Two tomoe, awakened!

Shisui smiled happily, his eyes full of appreciation.

"You little rascal, you really are full of surprises."

Uchiha Rìtiān climbed out of the dirt and dusted himself off.

"Of course. Just look at who I am." His face was smug.

"Ding! Mission complete: defeat Shisui in a spar (using tricks)."

"Reward: introductory Body Flicker Technique upgraded to-Body Flicker Technique (beginner)!"

"Show-off points +200!"

"Influential Figure mission progress: 85%."

Uchiha Rìtiān was overjoyed. What a haul!

Shisui crouched down and looked at Uchiha Rìtiān seriously.

"Your talent... is even better than I imagined."

"Not only do you have the Sharingan, you can use various ninjutsu flexibly, and your tactics are adaptable too."

"More importantly, you have a clever head on your shoulders."

The praise left Uchiha Rìtiān a little embarrassed. "You're too kind, Shisui. I just have a lot of little tricks."

"Little tricks take brains too." Shisui smiled. "In the ninja world, strength alone isn't enough. Brains matter too."

"So, when would you like to start learning the Body Flicker Technique?"

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. "Can we start now?"

"You really are impatient." Shisui smiled helplessly. "All right, we'll start today."

Over the next few days, Uchiha Rìtiān studied the Body Flicker Technique with Shisui every day after school.

Shisui taught diligently, and Uchiha Rìtiān learned quickly.

With the help of his Sharingan and the beginner Body Flicker Technique foundation the system had given him, Uchiha Rìtiān improved at an astonishing pace.

In just three days, he could leave afterimages over short distances.

Shisui was full of praise. "You're learning even faster than I did back then."

Uchiha Rìtiān was delighted. Of course. Just look at who I am.

That evening, Uchiha Rìtiān was training at home.

Suddenly, a system notification sounded.

"Ding! Influential Figure mission progress: 100%!"

"Mission complete: become an influential figure at the Ninja Academy."

"Reward: two-tomoe Sharingan evolution progress +20%, show-off points +500."

"Current two-tomoe evolution progress: 80%."

Uchiha Rìtiān opened his eyes, a glimmer of excitement flashing through them.

80%! Just another 20% until the upgrade!

Just then, his bedroom door opened.

Miwako poked her head in. "Rìtiān, you're still awake?"

"I'm going to bed soon, Mom. What is it?"

"Tomorrow is Sasuke's birthday. Don't forget," Miwako reminded him.

Uchiha Rìtiān slapped his forehead. I almost forgot!

Sasuke was his younger brother, two years his junior, and would turn five tomorrow.

"Don't worry, Mom. I remember," Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile.

Miwako nodded and closed the door.

Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin. Sasuke's birthday... what should I give him?

Ordinary toys definitely won't do. That kid Sasuke has always been prickly. Ordinary gifts won't impress him.

How about... a custom-made shuriken set?

No, Sasuke is still little. Shuriken are too dangerous.

After thinking for a long while, Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes suddenly lit up.

I've got it!

He pulled a pile of materials from his Storage Scroll and got to work.

The next day, at the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Fugaku's family and the Lie Family were on good terms, so Uchiha Rìtiān's family had also been invited to Sasuke's birthday party.

Carrying an exquisite box, Uchiha Rìtiān walked into Fugaku's home.

"Uncle Fugaku, Aunt Mikoto! Happy birthday, Sasuke!"

Sasuke stood there in a little suit, looking cool, like a miniature adult.

When he saw Uchiha Rìtiān, he pursed his lips. "Rìtiān."

Although his tone was flat, he couldn't hide the anticipation in his eyes.

Uchiha Rìtiān chuckled inwardly. This prickly little guy.

"Sasuke, here's the birthday present I prepared for you." Uchiha Rìtiān handed him the box.

Sasuke took the box and opened it, pretending to be calm.

The next second, his eyes went wide.

Inside the box were a miniature Uchiha Gunbai and a scaled-down Uchiha Clan Uniform.

"This is..." Sasuke looked up, his eyes shining.

"I had these made especially for you," Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile. "From now on, you're the Uchiha Clan's little warrior!"

Sasuke's little face flushed bright red, and he was too excited to speak.

He had dreamed from an early age of wearing the clan uniform and wielding a gunbai, just like his father and older brother.

I never thought Rìtiān would actually...

"Do you like it?" Uchiha Rìtiān asked.

Sasuke nodded vigorously, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "...Yes."

"Ding! Made the prickly Sasuke admit he liked something. Show-off points +80!"

Uchiha Rìtiān was overjoyed.

Fugaku and Mikoto smiled too. "That was thoughtful of you, Rìtiān."

"Of course, of course." Uchiha Rìtiān waved a hand.

Just then, Itachi walked over.

He glanced at the things in the box, then at Uchiha Rìtiān, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

"Thank you, Rìtiān."

Uchiha Rìtiān froze. Itachi actually said thank you? Has the sun risen in the west?

"No need to be so polite, Itachi. We're family."

The birthday party was lively, with almost all the Uchiha Clan's higher-ups in attendance.

As the Uchiha Clan's "rising star," Uchiha Rìtiān naturally attracted plenty of attention too.

Halfway through the feast, Fugaku suddenly stood up.

"Everyone, quiet down."

