Shōji's First Target

Before Shōji could answer.

"Yes, this old man is also very curious about why little Shōji had the time to visit this old man's home today. After all, you used to say that you would rather spend more time training to become a true powerhouse than waste time on anything meaningless!"

A deep, resonant voice came from the corridor outside the living room. As the steady footsteps drew closer, the figure of a vigorous old man entered Shōji and Shisui's sight.

This old man was none other than Uchiha Genran, one of the Eight Great Elders of the Uchiha Clan and the highest-ranking member of Shisui and Shōji's branch. Though he was already fifty and had withdrawn from the front lines, he had been one of the Uchiha Clan's notable powerhouses in his youth.

That was also one of the most important reasons he now held such a powerful position as an elder of the Uchiha Clan.

The moment they saw the white-haired old man,

both of them hurriedly stood, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "Greetings, Elder Genran."

"Haha, no need for such formalities. We're family. Sit, Shōji, Shisui."

Elder Genran smiled and waved a hand. With a rather bold, casual manner, he sat in the seat of honor and gestured for the two of them to sit.

Shōji and Shisui were clearly familiar with the old man's temperament, and they too resumed their seats in a more relaxed manner.

"All right, I'm not surprised that Shisui came looking for me. But Shōji, the last time you came to visit was two years ago, when you had just been promoted to Chūnin. I also heard Satoru say that you fainted once from overtraining, didn't you? You've only just recovered, yet you rushed over to this old man's home. Tell me, what urgent matter do you have?"

Elder Genran looked at Shōji with a smile.

"Yes, Elder Genran. There is indeed something I need your help with. I want to enter the Clan Assembly!"

Shōji first nodded lightly with a respectful expression, then straightened his back. At that moment, a brilliant light shone in his clear black-and-white eyes as he declared loudly.

Almost the instant Shōji's words fell,

Shisui, seated beside him, looked at his cousin with a trace of surprise.

Across from them, Elder Genran had just been about to lift his teacup for a sip when his movement paused. His snowy brows rose reflexively. As he set the cup back down, Elder Genran looked at Shōji with a slightly solemn expression. "Shōji, you understand what you're saying, don't you? Why would you make such a request at this time?"

According to the customs of the Uchiha Clan,

it was not completely unheard of,

but under normal circumstances,

few clan members would apply on their own to join the Clan Assembly.

Normally, an elder of the clan would acknowledge a junior's strength and then, at an appropriate time, personally bring that junior into the Clan Assembly.

It was an unspoken convention.

Shisui had been the same.

He had made a name for himself in the Third Shinobi World War!

He had earned the clan's direct recognition.

Elder Genran had personally brought him into the Clan Assembly. Once someone had been brought in even once, so long as they committed no wrongdoing, not even the clan head had the right to revoke that person's qualification to attend. Only if more than half of the Eight Great Elders agreed could it be done.

Over the years, Elder Genran had personally promoted quite a few younger members of his own branch. Naturally, Shisui was the one he was proudest of. Shōji was likewise a junior Elder Genran valued. Though he was not as outstanding as Shisui, at fourteen, he already possessed strength surpassing that of an ordinary Elite Chūnin and could barely contend with an ordinary Jōnin. Even in the demanding Uchiha Clan, he could be considered a genius!

From Elder Genran's perspective,

Shōji only needed another two or three years of tempering before he would surely step into the ranks of Jōnin.

At that time, Genran could bring him into the Clan Meeting at the proper moment and strengthen his branch's voice. Though the Uchiha Clan was a highly united Ninja Clan, as long as external matters were not involved, the various branches within the clan still had a certain degree of competition.

What Genran had not expected was for Shōji to make this request of his own accord.

"Yes, Elder Genran. Of course I understand. The reason I want to join the Clan Assembly is because I want to contribute my own strength to the clan. And now is the time when our clan needs to unite all of its strength, isn't it?"

Shōji looked at Elder Genran with blazing eyes. His words

made Elder Genran pause slightly. His narrowed eyes seemed to reveal a dangerous, icy glint.

"The time when the clan most needs to unite all of its strength?"

Elder Genran looked at Shōji with a somewhat grave expression.

Even Shisui beside him turned to look at Shōji with suspicion and surprise.

"That reason is indeed sufficient. But Shōji, you should also know that entering the Clan Meeting requires the corresponding qualifications!"

Genran stared deeply at Shōji as he spoke.

"Of course, Elder Genran, because I believe I already possess those qualifications!"

Shōji's expression was resolute. As his words fell,

the next moment!

His eyes abruptly changed.

The clear black-and-white eyes instantly turned scarlet. Within Shōji's pupils, three black tomoe slowly revolved.

As an icy aura spread,

"Three-Tomoe Sharingan! So that's how it is!?"

When he saw the three black tomoe turning within Shōji's scarlet pupils, a sharp gleam flashed through Elder Genran's eyes!

The Sharingan!

It was the symbol of the Uchiha Clan's strength!

Under normal circumstances, Uchiha Clan members who awakened the Sharingan and advanced it to the Three-Tomoe stage could become Jōnin. In most cases, they were among the most elite Jōnin. Across the Five Great Shinobi Villages, not many people could defeat an Uchiha Clan member in a one-on-one battle!

After all, one had to possess immense personal strength while also being able to effectively counter the Sharingan's genjutsu control. For ordinary shinobi, that difficulty was no different from climbing to the heavens!

Shōji had already possessed strength beyond that of an ordinary Chūnin.

Even if his Sharingan had remained at the Two-Tomoe stage, as his physical abilities further improved and his use of techniques became more refined, he could still become someone comparable to an ordinary Jōnin in the near future. But now, his Sharingan had advanced ahead of time.

That in itself was a display of his strength.