In the Forest of Death, Uchiha Ayano, a Jōnin, led her clansmen in tracking Uchiha Yan.
The outcome was disappointing—
The traces Uchiha Yan had left behind not only led out of the Forest of Death, but also crossed Konoha's border. Clearly, she had escaped the village.
Ayano stared at the footprints at the forest's edge. "Leave one team behind to keep pursuing her with me. The rest of you, go back. Tell Lady Chiri that Uchiha Yan has already escaped Konoha's territory."
Zenin Clan, underground laboratory.
Toji's figure appeared once more in this secret space.
Tonight's sudden incident had been unexpected.
But everything remained under his control, and he had gained quite a lot from it.
First, he had obtained the "friendship" of the proud Uchiha Clan.
Whether ordinary clansmen or the clan head, Uchiha Chiri, they had all come to fully recognize his value.
Especially Uchiha Chiri. From her initiative in sharing information with him at the Gospel Medical Clinic, it was clear that she already regarded him as someone trustworthy.
Second was tonight's greatest gain.
Toji slowly stepped forward and came to the experimental table.
The woman tightly bound atop it was Uchiha Yan, the traitorous ninja the Uchiha Clan was searching for with all its might.
Just as she was about to escape, Toji, who had long been lying in ambush, struck decisively and captured her, bringing her to this underground laboratory. At the same time, he released Earth Grudge Fear to create the illusion that Uchiha Yan had escaped.
Though he had no Sealing Jutsu,
Toji's understanding of the human body allowed him to precisely sever her chakra nerves. Combined with the restraints on her body, Uchiha Yan was now fish on the chopping block, utterly incapable of resisting.
"Uchiha. Sharingan."
Toji took out his experimental notebook and opened a new page specifically for the Sharingan.
His diagnosis of Uchiha Chiri had not been fabricated. It was a conclusion he had deduced from the perspective of a modern medical student, combined with the conditions of future Mangekyō Sharingan wielders—
[Itachi Uchiha's symptoms were cerebellar lesions, causing complications such as intracranial hemorrhaging and gastric mucosal lesions.]
The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, in essence, solved the issue of cerebellar lesions.
"As ocular power grows stronger, the problem of cerebellar lesions resolves itself. Ninja really are remarkable."
Toji was deeply interested in the Sharingan.
As one of the Shinobi World's most powerful Kekkei Genkai, he had every reason to analyze—and even master—this power.
But he would never crudely gouge out Uchiha Yan's eyes and transplant them into himself.
Such a method was far too crude, too low-class, utterly devoid of elegance.
"Without Uchiha blood, forcibly using the Sharingan would only become a burden."
Future Kakashi had already proven that point.
The path Toji intended to take was to deconstruct the Sharingan.
Everything that evolved possessed inherent connections. Ninjutsu and Bloodlines were naturally no exception.
When he had treated Chiri at the Gospel Medical Clinic, he had observed her Sharingan and gathered some data. Concerned that he might arouse her suspicions, Toji had been unable to examine it too closely, so he used the excuse of a "follow-up visit" to observe it again later.
"The secret of the Sharingan..."
Toji's gaze returned to the still-unconscious Uchiha Yan. At the same time, he connected several top-grade precision instruments to her one by one and began collecting her bodily data.
Toji was not arrogant; he could even be called humble. He believed his talent for scientific research was nothing outstanding.
Research into the Sharingan was destined to be a long process, but he had plenty of time.
Year 6 of Konoha.
The day after the New Year.
Hokage Office.
Uchiha Chiri stood in the center of the room. Before her, Hashirama Senju sat in the Hokage's chair with his hands supporting his chin; behind the chair stood Tobirama Senju, his sharp eyes fixed on her.
Tobirama spoke harshly:
"You mean..."
"An Uchiha Clan Jōnin who awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan and wanted to follow Madara Uchiha defected?"
Uchiha Chiri bowed slightly. "My apologies. I already sent people to pursue her, but even by this morning, we were unable to bring her back."
The atmosphere in the office was exceptionally oppressive.
Tobirama pressed on. "Is it really that simple? Was there truly only one person?"
"Alright, alright, Tobirama."
Hashirama raised a hand to stop Tobirama's questioning and pointed at the chair before him. "Chiri, sit down."
"I'm very glad you came to report this to me immediately today..."
"Actually, when I was about to sleep last night, I sensed the disturbance over at Naka Shrine, but I didn't interfere. I felt that Uchiha matters should be decided by the Uchiha themselves."
"That traitorous ninja... Uchiha Yan? Her choice to follow Madara shows that the village has not done well enough."
"Tobirama, we should reflect on ourselves rather than blindly condemn others."
Ignoring Tobirama's objections, Hashirama Senju casually settled the matter of the defection. "Uchiha Yan's case will be handled by the Uchiha themselves through a clan mission."
"What concerns me more is the matter of Uchiha children attending the Ninja Academy."
Chiri had not expected the traitorous ninja incident to be brushed aside so lightly. Coming back to her senses, she said, "The clan has counted thirty-three members of eligible age who are prepared to enroll."
"This is wonderful news!" Hashirama laughed heartily and slapped the armrest. "The Uchiha Clan truly is one of the Shinobi World's foremost great clans. With such prosperity, the village's future is promising..."
Then Hashirama changed the subject. "Chiri, you will take the position of Ninja Academy principal."
"What?"
Tobirama and Chiri cried out in unison.
Before Tobirama could voice his doubts,
Hashirama shot him a look that forced all his words back down, then turned to Uchiha Chiri and said:
"Chiri, I'm entrusting the Ninja Academy to you."
"As for the Ninja Academy's curriculum design, enrollment, examinations, graduation procedures, and post-graduation assignments, you can discuss all of it with Toji."
"He has his own unique insights in these matters."
Toji? Toji again.
Uchiha Chiri was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised.
She had not expected the Hokage to value Toji so highly. It was as if he already regarded him as an advisor.
After calming herself slightly, Chiri accepted the task and turned to leave the Hokage Office.
After she left,
The usually carefree Hashirama had wisdom gleaming in his eyes as he began to explain. "Chiri resolved last night's incident at Naka Shrine. She proved both her ability and her loyalty."
"My guess is that some Uchiha clansmen were dissatisfied with the village's decision to establish the Ninja Academy, which led to this problem."
"That is precisely why I want Chiri to serve as principal. First, she is very powerful—not much weaker than you, Tobirama. Second, the Uchiha Clan needs to be placated."
Tobirama voiced his concern. "But I'm worried that Uchiha Chiri will train every student to become too extreme..."
"Don't always be so suspicious." Hashirama patted Tobirama on the shoulder.
"Look at your big brother. I'm such a good judge of people. Toji was the same before; I believe Chiri can do very well too."
Before you continue