Between Brothers

Konoha

Uchiha Clan Compound

Early in the morning, Sasuke ran quickly along the courtyard corridor.

Hiss!

Sasuke to Itachi's door, opened the paper window, and hopped onto Itachi's bed.

"Elder brother!"

Hearing Sasuke's voice, Itachi opened his eyes from a light sleep, and the first thing he saw was Sasuke's little head and dark eyes.

Sasuke

Uchiha Itachi straightened up, rubbed his temples, and, preoccupied with his thoughts, hadn't slept well the night before.

"Brother! Get up! You promised to cultivate with me today!"

When Sasuke saw that Itachi was awake, he quickly reminded Itachi of the agreement they made last week to train together on their day off.

"Okay, sure."

Ninjas, especially elite ninjas of the Anbu, do not sleep in.

Itachi got up and went straight to the washbasin.

"Brother, did you not sleep well last night?"

Sasuke noticed that Itachi seemed to be in poor condition, not as energetic as before.

"No, I was just thinking last night about how to accompany you during training today."

Itachi answered softly while brushing his teeth.

"Hahaha, okay! Mom's calling us for breakfast, I'll go to the dining room and wait for you."

Sasuke, cheerful and outgoing, ran out of Itachi's room with a smile, the sound of Sasuke footsteps echoing in the hallway.

After washing up and getting dressed, Itachi tidied himself up in front of the mirror before leaving his room and heading towards the dining room.

Amid Mikoto's complaints, the two brothers quickly finished their breakfast and went out to cultivate.

The Uchiha clan's territory is located in the very center of Konoha. The streets are bustling, and many vendors have already set up stalls to sell breakfast in the early morning, with all kinds of dumplings and other delicacies on display.

Itachi, who had never paid attention to these things before, began to observe everything on the street.

The streets were bustling with activity. In the morning, the Urban Management Division and the security patrol officers began their patrols. The relationship between the Security Department and the villagers was harmonious. Most of the Security Department's staff ate breakfast at the vendors' stalls and even forced money on them, without ever trying to take advantage of the vendors.

Every now and then, ninjas in vests would leap and dart across the rooftops, looking quite hurried.

"I never noticed before. Konoha is so prosperous; it's a world of difference compared to those dilapidated towns."

Itachi was deeply moved. As Anbu Ninja, he frequently left the village to carry out missions throughout the Land of Fire. Sometimes he Land of Fire to serve the Daimyo or lords of smaller countries.

The capitals of those small countries were not even half as prosperous as Konoha; they were often scenes of decay.

"Is this thanks to the Fourth Hokage?"

Itachi's heart was in turmoil.

Sasuke was not drawn to the everyday scenes on the street; he was completely absorbed in his wonderful fantasy of using Ninjutsu to surprise his brother.

"Brother! Let's speed things up!"

Sasuke, somewhat impatient, tugged at Itachi's hand.

"Training shouldn't be rushed, Sasuke."

Itachi couldn't help but warn him, but he quickened his pace slightly.

The two quickly arrived at the forest on the edge of Konoha, a place Itachi and Shisui used to love to come to. The Naka River was not far ahead.

Many tree trunks have round targets hanging from Shuriken Manipulation Technique. Because several people come here often, the targets have always been hanging there and have never been taken down.

Uchiha Itachi glanced around the training ground and the various targets, then whispered to Sasuke beside him:

"Sasuke, what do you want to train with today?"

"We're having Shuriken contest again today! I'm number one in the class, heh!"

Sasuke secretly trained diligently, and the precision with which Shuriken Manipulation Technique amazed even the teachers at the Ninja Academy.

"Okay, you go first."

Itachi smiled and gestured to Sasuke they could begin.

"Hehe, watch closely!"

Sasuke reached into his ninja tool pouch behind his waist, took out ninja tools, and held four Kunai between each of his fingers. Then he crossed his hands.

"Call!"

Sasuke a deep breath, slightly bent his knees, then burst forth with Chakra and leaped up, swinging his arms to send eight shuriken Shuriken.

Sasuke reached for his ninja tool pouch again in mid-air, this time holding one in each hand. He swung his Shuriken, and the two shuriken struck two of the eight Shuriken he had previously used.

Ding! Dong!

Puff! Puff! Puff!

With a clanging sound, the Shuriken hit the target almost simultaneously, even those targets behind the tree trunk, out of sight, had Kunai stuck in their sockets.

Itachi stepped forward to examine Sasuke's Shuriken Manipulation Technique, and after looking him over, he pulled the Shuriken away and put it away.

"Are only the parts behind the tree trunks missing the bullseye?"

Itachi was somewhat surprised by Sasuke's Shuriken Manipulation Technique. Sasuke's progress was too fast; he hadn't reached this level just last week, mostly staying outside the second ring.

This time, not only did all the Shuriken hit the bullseye, but even those outside the field of vision were hit. Although it was on the outermost ring, being able to hit those outside the field of vision already shows that he is a master of Shuriken Manipulation Technique.

Without the Sharingan to assist him, he probably wouldn't be able to reach Sasuke's level every time.

Sasuke looked at Uchiha Itachi with a smug expression, as if to say, "Praise me!"

"Well done, Sasuke."

Seeing Sasuke's expression, Itachi smiled slightly and praised him softly.

"However, those behind the tree are barely hitting the target. This is the most difficult part of our Uchiha Shuriken Manipulation Technique. Watch closely."

Uchiha Itachi picked up the Shuriken he had retrieved with his fingers, bent slightly and jumped up, Shuriken to send the shuriken flying. In mid-air, he reached for his ninja tool pouch and threw out two Shuriken, striking the Shuriken thrown in front of him with lightning speed.

Ding! Dong!

Clumsy! Clumsy! Clumsy!

The sounds of the Shuriken were all different, clearly indicating that Itachi's power was much greater.

Sasuke rushed forward and checked them one by one to see if Itachi had made any mistakes. After going around once, all the Kunai hit the bullseye, especially the one behind the tree that was out of sight.

"Hmph! Brother, you've just been cultivating longer than me. I'll catch up to you soon!"

Sasuke collected all the Kunai from the tree, his face showing a defiant expression.

"It's normal for you to catch up with me. As your older brother, I was meant to let you surpass me. I'll do anything to help you become stronger."

Itachi had a gentle face, and his words were even more so.

"Hey! Brother, take another look at my Ninjutsu!"

Hearing the words of comfort, Sasuke forgot his competitive spirit. He put Shuriken back into his ninja tool pouch, Sasuke a confident expression returned to his face as he quickly Hand Seals.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

Sasuke's Chakra surged, and he puffed out his cheeks, spitting out a fireball as tall as himself.

This is the Ninjutsu that Sasuke trained with the most dedication, all to surprise his father and brother.

"Have you reached that level yet?"

Itachi stared blankly at Sasuke.

Great Fireball Technique, the basic Fire Style Ninjutsu of the Uchiha, rank C, generally only mastered by Chunin- level players.

Sasuke's Fire Style lasted for a few seconds before his Chakra ran out and dissipated.

"Hey-hey!"

Sasuke claimed he wanted Itachi to train with him, but really it was just Sasuke showing off.

"That's really good, Sasuke."

Sasuke received a response from Itachi.