Fugaku's Visit / Team Leader

"Is that Mo? This old woman made a whole table of delicious food today. Do you want to come over?"

"Mo, that little brat of mine has been shouting again these past two days that he doesn't want to go to the Ninja Academy either. Sorry to trouble you, but please find time to come by."

"Alright."

Uchiha Mo nodded in response as he hurried toward home without slowing his steps. He did not walk particularly fast, and it took him roughly twenty minutes to reach his destination.

Knock, knock, knock!

After lightly knocking on the door three times, hurried, heavy footsteps immediately sounded from inside. They drew closer and closer until the door suddenly swung open.

"Big brother! You're finally back!"

Shisui, still only tall enough to reach Uchiha Mo's waist, was bursting with excitement. The moment he opened the door, he tried to pounce on Mo.

Uchiha Mo pressed one hand against Shisui's head, foiling his plan. Then he stuffed the ninja sword at his waist, the Ninja Tool Pouch, and the flatbread he carried in his other hand into Shisui's arms.

"Put these away, then go cook."

"Huh?" Shisui froze briefly before flashing a brilliant smile. "Okay!"

Only after watching Shisui's hurried figure vanish from sight did Uchiha Mo slowly step inside. He turned, removed his robe and hung it up, then took a brush from the study.

Sitting at the dining table, Mo deftly unwound the bandages around his wrist, revealing a small scroll marked with the rune for "sword."

He removed the scroll, spread it across the table, and carefully inspected it.

Standing on a small stool, Shisui glanced back at Mo's serious expression and asked curiously, "Big brother, what is that? You maintain it every day, but I've never seen you use that scroll."

Mo stared at the runes on the scroll and answered casually:

"Lightning Flash Sword Transformation. A B-rank summoning-type ninjutsu. It lets you quickly summon ninja tools sealed inside the scroll. It's faster than a Ninja Tool Pouch and holds more."

Shisui nodded, then asked expectantly, "Can I learn it too?"

"You can."

"Great! Then teach me during training today, big brother!" Shisui's face lit up with excitement.

"Cook first."

Mo lowered his head for one final inspection of the scroll. Only after confirming there were no problems did he wrap it around his wrist again and cover it with white bandages.

Shisui moved quickly. Though he had to stand on a small stool to reach the stove, it did not take him long to prepare a lavish spread of food.

The two brothers sat around the round table and enjoyed a pleasant meal together.

"Big brother, the clan head's child was born not long ago. I heard it's a boy."

Mo glanced at Shisui. "Stay away from that child. Also, no talking while eating."

"Why?" Shisui set down his bowl and chopsticks, his face full of curiosity. Mo was usually quite indulgent with him and never objected to anything he did. Yet today, just from mentioning the child, Mo told him to keep his distance. It made Shisui especially curious.

Mo did not answer. He simply reached out and knocked Shisui on the head. "No talking while eating."

"Ow! I got it..." Shisui bared his teeth and clutched his head.

Once the table fell quiet, the two quickly finished the food.

Shisui swiftly cleaned up the table, then impatiently pulled Mo outside.

"Big brother, you said before leaving that you'd help me train when you got back! You can't go back on your word now!"

Mo looked down at him and allowed Shisui to pull him away.

The two stopped at a small forest beside the Naka River, which was also where Mo often trained. He knew the Third Hokage possessed a crystal ball capable of observing nearly all of Hidden Leaf, so he had no desire to train at the training grounds.

Mo glanced at Shisui beside him, deep in thought.

Shisui truly was a genius. Without the Seven-Colored Lotus, even Mo's own talent would have fallen far short of Shisui's. But Shisui was only five years old now, so he was not suited to learning any powerful ninjutsu.

Fugaku's Visit

After considering it, Mo decided to let Shisui follow his original path first.

"You've already fully mastered Uchiha Shurikenjutsu. Next, focus your training on Taijutsu and swordsmanship."

