"What a whole family of problem children."
Genya turned his complaints toward Fugaku's family.
"The eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, is phenomenally gifted but terrifyingly precocious. He spends all day wearing that expressionless 'I bear everything alone' face."
"His thoughts run so deep that even his father probably can't see through him. And he's in the Anbu, too. He's practically a walking contradiction and a ticking time bomb."
"And the youngest son, Sasuke Uchiha... heh."
Remembering the defiant look in Sasuke's eyes after his crushing defeat in taijutsu class that day, Genya's lips twitched.
"The skies clear, the rain stops, and suddenly he thinks he's got what it takes again. The classic prickly little brother. His head probably holds nothing but thoughts of surpassing his big brother and proving himself. He has no idea there's a Sword of Damocles hanging over his clan."
A father who couldn't make up his mind, an eldest son burdened with secrets and questionable loyalties, and an innocent youngest son who knew nothing but rivalry...
No matter how he looked at it, they weren't a family capable of leading the Uchiha out of their predicament.
"This can't go on."
Genya withdrew his gaze, his eyes sharpening.
Waiting passively and praying for a turn of fortune was a sure path to death.
Until then, his age and limited strength had kept him mostly focused on observing and building up his resources.
But now, with the system at his disposal, strength far beyond a jonin's, and an increasingly clear understanding of the situation, there was something even more important-the school break had arrived.
The break meant more freedom with his time and less interference from others.
"It's time... to have a proper talk with Father."
Genya made up his mind.
He couldn't directly reveal that he'd transmigrated or that he knew the future.
But he could use his "genius" insight and a more mature perspective to analyze the Uchiha's predicament with his father and sound out his thoughts.
That way, perhaps... he could subtly influence him.
He needed to learn exactly what information his father had obtained through the Konoha Military Police Force and clan meetings, and to find out the latest developments in the conflict between the clan and the village.
He also needed his father to understand that endless arguments at meetings and passive waiting wouldn't solve anything.
He had to plant a few seeds in his father's mind ahead of the worst that might come, even if all he could do was make his father a little more vigilant and a little better prepared.
This conversation had to be handled carefully, but it had to happen.
For his parents, for Nami, and for his own faint hope of "changing the future"-a hope he had to fight for.
Genya took a deep breath and silently organized his thoughts, preparing for this crucial conversation between father and son.
Perhaps the Uchiha's future would depend on this school break, and on whether he could successfully take that first step toward actively intervening.
Early the next morning.
The family of three sat around the low table, enjoying the breakfast Izumi had prepared.
After finishing his last bite, Genya set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked across at his father, Sosuke Uchiha, who was reading that day's Konoha Military Police Force briefing.
"Father, it's been a while since we sparred. The weather's nice today. Want to get some exercise?"
Sosuke Uchiha looked up at his son in surprise.
He hadn't expected his son to suddenly ask for a spar.
Still, he saw the eager gleam in Genya's eyes.
After a moment's thought, he nodded.
"Very well. Let's see whether you've been slacking off this term at school."
"Wonderful!"
Beside them, Izumi's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands with a smile.
"I'll be the referee! Go get him, Genya! But don't hurt your father!"
She deliberately spoke in a teasing tone, her eyes full of affection and anticipation.
"Mother!"
Genya smiled helplessly.
Even Sosuke Uchiha showed a rare smile.
"Your mother's right. No taking it too far."
The three of them went to the courtyard behind their home.
Genya and Sosuke Uchiha stood facing each other, several meters apart.
Izumi stood beneath the veranda, watching with keen interest.
"All right, let's begin."
Izumi cleared her throat, imitating the tone of an official match referee.
"Both sides, form the Seal of Confrontation!"
Genya and Sosuke raised their hands at the same time and formed the Seal of Confrontation.
Looking at his son's serious little face, Sosuke felt inwardly amused. He assumed this was just another ordinary request for practice.
"Begin!"
The instant Izumi's voice fell silent-
Genya moved!
His figure vanished like a phantom, and in the next instant, he appeared at Sosuke's left side, driving a straight punch toward his lower ribs!
His fist tore through the air with heavy, crushing force!
Sosuke Uchiha's pupils contracted slightly, alarm bells ringing in his head. That speed?
It was far beyond anything he'd expected!
Almost entirely on the instincts of an elite jonin, he pushed off and shifted sideways, raising his left arm to block.
Thud!
A dull impact rang out.
Sosuke felt his left arm go numb as tremendous force surged through it, forcing him half a step backward before he could disperse the impact.
What?
But Genya's attacks poured in like a surging tide! Fists, feet, elbows, knees...
He brought Uchiha-Style Taijutsu to its fullest potential, his movements flowing seamlessly together with savage power and a seasoned sharpness far beyond his years!
Even more frightening was his speed, which forced Sosuke to give the fight everything he had!
"So fast!"
"That strength..."
The longer Sosuke fought, the more astonished he became. His initial relaxed ease gave way to absolute concentration.
He realized his own son was overpowering him in their taijutsu exchange!
All he could do was keep blocking and dodging, while Genya easily neutralized his occasional counterattacks.
It was simply unbelievable!
He was only six!
Even with extraordinary talent, how could his physical resilience, speed, explosive power, and combat instincts possibly have reached this level?
"Go, Genya!"
Under the veranda, Izumi saw that her son had the upper hand and happily waved her arms to cheer him on, completely forgetting her joke about not hurting his father.
Genya's gaze remained focused as he pushed his system-enhanced physique and taijutsu to their limits.
He felt explosive power filling every inch of his muscles, and his reactions were astonishingly fast.
After gaining the upper hand in taijutsu, Genya suddenly leaped backward, sweeping both hands across his waist.
"Shurikenjutsu!"
Several cold flashes shot out at viciously tricky angles.
They collided in midair, tracing bizarre arcs that cut off Sosuke's escape routes from above, below, and both sides!
It was the very Shuriken Manipulation Technique that had stunned the children at the training ground!
Sosuke Uchiha's eyes flashed. That shurikenjutsu!
He didn't dare take it lightly, instantly drawing a kunai from his ninja tool pouch.
Clang, clang, clang!
A rapid series of metallic clashes rang out as every shuriken was knocked away.
But cold sweat had begun to bead at Sosuke's temples.
This was his son, who was only six years old???
And that last barrage of taijutsu attacks had put him under some pressure.
Seeing his shuriken deflected, Genya wasn't discouraged in the slightest. He lunged forward again, ready to launch another assault.
"Stop!"
Sosuke Uchiha suddenly raised a hand and called out firmly.
His breathing was a little uneven. Looking at his son, who had stopped before him with calm eyes, he was overwhelmed by astonishment.
He exhaled, regarding Genya with a complicated look filled with shock, pride, and profound confusion.
"Let's leave it there."
Izumi ran over as well. She first checked her husband to make sure he was all right, then pulled Genya into her arms and happily ruffled his hair.
"Genya! You're incredible! Even your father..."
Realizing she'd let that slip, she playfully stuck out her tongue.
Before you continue