In early 55 Konoha, Xingye was already eight years old.
After two years of training, he had reached Chunin level. The Otsutsuki Bloodline's accelerated growth meant he grew stronger every day.
With Xingye driving the changes, the Uchiha Clan Compound began to undergo reforms. The conservatives were sidelined, and the hardliners began to take power. Xingye, Fugaku, and Itachi formed a triumvirate, jointly leading the Uchiha Clan.
These changes attracted the attention of Konoha High Command, especially the Anbu.
The Anbu decided to put Xingye through an "assessment"—in truth, a probe into the Uchiha's intentions.
The one leading the assessment was Kakashi Hatake.
By then, Kakashi was already an Anbu Captain. He was powerful and possessed the Sharingan. His mission was to assess Xingye's true strength and the Uchiha Clan's loyalty to Konoha.
The assessment was to take place on the edge of the Forest of Death, outside Konoha.
At dawn, Xingye went alone to the Forest of Death, planning to test the power of Lightning Release.
He had just formed the beginnings of a Chidori Sharp Spear when he sensed three powerful presences.
His Byakugan activated in an instant, and his 360-degree vision locked onto three enemies.
The man at their head had silver hair that covered his left eye, a mask over the lower half of his face, and a vivid red Sharingan in his right eye.
Kakashi Hatake.
"Xingye, the Anbu would like you to cooperate with us in an assessment," Kakashi said, his face expressionless.
Xingye deactivated his Byakugan and turned to face Kakashi.
"An assessment? Or a probe?" Xingye asked coolly.
Kakashi paused, but showed no reaction.
"What, are you unwilling?"
"No. I just want to know what the assessment involves," Xingye said.
"It's simple," Kakashi said. "We'll attack you, and you'll do your best to respond. The goal is to test your combat skills."
Xingye nodded.
"Fine. Come on."
Kakashi gestured, and the other two Anbu members attacked at the same time.
All three Anbu were at Jonin level and worked seamlessly together. Their attacks came crashing down like a storm.
Xingye's Sharingan activated at once, and three tomoe slowly spun.
"Lightning Release: Chidori Sharp Spear!"
Lightning Release chakra gathered in Xingye's hand, and he thrust it forward. Lightning pierced through the air like a blade, striking one of the Anbu.
The Anbu member was startled and dodged at once, but the lightning still grazed him, leaving his body numb.
Seeing this, the other two Anbu launched ninjutsu attacks at the same time.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
An earthen wall surged up from the ground, blocking Xingye's view, as a massive fireball descended from above.
Xingye remained calm and formed Hand Seals.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
A wall of water rose from the ground and stopped the fireball. Steam billowed up, blurring their vision.
At that moment, Kakashi burst out of the steam, his Sharingan activated. He unleashed Thousand Blade Stream, sending countless Chakra Blades flying toward Xingye.
Xingye's Sharingan clearly tracked the path of every blade. He moved like a phantom, easily evading every attack.
Then he appeared behind Kakashi and pressed the edge of his hand against the back of Kakashi's neck.
"Kakashi, I won this assessment."
Kakashi froze.
He hadn't expected an eight-year-old child to be able to overpower him and two other Jonin-level Anbu.
"Your strength..." Kakashi drew a deep breath. "It's beyond what I expected."
"You're too kind." Xingye lowered his hand and deactivated his Sharingan.
The other two Anbu members stopped attacking as well, staring at Xingye in shock.
"To be this strong at eight..." one of them murmured. "The Uchiha Clan really has produced a monster."
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"The assessment is over. You did very well," Kakashi said. "I'll report to Lord Hokage."
With that, the three turned and left.
Xingye watched them go. The system's notification sounded again.
[Defeated Anbu members; traits available to plunder] [Choose the traits you wish to plunder]
Xingye's thoughts stirred, and the system interface immediately displayed the talents of the three Anbu members:
Kakashi Hatake:
[Sharingan Proficiency (Blue)]
[Lightning Release (Blue)]
[Taijutsu Talent (Blue)]
[Stealth (Blue)]
[Anbu Tactics (Blue)]
Anbu Member A:
[Earth Release (Blue)]
[Information Analysis (Green)]
[Assassination Technique (Green)]
Anbu Member B:
[Fire Release (Blue)]
[Taijutsu (Green)]
[Infiltration (Green)]
Xingye chose [Sharingan Proficiency (Blue)], [Lightning Release (Blue)], [Taijutsu Talent (Blue)], and [Anbu Tactics (Blue)].
[Plunder successful] [Acquired talents: Sharingan Proficiency (Blue), Lightning Release (Blue), Taijutsu Talent (Blue), Anbu Tactics (Blue)] [System notice: Trait levels increased] [Lightning Release (Blue) → Lightning Release (Purple)] [Anbu Tactics (Blue) → Anbu Tactics (Purple)]
Xingye felt the new power within him and nodded with satisfaction.
Looks like my trait collection is growing richer and richer, he mused. Sharingan Proficiency, Lightning Release, Taijutsu Talent, Anbu Tactics... These are all very useful talents.
He turned to head back to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
But just then, he sensed an unusual chakra fluctuation.
This chakra didn't belong to any known ninjutsu and carried an eerie quality.
Xingye's Byakugan activated instantly, scanning the area in every direction.
At last, his gaze fixed on a spot deep within the Forest of Death.
"What's over there..." Xingye murmured.
He decided to go and investigate.
Before you continue