Swear Brotherhood

Upon hearing Lihuo's words, the confusion and self-mockery in Aotian's eyes gradually dissipated, leaving only a burning fighting spirit!

"The taijutsu match isn't over yet! I won't lose to you!" Aotian quickly rushed toward Lihuo, launching a flying kick to start a new round of sparring.

Yet, no matter what moves Aotian unleashed, Lihuo always deflected them with effortless ease.

Lihuo, who had been on the receiving end the entire time, remained calm and composed, while Aotian, who had been relentlessly aggressive, began to break out in a cold sweat.

This left the surrounding lackeys dumbfounded. They all knew that before their boss had participated in the entrance exam, they had been the most notorious prankster gang in the entire Uchiha Clan.

They had often driven their uncles and aunts into a rage, but ever since their boss had taken the entrance exam, everything had changed.

The boss started leading them in daily training, day after day, to the point where many of his companions couldn't bear it.

But whenever someone wanted to back out, they would look at their boss; he always did twice the training volume of his lackeys, which was the reason they had managed to persist.

Yet now, the boss, who had always been incredibly tough in both strength and demeanor, was revealing a side of powerlessness.

Lihuo gave his body a slight jolt, and Aotian was actually sent stumbling back ten steps by the force.

Lihuo said slowly, "Your fundamentals are very solid, and you are very hardworking, but you lack the accumulation of time. Your physical fitness still needs improvement."

"It's alright. As long as you keep at it, in time..."

"Cut the crap! Where is there any time left!" Aotian suddenly shouted in frustration, then, as if he had let go of something, said flatly, "Uchiha Lihuo, I know you're strong. We don't need to compare ninjutsu; you've already won."

"But I just want to know, exactly how strong are you? Can you let me see what a true genius looks like?"

Lihuo knew that the boy before him was not reconciled to his defeat. However, out of respect for his opponent, Lihuo decided to reveal his true strength.

"I'll let you see my maximum strength in my normal state."

With that, Lihuo's body shuddered, and a silent wave of air exploded from him. His weighted gear hit the ground instantly, actually smashing a small crater into the earth.

"No way, those weights are too exaggerated!"

The surrounding lackeys could clearly feel that Lihuo was now completely different from before; his presence was rising continuously.

Suddenly, Lihuo vanished from everyone's sight. The next moment, he appeared before Aotian like a ghost, a sharp kunai pressed against Aotian's neck.

"You lost!"

Aotian hung his head in despair. Seeing this, Lihuo asked in confusion, "Why are you trying so hard to surpass me?"

Completely disheartened, Aotian finally poured his heart out to Lihuo.

"Ever since I can remember, my father has been sighing, as if he were born to sigh."

"But whenever he faces me, he always acts as if nothing is wrong."

"I overheard his conversation with my uncle and learned that the current situation within the Uchiha Clan is far from optimistic."

"But I can't help at all. It wasn't until I was defeated by you for the first time and wanted to find my father to take revenge for me that I realized I had always been living under my father's wings."

"Watching you train so desperately, I thought, if I also trained desperately and became very strong, perhaps I could stop my father from sighing all day long."

As he spoke, Aotian shed two lines of tears. After all, he was still a child, and his mental fortitude wasn't that strong. Lihuo patted Aotian on the shoulder.

"The Uchiha Clan is thriving; why is the situation not optimistic?"

Aotian looked up at Lihuo, as if seeing this genius for the first time.

"I didn't expect you to be so ignorant about the Uchiha Clan. With the suppression from the Hokage, the living space for the Hawk Faction, led by my father, is shrinking day by day."

"The Dove Faction is gradually growing, but blind compromise and concession will only lead to being gradually devoured!"

Lihuo didn't believe that young Aotian could have such thoughts on his own; he must have overheard his father's conversations. However, what he said was not unreasonable; after all, the tragic extermination of the Uchiha years later confirmed this.

Lihuo asked, "Then what do you want to do?"

Aotian stood frozen, then said bitterly, "I don't know either."

But then, his expression became firm.

"However, I know one thing: in the Uchiha house, strength is always respected."

"Since I was defeated by you, I naturally have to acknowledge you as my big brother!"

Lihuo was stunned, and the surrounding lackeys were also incredibly surprised.

