Uchiha Ling had never gone deep into the Uchiha Clan Compound before. The houses grew larger toward the back, while the buildings became more spread out.
They eventually arrived in front of a large courtyard.
"Ling, be careful once you go inside. The clan head has already remembered your name, so make a good impression on him."
"Got it, Second Brother."
Someone came out to guide them, taking them directly to the Training Ground beside the courtyard.
Upon entering the Training Ground, Uchiha Ling recognized Uchiha Fugaku from the original story at a glance. His eyes were lowered and his brows pressed together, the lines beneath his eyes deep, the corners of his mouth drooping. His face was cold and stern.
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku was watching a young man in the Training Ground.
Uchiha Jing said quietly, "That's Uchiha Tekka, Clan Head Fugaku's disciple. If you can become the clan head's disciple in the future, you'll have a bright future ahead of you."
Uchiha Tekka had also been mentioned in the original story. After Shisui Uchiha died, he had once gone to question Itachi Uchiha, becoming a backdrop that showcased Itachi's strength.
The courtyard was instantly illuminated by the firelight.
Under Uchiha Fugaku's supervision, Uchiha Tekka was practicing the Great Fireball.
Waves of heat swept over them, and the light dazzled the eye. Uchiha Ling was extremely tempted. He wanted to possess it.
Uchiha Jing walked up before Fugaku and said respectfully, "Clan Head, I've brought Ling."
Uchiha Jing had been arrogant and overbearing before the Ninja Academy principal, directly questioning him. But before the clan head, he was extremely well-mannered.
Fugaku nodded and studied Uchiha Ling.
After Uchiha Tekka finished practicing one Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique, Uchiha Fugaku gestured for him to come over.
"Tekka, you're the top graduate of this class. I know you're just as proud as every other Uchiha. Pride is fine, but you can't overlook the details.
"I've found another genius of the clan for you. Uchiha Ling performed exceptionally well in the lower grades.
"If I hadn't stopped him, he might have graduated alongside you."
Uchiha Tekka stared at Uchiha Ling, the child who had yet to reach his shoulder, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
This child actually managed to make Fugaku-sensei intervene?
Fugaku-sensei rarely involved himself in matters outside the clan and the Military Police Force. Interfering with the Ninja Academy was already a considerable gesture.
Uchiha Fugaku said, "Tekka, spar with Ling. Let me see what the Uchiha genius is made of."
Uchiha Jing's heart lurched when he heard that. He hurriedly said, "Clan Head, Tekka is eleven, while Ling is only six. He can't possibly be Tekka's opponent, can he?"
"Kakashi Hatake is also six. He has already completed several highly difficult missions on the front lines. It's fine. It's only a spar."
Uchiha Tekka walked back into the Training Ground and beckoned to Uchiha Ling. "Don't worry, Uchiha Ling. I'll go easy on you."
Uchiha Ling had been feeling stifled because he hadn't had anyone to pressure for an entire holiday. Now, a chance to openly pressure someone had come knocking.
He excitedly stepped onto the Training Ground, preparing to test the strength of the newly promoted Genin Uchiha Tekka.
Uchiha Tekka pulled three Shuriken from his ninja pouch and swiftly threw them at Uchiha Ling.
Uchiha Ling hurriedly dodged.
Uchiha Fugaku reminded him unhappily from the side, "Tekka! Where's your observation? Didn't you see that Uchiha Ling doesn't have a ninja pouch?"
"Sorry, Fugaku-sensei. I forgot he hasn't taken the ninja tool-throwing class yet."
Uchiha Tekka charged at Uchiha Ling.
The two began a Taijutsu spar.
After only three moves, Uchiha Tekka was shocked. Uchiha Ling's Taijutsu was quite strong. Two punches and a kick had all missed.
Uchiha Jing let out a sigh of relief from the side. Thank goodness, thank goodness. Not being knocked down with a single punch already counted as a success.
After dodging another two or three punches, Uchiha Ling leaped backward and opened up the distance.
He shouted, "Clan Head! May I say something?"
