Tobirama Senju brought Uchiha Shinichi to a secluded training ground in Konoha, a place where generations of elite Senju Clan shinobi had honed their combat skills.
In the center of the spacious grounds, the scarred earth bore countless traces of past battles, proof of the fierce duels that had taken place there.
A breeze stirred up a little dust. Tobirama Senju stood with his hands behind his back, his cold gaze fixed on the Uchiha boy before him, who seemed laid-back but concealed a dangerous edge.
"Inherently evil Uchiha brat, come at me!" Tobirama's voice was steady and carried unquestionable authority, yet his tone held a barely perceptible hint of anticipation.
Shinichi raised his head and narrowed his eyes slightly at the most dangerous old fox in the Shinobi World. His lips curled into a faintly provocative smile. "Then I won't hold back, you cranky old man!"
—the next second, both figures vanished from where they stood!
"Bang!"
A fierce gust swept across the training ground, sending sand, stones, and leaves flying!
Shinichi appeared at Tobirama's side like a phantom and swept his right leg out! "Tempest Kick!" A powerful blade of compressed air tore forward, aimed straight at Tobirama's vital points!
Tobirama did not even blink. With a slight shift of his feet, he vanished on the spot!
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Shinichi's pupils contracted slightly. As expected, this old fox's fighting style was so unpredictable it was suffocating!
But he did not panic. Instead, he used the recoil from his Tempest Kick to leap backward, forming hand seals as he moved. "Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Poof!"
Five Shinichis instantly scattered, rapidly weaving past one another as they launched an all-out assault on Tobirama Senju!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Lightning Release: Chidori Current!"
"Six Styles: Shave!"
Flames, lightning, and speeding figures intertwined into a seamless barrage that hammered toward Tobirama!
Yet Tobirama remained perfectly calm, without the slightest trace of panic.
"As expected of a Uchiha... at least you're a little smarter than the rest of your clan."
Tobirama snorted coldly and raised his fingers slightly, chakra surging through his body—
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
"Boom!"
An enormous water dragon materialized out of thin air, churning up raging waves as it slammed into Shinichi's Shadow Clones!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The water dragon instantly smashed the Shadow Clones into clouds of white smoke, while Tobirama had already disappeared!
—the next moment, he was behind Shinichi!
"Too slow!"
Tobirama's cold voice rang out. A split second later, a vicious knife-hand strike chopped toward the back of Shinichi's neck!
Shinichi caught the movement out of the corner of his eye, and cold sweat broke out instantly.
Damn it, there's no time to dodge—
"Thud!"
With a dull impact, Shinichi's body fell to the ground, but—
"—a Shadow Clone?"
Tobirama frowned. Suddenly sensing something amiss, he stopped short.
"Six Styles: Moonwalk!"
"Bang!"
Shinichi's real body shot into the air. Looking down at Tobirama from above, he gave a smug grin. "You're underestimating me, old man!"
"Lightning Release: Thunderclap Collapse!"
Shinichi brought his hands together, brilliant lightning bursting between his palms with the cries of a thousand birds. The next instant, he dove straight toward Tobirama!
Tobirama tilted his head up slightly, the rapidly descending figure wreathed in lightning reflected in his icy red eyes. His lips curved faintly, and he gave a soft snort. "You're underestimating me too, Uchiha brat."
"Flying Thunder God: Instant Slash!"
Whoosh!
Shinichi's attack missed!
Tobirama flickered out of sight, and a second later, a cold blade rested against Shinichi's neck!
Shinichi's pupils contracted, his heart skipping a beat.
...I lost?
"Thud!"
The lightning dispersed, and Shinichi slowly landed. He looked up at Tobirama Senju, who remained cold and composed, utterly unruffled, as though their battle had been nothing more than an inconsequential warm-up.
"Your combat instincts are good, but your attacks are too impulsive." Tobirama calmly put away his kunai and studied Shinichi. "The Uchiha Clan's fighting style relies on intuition and explosive bursts of power, but your combat skills still need considerable refinement."
Shinichi wiped the sweat from his brow and took a deep breath. Despite his defeat, there was no disappointment on his face—only excitement.
"...An old fox really is an old fox."
He clenched his fists, staring at Tobirama with blazing eyes. "Again!"
Tobirama paused briefly, then his lips curved into a faint smile, a rare trace of approval appearing in his eyes.
The aftermath of their battle had yet to fully subside, and dust slowly settled over the training ground.
Shinichi drew a deep breath and slowly straightened, his hands braced on his knees. Sweat rolled down his cheeks from his temples, and he felt as though his chakra had been almost completely drained.
