Chapter 14: Inspiring the Team and Securing Their Loyalty
The Guard's exclusive Training Ground Seven. In front of Uchiha Akira stood three figures, looking a little constrained. This was Akira's team's first official assembly. The atmosphere was subtly stagnant. Uchiha Rin, Uchiha Tetsu, and Uchiha Kai were all filled with apprehension and excitement. They never dreamed that they, these inconspicuous "fringe characters" within the clan, would actually be chosen by this rising genius.
Akira's gaze, sharp as a hawk, slowly swept over each of their faces. "Very good. From today onwards, you are members of my Uchiha Akira's Team."
"Yes! Captain!" The three responded almost instinctively in unison.
Akira nodded. "I don't care what you were like in the Guard before, and I don't care how others see you." Akira paused, his tone becoming a few shades heavier: "Since you've joined my team, the first and most important thing you need to remember is— that is, absolute obedience to my commands! In my team, my word is law! Any mission, any action, my orders are beyond question, beyond defiance, beyond hesitation! Even if I tell you to die, you must execute it without hesitation! Can you do it?!"
The last three words exploded like thunder. The three were completely awestruck by this powerful aura and unquestionable authority. They had no doubt that if they uttered a single "no," this young captain in front of them would unhesitatingly kick them out of the team.
"Yes!" The three said in unison.
Akira slowly retracted his aura. Uchiha Rin, Uchiha Tetsu, and Uchiha Kai immediately felt the pressure lighten, and they all gasped for breath, their backs already drenched in cold sweat. This young captain was far more assertive and domineering than they had imagined.
"Very good." Akira nodded with satisfaction. Seeing their lingering fear, Akira changed the subject, his tone softening slightly: "Of course, I, Uchiha Akira, never treat my own people poorly. I formed this team not to coast by in the Guard, and certainly not to make you cannon fodder. My goal is for this team to become the Uchiha Clan's strongest elite team! For every member to possess strength that surpasses their peers, and even surpasses what you once imagined!"
"As long as you are loyal to me, train diligently, and complete your missions, I will personally guide your training, provide you with the most abundant resources, and allow you to grow at the fastest possible rate!"
Anyone can "draw a big picture," but Akira's "picture" could be genuinely realized. To increase his persuasiveness, a blood-red light flashed in Akira's eyes.
Buzz!
Two dark tomoe slowly emerged in his blood-red pupils, emitting an eerie and powerful aura.
"Two-Tomoe Sharingan!" Uchiha Rin, Uchiha Tetsu, and Uchiha Kai's pupils suddenly contracted, and they cried out in surprise. They never expected that Akira had already developed the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. One must know that most Uchiha Clan members might not even awaken the Sharingan in their entire lives, and only a few can awaken a single tomoe, while the Two-Tomoe is a mark possessed only by the elite of elites.
Akira was only twelve years old. This talent was simply terrifying. However, the shock was not over yet.
Crackle—!
A dazzling blue electric arc suddenly leaped in Akira's right palm. The ear-piercing shriek emitted by the violent and swift Lightning Release Chakra instinctively made the three feel a pang of dread.
"This… this is Lightning Release?!" Uchiha Tetsu adjusted his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses wide with disbelief.
The Uchiha Clan is famous for Fire Release, and clan members with other Chakra natures are already rare. And someone like Akira, who could utilize Lightning Release Chakra to such an extent, was even more unheard of.
"Captain, you… you are even proficient in Lightning Release?" Uchiha Kai stammered.
Two-Tomoe Sharingan! Proficient in Fire Release and Lightning Release! How many more trump cards did this young captain truly possess?!
Akira smiled faintly, retracting his Sharingan and Lightning Release Chakra. "This is just a part of my strength. As long as you follow me, in the future, you will also have the opportunity to reach higher realms."
He looked at their faces, flushed with shock and excitement, knowing that his goal had been achieved. First, establish authority, then bestow favor. First, intimidate them with absolute strength and dominance, then entice them with a promising future and tangible benefits. With this combination of moves, he believed that these three fledgling youngsters had been completely brought under his control.
"Starting tomorrow, we will undergo a week-long integration training." Akira issued his first command. "The training content will be personally formulated by me. The training intensity will far exceed your imagination. I hope that in a week, I can see a team that is disciplined, follows orders, and is full of aspirations for the future. Understood?"
"Yes! Captain!"
"Very good. Now, dismissed. Gather here punctually at six tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
The three bowed in unison. Watching their retreating figures, Akira's heart swelled with emotion.
"My first team..."
"System, check their loyalty."
[Ding! Detection complete!]
[Uchiha Rin: Loyalty 96% (Absolute trust, slight increase)]
[Uchiha Tetsu: Loyalty 94% (Highly recognized, slight increase)]
[Uchiha Kai: Loyalty 93% (Admiration and respect, significant increase)]
"Not bad." Akira nodded slightly. "Next, it's time to forge them into true elites."