Are You the Clan Head's Weakest Disciple?

Uchiha Ling had never ventured deep into the Uchiha Clan compound before. The houses grew larger toward the back, while the buildings became more sparsely spaced.

They stopped in front of a large courtyard.

"Ling, be careful once you're inside. The clan head has remembered your name. Make a good impression on him."

"Got it, Second Brother."

Someone came out to guide them and led them straight to the training ground beside the courtyard.

The moment he entered the training ground, Uchiha Ling recognized Uchiha Fugaku from the original story. His eyes were lowered beneath heavy brows, deep lines lay beneath them, the corners of his mouth drooped, and his face was cold and repressed.

At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku was watching a boy in the training ground.

Uchiha Jing whispered, "That's Clan Head Fugaku's disciple, Uchiha Tekka. If you can become the clan head's disciple in the future, your prospects will be limitless."

Uchiha Tekka had also been mentioned in the original story. After Shisui Uchiha's death, he had confronted Itachi Uchiha, only to become a stepping stone used to display Itachi's strength.

The courtyard was instantly illuminated by firelight.

Under Uchiha Fugaku's supervision, Uchiha Tekka was practicing the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique.

A wave of heat washed over him, and the blazing light shone brightly. Uchiha Ling wanted it badly.

Uchiha Jing walked up to Fugaku and said respectfully, "Clan Head, I've brought Ling."

Uchiha Jing had been arrogant and overbearing before the Ninja Academy principal, even directly questioning him, but before the clan head, he was exceptionally proper.

Fugaku nodded and observed Uchiha Ling.

After Uchiha Tekka finished practicing a Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique, Uchiha Fugaku gestured for him to come over.

"Tekka, you are the top student among this year's graduates. I know that, like every Uchiha, you are very proud. Pride is fine, but you cannot overlook the details.

"I've found another genius from the clan for you. Uchiha Ling has performed exceptionally well in the lower grades.

"If I hadn't stopped it, he might have graduated alongside you."

Uchiha Tekka stared at Uchiha Ling, a child who did not even reach his shoulder, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

This child had actually made Teacher Fugaku intervene?

Teacher Fugaku rarely involved himself in matters outside the clan and the Military Police Force. Interfering with the Ninja Academy was already no small matter.

Uchiha Fugaku said, "Tekka, spar with Ling. Let me see what the Uchiha geniuses are made of."

Uchiha Jing panicked upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "Clan Head, Tekka is eleven, while Ling is only six. He surely can't be Tekka's opponent, can he?"

"Kakashi Hatake is also six, and he has already completed several highly difficult missions on the front lines. It's fine. It's only a spar."

Uchiha Tekka returned to the training ground and beckoned to Uchiha Ling. "Don't worry, Uchiha Ling. I'll go easy on you."

Uchiha Ling had been feeling restless from having no one to pressure throughout the entire holiday. Now, an opportunity to pressure someone openly had arrived.

He eagerly walked onto the training ground, ready to test the abilities of the newly promoted genin, Uchiha Tekka.

Uchiha Tekka pulled three shuriken from his ninja tool pouch and swiftly threw them at Uchiha Ling.

Uchiha Ling hurriedly dodged.

Uchiha Fugaku reminded him from the side, displeased, "Tekka! Where is your observation? Didn't you see that Uchiha Ling doesn't have a ninja tool pouch?"

"Sorry, Teacher Fugaku. I forgot he hasn't taken ninja tool throwing classes yet."

Uchiha Tekka charged at Uchiha Ling.

The two began exchanging taijutsu.

After merely three moves, Uchiha Tekka was surprised. Uchiha Ling's taijutsu was powerful—his two punches and one kick had all missed.

Uchiha Jing, standing nearby, let out a sigh of relief. Good, good. At least he hadn't been knocked down by a single punch. That already counted as a success.

After dodging another two or three punches, Uchiha Ling leaped backward and widened the distance between them.