"Boss, don't leave us behind!"

"Don't do it, Boss, we can't bear to see you go!"

Aotian turned around and scanned the surroundings. At this moment, he truly looked a bit like a boss.

"Everyone has seen it; Uchiha Lihuo is truly strong. Moreover, I have interacted with him, and he is a kind person. I trust him."

"Starting today, I acknowledge him as my big brother. If you all trust me, then join me."

Lihuo saw the situation and was just about to decline, but Aotian blocked his words with a single sentence.

"With your ability, you will definitely participate in the clan affairs of the Uchiha in the future, and we will be your solid backing."

Seeing that some of the surrounding lackeys were still hesitating, Aotian shouted directly:

"Greetings, Big Brother Lihuo!"

Seeing Aotian take the lead, the younger followers also took the opportunity to pledge their allegiance to Lihuo. Twenty or thirty Uchiha youths spoke in unison, "Greetings, Big Brother Lihuo!"

Lihuo was never one to shy away from a crowd; facing such a display, he remained calm and composed.

"Thank you all for your trust. I will certainly not let you down!"

In the days that followed, while Lihuo continued his relentless training, he also learned about his new subordinates from Aotian.

He hadn't realized it before, but he was shocked to learn that Aotian's followers accounted for nearly two-fifths of the Uchiha youth of their generation—a truly significant number.

The fact that Aotian could manage such a large group in an orderly fashion was a testament to his leadership abilities.

Adhering to the philosophy of "trust those you employ, and employ those you trust," and to carve out more time for his own cultivation, Lihuo entrusted the full management of the team to Aotian.

He also drew upon his own training experience to compile a simple body-tempering method for his followers.

"Although this body-tempering method is rudimentary, it is well-suited to their age. If they persist in their training, their physiques will steadily improve."

Furthermore, based on his experiences from his past life, Lihuo wrote a book titled Guidelines on How to Correctly Establish an Atmosphere of Unity, Friendliness, Mutual Assistance, and Harmony Within the Uchiha, which he handed to Aotian to instill the right values in the Uchiha youths from a young age.

At first, the youths didn't think much of it, and even Aotian was unsure of Lihuo's true intentions.

However, once the youths actually helped their clansmen and received praise from others, they began to take great pleasure in assisting their fellow Uchiha.

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, another half-month had gone by.

At Aotian's home.

"Father, I have already finished my duel with Lihuo."

"Little Aotian, I am already aware."

"Father, how did you..."

"What could possibly be hidden from me? I even read that so-called 'guideline' book of his."

"Then, Father, what do you think..."

"I must say, the writing style doesn't seem like it was penned by some greenhorn who just entered the Ninja Academy. It reads more like the political propaganda of an old fox like the Third Hokage."

"However, I find no issues with the content itself. Its core is about mutual assistance among clansmen. As long as it benefits the Uchiha Clan, I see no problem with it."

"Not only that, I even fanned the flames and helped the kid promote it quite a bit."

"Ah? Father, are you saying you recommended this book to others?"

"Heh, not only that, I secretly printed copies of this book and distributed them to other Uchiha children."

"...Isn't that printing pirated copies..."

Uchiha Ting: (･_･;, Mind your own business!

"Father, I plan to invite Lihuo over in three days."

"So you still remember that, do you? Very well, Father will be sure to treat your friend properly."

Aotian immediately relayed this message to Lihuo. Lihuo naturally could not refuse such a kind gesture, though he secretly wondered why Aotian's father would invite him at this particular time.

Meanwhile, in a certain part of Konoha, inside the underground base of Root.

A cold-blooded Root member respectfully placed a book on the desk of their leader, Danzo.

"My Lord, this is a book that has recently begun circulating within the Uchiha Clan."

"It's just a book. What could be so important about it?"

"The printer is the Uchiha Hawk Faction's influential elder, Uchiha Ting."

"Oh?" Danzo immediately became interested and began to read it carefully.

Bang!

"Nonsense! 'Mutual assistance within the clan'—where does that leave Konoha Village? What a dangerous ideology!"

"The author... Uchiha Lihuo."

"Very well, very well. Go and investigate Uchiha Lihuo, but remember: do not alert the enemy!"

With that, Danzo stormed off toward the Hokage Office, clutching the book in his hand.