Across from him, Tobirama Senju still stood perfectly straight, his breathing entirely undisturbed, as though their fierce battle had been nothing more than an ordinary morning workout.
Seeing how effortlessly Tobirama carried himself, Shinichi could not help frowning. "Hey, old man, let's go another round. I haven't admitted defeat yet!"
Tobirama lifted his eyes to glance at him, his tone as indifferent and composed as ever. "Rest. I'm getting old, and my stamina isn't what it used to be."
Shinichi: "..."
Do you even believe that yourself?!
He froze for a second, then his mouth twitched violently. He nearly swore on the spot.
Your stamina isn't what it used to be? Are you kidding me?! That whole string of fancy Flying Thunder God moves had to take more effort than me sprinting ten laps around Konoha at full speed!
Yet when Shinichi took a closer look at Tobirama, he realized that the man genuinely had no intention of continuing. There was not a trace of fatigue on his face, but the sharpness in his red eyes had softened slightly, as though he truly wanted to stop.
Shinichi blinked, then suddenly smiled. "Old man, don't tell me you're afraid you'll hit too hard and cripple me?"
Tobirama gave him a faint glance, his tone cold as frost. "If I were serious, you wouldn't even be standing here talking."
Shinichi: "..."
The old man had a damn good point. There was no arguing with that.
He smacked his lips, shrugged, and simply plopped down on the ground, resting his hands behind his head as he let out a long breath. "Fine, fine. Since you say your stamina's giving out, old man, I suppose I'll graciously keep you company while you rest."
Tobirama ignored his teasing and walked over to a large rock, where he sat cross-legged, his gaze calm and deep.
A breeze swept away the lingering heat of battle, and the training ground fell quiet again.
Shinichi gazed up at the sky, his lips lifting slightly. "Still, old man... you really were pretty strong back there."
Tobirama gave a soft snort and glanced at him, responding flatly, "You only realized that now? Fool."
Shinichi laughed. "No, I knew all along. It's just..."
He closed his eyes, his smile relaxing further. "I never expected fighting you to be this much fun."
Tobirama watched him quietly without saying anything more, a hint of inscrutable contemplation in his eyes.
This Uchiha brat... was even more interesting than he had imagined.
The evening sun cast its glow over the training ground, bathing their figures in golden-red light.
Their fierce spar had come to an end, but the lingering echoes of clashing Chakra still hung in the air. The pitted ground spoke to the intensity of their battle.
Now, only two people remained on the training ground—Tobirama Senju and Uchiha Shinichi.
Shinichi sat on the ground, leaning lazily against a rock as he steadied his slightly ragged breathing.
Though fighting Tobirama had taken an enormous toll on him, he had to admit that the old fox's strength was truly unfathomable. If Tobirama had not held back, he probably would not even have had the strength to stand.
Just then, Tobirama Senju suddenly spoke, his voice low and calm. "Shinichi, do you know the price of awakening the Sharingan?"
Shinichi was briefly taken aback by the question, then thought to himself, I'm a transmigrator. How could I not know?
Awakening the Sharingan meant an Uchiha's emotions had been fully unleashed. Anger, grief, pain, and even searing despair could all become key catalysts for its awakening.
But Shinichi did not answer immediately. Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly and gave Tobirama a meaningful look, a faint smile on his lips. "Why is Lord Hokage suddenly concerned about this? Could it be... you're worried about me?"
Tobirama's expression remained cold. He slowly stood, fixing his deep gaze on Shinichi as he spoke evenly. "No. I simply don't want another Uchiha consumed by hatred to appear in Konoha."
Shinichi smiled faintly and shrugged casually. "Relax. I'm a born optimist. I'm not going to fall into hatred that easily."
Tobirama continued watching him, an unfathomable glimmer in his red eyes. After a moment, he slowly said, "I hope so."
Something stirred in Shinichi's heart as he studied Tobirama's expression.
Tobirama Senju's wariness of the Uchiha ran bone-deep. Even if he was now willing to accept Shinichi as his student, that did not mean he trusted him completely.
But Tobirama's words proved at least one thing—he did not want Shinichi to go to extremes.
Shinichi looked away and sighed quietly to himself.
"Don't worry, old man. At least in this world... I won't become the kind of Uchiha you once feared."
The sun gradually sank below the horizon, and the evening breeze sent fallen leaves swirling.
This conversation about the Sharingan might have been only a beginning, but it was also like a seed planted between Tobirama and Shinichi—unseen, yet destined to shape their future.
Before you continue