He shouted, "Clan Head! Can I talk?"

Uchiha Fugaku found it strange but replied, "Of course."

The corner of Uchiha Ling's mouth curled up. Great. The atmosphere was a little stifling; if he didn't say something, he would feel uncomfortable all over.

"Uchiha Tekka! Is this all your taijutsu amounts to? You can't even touch a hair on me. Clan Head Fugaku dared to take you as a disciple—how did you dare accept?"

Uchiha Tekka froze, then his face quickly turned red.

"Uchiha Tekka! You're older, so I respect you as a senior, but you've disappointed me greatly. Did you spend all those years growing hair instead of getting stronger? I imagine the clan head is 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 such a foul mouth. I'll definitely make him correct it when we get home!"

Uchiha Fugaku smiled. It had been many years since he had seen such an unusual genius. Was this some kind of special psychological warfare tactic?

Having been verbally attacked in front of his teacher, Uchiha Tekka's entire bearing changed. Every movement now carried his full strength. He had to teach this brat a proper lesson.

Uchiha Ling raised his arm to block Uchiha Tekka's swinging punch, only to feel his arm ache sharply from the impact.

Uchiha Tekka was very strong.

After adapting to Uchiha Tekka's speed, Uchiha Ling took a step back and immediately activated the Multiple Body Flicker Technique.

The first layer of chakra gathered in his feet. Without immediately exerting force, the second layer of chakra rushed in at once.

Not only that, but the chakra in the acupoints of his legs erupted simultaneously.

This time, his Body Flicker was incredibly fast. Uchiha Ling instantly appeared at Uchiha Tekka's side.

Uchiha Fugaku's eyelids lifted slightly. What a fast Body Flicker Technique!

Uchiha Ling was shorter than Uchiha Tekka, and he drove a fierce punch into Tekka's side ribs.

Bang!

The punch landed solidly. Uchiha Tekka felt a sharp pain shoot through his ribs.

Uchiha Fugaku nodded repeatedly. If Uchiha Ling had not been so young, if he were a few years older, that punch would have been enough to break Uchiha Tekka's ribs.

Uchiha Tekka recoiled from the pain and toppled sideways.

He planted a hand on the ground, sprang back up, and kicked at Uchiha Ling's throat.

The two resumed trading and blocking punches and kicks.

Uchiha Ling fought while retreating, but his mouth never stopped:

"Are you the clan head's weakest disciple? You alone lowered the clan head's standards for taking disciples!

"And you're the top student?

"Was your class the weakest class within three years before and after it?"

After several exchanges, they deadlocked, each gripping one of the other's wrists.

Uchiha Tekka tilted his head back, preparing to smash his forehead into Uchiha Ling's mouth.

Uchiha Ling's eyes flickered, and the hair on his head rapidly changed.

Black-Gold Thorn!

A lock of hair gathered together and transformed into a sharp spike, stabbing fiercely toward Uchiha Tekka's forehead.

Then, in a flash of thought, it changed direction and stabbed toward the tips of Uchiha Tekka's hair.

"Stop!"

Uchiha Ling had not even seen Uchiha Fugaku move. He had no idea when Fugaku had arrived, but he was already standing beside them.

Uchiha Fugaku grabbed them both by the collars and lifted them up.

What speed!

Uchiha Ling was so fast among children his age that others could not react, but before a powerful figure like Uchiha Fugaku, he was still far too inexperienced.

That was why, whenever he remembered Fugaku wanting him to graduate early, his teeth still itched with resentment.

Uchiha Fugaku said, "Tekka! You've already lost. If this were the battlefield, you would already be dead!"

Uchiha Tekka discovered in alarm that much of his hair had been severed, falling down from his forehead.

He looked fearfully at Teacher Fugaku, then at Uchiha Ling.

[There is a ninja nearby whose defenses have been broken. The Defense-Breaking System is activating...]