Race Against Time

Having figured out this crucial first step, Jin grew troubled when he thought about how he had the rank of a jonin but the strength of a genin. Time truly was precious. Still, Jin optimistically thought, Fortunately, I used to be an observer, so I know some of the plot. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know about a cancer like Danzo. Time is life!

At night, Jin always had one clone secretly hide beside the alarm. The other eight clones kept watch around Konoha. At the slightest disturbance, Jin would know immediately.

During the day, Jin secretly practiced the famous ninjutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals. He only skipped certain forbidden techniques that harmed the user, as well as techniques he thought were useless or insufficiently powerful. Once he could use the techniques on the scroll proficiently, Jin began calmly considering how to combine them. Meanwhile, his eight clones challenged all kinds of underground beasts in a hidden subterranean cave within the Forest of Death. The remaining clone still waited beside the alarm, ready to sound it at any moment.

"No short old senior appeared around Jin, did he?" Uchiha Fuchiu asked the ninja standing before him.

"Clan Head, no such person has ever appeared around Young Master Jin. However, Young Master Jin has rarely gone out lately. He has only visited the residences of those three a few times," the ninja answered.

"So that old senior was repaying me for taking care of those three!" Uchiha Fuchiu thought. "All right! You don't need to monitor those three anymore."

The Third Naruto puffed on his pipe as he read the report from his ANBU subordinates, asking in confusion, "Where exactly did these people come from? Is that Uchiha Siwan really a member of the Uchiha Clan? Why did Uchiha Fuchiu also send people to watch those three? Strange! Could something be about to happen? Danzo has been making moves again recently. Could there be some connection?..." The Third Naruto puzzled over every possible cause and answer.

"Let me in! I want to see my Boss Jin!" Naruto shouted outside.

"Let him in," Itachi said with a smile. If Sasuke had seen it, he would have thought the sun rose in the west.

"Thank you, Lord Itachi! I'm going to find Boss Jin!" Naruto happily ran off.

Itachi watched Naruto's departing back, a trace of comfort appearing on his face. He silently headed toward the training ground and began training with near self-destructive intensity. Itachi had been rather quiet lately, and the faint smile he showed today was even rarer. Not far away, Jin watched Itachi train and silently learned from him. Perhaps Itachi had discovered Jin long ago. Yet from beginning to end, Itachi did not say a single word, only continuously performing ninjutsu. From time to time, he even used his Sharingan. Several fluidly linked techniques left Jin's eyes wide open, raising Itachi to an even greater height in his heart. An entire afternoon of training, a whole afternoon! Itachi first practiced ninjutsu, then taijutsu, then genjutsu, then taijutsu again. He had no time to rest at all! Jin saw everything and secretly felt ashamed. My talent is even better than Itachi's, but I'm not nearly as hardworking. If I could train with even half of Itachi's diligence, I would surely be a qualified jonin by now.

"It's time to eat!" Itachi called loudly, as if speaking to himself, but Jin knew he was telling him it was time for dinner.

"Brother Itachi! Tomorrow, please teach me how to combine ninjutsu to defeat enemies!" Jin stepped out and said as he looked at Itachi.

"Isn't this my adorable little brother Jin? Come to my room tonight, and I'll explain it to you," Itachi said with a smile. "Want some barbecue? My treat!"

"Then let's bring Sasuke too! The three brothers can go together!" Jin answered happily, though he thought, Sigh, maybe there won't be another chance in the future. We should spend more time together while we can!

"Good! Today, we'll eat our fill!" Itachi laughed heartily, a rare occurrence.

The three had barely stepped outside when they saw Naruto looking over from the gate. He then ran over excitedly. "Lord Itachi! Boss Jin! Stupid Sasuke! You finally came out! I've been waiting for you forever."

Itachi smiled. "Come on, Naruto. My treat today!"

Sasuke retorted, "You idiot, don't call me Stupid Sasuke!"

Jin pulled the two apart. "Anyone who doesn't want barbecue doesn't have to come! That just means more for us!" Jin took Itachi's hand and headed toward the barbecue district.

The two children quickly followed after them.

Jin quietly asked, "Brother Itachi, how many tomoe does your Sharingan have now?"

Itachi said in surprise, "Three tomoe! How do you know about the Sharingan? You're not old enough yet, are you?"

Jin smiled. "It's no big deal! My Sharingan has already awakened! Don't tell anyone, okay? Father said it would be too discouraging—an idiot like me has even awakened it! So if you tell anyone, just wait until you get home and get scolded! Also, please teach me how to use genjutsu tonight, Brother Itachi!"

Itachi stared at Jin in astonishment, then laughed loudly. "Today is the happiest day I've had since I was born! You little brats, eat whatever you want!"

Itachi thought, There are three geniuses in our family! No one will ever laugh at me again! Hehe, if those people who mocked me found out that Jin had already awakened his Sharingan, would their jaws drop to the floor? Hahaha, how interesting!

At the same time, he was troubled. Sigh! If only they were a little older! I rejected Akatsuki last time. I wonder what they will do now.

The parents of the three geniuses were discussing a profound matter.

Uchiha Fuchiu thought excitedly, You just got back today, so I'll tell you some good news! You'll definitely be happy!

Uchiha Mikoto asked doubtfully, "What good news? If it doesn't make me happy, you had better prepare to be punished!"

Uchiha Fuchiu chuckled. "Our son Jin has already awakened his Sharingan!"

"What? Really? Oh my!"

"Our three sons are all geniuses! I'm considering whether we should continue expanding the strength of our Uchiha Clan! Add a few more members to the Uchiha Clan!"

"You..."

"..." The two began an intense discussion of this profound issue.

"Now, I'll explain the functions of ordinary ninjutsu and the ways they can be combined..." Itachi explained things to Jin and Sasuke.

Jin and Sasuke listened attentively. Both were geniuses among geniuses, and they understood almost everything as soon as they heard it.

For Jin, time was passing second by second, because he had already sensed a faint signal of danger.