Uchiha Madara Arrives

Those caught in the Sharingan's Genjutsu could be manipulated like puppets on strings. Aokiji was no exception.

Elder Itachi wasted no words and immediately asked a crucial question. "You... have you awakened the Sharingan?"

He held his breath and waited quietly for an answer.

Aokiji's gaze was vacant as he nodded.

Elder Itachi drew a breath. His calm expression finally rippled. "Let me see your Sharingan."

Not long after the words fell, Aokiji's eyes turned crimson. Within his round pupils appeared tiny circles, each containing a tomoe-shaped mark.

This was the Uchiha Clan's proud Dojutsu—the Sharingan.

Upon seeing those eyes, Elder Itachi could no longer suppress his emotions. His breathing quickened.

This child had actually been born with two Kekkei Genkai. No wonder he possessed such enormous chakra at such a young age.

"When did your Sharingan awaken?"

"Five."

Hearing that, Elder Itachi was both shocked and delighted.

He had awakened the Sharingan at merely five years old.

Having good aptitude did not necessarily mean opening one's eyes early. Uchiha Madara was a typical example. He had opened his eyes relatively late, yet that did not stop him from becoming the strongest ninja in Uchiha history.

However, any ninja who opened their eyes early certainly could not have poor aptitude.

If Elder Itachi remembered correctly, his grandmother had died at that age. It seemed to have dealt him a tremendous blow.

To awaken the Sharingan at five, both opportunity and talent were indispensable.

Even amid his shock, Elder Itachi made a prompt decision.

Fugaku, the student he had taken in recently, possessed a maturity absent from others his age despite being so young. He was steady by nature, a rare genius even in Uchiha history. Elder Itachi had high hopes for him and had long decided to groom him as the next head of the Uchiha Clan.

But all of that now paled beside Uchiha Aokiji's Dual Kekkei Genkai.

Though this was somewhat unfair to Fugaku, the candidate for clan head would likely have to be changed.

Aokiji's personality might have issues, but as the saying went, a flaw did not obscure the jade. Before absolute talent, such things could be overlooked.

The Uchiha Clan revered strength. Without exception, the position of clan head was held by the strongest, for only then could they command everyone's respect.

Furthermore, Aokiji's Ice Release carried a special significance for the Uchiha Clan.

Apart from Yin and Yang, ninjutsu was divided into the five major natures of wind, fire, lightning, water, and earth. They reinforced and restrained one another. Among them, the Uchiha Clan's mastery of Fire Release was unrivaled. Even ordinary Water Release, despite having a restraining nature, was no match for the Uchiha Clan.

Then came the question: could an ordinary person become the Uchiha Clan's opponent? "Senju Tobirama."

Elder Itachi spoke the name.

Upon closer consideration, one would find that most of Senju Tobirama's ninjutsu had been developed specifically to target the Uchiha Clan.

The Flying Thunder God Technique gave him speed that even the Sharingan could not react to. The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was meant to weaken the Uchiha's perception so they could not distinguish the original body. The Darkness Technique was even more excessive, directly depriving the Sharingan of vision. Then there was Water Release, meant to counter the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release, along with an entire series of other ninjutsu developed to target the Uchiha Clan.

He was absolutely obsessed with opposing the Uchiha Clan.

Now, the emergence of Ice Release could in turn restrain Tobirama's Water Release quite effectively.

If properly developed, Ice Release could counter Water Release. The best way to counter Ice Release was Fire Release, but the Uchiha Clan happened to excel at Fire Release more than anyone else.

Using Fire Release before the Uchiha Clan was simply asking for humiliation.

At the thought of Tobirama's Water Release being countered by Ice Release, leaving him with a helpless expression, Elder Itachi nearly wanted to throw back his head and laugh. If not for his age and composure, he would have done so. Tobirama, even you have a day when you're targeted. It doesn't feel good, does it?