Uchiha Fugaku was puzzled. He responded, "Of course."
A smile tugged at the corners of Uchiha Ling's mouth. Great. The atmosphere is a little too oppressive. If I don't say a couple of things, I'll feel awful.
"Uchiha Tekka! Is this all the strength your Taijutsu has? You can't even touch a hair on me. Clan Head Fugaku actually dared to take you as his disciple. How did you dare accept?"
Uchiha Tekka froze, his face quickly flushing red.
"Uchiha Tekka! You're older than me, so I respect you as my senior, but you've disappointed me greatly. Did you spend all those years growing hair? Your strength hasn't improved at all. I imagine Clan Head Fugaku must be even more disappointed, right?"
Uchiha Jing hurriedly apologized to the clan head. "I'm sorry, Clan Head! I don't know when Uchiha Ling picked up this foul-mouthed habit. I'll make sure he corrects it when we get back!"
Uchiha Fugaku smiled. He had not seen such a unique genius in many years. Is this some special mind-game tactic?
Being berated in front of his teacher, Uchiha Tekka's entire presence changed. He put all his strength into every move, determined to teach this brat a proper lesson.
Uchiha Ling raised his hand to block Uchiha Tekka's hook. His arm throbbed with pain from the impact.
Uchiha Tekka was incredibly strong.
After adapting to Uchiha Tekka's movement speed, Uchiha Ling first hopped backward, then immediately activated the Multiple Body Flicker Technique.
The first layer of Chakra gathered in his feet. He did not rush to exert force, and the second layer of Chakra immediately surged forward.
Not only that, the Chakra in the acupoints of his legs erupted at the same time.
This time, his Body Flicker was incredibly fast. Uchiha Ling instantly appeared beside Uchiha Tekka.
Uchiha Fugaku's eyelids lifted slightly. What astonishing speed!
Uchiha Ling was shorter than Uchiha Tekka, so he punched viciously toward Tekka's ribs.
Bang!
The punch landed solidly. Uchiha Tekka felt a sharp pain in his ribs.
Uchiha Fugaku nodded repeatedly. If Uchiha Ling had been a few years older, that punch would have been enough to break Uchiha Tekka's ribs.
Uchiha Tekka staggered sideways from the pain.
He braced a hand against the ground, bounced back up, and kicked toward Uchiha Ling's throat.
The two continued exchanging and blocking punches and kicks.
Uchiha Ling retreated as he fought, but his mouth never stopped:
"Are you the clan head's weakest disciple? You're dragging down the minimum standard for Clan Head Fugaku's disciples all by yourself!
"And you're the top student of your class?
"Was your class the weakest in the three classes above and the three classes below yours?"
After several exchanges, one of them had hold of the other's wrist, and the other had hold of his opponent's wrist. They were locked in a stalemate.
Uchiha Tekka tilted his head back, preparing to slam his forehead into Uchiha Ling's mouth.
Uchiha Ling's eyes shifted slightly, and the hair on his head rapidly changed.
Black-Gold Thorn!
A bundle of hair gathered together, transforming into a spike that suddenly shot toward Uchiha Tekka's forehead.
After a second thought, he adjusted its direction and stabbed toward the tips of Uchiha Tekka's hair instead.
"Stop!"
Uchiha Ling had not even seen Uchiha Fugaku. He did not know when Fugaku had arrived, but he was already standing beside them.
Uchiha Fugaku grabbed both of them by the collars and lifted them into the air.
What incredible speed!
Uchiha Ling was so fast among his peers that they could not react in time, but before a powerhouse like Uchiha Fugaku, he was still far too inexperienced.
That was why, whenever he thought about being made to graduate early, his teeth still itched with resentment.
Uchiha Fugaku said, "Tekka! You've already lost. If this had been the battlefield, you'd already be dead!"
Uchiha Tekka discovered in alarm that much of his hair had been cut off and had fallen from his forehead.
He looked at Fugaku-sensei in horror, then at Uchiha Ling.
[There is a ninja nearby whose defenses have been broken. The Defense-Breaking System is activating···]
Before you continue