Miyuki said nothing. Instead, she pressed down on Sanhe's head, making him bow to Ryosuke as well.
Ryosuke's mouth twitched.
"You don't have to do that. We're all teammates in Team One, and we're from the same clan. I won't just stand by and let you die. But this is a war, and I can't guarantee my own safety either, so all I can say is that I'll do my best."
"That's enough. Thank you, Ryosuke." Miyuki narrowed her eyes and smiled sincerely.
It was the first time Ryosuke had seen her truly smile, rather than put on a fake one.
Ryosuke merely nodded, saying nothing more.
With that assurance, the three began training together before Shisui arrived.
They each listed some of the ninjutsu they were good at.
Sanhe knew many advanced techniques, but he was also rather reckless.
Miyuki, on the other hand, was a sensor and genjutsu specialist. She excelled at the Uchiha's classic Fire Style techniques, only hers were more powerful.
As for Ryosuke, he only mentioned the techniques he had already demonstrated, including Shadow Possession Jutsu and some taijutsu he had learned from Guy.
That was more than enough to astonish Miyuki and Sanhe.
After all, they had never seen a clan member whose Sharingan could copy forbidden techniques.
Even Sanhe looked at Ryosuke with a little more respect.
No wonder the clan considered Ryosuke a genius alongside Itachi and Shisui.
Itachi was best known for graduating from the Ninja Academy at seven and joining Anbu at nine.
Shisui was best known for his Body Flicker Technique and his unique Four-Tomoe Sharingan.
Now Ryosuke's Sharingan, which could copy secret techniques, had become another point of pride for the Uchiha.
Ryosuke demonstrated some classic taijutsu he had learned from Guy, targeting the pressure points.
With the help of their Sharingan, Sanhe and Miyuki copied the techniques as well.
How much they could do with them, however, depended on their physical abilities and their ability to seize the right moment in battle.
They trained all morning, and Shisui finally arrived, rather late.
"Teacher Shisui, when are we leaving?" Sanhe asked first.
"Leaving? Where?" Shisui asked, taken aback.
"Aren't we supposed to carry out a special mission?" Miyuki asked too.
"Oh, that. Our team is on standby for now. We'll act once Anbu gets information about the Cloud Ninjas."
Shisui scratched his head and smiled.
"I see. You scared me. I thought we were going to fight the Cloud Ninja Anbu today." Sanhe dropped onto the ground.
Miyuki also looked relieved.
Ryosuke, on the other hand, remained unfazed.
"Even though we're on standby, we'll begin special training to improve your chances of surviving when you face enemies."
As he spoke, Shisui created two clones, which took their places opposite Sanhe, Miyuki, and Ryosuke.
"This training will be one-on-one. I'll tailor it to your strengths and weaknesses, and I won't hold back. You have to treat me as your enemy."
Shisui spoke seriously.
The three nodded together.
"Let's begin."
Shisui and his clones used different ninjutsu at the same time.
Each attack was clearly tailored to one of the three.
Sanhe and Miyuki were driven back by the force of the attacks, and the three were separated.
In the forest on the outskirts of Konoha.
Itachi had dealt with the three Cloud Ninja Anbu who had tried to infiltrate Konoha.
"Come out."
Itachi stood where he was and spoke calmly.
Madara emerged from a tree.
"Your observation skills are as sharp as ever, Itachi."
Madara praised him without reservation.
"What is it this time?"
Itachi turned around and activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Though Madara was something like a mentor to him, Itachi knew that Madara had ulterior motives, so he had always been wary of him.
"Have you still not noticed? The Uchiha are preparing to rebel. What will you do? Stand with Konoha and fight your clan, or join them in opposing the village?"
Madara spoke coolly.
Itachi fell silent.
He had noticed long ago.
He had also been trying to mend the relationship between the Uchiha and the village.
He had even joined Anbu to show the Third Hokage where he stood.
But the sudden outbreak of war had thrown his plans into disarray.
And now the Uchiha were growing restless.
Recently, both Fugaku and the Third Hokage had approached him.
Each wanted him to gather information on the other.
That left Itachi in an even more difficult position.
"Itachi, you have a younger brother, don't you?"
Madara continued.
A wave of icy killing intent suddenly surged from Itachi.
"What are you planning?"
Madara spread his hands.
"If you don't want your brother caught up in the war, the best way is to stop it yourself. I can help you."
Itachi turned to look toward the village.
End the war? How? He had no idea where to start.
Besides, Madara couldn't be trusted. What was his real goal?
"What do you want?"
Itachi asked suddenly.
"Revenge, and Sharingan as spares."
"They betrayed me back then, which is what led to my current state. Now I just want to make them regret that decision. That is my revenge."
Madara spoke coldly.
"How do you know I'll help you fight my clan?"
Itachi countered.
"Heh. Because of your younger brother. The Uchiha were born for war. As long as they remain, war will never end, and your brother will be dragged into it sooner or later. So, what do you say?"
Madara continued trying to sway him.
"I need time to think."
Itachi furrowed his brow.
"I can wait, but the Uchiha can't. When this war ends, the Uchiha and Konoha will break apart."
Madara finished speaking, and his body dissolved into a vortex.
"Space-Time Ninjutsu? I'm still not confident I can defeat him."
Itachi stared at the spot where Madara had disappeared and murmured to himself.
Just then, a whistle sounded in the distance. It was the signal for Anbu to assemble.
Itachi glanced at the Cloud Ninja corpses on the ground, then left.
These were all his battle achievements, but he had no intention of reporting them.
Itachi soon received a summons and went to the Hokage's office.
"Itachi, you've worked hard. Here's the intelligence on the Cloud Ninja Anbu. Take it to Shisui."
The Third Hokage spoke as he puffed on his pipe.
"Yes."
Itachi took the scroll and was about to leave when the Third Hokage continued, "Itachi, I'm counting on you to handle things with the Uchiha. I don't want trouble breaking out at a time like this."
"Yes."
Itachi took a deep breath, then vanished from the spot.
The Third Hokage set down his pipe and walked to the window.
"Fourth Raikage, I hope you keep your promise and stop once you've gotten what you want."
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