Within the Uchiha gathering hall, a group of old men were immersed in the wild joy of their ocular power skyrocketing.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Iwagakure, the children's rivalry had already entered its most intense phase.
Iwagakure, Special Training Ground.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The piercing sounds of metal striking metal rang out repeatedly across the empty training ground.
A black-haired boy in a dark blue training outfit gritted his teeth and swung the short blade in his hand.
Second Pillar.
Now six years old, the baby fat had long faded from his face, leaving behind sharp, handsome features.
His brow carried the distinctive aloofness and pride of the Uchiha Clan.
At that moment, he was drenched in sweat as he battled three combat puppets specially made by Orochimaru.
The puppets moved as fast as lightning and worked in perfect coordination, every strike aimed at a vital point.
If it had been children Sasuke's age back in the Leaf Village, forget fighting back—they would have wet themselves from sheer terror at the sight.
But Sasuke relied on reflexes far beyond those of ordinary people and solid taijutsu foundations to hold his own against them.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Seizing an opening, Sasuke leaped back and rapidly formed hand seals.
A fireball the size of a human head shot forth with a howl, striking one puppet squarely in the chest.
With a boom, the puppet was blasted backward, its chest scorched black.
"Pant... pant..."
Sasuke braced his hands on his knees and gasped for breath, his chest heaving violently.
Fighting three at once was still too much for a six-year-old.
The instant his attention wavered.
The other two puppets closed in from the left and right like phantoms!
Their cold blades instantly cut off every route of escape.
"Tch,