He Used It and Still Called It a Secret Technique

The setting sun washed over the training ground. Yan's real body was doing physical training with Guy, while his Shadow Clone was supposed to check on each group's progress and offer guidance.

But Kakashi and Asuma had come looking for a fight. Yan had no choice but to make another Shadow Clone to train with them.

"Huff, huff... Ha!"

Asuma stared at Yan's Shadow Clone, panting. Kakashi beside him was no better off. Even together, they had failed to dispel it.

Whenever they closed in, Yan's Shadow Clone slipped away with that uncanny Substitution Technique. Sometimes it deliberately took their attacks, then countered both of them at even greater speed. Losing felt awful, but over the course of the day, they had gained plenty of combat experience and made considerable progress in Taijutsu.

Watching from the shadows, Orochimaru saw it clearly: Yan's Shadow Clone had used the Substitution Technique without hand seals. And it had appeared behind its enemies in an instant.

With his experience, Orochimaru knew that fell within the realm of Space-Time Ninjutsu. He glanced up at the sky and murmured, "Teacher Sarutobi, you noticed long ago, didn't you?"

The Third Hokage had watched Yan for some time and had naturally noticed the anomalies: Space-Time Ninjutsu without hand seals, and the sudden surge in strength and speed after defending...

At first, the Third Hokage had been uneasy. But Yan had shown no dangerous intentions toward the village. Instead, he carried on the First Hokage's ideals, helping bring his clan and the village closer together.

So the Third Hokage had not pressed him. Danzo, however, who had just entered the Hokage's office, clearly felt otherwise.

"Hiruzen! Did you see that? That Uchiha Yan is hiding a Secret Technique we know nothing about."

"Can't you see it? The Uchiha must be plotting something."

Danzo pointed at Yan in the crystal ball. The Third Hokage did not waver.

"So what? You have Secret Techniques you haven't told me about either. Does that mean we're no longer comrades?"

Danzo was momentarily speechless. "That's different! He's an Uchiha!"

He paused, then changed tack. "Whatever the case, if Uchiha Yan wants to prove he isn't a threat, have him hand over his Secret Technique to the village. Only then can he prove the Will of Fire is in his heart!"

The Third Hokage slammed a hand on the desk and rose, glaring at Danzo.

"Danzo! Today you want Yan's Secret Technique. Tomorrow, will you want Ino-Shika-Cho's? Why not demand the Sharingan and Byakugan the day after that, too?"

Danzo had crossed a line. Though the rise of commoners like Minato had slowly shifted power in Konoha toward ordinary villagers, Konoha was not yet fifty years old. The shinobi clans were still its pillars.

Secret Techniques and inherited bloodline abilities were the foundations of those clans. If the Konoha High Command forced Yan to hand over his Secret Technique today, what would Ino-Shika-Cho think? If the other clans saw that even a great clan like the Uchiha could not protect its techniques, panic would spread among them.

"Hmph. I understand. But Hiruzen, let me remind you: don't forget Teacher Tobirama's teachings."

Danzo strode out. He knew the risks Hiruzen feared, but told himself they were necessary sacrifices for the village.

Hiruzen, you're too soft. As long as no one finds out, the clans won't cause trouble.

The Third Hokage watched Danzo leave. He knew Danzo would not let the matter drop.

Danzo, please don't hurt our comrades.

His silent plea could not reach the man walking away.

That evening, Yan had meant to send everyone home with Shadow Clones, but their parents were already waiting.

Mitarashi Masamune shot Yan a fierce glare, then took Anko home.

Before leaving, Anko waved to Yan.

"Yan, I've learned that Ninjutsu of yours! Treat me to dumplings tomorrow to celebrate!"

"Hey, Dad, don't walk so fast!"

Anko's voice faded into the distance. Asuma glanced at the ANBU who had come for him, waved to Yan, then followed the ANBU home without a word.

After Asuma left, Yan smiled at Sakumo, who had come to pick up Kakashi. Sakumo returned the smile.

"Thank you for looking after Kakashi."

Then he turned to Kakashi. "I'm leaving on a mission in a few days, so I won't be able to pick you up. Remember to go home on your own."

Kakashi acknowledged him, nodded to Yan, and went home holding Sakumo's hand.

Once everyone had left, only Yan and Obito remained.

The training ground the Third Hokage had assigned them was certainly spacious, but it was far from the Uchiha Clan Compound, practically on the edge of the village. Fugaku had not wanted to come pick them up, so Yan had to walk back with Obito.

Yan was still grumbling about Fugaku in his head.

Isn't that guy worried Danzo might try something against me?

Orochimaru, who had been watching from the shadows, was about to leave too. Then his ears caught something unusual.

Three ANBU who should have left were slowly closing in on Yan and Obito. Orochimaru stayed and watched with interest.

"Yan, I've learned to climb trees! I learned what was in that Scroll you gave me, too, and I've already returned it to Grandpa Yashiro. When are you going to teach me that One-Hit Kill Ninjutsu? I want to beat Kakashi in front of Rin."

Obito excitedly recounted his progress that day, while Yan tallied how many coins he had earned.

[Coins: 220]

He had only fought Kakashi and Asuma today. The coin haul was still too small.

A breeze stirred the treetops. Yan stopped and caught Obito, who was still walking ahead.

Three ANBU dropped from the trees and landed before them.

They wore tanuki, rat, and fox masks.

"Uchiha Yan. Uchiha Obito. The Third Hokage wants to see you. Come with us." The voice behind the mask held no emotion.

"Huh, really? Lord Hokage wants to see me? Has he finally noticed my potential?"

Yan ignored Obito's chatter and studied the ANBU's masks.

"Sure. Let's go."

Yan walked toward them with his hands behind his back, apparently unguarded. Obito took a cheerful step forward, then froze when he saw the signal Yan's hand made behind his back.

It meant to stay put.

Rat and Fox watched Yan approach. Tanuki turned his attention to Obito, who stood frozen in place. With his knees slightly bent, he was ready to stop Obito if he tried to run.

He's close enough! Rat raised two fingers and channeled his chakra.

"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"

Yan stopped dead, his eyes going vacant. Now he would see what he feared most.

Once his defenses crumbled, they could interrogate him about his Secret Technique.

Fox stepped forward to restrain Yan. After a single step, his eyes widened in terror behind his mask.

Yan had turned into Lord Danzo!

Fox glanced at Rat, who had cast the Genjutsu, and saw his legs trembling slightly. Rat had clearly seen his worst fear too.

"So Danzo is what you fear most. I didn't expect that."

"Then again, you didn't know I'd awakened these eyes. Otherwise, you wouldn't have tried playing with Genjutsu in front of them."

Yan's voice came from behind Fox. Fox turned stiffly.

The last thing he saw was a pair of crimson Sharingan.

As his head flew into the air, he also saw that Rat's hands had been severed.

In reality, Rat and Fox had suddenly gone still. Yan rushed in, drew the Ninja Blade from Rat's back, severed Rat's hands and Fox's head, then swung at Tanuki.

Tanuki reacted quickly, with no time to be shocked by his comrades' fate. With Yan at close range, he swiftly drew the Ninja Blade from his back and reached for Yan's throat with his other hand.

Orochimaru knew Yan had no time to form hand seals at that distance. He was about to intervene when he stopped.

Yan drove forward with his blade, locking Tanuki's sword in place. A brilliant blue sphere of chakra appeared in his other hand, which he thrust toward Tanuki's abdomen.

Thud!

Counterattack activated!

"Rasengan."