Aokiji's father had, more or less, married Aokiji's mother for this very reason.

At this moment, Elder Itachi felt sincerely grateful for his own caution. If he allowed Aokiji to continue falling into decline and waste such extraordinary talent, he would likely die with regrets.

In this world, those with good talent would more or less pass some of that blessing on to their descendants.

With such exceptional talent, Elder Itachi was already considering arranging Aokiji's marriage.

Aokiji was now ten. In two more years, people of their era would generally consider him an adult, able to have children with women.

Perhaps because of those thoughts, a bold idea suddenly surfaced in Elder Itachi's mind—one so bold that even he was startled.

If it succeeded, the Uchiha Clan would not only return to the center of power, but might even go a step further and enter an era more prosperous than the one under Uchiha Madara's leadership.

After assessing the plan's feasibility, Elder Itachi formed a One-Handed Seal and erased Aokiji's memories of just now. Unless his Dojutsu Power one day approached Elder Itachi's own, those memories would never return.

(P.S.: The Sharingan can erase memories. See "Unburning Turn," where Sasuke travels back to the past.) Aokiji gradually regained his senses. After a brief daze, he noticed Elder Itachi looking at him with what seemed like a loving father's smile, making him feel somewhat uneasy. "Elder Itachi, is there anything else?"

As though nothing had happened, Elder Itachi coughed. "I gave it some careful thought. Your suggestion to become a Medical Ninja may not be a bad one."

Huh? Aokiji was dumbfounded. What was this supposed to be? Hadn't he just rejected him?

"What? You're unwilling?"

Aokiji hurriedly shook his head, then immediately nodded like a pecking chicken. "Willing. Of course I'm willing. But why did you suddenly agree to let me become a Medical Ninja?"

Elder Itachi looked into the distance as though recalling something and let out a deep sigh. "Personally, I hoped you would become a proper combat ninja. That is the destiny of the Uchiha Clan. But after thinking it over, with your current state, even if I forced you, it likely would not produce good results. It would only be twice the effort for half the result.

"If you truly do not wish to learn, this old man cannot exactly hold a Shuriken to your neck, can I? After all, I am not a demon."

"Besides, I promised your grandmother that I would take good care of you. With all these factors considered, I have decided to respect your wishes and let you become a Medical Ninja. Although Ice Release is a precious Kekkei Genkai, for the Uchiha Clan, which possesses the power of the Sharingan, Ice Release is merely an insignificant embellishment."

Was this what it meant to be from a great clan?

Though he was clearly exaggerating the value of the clan's Sharingan, they were actually willing to let a precious Kekkei Genkai ninja become some unpopular Medical Ninja. How generous.

Aokiji was stunned by his clan's generosity.

"But..."

The moment that word appeared, it meant everything before it had been nonsense. What followed was the real point.

I knew he couldn't be this kind-hearted... Aokiji crossed his arms and nodded. That was more like it.

How could the clan possibly be so generous as to let a Kekkei Genkai ninja like him become an unpopular Medical Ninja? There had to be some additional condition.

Elder Itachi said gravely, "If you one day awaken the Sharingan, I hope you will obediently follow the clan's arrangements and become a combat ninja. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, you should know what the Sharingan means to the clan."

Of course, Elder Itachi knew Aokiji had already awakened the Sharingan. He said it deliberately, intending to use it as a means to make Aokiji obediently become a combat ninja when necessary in the future.

But Aokiji did not know that. He was still in the dark, innocently believing he had hidden it well. He even talked himself into believing Elder Itachi agreed to let him become a Medical Ninja because he hoped he would awaken the Sharingan.

Although Medical Ninjas did not often go to the front lines, they witnessed no fewer scenes of life and death parting than those who did. Watching the wounded lose their lives because they could not receive timely treatment would inevitably stir one's emotions. At such times, those emotions could easily become nourishment for awakening the Sharingan.

Aokiji nodded unwillingly. Even if he had to pretend, he needed to make it convincing. "I understand..."

