Uchiha, Sharingan, Ambition

In the Forest of Death, Jonin Uchiha Ayano directed her clansmen to track Uchiha Yan.

The result, however, was disappointing.

The trail Uchiha Yan left behind not only led out of the Forest of Death but also breached the Konoha border; clearly, she had escaped the village.

Ayano stared at the footprints at the edge of the forest. "Leave one team to continue the pursuit with me, and the rest of you return. Tell Lady Chirori that Uchiha Yan has already escaped the borders of Konoha."

Zenin clan, underground laboratory.

Toji's figure appeared once again in this secret space.

The sudden events of this evening were unexpected.

Yet, everything remained within his grasp, and he had gained a great deal as a result.

First, he had secured the "friendship" of the arrogant Uchiha clan.

Whether it was the ordinary clansmen or the clan head, Uchiha Chirori, they had all fully recognized his value.

Especially Uchiha Chirori; judging by her proactive sharing at the Gospel Clinic, she clearly already viewed him as someone she could trust.

Second, there was the greatest harvest of the night.

Toji walked slowly forward to the experimental table.

The woman bound tightly on the table was none other than the rogue ninja the Uchiha clan was searching for with all their might: Uchiha Yan.

Just a moment before she was about to escape, Toji, who had been lying in ambush, struck decisively, capturing her and bringing her to this underground laboratory. At the same time, he released Earth Grudge Fear to create the illusion that Uchiha Yan had successfully fled.

Although he lacked sealing techniques, Toji relied on his understanding of the human body to precisely sever her chakra nerves. Combined with the physical restraints, Uchiha Yan was now a fish on the chopping block, with no power left to resist.

"Uchiha, Sharingan."

Toji pulled out his experimental logbook and started a new page specifically for the Sharingan.

His diagnosis for Uchiha Chirori had not been fabricated; it was a conclusion derived from the perspective of a modern medical student, combined with the conditions of future Mangekyo holders—

[Uchiha Itachi's symptoms: cerebellar degeneration, leading to complications such as intracranial hemorrhage and gastric mucosal lesions.]

The Eternal Mangekyo, in essence, solved the problem of cerebellar degeneration.

"As the ocular power grows stronger, the issue of cerebellar degeneration resolves itself. Ninjas are truly miraculous."

Toji held a great interest in the Sharingan.

As one of the top-tier bloodline limits in the Ninja World, he had every reason to analyze and even master this power.

But he would never crudely gouge out Uchiha Yan's eyeballs to transplant them into himself.

That method was too vulgar, low-level, and lacked any sense of elegance.

"Without Uchiha blood, forcibly using the Sharingan will only become a burden."

The future Kakashi had already proven this point.

The path Toji intended to take was to deconstruct the Sharingan.

All evolution in nature had its internal connections, and ninjutsu and bloodlines were naturally no exception.

When he was treating Chirori at the Gospel Clinic, he had observed her Sharingan and collected some data. Because he feared arousing her suspicion, Toji hadn't been able to look too closely, opting instead to use the excuse of a "follow-up consultation" to facilitate repeated observations.

"The secrets of the Sharingan..."

Toji refocused his gaze on the still-unconscious Uchiha Yan while connecting several top-tier precision instruments to her body to begin collecting biological data.

Toji was not arrogant; he could even be called humble. He felt his talent for scientific research was not particularly outstanding.

The research into the Sharingan was destined to be a long process, but he had plenty of time.

Konoha Year 6.

The second day of the New Year.

Hokage's office.

Uchiha Chirori stood in the center of the room. Before her, Senju Hashirama sat in the Hokage's chair with his chin resting on his hands. Behind the chair, Senju Tobirama stood, his sharp eyes fixed upon her.

Tobirama's tone was unkind:

"Are you saying..."

"A Jonin of the Uchiha clan who had awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan and wished to follow Uchiha Madara has defected?"

Uchiha Chirori bowed slightly. "I apologize. I have already sent men to pursue her, but as of this morning, we have still failed to bring her back."

The atmosphere inside the office was exceptionally oppressive.

Tobirama continued to press: "Is it really that simple? Was it truly only one person?"

"Alright, alright, Tobirama."

Senju Hashirama raised a hand to stop Tobirama's questioning, gesturing toward the chair in front of him. "Chirori, please, have a seat."

"I am very glad that you came to report this to me first thing today..."

"Actually, when I was preparing for bed last night, I sensed movement over at Naka Shrine, but I didn't intervene. I believe that matters concerning the Uchiha should be decided by the Uchiha themselves."

"That missing-nin... Uchiha Yan? The fact that she chose to follow Madara shows that the village hasn't done enough."

"Tobirama, we should be reflecting on ourselves, not just casting blame."

Ignoring Tobirama's objections, Senju Hashirama lightly set the tone for this defection incident: "As for the matter of Uchiha Yan, let the Uchiha issue a clan mission and resolve it themselves."

"What I am more concerned about is the Uchiha children attending the Ninja Academy."

Chirori had not expected the matter of the missing-nin to be brushed aside so lightly. She regained her composure and replied, "The clan has conducted a count; there are thirty-three clan members of age ready to enroll."

"That is wonderful news!" Hashirama laughed heartily, patting the armrest. "The Uchiha are truly one of the few great clans in the Ninja World. With such a flourishing population, the future of the village is promising..."

Immediately following this, Hashirama shifted the topic: "As for the position of Ninja Academy Principal, I want you to take it, Chirori."

"Nani?"

Tobirama and Chirori exclaimed in unison.

Before Tobirama could voice his objections, Hashirama shot him a look that blocked all his words, turning instead to Uchiha Chirori.

"Chirori, I am entrusting the Ninja Academy to you."

"Regarding the curriculum design, enrollment, examinations, graduation processes, and post-graduation assignments for the Ninja Academy, you can consult with Toji on these matters."

"He has his own unique insights in this area."

Toji? Toji again.

Uchiha Chirori was slightly taken aback, feeling quite surprised.

She had not expected the Hokage to value Toji so highly; it was as if he were already treating him like an advisor.

Once her thoughts had settled, Chirori accepted the mission, turned, and left the Hokage's office.

After she had gone, the boisterous Hashirama's eyes flickered with a glimmer of wisdom as he began to explain: "The incident at Naka Shrine last night was resolved by Chirori; she has proven both her ability and her loyalty."

"I suspect that some Uchiha clansmen are dissatisfied with the village opening the Ninja Academy, which is why the trouble arose."

"Precisely for this reason, I want Chirori to serve as Principal. Firstly, her power is great—not much weaker than yours, Tobirama; secondly, the Uchiha clan needs to be appeased."

Tobirama voiced his own concerns: "But I worry that Uchiha Chirori will train all the students to be extremists..."

"Don't be so suspicious all the time." Hashirama patted Tobirama on the shoulder.

"Look at your older brother; look at how accurate my judgment of people is. Toji was the same way before, and I believe Chirori will be able to do a great job as well."