Shisui nodded, pulled out a kunai, and said eagerly, "Then be careful, big brother! I'm coming!"

Mo smiled faintly and stood in place with a relaxed expression.

"Use all your strength. Let me see whether you deserve the Uchiha Clan name."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shisui gripped the kunai in a forward hold with its blade facing down and charged at Mo!

Mo remained motionless until Shisui rushed before him and slashed his kunai in a fierce arc. Then Mo abruptly bent at the waist, extended his right index finger, and precisely hooked it through the ring at the end of the kunai!

Mo then flicked his right hand downward. The kunai instantly cut Shisui's little finger, slipped free, and then, with an upward flick of Mo's index finger, shot toward Shisui's shoulder at a sharp angle!

"So fast!"

Shisui cried out and hurriedly gathered chakra in his eyes.

Sharingan!

Those black-and-white eyes instantly turned crimson. A single black tomoe rested quietly within them, and the world in Shisui's vision slowed down.

He hurriedly twisted aside to evade the kunai, but before he could catch his breath, Mo's whip kick followed close behind...

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Dull sounds of flesh striking flesh echoed through the dim forest. Before Mo's powerful offensive, Shisui seemed to be facing a raging storm. He had no chance to rest and had to focus completely just to barely hold on.

But Shisui also understood that this was Mo's unique and forceful style of training.

More than ten minutes later, Shisui was covered in bruises and small cuts. Exhausted, he lay on the ground, his eyes having returned to their black-and-white appearance.

"How was that, big brother? I'm amazing, right?"

"Not bad. When did you awaken it?" Uchiha Mo pulled out a sheet of white paper from his Ninja Tool Pouch, then took out a pen and quickly began writing.

Shisui wore a proud smile. "I thought you weren't surprised at all, big brother. I just woke up one morning a few days ago, and it had suddenly awakened. What do you think? I awakened mine at five, just like you! And maybe I can even break your later records."

Mo gave an indifferent chuckle and tossed the densely written sheet of paper beside Shisui.

Shisui laboriously lifted his head and looked at Mo. "What's this?"

"The Lightning Flash Sword Transformation you wanted, and a nin-taijutsu move, Uchiha Style: Flame-Leaping Sword. As for Uchiha Style Swordsmanship, there are scrolls at home. Learn it yourself. Don't bother me again until you've mastered all of it."

Shisui put away the paper and sighed teasingly. "Calling your cute little brother bothersome... what an irresponsible older brother."

Mo ignored him, drew his ninja sword, and began training by himself.

With the Seven-Colored Lotus, Mo did not need to deliberately train most things, such as ninjutsu or physical abilities. He only needed to establish a solid foundation and improve his Taijutsu and combat skills.

As for everything else, he could rapidly improve it through the Seven-Colored Lotus. Moreover, the Third Shinobi World War was imminent and was expected to break out early next year.

During the Third Shinobi World War, Hidden Leaf would wage war against all four great nations. That would be Mo's best opportunity to harvest unlock progress!

While Uchiha Mo practiced swordsmanship, Shisui recovered some strength, simply treated his wounds, then sat nearby and studied the training methods for Lightning Flash Sword Transformation and Uchiha Style: Flame-Leaping Sword.

The sun gradually dipped westward. Before the two could stop training, a man arrived and interrupted them.

"Mo, you really are here."

Uchiha Mo frowned slightly, sheathed his ninja sword, and turned to look at the stern-faced man.

"Clan Head Fugaku... do you need something?"

Uchiha Fugaku looked at Mo, whose forehead was soaked in sweat, then glanced at Shisui, who was holding a scroll and writing on it with his head lowered.

"Come to my house for dinner. I have something to discuss with you... Shisui should come too."

Mo's brows drew together even tighter. He had wanted to refuse, but Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly came to mind.

"Alright... Shisui and I will head over after we return home and clean up."