The room fell silent, and everyone turned to Fugaku.

Fugaku cleared his throat. "Besides celebrating Sasuke's birthday, I gathered everyone here today because I have another announcement."

"I believe you've all heard something about the clan's recent situation."

"The Konoha High Command... is growing increasingly distrustful of our Uchiha Clan."

His words caused an uproar.

Something stirred in Uchiha Rìtiān's heart. Here it comes.

Is the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha finally coming out into the open?

Fugaku pressed his hands down, signaling for silence.

"So, I've decided to train more of the younger generation and strengthen our Uchiha!"

"And Rìtiān-" Fugaku turned his sharp gaze toward Uchiha Rìtiān. "Is one of those we'll focus on training!"

Everyone's gaze settled on Uchiha Rìtiān.

There was envy, jealousy, and disdain.

Uchiha Rìtiān's heart sank. Fugaku is putting me on the hot seat.

Sure enough, no sooner had Fugaku finished speaking than someone stood up to object.

"Clan Head, I disagree! Rìtiān is only six, and... his mind isn't in the right place. He spends all day coming up with flashy little tricks. How can he be someone we focus on training?"

The speaker was an elder from a branch of the Uchiha Clan named Uchiha Shemaru, a sinister, mean-spirited man.

Uchiha Rìtiān narrowed his eyes. You old bastard. Looking for trouble?

Fugaku frowned. "Elder Shemaru, everyone has seen Rìtiān's talent."

"Talent? Can you eat talent?" Shemaru sneered. "Real strength is proven with your fists!"

"I suggest letting Rìtiān fight my grandson Orochimaru. If he wins, I'll acknowledge that he's qualified!"

An uproar swept through the crowd.

Uchiha Orochimaru? That genius boy from the branch family?

He's already eight this year, and they say he's awakened the one-tomoe Sharingan. He's very strong!

Making six-year-old Rìtiān fight eight-year-old Orochimaru? Isn't that bullying?

Fugaku's expression darkened. "Elder Shemaru, isn't that a bit inappropriate...?"

"What? Are you afraid, Clan Head? Or is Rìtiān afraid?" Shemaru looked at Uchiha Rìtiān provocatively.

Uchiha Rìtiān stood, a faint smile on his face.

"Why would I be afraid?"

"But..." He changed tack. "What happens if I win?"

Shemaru sneered. "If you win, I'll give you the Ninja Blade from my treasured collection!"

"Good!" Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. "It's a deal!"

He had just been worrying about the remaining 20% of his two-tomoe progress. Hadn't it just delivered itself to his doorstep?

"Ding! Combat mission detected: duel Uchiha Orochimaru."

"Option one: go all out and defeat your opponent. Reward: two-tomoe Sharingan evolution progress +20%."

"Option two: deliberately concede and keep a low profile. Reward: Will of Survival +1."

Without even thinking, Uchiha Rìtiān said, "Choose option one!"

Are you kidding? Concede? Not happening!

Two tomoe, here I come!

Everyone went into the courtyard and formed a circle.

Uchiha Rìtiān and Orochimaru stood in the middle, facing each other.

Orochimaru had long black hair, a pale face, and cold, sinister eyes, like a venomous snake.

"Uchiha Rìtiān... I've wanted to test myself against you for a long time." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse and unpleasant.

Uchiha Rìtiān curled his lip. "You? You're not good enough."

Orochimaru's gaze turned cold. "You're asking to die!"

His hands formed hand seals at incredible speed.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A fierce gust swept toward Uchiha Rìtiān.

Uchiha Rìtiān activated his Sharingan and swayed aside, narrowly dodging it.

"You've got some skill." Orochimaru sneered. "But not enough!"

He charged forward, a kunai in his hand, stabbing straight at Uchiha Rìtiān's face.

Unhurried, Uchiha Rìtiān used the Body Flicker Technique to put distance between them while flinging several kunai backhanded.

The two traded attacks, neither gaining the upper hand.

The spectators exclaimed in amazement.

"Rìtiān can actually fight Orochimaru to a standstill?"

"That's incredible! He's only six!"

Elder Shemaru's expression grew uglier and uglier.

Fugaku, meanwhile, nodded slightly, satisfaction in his eyes.

As the fight continued, Orochimaru grew increasingly agitated.

He was two years older than Uchiha Rìtiān, yet he still couldn't defeat him. It made him feel humiliated.

"Bastard!" Orochimaru roared. "I'll show you the difference between a genius and trash!"

His eyes spun, and his one-tomoe Sharingan activated.

"Sharingan!" the spectators cried out.

After activating his Sharingan, Orochimaru's speed and strength increased considerably.

Uchiha Rìtiān gradually began struggling to hold him off.

"What's wrong? Can't keep up?" Orochimaru grinned viciously. "Weren't you acting all cocky just now?"

Uchiha Rìtiān wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled.

"You think... you're the only one with a Sharingan?"

The next second, Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes abruptly changed.

The single tomoe suddenly became-two!

Two-tomoe Sharingan!

The entire courtyard fell deathly silent.

Orochimaru's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

"This... this is impossible! You're only six! How could you have awakened the two-tomoe!"

The corners of Uchiha Rìtiān's mouth lifted into a cold smile.

"Nothing is impossible."

"Because-I'm Uchiha Rìtiān."