From that day onward, Fugaku began entrusting all the clan's Fire Release scrolls to Uchiha Kaito, allowing him to devote himself fully to mastering these jutsu.In the past, they hadn't dared to let him train with Sasuke, fearing he was too young and his Chakra reserves insufficient. Practicing powerful Ninjutsu at such an age could not only harm his body but also damage his future potential.
However, after witnessing Kaito's rough use of Fire Release combined with a hammer for forging, Fugaku was astonished by his son's talent and realized that Kaito's Chakra reserves far exceeded those of children his age.
Just these two aspects alone already surpassed Itachi's abilities at the same age.
He couldn't help but wonder if allowing Kaito to master all Fire Release techniques early would help perfect this "forging" Ninjutsu-body technique.
One week later...
Besides forging in the yard, Kaito had also learned a series of Ninjutsu under his father's supervision, including Great Fire Annihilation, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, and Great Dragon Fire Technique.
He had learned them, yes...
But Kaito didn't know how to explain to his old man that he could only safely perform a few of these techniques with the "Left and Right Guardians" buff. As for the Great Fire Annihilation and Great Fire Destruction techniques used by Uchiha Madara, his current Chakra reserves were simply insufficient to sustain their release.
In simple terms, his "MP" wasn't enough for even one cast.
Clang—clang—
In the yard, the sound of metal striking metal rose and fell. Fugaku and Kaito stood at their respective anvils, raising their hammers and striking, sweat pouring down their faces.
Mikoto stood inside the house, watching the two with growing concern. She turned her gaze to Sasuke, who was playing with a light bulb, and felt another headache coming on.
Her husband had promised to persuade Kaito not to forge at home. Yet, the very next day, Fugaku had bought a set of blacksmithing equipment and set up a workstation ten meters away from Kaito, joining in the forging.
Mikoto supported her husband in everything and wouldn't interfere with her son's dreams.
But...
Her husband was busy with clan affairs during the day and then spent nights in the yard forging with their son, often until three or four in the morning.
Kaito was even more extreme...
He would often only return to his room at dawn.
He sent shadow clones to school, but forging was a daily must.
Mikoto sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead, and waved to stop Sasuke from playing with the light bulb.
"Sasuke..."
"Go call them for dinner."
Sasuke tilted his head, pouted, and glanced at the annoying guy outside. After a moment's hesitation, he shouted at his father.
"Father, annoying guy!"
"Dinner's ready."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kaito turned and shouted in Sasuke's direction, "Father! Sasuke called you an annoying guy!"
Fugaku was long used to his sons' antics. Treating them equally, he gave both a fair scolding to ensure neither felt unfairly treated.
During lunch, Kaito frowned and asked about Itachi, who had been missing for days without any news.
"Father... has there been any news about Itachi recently?"
Although he had shadow clones stationed at the Naka River, his transmigration would inevitably cause subtle changes. Danzo's actions and Shisui's cliff-jumping might happen earlier than expected.
In short.
Every time he saw Itachi now, he felt like the entire Uchiha clan's lifespan was flashing before his eyes.
Sasuke, holding his bowl and chopsticks, raised an eyebrow when he heard Kaito—who rarely showed concern for his brother—asking about him. He couldn't resist teasing.
"Hey, hey, hey, Kaito!"
"You miss Nii-san too, don't you?"
"You tsun—dere—bastard—"
Sasuke dragged out the word "tsundere" mockingly, clearly retaliating for Kaito's earlier remarks about him.However, Fugaku, who was sitting at the head of the table, instantly darkened when he heard the brothers mention Itachi. He reprimanded them in a stern voice.
"At the dinner table, focus on eating. No discussing other matters."
"Besides, Itachi has his own affairs to attend to."
"You two should just worry about your own business."
Speaking of this matter, Fugaku was quite furious. A few days ago, his eldest son had argued with him and refused to divulge any intelligence from the Hokage's side.
This was nothing short of betrayal—betrayal against him and betrayal against the Uchiha clan.
In other words...
The only remaining trump card their Uchiha clan had left was Shisui.
The situation was growing increasingly dire. Fugaku didn't want these two children to simply live their lives peacefully now, nor did he want them to get involved in the affairs between the clan and the village.
Faced with his father's sudden change in demeanor, Sasuke straightened up, lowered his head, and silently shoveled rice into his mouth, not daring to say another word.
Kaito, however, sensed something unusual. Watching his father's grim expression, he became increasingly convinced that the lifespan of the entire Uchiha clan was flickering.
"Father..."
He had barely spoken when Fugaku abruptly set down his chopsticks, stood up, and walked toward his room, clearly rejecting his son's attempt at conversation.
"I've had enough to eat."
"There are clan matters to attend to. I may not return tonight."
With that, Fugaku was already at the entrance, putting on his shoes.
Before leaving, he turned back to look at Kaito and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"Kaito, keep an eye on your younger brother these days."
Father and son locked eyes for a long moment, then nodded at each other. Everything that needed to be said was conveyed without words.
At this moment...
Kaito was certain that the countdown to the Uchiha clan's annihilation had begun.
"I've had enough to eat."
He set down his chopsticks, politely bid his mother farewell, and then hurried outside to his "blacksmith's workshop."
"What's his problem?"
"Clearly cares about Nii-san, but still has to act all aloof."
Sasuke hadn't noticed anything unusual about Kaito or their father. His only concern was why his older brother hadn't come home in so many days.
"Don't train tonight."
"Get some rest early, alright?"
Mikoto smiled at her youngest son as usual, though her smile was slightly strained.
Her hands, hidden beneath the table, were clenched so tightly they turned white.
She knew her eldest son and her husband had completely broken ties, with no hope of reconciliation.
Caught between father and son, she didn't know what to do except comfort the youngest—and most oblivious—member of the family.
"Fine..."
Sasuke reluctantly put down the light bulb, glanced at the lamp outside in the yard, hesitated for a moment, then ran back to his room.
For some reason...
He felt that Kaito had been acting strange lately.
That usually lazy jerk had suddenly started training day and night.
After some thought, Sasuke concluded that Kaito must have noticed his recent rapid progress and was worried about being overtaken—hence the sudden motivation.
So... that had to be it.
Hmph!
Kaito, I won't lose to you!
Leaving the light bulb behind, Sasuke returned to his room, burrowed under the covers, and pulled out a pre-prepared bulb, ready to stay up late and train.
As Kaito would say...
He, Uchiha Sasuke, was going to outwork everyone!
In the small yard, Kaito didn't choose to forge tonight. Instead, he secretly hauled out a large wooden crate from the corner.
Opening it revealed sixty scroll-like objects inside.
These were all Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles he had replicated using Chakra Metal.
Even more, considering the lack of lethality, he had modified the number of hair-thin hidden weapons inside, ensuring that when thrown at an unprepared enemy, they would be riddled with holes in an instant.
"I wonder if these will be enough..."
...