Severely Injured Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi

Furthermore, these versions of Sage Mode contained one crucial function, an important ability that Uchiha Fugaku had come up with on the spot to complete a system mission.

Uchiha Fugaku called it the Descendant Enhancement Ability.

The ability was exactly as its name suggested: it could strengthen the descendants of the Uchiha Clan. In other words, the offspring born to clansmen who had practiced Sage Mode would be influenced by their parents, gaining an increased affinity for natural energy, which in turn would significantly reduce the difficulty of learning Sage Mode.

In other words, as long as the Uchiha clansmen worked hard to cultivate Sage Mode and continued to reproduce, they would sooner or later become a clan consisting entirely of sages.

Just as the three of them fell into silence, Uchiha Itachi, who had snuck over to eavesdrop on their conversation at some point, felt a flash of strange emotion cross his face.

One had to know that his father had previously told him he wanted to build an Uchiha Clan where everyone was a sage, turning the Uchiha Clan into a clan of sages.

Now, seeing his father solemnly spouting lies to deceive the Third Hokage and the head of the Hyuga Clan, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but find it quite interesting; after all, he had never had the chance to see this side of him before.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen had noticed Uchiha Itachi's presence immediately, and the fleeting change on the boy's face did not escape his eyes, which made Sarutobi Hiruzen sense that something was amiss.

After all, Uchiha Fugaku had been a bit too cooperative in answering questions about Sage Mode.

However, since Sarutobi Hiruzen had never practiced it himself, he lacked the ability to detect the problem, and could only let it go.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to see if he could obtain the method for practicing Sage Mode, he knew it was impossible just by thinking about it; after all, even the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, who were the most loyal to the Hokage, would never hand over their clan's secret techniques.

That was even more true for the Uchiha, especially when it concerned Sage Mode.

Nevertheless, regarding the questions about Sage Mode, Sarutobi Hiruzen still planned to ask Jiraiya about it after returning.

After all, since he had practiced it, he might be able to spot some issues.

Subsequently, Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to take his leave. Although he hadn't learned the reason behind the Uchiha Clan's physical training today, obtaining the information that Uchiha Fugaku had successfully mastered Sage Mode meant the trip wasn't entirely without gain.

Even though he still didn't know the secret behind their physical training, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood that Uchiha Fugaku wasn't stupid, and it was impossible for him to tell him the real key.

Besides, he had only intended to try his luck today anyway.

And even if Sarutobi Hiruzen were to force himself to stay, he reckoned there was no way he could learn anything more.

In the current situation, he could only leave it at that.

Of course, there was another reason: he had been shocked by Uchiha Fugaku's Sage Mode earlier and hadn't been able to defend himself in time, and the injuries he had been suppressing for the sake of his reputation were about to flare up.

Showing weakness within the Uchiha Clan was not a good thing, as it might fuel the ambitions of the Uchiha clansmen and cause them to harbor thoughts of usurping his position.

After all, how could they accept a Hokage who couldn't even withstand the pressure of their clan leader ruling over them?

Following this, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up.

"Clan Leader Fugaku, it is getting late, and there are still many matters in the village that require my attention, so I shall take my leave now."

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen say this, Hyuga Hiashi chimed in: "The same goes for the Hyuga Clan; I also have some matters to attend to, so I will bid farewell to Clan Leader Fugaku here as well."

Hearing that the two wanted to leave, Uchiha Fugaku offered a polite gesture and said.

"Lord Hokage, Clan Leader Hiashi, why not have a cup of tea before you go?"

Hyuga Hiashi glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Sarutobi Hiruzen replied with a wry smile.

"No, I really have things to attend to. I'll have Clan Leader Fugaku's tea another time."

Upon hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi echoed the sentiment.

Seeing that the two were determined to leave, Uchiha Fugaku stopped insisting and said.

"Very well, then I shall see you both out."

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi preparing to leave, Might Guy had no choice but to follow them out with some reluctance; after all, he hadn't seen some of the training methods yet.

Uchiha Fugaku was also slightly surprised when he saw Might Guy; he hadn't expected Emperor Guy to have come along this time.

I wonder if my Sage Susanoo can withstand his Eight Inner Gates Formation, and that move, Night Guy.

However, Uchiha Fugaku's surprise was caught by Might Guy.

Might Guy then asked directly.

"Does Clan Leader Fugaku know me?"

As Might Guy's voice rang out, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Hiashi, who had been feeling dizzy due to their mental injuries, perked up.

Hyuga Hiashi was the weakest of the two, his mental state already nearing its limit, while Sarutobi Hiruzen, though slightly stronger, had been focusing part of his attention on observing Uchiha Itachi's expression, which was why neither of them had noticed Uchiha Fugaku's momentary surprise.

Hearing Might Guy's inquiry, Uchiha Fugaku replied.

"I heard about your father's deeds before, how he used the Eight Inner Gates Formation to turn the Seven Ninja Swordsmen into the Lucky Three Treasures."

"Lucky Three Treasures?"

Might Guy asked, puzzled.

Uchiha Fugaku was also taken aback, realizing he had been careless and let a modern term slip into the world of Naruto. However, since they wouldn't understand it anyway, he decided to just offer a casual explanation.

Uchiha Fugaku then spoke up.

"It's like this, the 'Lucky Three Treasures' is just a metaphor I used."

"It refers to how your father, relying on the Eight Inner Gates Formation, single-handedly took down four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

After explaining the Lucky Three Treasures, Uchiha Fugaku began to share what he knew about Might Duy's experience.

"Might Duy is one of the ninjas I admire the most..."

Hearing such praise for his father from the head of the Uchiha Clan, Might Guy couldn't help but change his opinion of Uchiha Fugaku. After all, that mission had been classified as top secret; he hadn't expected anyone else to know about it, let alone hold his father in such high regard.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing to the side, gave a soft cough to interrupt their exchange and said, "Clan Head Fugaku, it is time for us to return."

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku knew he wouldn't have any more opportunities to converse with Might Guy for the time being.

However, Uchiha Fugaku was not angry that Sarutobi Hiruzen had interrupted their interaction; after all, there was plenty of time ahead.

Uchiha Fugaku then escorted the three of them to the exit of the Uchiha Clan Compound.

The entire journey, however, was exceptionally quiet.

It wasn't until Uchiha Fugaku saw them off and watched the three of them disappear from sight that he turned away.

Once they were out of view of the Uchiha Clan, Hyuga Hiashi could no longer hold on. With a "whoosh," he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed into unconsciousness. Sarutobi Hiruzen was not in such a sorry state, as he was, after all, a standard Kage-level powerhouse.

Even so, Sarutobi Hiruzen had lost the imposing aura he held within the Uchiha Clan; after spitting out a mouthful of blood himself, he steadied himself by grabbing onto Might Guy.

At this moment, Might Guy couldn't fathom what had happened; he was shocked that merely being in close proximity to the Sage Mode had caused them such severe injuries.

It was hard to imagine just how strong Uchiha Fugaku truly was.

But he would surely surpass him sooner or later.

At this thought, a raging fighting spirit ignited involuntarily within Might Guy's heart.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing beside him, was left speechless at the sight of Might Guy—what time did he think it was? Did he not know to look after the wounded first?

Sarutobi Hiruzen then softly interrupted Might Guy, who was currently lost in his own youthful epiphany.

"Guy, find someone to take Clan Head Hiashi and myself to Konoha Hospital."

Only then did Might Guy snap back to reality upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.

He then scrambled in a panic and said, "Lord Hokage, are you alright? I'll take you to the hospital right away."