Water Breathing

In Konoha, inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi leafed through the file on Mufeng Uchiha while Kakashi Hatake stood before him.

"Mufeng Uchiha. I understand that the boy has talent surpassing Itachi's."

Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, his fingers tapping restlessly on the desk as his eyes stayed fixed on the report.

The report on the desk was the one the Anbu had written after visiting the Uchiha Compound.

Exceptional talent in Water Style, and a secret technique powerful enough to split a boulder—this was all concentrated in a six-year-old boy. A genius like that should have been cause for celebration, but unfortunately, he was an Uchiha.

The crystal ball showed Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto Uzumaki bickering at the Ninja Academy, while Mufeng Uchiha slept with his eyes closed. Suddenly, an idea came to him.

"A genius, you say? But both boys have been drawn into the whirlpool of revenge because of Itachi. Kakashi, I want you to pull them out of the darkness. Only someone like you, who once fell into darkness yourself, can do it. Become their teacher, Kakashi."

Kakashi scratched his head, about to say it would be a bother, when the door suddenly burst open with a bang.

"Hiruzen, the Uchiha are a threat. Hand Mufeng Uchiha over to me. Here in Root, I'll help him realize his full potential and become Konoha's sharpest blade."

After receiving the intelligence on Mufeng Uchiha, Danzo had rushed over, impatient to turn the Uchiha he had long coveted into a tool under his control.

"Danzo, the Uchiha are part of Konoha. They're children and should be out in the sunlight, not in Root. I won't agree to this."

Hiruzen rejected him without a second thought. The atmosphere instantly turned icy, and Kakashi Hatake tactfully left, giving them some privacy.

"Hiruzen, the inherently evil Uchiha must be kept firmly under control. You've seen that boy's talent. If he goes rogue, will you take responsibility?"

"Danzo, I'll make sure the boy forms a bond with the village. They're part of Konoha. And don't even think about Sasuke. Don't forget Itachi."

"Hmph. You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

As Danzo left, the office door crashed to the floor, smashed by him.

"Have the door repaired. Put it on Danzo's tab."

The ninja at the door hurried off. Hiruzen watched Danzo's retreating figure, knowing his old companion wouldn't let the matter rest.

He summoned a few more Anbu, gave them some instructions, then settled down to continue his work.

The Ninja Academy had just let out. The Uchiha brothers were heading to their new residence, but a little tagalong was following them.

"Dead last, why are you following me? We're not on the same path."

"Who's following you, you jerk Sasuke? I'm here to ask Big Brother Mufeng to teach me how to climb trees."

After a whole night of effort, Sasuke had barely managed to climb halfway up a tree, while Naruto had made no progress at all thanks to the Nine-Tails' interference.

"Don't be so stingy, Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto, I'll help you. But are you ready for it? Ready to make a deal with a monster?"

"A monster? I-I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I'm not afraid of it at all. Bring it on!"

But Naruto's voice trembled as he said it. He was still scared.

Kurama was locked in a cage and couldn't cause much trouble. If Naruto could become friends with Kurama ahead of time and grow stronger sooner, they'd have a better chance against the Otsutsuki in the future.

The three of them headed for the Konoha Training Ground, laughing and joking, until three Root ninjas suddenly appeared on a secluded stretch of road and blocked their way.

"Uchiha Sasuke, Mufeng Uchiha. Lord Danzo requests your presence. Come with us."

Root. Danzo was already making his move? He hadn't given a second thought to his agreement with Itachi.

"Come with you? Why should we? Get out of my way!"

Uchiha Sasuke looked at them with disdain and ordered the three Root ninjas to leave. But they weren't about to obey him. If the boys wouldn't come willingly, they'd take them by force.

"Uchiha Sasuke, Naruto, get out of the way!"

Before he could finish speaking, the Nara Root ninja in the middle used the Shadow Possession Technique. His shadow shot across the ground and seized Naruto Uzumaki's shadow as the boy lagged behind.

Uchiha Sasuke fared a little better, with only half his body caught by the shadow. Mufeng Uchiha, leaping through the air, wasn't in much better shape. Two Root ninjas took out ropes and moved to capture him.

"Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Twisting Whirlpool."

He drew the sword at his waist and twisted in midair, putting strength into his waist and abdomen. Water swirled around the blade, forming a vortex. With nowhere to gain a foothold in the air, the Root ninja was immediately swept into it.

In an instant, the raging current tore open his chest. The relentless water left countless tiny wounds across his body, and blood poured from the gaping wound in his chest, a particularly gruesome sight.

"Pot, watch out! That kid's swordsmanship is strange. Use your full strength or we'll both die here!"

As soon as the two had spoken, Mufeng Uchiha's toes touched the ground. He gripped the sword hilt in both hands, warm breath spilling from his lips.

"Total Concentration: Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust."

He moved so fast that only a blur remained. By the time Mufeng Uchiha's figure came into focus again, his blade had already pierced the Nara Root ninja's chest, straight through his heart.

"The intel was wrong. We can't take this kid. Grab Uchiha Sasuke instead. I'll stay behind and cover you."

Though they were at the end of their strength, the two still wanted to take Sasuke. Just as they were discussing it, a pair of hands burst from the ground and dragged one of the Root ninjas beneath the earth, leaving only his head exposed.

Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!

"Where do you think you're taking my adorable students?"

Kakashi Hatake suddenly appeared before them. The remaining Root ninja had already been knocked unconscious on the ground.

"That's enough training for today. Don't tell anyone what happened here. I'll take care of it."

Kakashi Hatake tactfully didn't ask Mufeng Uchiha how he had killed the Nara Root ninja. Besides, even if he hadn't asked, the Anbu ninja who had been watching had seen everything that happened.

A large number of Anbu ninjas appeared around them and began cleaning up the evidence. As for the Three Genin, they were sent away.

"Big Brother Mufeng, that was so cool! What was that move—'beep-silk'? Can you teach it to me?"

Naruto Uzumaki danced around in front of Mufeng Uchiha, acting it out. His ridiculous antics made Sasuke turn his head and snort.

"Jerk Sasuke, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Dead last, learn how to climb trees and Water Walk first."

"I'll learn how to climb trees and Water Walk before you do!"

Naruto and Sasuke were at it again, and they both raced off toward the stream where they trained.

Mufeng Uchiha, meanwhile, stood there thinking. Today had been his first real battle, and during it he had clearly recognized his shortcomings.

He relied too much on Water Breathing and hadn't used a single proper ninjutsu. That was putting the cart before the horse. He had to take his ninjutsu training seriously.

First, he'd work on the ninjutsu he had found at home, starting with the Shadow Clone Technique.

As for Danzo, he was confident Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't let him get away with it. Root had only just lost control over the Uchiha after the Uchiha Clan Massacre was called off, and now Danzo had gone after an Uchiha orphan. Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't stand by and do nothing over that.