Let Youth Burn Bright

Finished reading it?

Shisui had already read this book. Why had the Third Hokage given it to him?

Yufeng had already examined the relics.

Only this book was unusual.

Had he guessed wrong?

Had they skipped over Shisui and chosen him as the successor to the Will of Fire, intending to brainwash him?

For a moment, countless possibilities flashed through Uchiha Yufeng's mind.

But no matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense!

His abilities had never truly been revealed. Even when he acted at the Ninja Academy, at most he had only shown that he was a little faster and better at taijutsu.

Against an ordinary Genin, he would still be at a disadvantage.

He shouldn't have been valued this highly.

Yet they had specifically called him over to "recharge" his Will of Fire.

Besides, an Uchiha clansman who didn't use his eyes and instead practiced taijutsu—

Even if he grew stronger, in those people's eyes, he would be insignificant, unworthy of attention, and without any future!

They should have seen the power of the Sharingan before. Forget anyone else—just look at Kagami Uchiha.

Back then, he had been the Second Hokage's trusted confidant.

Could they possibly know little about the Sharingan?

How could an Uchiha like him, who seemed to practice taijutsu, still attended the Ninja Academy, and ranked at the bottom of his class, possibly receive such attention?

Was he worth instilling with the Will of Fire and nurturing like this?

"Brother, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with this book?"

Hearing Shisui's concerned voice, Uchiha Yufeng snapped back to his senses and met his worried gaze.

He took a deep breath and asked seriously.

"Look carefully again. What's different about this book compared to the one you read before?"

Uchiha Shisui took the book again and carefully flipped through it.

After a while, he closed the book, raised his head, and said in confusion.

"No. It's still the same one we had at home before."

"No? That's strange. Could it really have been meant for me?"

Uchiha Yufeng muttered softly, unable to stop himself from becoming wary.

Seeing Uchiha Yufeng lost in thought, Uchiha Shisui stepped forward and tugged at his sleeve.

"Brother, it's getting late. Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, I already ate."

"Brother, what are you worried about?"

Uchiha Yufeng smiled at Uchiha Shisui but said nothing more.

Was he supposed to tell him that he might have caught the Hokage faction's attention?

Wait!

The Hokage faction!

Uchiha Yufeng studied Uchiha Shisui before him.

His younger brother's ancestors had all been legitimate members of the Hokage faction, and the Third Hokage had just mentioned that he should take good care of Uchiha Shisui!

Right, that was it!

They definitely wanted him to become Shisui's first line of defense before Shisui had fully matured.

Once he understood that, the tight string in Uchiha Yufeng's heart finally loosened.

No wonder that old bastard had said at the end that taking care of his younger brother was an important expression of the Will of Fire! That had been the point all along!

It reminded Uchiha Yufeng of a saying from his past life, one that suited the Third Hokage perfectly.

With three sentences, I can make an Uchiha work himself to death for me.

"It's nothing. I was just wondering why the clouds above Konoha are so dirty!"

Seeing Uchiha Yufeng looking up at the sky over the courtyard, Uchiha Shisui followed his gaze.

Then he scratched his head. Where were there any clouds in the sky?

"Shisui, I'm your brother, right?"

Uchiha Shisui looked at Uchiha Yufeng's serious expression and nodded heavily.

Uchiha Yufeng glanced back at Shisui.

Protecting his younger brother... was that the Uchiha Clan's inheritance?

"How was your training today? Are you tired?"

Uchiha Yufeng withdrew his gaze, took a few steps forward, gathered up the relics, and carried the box inside as he spoke.

"Not bad. Shisui can handle it all!"

Seeing this, Uchiha Shisui stepped forward to help.

"The body is like a spring. Once the pressure reaches a certain limit, it loses its elasticity. Training is the same. Remember to know your limits."

Uchiha Shisui followed behind Uchiha Yufeng with a serious expression.

"Yes, Brother! Shisui will remember!"

"How was the food over there today? Better than at home?"

"Mm... not as good as Brother's cooking, but it was alright!"

"..."

The two brothers chatted on and off until the full moon hung high in the sky, and only then did the room fall silent.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Uchiha Yufeng parted ways with Uchiha Shisui.

One headed toward the Ninja Academy, while the other headed toward the clan's gathering place. Both had their own business to attend to.

Before he had gone far—

Uchiha Yufeng spotted someone else heading toward the Ninja Academy.

That unhurried walking posture looked increasingly familiar the more he watched.

His white hair was particularly eye-catching. He was still young, with a mask covering his face.

The man seemed to sense something. He turned his head, looked at Uchiha Yufeng, and stopped.

"Kakashi? You're going to the Ninja Academy?"

Uchiha Yufeng was somewhat surprised to see Kakashi out on the street at this time.

"Didn't you say yesterday that I should go take a look at the Ninja Academy?"

Kakashi answered lazily.

It took Uchiha Yufeng quite a while to remember that he had indeed said something like that.

He had only said it casually at the time. He hadn't expected Kakashi to actually take it seriously.

Uchiha Yufeng looked Kakashi up and down.

Kakashi grew uncomfortable under that gaze.

"What are you doing?"

Uchiha Yufeng smiled.

"I didn't expect a blockhead like you to actually come around! But it's good. Get out and wander around more. At least you won't become a shut-in! Not bad!"

