Within Konoha, streams of intelligence continued to flow toward the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows were tightly furrowed as he stared at the crystal ball on his desk.
Inside the sphere appeared the image of Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Hazuki, and Uchiha Fugaku leading the clan's children forward together.
Watching the subtle movements of their lips, Hiruzen used his mastery of lip-reading to extract quite a bit of useful information.
One thing was certain—
Within the Uchiha clan, an unprecedented trend of unification was taking shape.
What a pity…
The Uchiha compound is protected by barrier techniques. It's difficult to see what's truly happening inside.
The Third Hokage's eyes flickered.
His feelings toward the Uchiha had always been complicated.
Behind his deep vigilance, there still lingered a trace of genuine expectation—
An expectation that they might truly integrate into Konoha and obey its command.
That they might help him accomplish what even his teacher, Tobirama Senju, had failed to achieve—
The creation of an unprecedentedly powerful Konoha.
But the restless movements of the Uchiha continued to erode his patience.
Since the death of Uchiha Kagami, who had once served as a bridge between them, and after years of persuasion from his three advisor companions, his view of that clan was no longer what it had once been.
I only hope the Uchiha will fulfill their duties properly in this coming war…
A quiet sigh settled in his heart.
Suddenly, Hiruzen lifted his head, his sharp gaze shooting toward the door.
At that same moment—
A crisp knock sounded.
An ANBU's low voice came from outside.
"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha Clan Head requests an audience."
Why has he come?
Hiruzen quickly concealed every trace of emotion and replied calmly.
"Let him in."
Uchiha Clan Compound — Naka River Training Grounds
Morning mist drifted like a veil over the Naka River.
The water shimmered faintly in the dawn light, its gentle flow blending with the songs of birds.
The air carried the fresh scent of damp earth and vegetation.
But the quiet was shattered by sharp whistling sounds and explosive bursts from the training ground.
Two figures crossed paths like hunting leopards within the dim morning glow.
The force of their strikes tore through the mist, scattering droplets of dew from nearby grass.
A powerful roundhouse kick swept through the air.
The other figure crouched low to block.
The collision of arm and leg produced a dull impact.
Uchiha Mikoto moved with graceful agility.
Her toes lightly tapped the wet stones of the riverbank as she retreated.
At the same time, her hands blurred into afterimages.
Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!
The female ninja completed her hand seals.
Dozens of crimson fireballs burst from her mouth.
At the same time, shuriken flew from her hands with piercing whistles.
Like scarlet blossoms flowing upstream, they pierced the mist and shot toward the advancing Uchiha Anlan.
Facing the dazzling yet deadly assault, Anlan remained calm.
Instead of countering with ninjutsu—
His right hand instantly gripped the sword at his waist.
Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!
Clang—!
A clear blade cry sliced through the morning light.
The sword flashed like a crescent moon.
Using his wrist as the axis, Anlan drew a perfect arc.
Chakra wrapped around the blade, forming a cutting wind comparable to a B-rank Wind Release technique.
Where the sword wind passed—
The fireballs and hidden shuriken were scattered and shattered.
Sparks burst into the air like fireworks above the riverbank at dawn.
Mikoto thought silently:
Anlan's swordsmanship… has improved again…
The three-tomoe Sharingan had already appeared in her eyes, capturing the nearly invisible opening as Anlan sheathed his blade.
Her body lowered.
With a Body Flicker Technique, she vanished.
Only a fading afterimage remained.
Her real body slipped into close range like the morning breeze.
Her kunai flashed coldly as it thrust toward Anlan's sword hand.
But Anlan seemed to have anticipated it.
His wrist rotated slightly.
The sword guard knocked the kunai aside with a metallic clang.
At the same time, his left hand shot forward like lightning, aiming for Mikoto's wrist.
Knowing her taijutsu was inferior to his, Mikoto reacted instantly.
Borrowing the force of the clash, she spun backward gracefully.
Even while retreating, she had already completed another set of hand seals.
Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!
A massive dragon of blazing fire roared into existence.
The flames evaporated the surrounding moisture as the scorching wave rushed straight toward Anlan.
Facing the even stronger fire technique, Anlan's gaze sharpened.
His three tomoe spun as chakra erupted within him.
His body seemed to merge with the dawn light itself as he charged straight toward the fire dragon at an unbelievable speed.
At the very moment he should have been swallowed—
His body appeared to turn intangible.
He brushed past the roaring dragon, leaving only a distorted afterimage behind.
The next instant—
He stood beside Mikoto.
His sword had already returned to its sheath.
One hand gently held the wrist gripping her kunai.
The other hovered beside her waist, rising and falling with her breathing.
"You've lost, Mikoto."
His deep voice sounded beside her ear.
Yet the beautiful kunoichi immediately retorted.
"Anlan… it's not over yet!"
Mikoto slightly turned her head.
The two pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan suddenly locked onto each other.
The air froze.
Anlan felt the surroundings distort and fade.
The training ground, the Naka River, the morning light—
All shattered like fragments of broken mirrors.
In their place appeared countless gigantic mirrors surrounding him.
Each reflected his image.
Every reflection stepped forward stiffly, like puppets controlled by invisible strings.
They approached with cold killing intent.
Beautiful counterattack.
In reality, Anlan's lips curved slightly.
The tomoe in his eyes spun rapidly.
His overwhelming ocular power surged outward like a rising tide.
The mirror world trembled as if it could no longer bear the pressure.
Cracks spread across every surface.
Then—
They shattered.
The illusion collapsed.
Reality returned.
The two of them remained extremely close to one another.
Mikoto let out a muffled groan.
The backlash from the broken genjutsu made her vision darken.
Her body swayed.
If not for Anlan's hand supporting her waist, she might have stumbled backward.
She took a few quick breaths.
Her Sharingan faded, revealing her clear eyes once more.
The blush on her cheeks from the fight was brighter than the morning clouds.
Letting out a soft sigh, she pouted slightly.
"Not even one chance."
"Couldn't you let me win just once?"
Her tone carried genuine frustration.
But beneath it lay unmistakable pride in the strength of the man before her.
"Still…"
Mikoto's curiosity quickly overcame her disappointment.
"That last move of yours…"
"That wasn't an ordinary Body Flicker, was it?"
"Mm."
"It's a new application of the Sharingan."
Anlan released her waist.
His gaze fell upon her beautiful face.
With a teasing smile, he leaned closer and whispered beside her ear—
"Want to learn it?"
"My dear… Lady Mikoto?"
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