"Daishi, how is everyone's training progressing?"
Uchiha Gen's sharp gaze swept across the training grounds as he spoke.
"Leader, you can rest assured," Uchiha Daishi replied respectfully. "Everyone has been training diligently—especially Uchiha Chuan and the other two. Their strength has improved rapidly. They've already reached the first stage of the Standing Post Method."
Hearing this, Uchiha Gen shifted his attention toward the small formation. With his heightened perception, he could clearly sense the vigor of chakra and blood circulating within their bodies. It was already approaching the level of young shinobi officially inducted into the clan.
In addition to Uchiha Chuan and the others, several children from collateral ninja families had also joined the group.
A faint smile appeared on Uchiha Gen's face as he stepped onto the raised platform in front of the warehouse.
From there, the entire space lay within his field of vision.
After silently observing for a moment, Uchiha Gen spoke again. "Daishi, from now on, everyone's movements must be more discreet. Training should also be moved to a more secluded location."
Uchiha Daishi stiffened. "Big Brother, has the clan discovered us? Has someone betrayed you?"
His expression immediately hardened, and his gaze flicked toward the children from the ninja families below.
In his mind, if betrayal were to occur, they would be the most suspicious.
Uchiha Gen replied calmly, "No. Don't jump to conclusions. You are a trump card in my hand—and a trump card is only effective when it remains hidden."
His gaze drifted toward Uchiha Chuan and the others.
In his plans, they would serve as his visible supporters, helping him expand his influence within the Konoha Military Police Force.
The reason he wanted Uchiha Daishi and the others to act in secrecy was to guard against a single person.
Uchiha Obito.
The lingering sensation of Obito's gaze near the Memorial Stone had remained like a thorn in his side.
In the past, Obito's attention—especially during the orchestration of the Nine-Tails incident—had been fixed on the Fourth Hokage and his wife, not the Uchiha Clan itself.
But as one of the future catalysts behind the clan's annihilation, Uchiha Gen couldn't be certain when Obito might shift his focus.
Obito's Mangekyō ability, Kamui, allowed him to infiltrate and leave Konoha as though it were completely undefended.
And beyond Obito, there was also Zetsu—no less troublesome.
Zetsu's Mayfly Technique allowed him to merge seamlessly with the earth and vegetation, while his Spore Clone Technique could silently attach itself to humans or beasts without detection.
To avoid drawing their attention, Uchiha Gen needed Daishi's group to relocate to a far more concealed environment.
To prepare for this, he had spent many days researching sealing arrays and summoning techniques—and had finally achieved a breakthrough.
"Big Brother," Uchiha Daishi asked, "where will we train from now on?"
Uchiha Gen smiled faintly. "I've already prepared a place—an absolutely secure one. That will be our new base."
He raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.
The orderly shouts ceased instantly. Everyone withdrew from their stances and gathered before the platform.
Uchiha Gen looked down at them. "Your training so far has been focused on stabilizing your foundations. Now, it's time to advance to the next stage."
He paused briefly.
"But before that, we're going somewhere else."
As his words fell, four shadow clones leapt out from behind him, landing at the four corners of the formation.
In perfect synchronization, they slammed their palms into the ground.
A glowing sealing formula spread rapidly beneath everyone's feet.
Ripples distorted the air, visible even to the naked eye—
And in the next instant, the group vanished.
"Big Brother!" Uchiha Daishi exclaimed, staring in disbelief at the empty ground.
"Daishi," Uchiha Gen said calmly, "come with me."
He stepped forward and disappeared into the light of the formation.
Uchiha Daishi followed without hesitation.
The moment his feet left the ground, his vision blurred—and then stabilized.
They now stood within an enormous underground cavern.
"Big Brother… where are we?" Uchiha Daishi asked, stunned.
"Dozens of meters beneath the surface," Uchiha Gen replied.
He landed lightly in front of the group and formed a one-handed seal.
The earth behind him rumbled as several square stone platforms slowly rose from the ground.
Leaping backward, Uchiha Gen flipped through the air and landed atop the central platform.
"The next phase of training will focus on real combat," he said. "Only through battle can you discover your weaknesses."
His gaze sharpened.
"Now—let me see your strength. Who will challenge me first?"
After a brief silence, a figure stepped forward and leapt onto the platform.
"Leader," Uchiha Feng said solemnly, "please instruct me."
Uchiha Gen nodded. "Feng—use everything you have."
"Yes!"
Uchiha Feng took a steady breath, resolving burning in his eyes.
His figure blurred as he activated the Body Flicker Technique.
Uchiha Gen turned calmly, catching Feng's sweeping kick with a single punch.
Using the recoil, Feng flipped backward, forming seals midair.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A blazing fireball roared toward Uchiha Gen.
Uchiha Gen swung his palm like a blade. A compressed gust of wind split the flames cleanly in two.
In the same motion, he surged forward.
Too fast!
Before Feng could land, Uchiha Gen's palm struck his chest.
Feng was slammed downward, crashing heavily onto the platform.
He staggered to his feet, disbelief written across his face.
"I lost," he said quietly, bowing before stepping down.
Uchiha Gen turned his gaze to the others. "Next."
Silence followed.
Uchiha Gen frowned slightly, then fixed his gaze on the strongest among them.
"Daishi. Chuan. You as well—come up. All twelve of you."
The named individuals leapt onto the platform, eyes gleaming with excitement and tension.
Daishi grinned. "Big Brother—here we come!"
They vanished in flashes of speed, attacking from every angle.
Uchiha Gen spun, sweeping his leg.
A violent gale erupted, blasting several attackers away.
Chakra surged.
Fire Release!
Earth Release!
Wind Release!
Ninjutsu erupted simultaneously.
Uchiha Gen moved like a phantom, weaving through the attacks as they shattered uselessly around him.
Dull impacts echoed through the cavern.
One by one, bodies were sent flying from the platform.
Moments later, only one figure remained standing.
Uchiha Gen.