Hearing that, Hatake Kakashi rolled his eyes and ignored Uchiha Yufeng as he headed toward the Ninja Academy.

Ding! Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +2.

Uchiha Yufeng quickened his pace and walked side by side with Kakashi toward the Ninja Academy.

"Kakashi!!"

They had not walked far when a high-pitched voice rang out.

"Let's stake our youth on a blazing showdown!"

Uchiha Yufeng looked toward the flash of green in the street. In just a few breaths, it arrived before them.

A green jumpsuit, a bowl cut, and a vigorous, energetic appearance.

It was definitely Might Guy.

Uchiha Yufeng turned around and clearly saw a bead of cold sweat slide down Hatake Kakashi's head.

Running into your best friend Guy, Kakashi? You must be sweating buckets!

"I refuse!"

After saying that, Kakashi walked around Guy and continued onward.

Seeing Guy freeze awkwardly in place, Uchiha Yufeng raised his brows at him.

"Guy! How can youth retreat! Keep it up! Challenge him! How can you give up so easily!"

Hearing Uchiha Yufeng's words, Guy's disappointment vanished completely, as though he had been injected with adrenaline.

He gave Uchiha Yufeng a thumbs-up, then flashed his brilliant white teeth, nearly blinding Uchiha Yufeng.

"Oh!! My dear friend Yufeng, thank you for your support! Youth will never retreat!!"

With that, he bounced off like springs had been fitted beneath his feet and chased after Kakashi.

Kakashi turned back and glared fiercely at Uchiha Yufeng.

Ding! Uchiha Sasuke Fragment +3.

"Kakashi! Stop running away! Let our youth burn as we decide the victor!!"

Guy was overflowing with passion as he arrived before Hatake Kakashi, the desire to fight in his eyes blazing fiercely.

"No!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes and refused again.

He walked around Guy, intending to leave.

Guy followed again.

Watching one run and the other chase, Uchiha Yufeng laughed from behind them.

"Yufeng, what's making you so happy?"

Uchiha Yufeng turned around.

She had long black hair draped over her shoulders, a chubby, adorable face, and large red eyes that blinked brightly.

This cute girl was Yuhi Kurenai.

"Oh, Kurenai. Nothing, I just thought of something happy."

Hearing Uchiha Yufeng's perfunctory reply, the little girl puffed out her cheeks, her unhappiness written plainly across her face.

"What an arrogant Uchiha clansman!"

A mocking voice sounded.

Sarutobi Asuma walked over from the street. He discreetly glanced at Yuhi Kurenai, who was pouting, before fixing his gaze on Uchiha Yufeng, his face full of hostility.

"What the hell does whether I'm arrogant or not have to do with you?"

Uchiha Yufeng glanced at Sarutobi Asuma, thinking that this guy was completely inexplicable.

Sarutobi Asuma's expression changed, becoming extremely unpleasant.

Sarutobi Asuma had never expected that Uchiha Yufeng, who was usually quiet and never caused trouble, would talk back to him—especially in front of Yuhi Kurenai, the girl he liked.

"You... Hmph. You're clearly from the Uchiha Clan and possess such a powerful Kekkei Genkai, yet you don't know how to develop or use it. You're an embarrassment to the Uchiha Clan!"

Only when Uchiha Yufeng saw Sarutobi Asuma constantly looking at Kurenai did he understand.

This guy was trying to show off in front of Kurenai!

Uchiha Yufeng looked Sarutobi Asuma up and down and clicked his tongue a few times.

"Are you teaching me how to do things?"

Sarutobi Asuma snorted coldly, looking down his nose at Uchiha Yufeng.

Uchiha Yufeng crossed his arms.

"Have you graduated from the Ninja Academy yet?"

Sarutobi Asuma's momentum deflated, and he awkwardly shook his head.

"No."

"Are you a ninja?"

A bead of cold sweat appeared on Sarutobi Asuma's forehead as he answered with some embarrassment.

"No..."

"Are we in the same class?"

Sarutobi Asuma's voice was as soft as a mosquito's.

"Yes..."

"Then who are you acting so high and mighty to lecture here? I thought you'd graduated and become a ninja. Do you think you're Kakashi? You think you can graduate early just because you say so?"

Uchiha Yufeng's barrage of words left Sarutobi Asuma unable to step down, his face alternating between green and red.

"Hmph, Uchiha Yufeng! Just wait! I'll go apply for graduation right now! Once I graduate and become a ninja, I'll come back and... teach you a lesson!"

Uchiha Yufeng sneered.

"Oh, so you do know your own limits! Apply right now? Talk after you actually graduate!"

Sarutobi Asuma was so angry that he panted heavily, his eyes wide.

He raised a trembling hand and pointed at Uchiha Yufeng.

In the end, it turned into a cold snort as he hurried away from the place where he had embarrassed himself.

Uchiha Yufeng snorted disdainfully.

This second-generation Kage really had the temper of a child.

As for graduating early?

No need to think about it.

The villages appeared peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents were stirring everywhere.

A great war could break out at any moment.

And with Sarutobi Asuma's status as the Shadow Second Generation, even if he wanted to graduate, his father would never agree to let him.

Just as Uchiha Yufeng was about to leave, a timid voice came from beside him.

"Yufeng, I... I'm sorry! I caused you trouble."