"To prevent you from going back on your word, I want you to swear upon your late grandmother."

Aokiji froze, then gritted his teeth. One could not catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. If he showed cowardice now, it would prove that he still had something to hide. "I swear that if I awaken the Sharingan in the future, and the clan needs me, I will certainly obey. Otherwise, may I explode and die."

Uchiha Aokiji is the one swearing. What does that have to do with me? Aokiji is only my host's name.

Besides, I swore about the future. I've already awakened it now. This is hilarious.

Elder Itachi was startled. This brat was truly ruthless just to avoid becoming a ninja.

"I do not want you to die. I want you to live well and serve the clan."

A trace of cunning flashed through Elder Itachi's deep eyes as he continued, "And also..."

Aokiji complained, "Also? Couldn't you just say everything at once?"

"If you think I'm being long-winded, then don't become a Medical Ninja. Go become a combat ninja instead."

Elder Itachi snapped at him irritably.

Although he knew Aokiji possessed the Sharingan, he had to keep up the act so Aokiji would not become suspicious.

The more additional conditions there were, the less likely the other party would be suspicious. It would also make it easier to keep Aokiji under control. Why not? Aokiji obediently fell silent.

Elder Itachi snorted. "Although I agreed to let you become some Medical Ninja, I want you to set aside time every day to train here with me."

Aokiji wholeheartedly approved of this suggestion. This way, he would no longer be learning behind closed doors. However, to maintain his persona, he could only put on a very reluctant expression. "Huh? A Medical Ninja like me still has to train? Come on. I'm not even going to the front lines."

Elder Itachi sighed. "I know your grandmother's death dealt you a tremendous blow, leaving you dispirited and disgusted by battle. But I hope you understand one principle..."

At that point, he deliberately paused and did not continue.

Seeing him remain silent, Aokiji guessed he was baiting him to ask so he could show off his sophistication and highlight his love of teaching.

"What principle?"

Sure enough, with that lead-in, Elder Itachi began posturing. "You must understand that a ninja who has a Shuriken in hand but does not use it is different from a ninja who has no Shuriken in hand."

Aokiji pondered for a moment, then nodded as though he understood.

Seeing this, Elder Itachi felt slightly gratified. The boy could be taught.

After thinking it through, Aokiji came to a conclusion and said seriously, "They are indeed different. Only ninjas without strength use low-class things like Shuriken. Truly powerful ninjas disdain Shuriken and simply clap their hands together to activate ninjustu."

Elder Itachi: ???

Not long after seeing Aokiji off, the sky gradually darkened.

Unlike the gloomy sky, Elder Itachi's mood was as bright and clear as a sunny day. Even his legs, which had grown unsteady with age, seemed to become light without him noticing.

As he entered the entryway, there was, as usual, no greeting such as welcome home. The house was empty. His spouse and descendants had all died in the war, so naturally there was no one to say such things to him.

Whenever he thought of it, he felt somewhat lonely. But he had become used to it. Now, he placed all his emotions in the clan. As long as the clan prospered, he would feel happy.

"If those two children can form a deep enough bond in the future, perhaps the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan will achieve true reconciliation.

"When two opposing powers unite, all things can be created. The world will finally welcome true peace..."

Elder Itachi leisurely brewed himself a pot of tea. Just as he turned around with the teacup in hand, a voice sharp as an arrow came from behind him, as if even the air itself trembled.

"That isn't what I meant when I told you those words."

Though he had not heard it in a long time, Elder Itachi would never forget that voice for the rest of his life.

"Clatter."

The teacup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor. Murky green tea spilled everywhere, steaming.

As he spoke, a man stepped out from the shadows.

His black hair was deeper and darker than the abyss itself. Even gods and demons would feel dread before those sharp crimson eyes.

"Uchiha Madara."

Elder Itachi parted his dry lips and slowly spoke the name.