Training Itachi

"Asura?!"

Itachi Uchiha was startled. Was it the person he knew? The legendary ninja from the Uchiha clan who once stood atop the Ninja World alongside the First Hokage and co-founded Konoha?

Itachi found it hard to believe that this person could be a descendant of that legend, yet the other party had no reason to lie. After all, he had seen that golden giant battling the Nine-Tails that night. Based on the conversations between his father and the clan elders, that was the power of the Sharingan—a power only possible once the Sharingan evolved to the Mangekyo level.

So, what would someone with such power gain by lying to him? Hmm, telling his father and the others should be enough to verify his claims.

"Alright, I will tell my father and the others... May I ask why you are revealing your identity to me?"

"I just happened to run into you, and I don't want a bunch of people tailing me everywhere I go. Anyway, enough about that. Want some sweets? My treat. Consider it hospitality for you juniors."

Itachi hesitated for a moment, but in the end, his love for good food overcame his pride. "Thank you... Senior."

Izumi: "Tha... thank you, Senior."

"Hahahaha, no need for formalities. Boss! Four more bowls!"

"Coming right up!"

At noon, at the Uchiha compound.

Itachi Uchiha recounted his conversation with Fei Shi to his father, Fugaku Uchiha.

"Is that so?" Fugaku Uchiha felt a surge of surprise after hearing Itachi's account. He hadn't expected the Mangekyo Sharingan wielder to have this background; to awaken the Mangekyo at such a young age was truly astonishing. He had assumed the boy had obtained the Sharingan through some other special means, but this was unexpected.

However, given this identity, he couldn't recruit him even if he wanted to. After all, he was a descendant of that legendary ninja, Madara Uchiha. Back when Madara Uchiha was the clan head, he had proposed that the Uchiha clan leave Konoha with him, but the clansmen had already grown accustomed to life in the village and didn't want to lose their stability. No one agreed, and Madara had to leave alone—an act that was, to him, nothing short of betrayal.

Now, was it even possible to recruit his descendant? Besides, the boy had already made his stance clear: he would not join the Uchiha clan. Sigh, what a headache.

To lose such a powerful asset was truly painful. If such strength were to stand on the side of the Konoha high command, the disadvantage for his own side would only grow... Wait!

"Itachi, you said he told you some strange things?"

"Yes, he said not to be too greedy and to be careful in my actions, because I will be dealing with even greedier and more cunning people in the future, and a moment of carelessness could cost me my life."

"Hahahaha, it seems he has heard of you as well. Is he trying to mentor you? That makes sense! My son may not be as monstrous as him, but he is undeniably a genius! He might not have any affection for the clan, but he clearly appreciates you."

Fei Shi: Indeed, where else could I find such a good tool?

"But Father, if I want to learn, can't I just come to you? He seems to be only eleven years old himself."

Fugaku Uchiha looked at his son, his face full of pride, for his son had never disappointed him.

"Everyone has their own way of fighting and their own understanding of combat. He also possesses the Sharingan, and since he awakened the Mangekyo at such a young age, he must have his own unique insights into its use. If he truly appreciates you and wants to mentor you, it will be of great help. Study hard, my child. Go now, I have a meeting with the elders."

"Understood. I'm going to go keep Sasuke company."

The next day.

"What! You want to learn from me?!"

"Yes."

"..."

"Fine. Come to my place two hours before dinner."

"Thank you, Senior Fei Shi."

"Ahahaha, no need to thank me, no need at all."

Child, it is I who should thank you for walking into my web.

(ಡωಡ)

"Today, I'll teach you Fire Style ninjutsu. After all, Fire Style is the Uchiha clan's specialty."

"From now on, come three times a week. One day for sparring, the second day for you to summarize what you've learned, and the last day is a break. You must balance work and rest; you can't let your body collapse."

"Hmm, your ninjutsu is decent, but you need to practice performing techniques without hand signs or with just one. That will take your strength to the next level. It will have unexpected effects when facing an enemy."

"Today is physical training. The stronger your physique, the more chakra you can extract from your body. Furthermore, awakening the Sharingan requires sufficient physical strength and chakra; otherwise, even if the opportunity arises, your body might not be able to handle it, and you'll lose the chance."

"Maintain your training volume every day. A powerful body is your capital for becoming stronger."

The 51st year of Konoha.

Three years passed just like that.

Itachi Uchiha came over every two days, and Fei Shi shared his experience and training methods while sparring with him. The rest of the time, he spent lying at home playing games, passing the days.

By the time Naruto was nearly two, he was already living with him.

Before he was weaned, Biwako Sarutobi had taken care of him, and Fei Shi would visit Naruto every day.

But now that he had brought Naruto over, he found himself with a massive headache every single day.

Because Sasuke had grown up, too.

Every time Itachi came over, he would bring Sasuke along. The two would bicker the moment they met, nearly coming to blows every single time. Itachi never understood why and always felt helpless. If he didn't bring him, Sasuke would cry and make a scene; if he did bring him, Sasuke would argue with Naruto as if they shared some deep, oceanic grudge.

Fei Shi, however, knew the reason and could only click his tongue in wonder.

The fate between the brothers Indra and Asura was truly marvelous; they couldn't even find peace after reincarnation.

"I heard you awakened your eyes?"

"Mn."

Itachi Uchiha responded simply, his mood dampened by the death of his teammates.

Seeing him so dejected, Fei Shi couldn't help but offer some comfort:

"Don't be so down. Live on well, carrying their share of life with you. Besides, now that you possess the Sharingan, you should work hard to become stronger and avenge them, so that the same tragedy doesn't happen again. Come on, let's go get some Three-color Dango, my treat. I'll teach you new skills when we get back."

"..."

"Thank you, Senior Fei Shi."

"Ha, we've spent so much time together and you're still so polite. I've said it before, you and that eight-year-old kid are as mature as sixty or seventy-year-olds. Don't push yourself too hard; I told you to balance work and rest. You don't act like a child at all, you'll get exhausted living like this."

Itachi Uchiha just smiled and said, "If I live a little more exhaustively, then those I protect can live a little more easily."

He really was deeply poisoned by the Will of Fire.

The Will of Fire was fine in its own right, but after the Fourth Hokage died, it slowly began to sour. With the Third Hokage back in power, the village started to rot. From that point on, the Council of Elders became a malignant tumor. During the Nine-Tails incident, Root could be said to have suffered zero casualties, while the number of deaths among the Anbu and civilian ninja was still quite significant.

Furthermore, Root possessed many elites, which were the forces Danzo used to maintain his influence in Konoha. As long as things didn't go too far, others could only pretend not to see. There was no helping it; Root's loyalty to Danzo was absolute. Danzo could not be moved easily.

One could only endure and muddle along. Two were fence-sitters, running wherever the benefits were. One was obsessed with sitting on the Hokage's seat, stopping at nothing to achieve it.