watch others train.

After all, having finally encountered such novel training methods, Might Guy couldn't help but feel excited; there were even more ways he could enhance his own taijutsu training.

My youth can burn in even more ways.

Unlike the highly interested Might Guy, Hyuga Hiashi lost interest after observing for a short while.

Although these training methods varied in style, they were not fundamentally different from basic training, as they all aimed to strengthen the physique.

For the Hyuga Clan, this was of little use.

After all, the Hyuga Clan possessed its own heritage and was quite different from Might Guy, the "Youth Brother" who relied on a single core skill.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief after observing, yet a growing unease stirred within his heart.

In his view, the absence of problems was the biggest problem of all.

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to chat with Uchiha Setsuna, subtly probing for information regarding Uchiha Fugaku.

"I heard that Clan Leader Fugaku has even handed over the work of the Military Police Force to a young girl."

"He, the clan leader, has started to shirk his duties and seek leisure, while poor me, the Hokage, still has to handle all sorts of affairs."

Hearing this, Uchiha Setsuna didn't quite know how to respond for a moment, so he could only smile and say.

"That's not quite right; the Clan Leader still goes to inspect and review things every day."

"Besides, Izumi Uchiha is only able to complete this work under the Clan Leader's supervision, so there are no issues."

However, immediately after Uchiha Setsuna's reply, Sarutobi Hiruzen posed his own question.

"Elder Setsuna, I have been in the Uchiha Clan Compound for quite some time now, so why haven't I seen Clan Leader Fugaku?"

"It is a bit of a pity that I have finally come to visit the Uchiha Clan, yet I cannot see Clan Leader Fugaku."

Uchiha Setsuna's heart tightened. Although he didn't know what his Clan Leader was doing, he understood that it was impossible for him to come and meet Sarutobi Hiruzen. But what excuse could he use to brush the Hokage off?

Given Sarutobi Hiruzen's shrewdness, a common excuse wouldn't fool him. But since he couldn't be fooled, he would just have to stall.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Setsuna said.

"The Clan Leader might have been delayed by some matters."

Hearing the mention of "some matters," Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up instantly. His purpose in visiting was naturally to see if he could uncover some of Uchiha Fugaku's secrets, as well as the reason behind the Uchiha's sudden collective taijutsu training.

He hadn't found the reason for the taijutsu training, but if he could uncover some of Uchiha Fugaku's secrets, that would be just as well.

After all, the people training on the field basically included every ninja of the Uchiha Clan, and through observation, there was nothing special about them; their bodies showed no signs of change.

Perhaps they were hiding something, but Uchiha Fugaku's sudden absence provided Sarutobi Hiruzen with a breakthrough.

What on earth was Uchiha Fugaku doing that was more important than meeting him?

And if he wanted to know, was there any way more direct than seeing him in person?

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to speak.

"Then, I wonder what Clan Leader Fugaku is busy with, to the point of avoiding me? Is there something here that is inconvenient for us to know?"

"Besides, I am the Hokage after all. If I knew, perhaps I could even be of some help?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Setsuna gained a new appreciation for the thickness of Sarutobi Hiruzen's skin.

Isn't it exactly you that we are guarding against? And you want to help?

Help us get exterminated?

But Uchiha Setsuna still smiled and said.

"Lord Hokage, I am not very clear about the Clan Leader's affairs, so I am unable to inform you."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's desire to get to the bottom of things grew even stronger.

Sarutobi Hiruzen then said.

"In that case, why don't you take me to Clan Leader Fugaku's home to ask?"

"After all, if he has run into any trouble, I might be able to lend a hand."

?????

Are you serious? Are you sure you want to "lend a hand," and not send him to his grave?

Just as Uchiha Setsuna couldn't find an excuse to refuse, a familiar voice drifted over.

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Lord Hokage. Am I not here now?"

Uchiha Fugaku then walked over, dressed in his clan leader's attire.

Seeing Uchiha Fugaku approach, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. He was just a little too late; otherwise, he might have been able to see what exactly was keeping him so busy.

However, upon carefully sensing Uchiha Fugaku's aura, Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback.

What the hell? Uchiha Fugaku's strength has increased?

It's only been a few days? How has his strength grown again?

No, it's not just a normal increase; the energy swirling around him...

Chakra? No, that's not it... Could it be natural energy?

Natural energy? Sage Arts—Sage Mode?

At this thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart couldn't help but jolt, and an unbelievable idea surfaced in his mind.

Could Uchiha Fugaku be practicing Sage Mode?

But how could the Uchiha Clan possibly possess the summoning scrolls of the three great holy lands?

One must know that the summoning scrolls of the three great holy lands are all in the hands of his three disciples.

And no other places capable of practicing Sage Arts have ever appeared.

Furthermore, Sarutobi Hiruzen was certain that the Uchiha Clan lacked any method for practicing Sage Arts; otherwise, Madara Uchiha would not have lost to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, back in the day.

Then where did Uchiha Fugaku get his method for practicing Sage Arts?

However, since he couldn't figure it out, he might as well ask directly; if he fabricated a reason, perhaps he could find the real key by spotting the flaws in his story.

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up and asked.

"Clan Leader Fugaku, what I see swirling around you... that should be natural energy, right?"

"Clan Leader Fugaku, you have mastered Sage Arts, haven't you?"

Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had lived up to expectations by recognizing the natural energy, Uchiha Fugaku had no intention of hiding it and spoke up.

"Yes, I was preoccupied with this matter while sleeping yesterday, and this morning, I suddenly gained a bit of inspiration."

"I then created a Sage Art exclusive to the Uchiha Clan, which is why I was delayed for some time."

"And look, as soon as I finished, I came to receive you, Lord Hokage, didn't I?"

"Though I didn't expect you and Clan Leader Hiashi to arrive so coincidentally. I had only just created this Sage Art, and before I could even take it to the battlefield to give someone a surprise, the two of you had already caught wind of it and rushed over."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but be deeply shocked.

Self-created Sage Arts.

However, this wasn't a surprise; it was a fright.

(Sarutobi Hiruzen: I can't let you stay any longer now, Uchiha Fugaku. I must take you down.)

(Hyuga Hiashi: We are both clan leaders, so why haven't I ever had a sudden flash of inspiration to create a Sage Art exclusive to the Hyuga Clan? But with the Uchiha Clan possessing Sage Arts, it will be even harder for the Hyuga Clan to claim the title of Konoha's number one clan!)

Although the two held different attitudes toward Uchiha Fugaku learning Sage Arts, one thing remained the same.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi did not believe a single word of Uchiha Fugaku's explanation.

One must know that even learning Sage Arts is something few in the ninja world have achieved, let alone creating them.

Creating a Sage Art from a bit of inspiration? Tell that to the ghosts.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen still wanted to see if it was real or fake, so he continued to ask.

"Clan Leader Fugaku, I wonder if we might be allowed to witness the Uchiha Clan's Sage Art?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but ponder for a moment before saying.

"If I were to refuse, it would make my Uchiha Clan seem too stingy."

"Witnessing it is not impossible, but I have only just learned it."

"If I happen to disturb Lord Hokage and Clan Leader Hiashi, I hope the two of you won't take it to heart."

Hearing that Uchiha Fugaku was willing to demonstrate, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but look at each other in surprise.

Then, they spoke in unison.

"Not at all, Clan Leader Fugaku, please feel free to demonstrate."