Fugaku's expression did not change. He merely nodded, then turned and left.

Only after Fugaku vanished from view did Shisui ask in confusion, "Big brother, didn't you say I should stay away from the clan head's child? Then why..."

"Kids shouldn't ask so many questions." Mo patted Shisui's head.

The two returned home, put away their training equipment, took baths, and then headed to Fugaku's residence.

By the time they arrived, night had already fallen. Fugaku sat on a bench at the edge of the courtyard and turned to look at them.

"You're here? Come in. The food is ready."

Fugaku rose and led them through the entrance. As soon as they entered, a table full of delicious dishes came into view. A beautiful woman sat beside the table holding a swaddled infant. She was Uchiha Mikoto.

Mikoto was drawn by the movement at the door and turned toward the entrance.

"Mo, you're here? Did your mission go smoothly this time?"

Mo nodded. Fugaku looked at Mikoto holding the child, and a trace of tenderness appeared on his stiff face.

"This is my child. His name is Itachi. I hope Mo can guide him when he has time in the future."

Mikoto immediately frowned slightly at his words. "Fugaku, Itachi is still so young. You're worrying too much."

Fugaku shook his head without saying anything more and gestured for Shisui and Mo to sit down.

"Let's eat!"

The food on the table rapidly dwindled. Fugaku was a rather traditional man who valued rules greatly, so no one spoke during the meal.

Soon, dinner came to an end. Fugaku raised his head and looked at Mikoto.

"Mikoto, take Itachi to bed first."

Mikoto nodded. Realizing that the next topic was one for the men, she immediately carried Itachi out of the living room. Fugaku then turned his gaze toward Shisui, seeming hesitant to speak.

"Let Shisui stay. He's a genius whose talent is no less than mine. Sooner or later, he'll be involved in clan affairs." Mo took a sip of warm tea, his tone calm.

"Very well." Fugaku thought for a moment, then nodded.

Shisui looked between the two in confusion. Before he could understand what was happening, he heard the clan head ask his older brother:

"I heard Kakashi has already become a Special Jonin. What did the village... say to you today?"

"The Third Hokage doesn't want to lose a mission machine like me. He's afraid that after I become a Jonin, I'll return to the Military Police Force, so he invited me to become an ANBU squad captain."

"ANBU?!" Fugaku's eyes widened. Then he asked somewhat urgently, "What about you? Did you agree?"

Leading Jonin

Mo shook his head. "I said that something like this needed to be discussed with the clan first, so I turned it down for now."

"Good!" Fugaku suddenly grew excited. He stared directly into Mo's eyes and said, "Mo, recently, more and more clansmen have become dissatisfied with the Uchiha Clan's current position. I hope you can join ANBU as an Uchiha. While attaining a higher position, you can also convey more of the Uchiha Clan's demands to the village."

At this point in time, the conservative faction still held the upper hand within the Uchiha Clan, so Fugaku did not directly ask Mo to become a spy.

Mo frowned slightly. He did not particularly care whether he joined ANBU, but ANBU offered too little freedom. Joining ANBU at this point was clearly not a good choice for him.

The Third Shinobi World War was about to erupt. Only by entering the battlefield with a freer identity could he maximize his gains.

"ANBU... in the end, it's merely the Hokage's personal domain. Your identity can't be exposed, you can't build prestige, and even an Uchiha might not be able to rise to a high position."

Hearing this, Fugaku frowned. After carefully considering it, he nodded.

"That's true. My thinking was too idealistic... Mo, do you have any ideas?"

Uchiha Mo curled his lips slightly. "I heard the Third Hokage's youngest son graduated this year..."

The moment he said that, a sharp gleam flashed through Fugaku's eyes. He instantly understood Mo's intention.

"I understand. That truly is a good choice. I'll discuss it with the Third Hokage."

After the conversation ended, Mo left the clan head's residence with Shisui. As they walked home, Shisui finally could not resist turning to ask: