Inside the Clan Head's residence, Uchiha Fugaku looked at Uchiha Yu, who was bowing at a ninety-degree angle, and revealed an appreciative expression.
"Since you've already asked, I'll teach you for the time being."
"Clan Head, I, Uchiha Yu, swear to go through fire and water for the Uchiha Clan!"
In Fang Yu's "Chat Group," three voices spoke in unison:
"Yeah, right!"
"Yeah, right!"
"Yeah, right!"
Uchiha Fugaku could not hear the thoughts of the child before him. He nodded in satisfaction. "I don't have much free time. Sometimes, I guide my younger son, Uchiha Sasuke. Sasuke, come out."
Uchiha Sasuke, who had been hiding behind the screen, stared with innocent eyes and walked out.
Uchiha Yu glanced back at Uchiha Sasuke and gave him an assessment in his heart.
If it weren't for Itachi, Uchiha Sasuke's personality would probably be no different from Hinata, who grew up in a major clan.
Fugaku patted Sasuke on the head. "From today onward, he'll be your sparring partner."
Sasuke nodded timidly and carefully examined the plainly dressed Uchiha Yu before him.
Uchiha Yu ignored Sasuke and bowed ninety degrees to Uchiha Fugaku once more. "Teacher, may I receive a Great Fireball scroll from the clan?"
Although the Great Fireball was a C-rank technique passed down within the Uchiha Clan, many ninja outside the clan had mastered it as well.
Now that a nine-year-old genius who had awakened his Sharingan wanted to learn the Great Fireball, Fugaku, as the Clan Leader, had no reason to refuse.
"Of course. But it would be best if I demonstrated it for you once. That way, you'll learn it faster."
He glanced at his wife, Uchiha Mikoto. "Prepare one extra portion for lunch."
Mikoto was quite displeased, but she said nothing and turned to make preparations.
Uchiha Yu hurriedly straightened up. "Thank you, Teacher, but I have to prepare for the assessment this afternoon, so... next time!"
Uchiha Mikoto sighed in relief. "Then hurry and prepare. You must be careful during the assessment."
"Understood. Thank you, Madam Clan Head!"
Fugaku shook his head helplessly, then rose and headed outside. "You two, come with me."
The Uchiha Clan was located on the outskirts of Konoha.
To put it in terms modern people could understand, this place did not even count as the Sixth Ring.
It should be considered the "Hebei District."
Leaving the village was much easier for the Uchiha than it was for Jiraiya to peep into the women's bathhouse. The three quickly left Konoha and arrived at a forest.
"The Great Fireball Technique is a technique every Uchiha Ninja must learn."
Uchiha Fugaku looked proud. "It could be said to be the first technique every Uchiha Ninja learns."
"Yu, awaken your eyes!"
At Fugaku's command, Uchiha Yu's eyes widened!
Awaken!
"This guy!" Sasuke stared at Uchiha Yu in disbelief. It was the first time he had seen anyone other than his brother awaken the Sharingan at such a young age.
The Single-Tomoe in Uchiha Yu's pupils slowly rotated. Fugaku nodded in satisfaction. "Watch my hand movements carefully."
Snake!
Ram!
Monkey!
Uchiha Yu's eyes darted rapidly, terrified of missing even the smallest detail!
Boar!
Horse!
Tiger!
Uchiha Fugaku pressed his hands together and rapidly formed Hand Seals. As the final seal was completed, Chakra within his body surged rapidly, gathering at his throat.
Suddenly, Uchiha Fugaku opened his mouth, and a scorching stream of Chakra flowed from deep within his throat.
The stream rapidly condensed into an enormous fireball. It burned in the air, radiating a dazzling orange-red glow as the surrounding temperature rose sharply and waves of heat washed over them!
Like a miniature sun, the fireball emitted intense light and heat. Its surface churned continuously, as though liquid flames were boiling without end.
The fireball grew in size and brightness as Chakra was poured into it, until it became powerful enough.
At last, Uchiha Fugaku shouted and thrust the gathered flaming power forward.
The fireball of the Great Fireball Technique shot out at astonishing speed, charging straight toward the target ahead.
The fireball tore through the air, leaving behind a bright trail of flame. It moved so quickly that it was difficult to follow.
When the Great Fireball Technique struck its target, it erupted with a deafening explosion. flames scattered in all directions, forming a massive fiery blast zone.
The flames devoured everything around them, turning the target area into a sea of fire.
The blast wave from the explosion shook the surrounding trees and rocks until they were on the verge of collapse. The heat of the flames could even be felt from afar!
There was a saying that circulated throughout the ninja world.
There was no distinction between superior and inferior ninjutsu; what mattered most was the user.
Even a C-rank ninjutsu could unleash world-destroying power in the hands of a Kage-level powerhouse!
Fugaku was clearly no weakling. After witnessing that Great Fireball, not only Uchiha Yu but even Sasuke stared at the devastation in the distance in shock.
Pirate World Fang Yu: "Looks like on the Night of the Massacre, this guy held back. If he had truly fought, the battle couldn't possibly have ended that quickly."
Stephen Fang: "I underestimated this Clan Leader."
Sasuke was too stunned to speak.
He had never imagined that his usually stern and busy father possessed such terrifying strength.
He looked at the wrinkles on Fugaku's face. Before he could offer much praise—
The flow of Chakra beside him caught his attention!
Uchiha Yu stood in the forest, the Single-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes gleaming sharply.
He took a deep breath and imitated Fugaku's movements. His hands rapidly formed Hand Seals as the Chakra within his body gathered in his chest under his control, then concentrated in his throat!
Could it be!?
Fugaku and Sasuke widened their eyes, waiting for a miracle to happen!
Uchiha Yu parted his lips slightly. A smaller stream of scorching Chakra flowed from deep within his throat, gradually condensing into a fireball ten times smaller than Fugaku's!
Though this fireball was much smaller, it still radiated an orange-red glow, and the surrounding air twisted slightly from the heat.
Its surface did not roil and boil like Fugaku's, but it still possessed the vitality and intensity of flame.
Uchiha Yu focused his mind and pushed the fireball forward.
Its power and scale fell far short of Fugaku's, but the Great Fireball Technique still shot forward fiercely, cutting through the air and leaving a trail of flame as it struck a large tree ahead!
The fireball hit its target and triggered a small explosion. Flames scattered in all directions, forming a smaller fiery blast zone!
The surrounding grass was scorched, while some smaller trees and shrubs were swallowed by the flames and turned to ash!
Though its destructive power was not even one-tenth of Fugaku's, it was already an impressive achievement for a nine-year-old child attempting the Great Fireball Technique for the first time!
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the scene before him, admiration appearing on his face.
"Remarkable, Uchiha Yu." Fugaku's voice held a trace of surprise and approval. "Even with the Sharingan copying the movements, it is difficult to use the Great Fireball directly after seeing it only once."
"Not only did you do it, but you also displayed quite decent control. Very good."
Yet Uchiha Yu did not show the slightest hint of being proud.
Feeling the Chakra in his body almost entirely depleted, he gave Fugaku a slight bow. "As far as I know, Lord Itachi copied the Great Fireball the first time he saw it without even awakening his Sharingan. He is the true genius."
Fugaku revealed a proud smile, while Sasuke beside him was dumbfounded once again.
He looked at Fugaku. "Brother was really that amazing?"
Fugaku nodded. "Of course."
Uchiha Yu watched the harmonious father-and-son scene and could not bear to ruin it.
He complained in the "Chat Group."
"If Sasuke knew that Itachi was about to slaughter their entire clan, would he think his brother was truly amazing?"
Pirate World Fang Yu: "Still hell."
Stephen Fang: "Don't drag me into heaven with you."
Before you continue