Fugaku's Visit

Having considered this, Mo still decided to let Shisui follow his original path.

"You've completely mastered Uchiha Shurikenjutsu. From here on, focus your training on taijutsu and swordsmanship."

Shisui nodded, pulled out a kunai, and said eagerly, "Then be careful, Brother. I'm coming at you!"

Mo smiled faintly and stood where he was, completely at ease.

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

As soon as the words fell, Shisui gripped his kunai in a forward hold with the blade pointed down and dashed toward Mo!

Mo remained perfectly still. Only when Shisui reached him and slashed out with his right-hand kunai in a sharp arc did Mo suddenly bend at the waist, extending his right index finger with pinpoint precision into the ring at the kunai's tail!

Then Mo flicked his right hand downward, and the kunai instantly cut open Shisui's little finger before slipping free. Mo immediately hooked his index finger upward, sending the kunai shooting toward Shisui's upper shoulder at an angle!

"So fast!"

Shisui cried out and hurriedly gathered chakra in his eyes.

"Sharingan!"

Those large black-and-white eyes instantly turned crimson. A single black tomoe rested quietly within them, and the world in Shisui's eyes 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 impacts of flesh against flesh echoed through the dim forest. Under Mo's fierce assault, Shisui was like someone caught in a raging storm, with no chance to rest at all. He had to concentrate with everything he had just to barely hold on.

But Shisui also understood that this was Mo's unique and overbearing method 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 usual black-and-white appearance.

"How was that, Brother? I'm pretty amazing, right?"

"Not bad. When did you awaken it?" Uchiha Mo pulled a sheet of white paper from his ninja tool pouch, then took out a pen and began scribbling away.

Shisui flashed a smug smile. "I thought you weren't surprised at all, Brother. I just suddenly awakened it a few mornings ago after waking up. What do you think? I awakened it at five too, just like you! And maybe I'll even break the records you set afterward."

Mo gave a careless chuckle and tossed the densely written sheet of paper beside Shisui.

Shisui struggled to lift his head and looked at Mo. "What's this?"

"The Lightning Flash Sword Transformation you wanted, along with a taijutsu-ninjutsu technique, Uchiha Style: Flame-Leaping Sword. As for Uchiha Style Swordsmanship, there's a scroll at home. Learn it yourself. Don't come bothering me until you've mastered all of it."

Shisui put away the paper and sighed teasingly. "Calling your adorable little brother a bother... what an irresponsible older brother."

Mo paid him no mind. Drawing his ninja sword, he began training by himself on the spot.

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

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

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

As Uchiha Mo practiced his swordsmanship, Shisui rested for a while. After simply tending to his wounds, he sat nearby and studied the training methods for the Lightning Flash Sword Transformation and Uchiha Style: Flame-Leaping Sword.

The sun gradually sank westward. Before either of them could stop training, a man arrived first and interrupted them.

"Mo, you really are here."

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

"Clan Head Fugaku... is something the matter?"

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

"Come to my home for dinner. There are some things I want to discuss with you... Shisui should come too."

Mo's brows drew together even tighter. He had wanted to refuse, but then he suddenly thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Alright... Shisui and I will go home and freshen up before coming over."

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

Only after Fugaku's figure disappeared from view did Shisui ask in confusion, "Brother, didn't you say we should have less contact with the clan head's child? Then why..."

"Kids shouldn't ask so many questions." Mo patted Shisui on the 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 inside. The food is ready."

Fugaku rose and led the two through the entryway. The moment they stepped inside, a table laden with dishes came into view. A beautiful woman sat beside it with a swaddled child in her arms—it was Uchiha Mikoto.

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

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

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 you can guide him when you have time in the future."

Mikoto immediately furrowed her delicate brows slightly. "Fugaku, Itachi is still so young. You're worrying too much."

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

"Let's eat!"

The dishes on the table rapidly dwindled. Fugaku was rather traditional and placed great importance on rules, so no one spoke during the meal.

Soon, dinner was drawing to a close. Fugaku looked up at Mikoto.

"Mikoto, take Itachi and go to bed first."

Mikoto nodded, realizing that what followed would be a topic between men. She immediately carried Itachi out of the living room. Fugaku then turned his gaze to 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 pondered for a moment before nodding.

Shisui looked at the two of them in confusion. Before he could figure out what was going on, he heard the clan head ask his brother:

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

"The Third Hokage can't bear to lose a mission machine like me. He was afraid that once I became a Jonin, I'd return to the Police Force, so he invited me to become a squad captain in the ANBU."

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