Fugaku let out a long sigh and threw the ninja sword in his hand onto the ground.
"I lost…"
The emotions in Fugaku's heart were somewhat complicated.
There was both the helplessness and embarrassment of losing to a junior, and also gratitude toward "Seisui" for the reminder.
According to Fugaku's line of thought…
After he retreated, breaking the Hiding in Darkness Technique and dispersing the mist would have been carried out simultaneously…
Fugaku was not skilled in Wind Release, but Fire Release could also be used to evaporate mist.
Intense flames could accelerate air flow and cause the mist to evaporate…
If "Seisui" had not reminded him in advance, then he would have been in a sea of fire…
"Seisui, weren't you worried I wouldn't admit defeat?" Fugaku suddenly asked.
If Fugaku had been thick-skinned, it wasn't impossible for him to continue fighting.
Without igniting the smoke immediately, he could have found a way to avoid damage.
In Fugaku's view, if he had done that, the final result would have been his victory!
Because Seisui had already used all his trump cards…
"I never thought that. A straightforward man like Fugaku-nii, how could you do something like that?"
Tobirama looked at Fugaku in surprise, then smiled like a small sun. "Besides, we're from the same clan—we're family…"
Fugaku froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
The corners of his mouth curled up high without any restraint!
The slight resentment he had been holding in his heart also dissipated.
"Truly, you are an exceptional young talent, Seisui…"
"I, Uchiha Fugaku, am willing to call you the strongest genius of our clan!"
Fugaku gave a thumbs-up. Thinking of being praised as "straightforward," he deliberately showed a mouthful of white teeth. "With young people like you, our clan will only get better!"
Obito and Shisui exchanged a glance, the two children whispering: "Doesn't it feel like Fugaku-senpai looks a bit silly doing that? Not as natural as Guy or Duy-ojisan…"
"That's true. Maybe this is what they mean by different skills for different fields? It looks kind of clumsy…"
The other Uchiha also twitched their brows, unable to bear looking directly.
"Seisui, I have a son at home—he'll be like a younger brother to you. Come visit when you have time…"
Fugaku walked over, draped an arm over Tobirama's shoulder, and said enthusiastically: "His name is Itachi. I have high hopes for him. Once he's a bit older, I plan to take him to the battlefield. In the future, he'll definitely be able to contribute to the Uchiha clan alongside you!"
Tobirama first nodded, then asked in confusion, "I haven't seen him at the Academy?"
"It's normal you haven't seen him—he's just over one year old…"
"I think for an outstanding Uchiha, once they're two or three years older, they can go to the battlefield!" Fugaku said proudly.
"That way, he can understand the cruelty of the world, and it's also beneficial for his growth…"
Tobirama took a deep breath.
He had already tried his best to accept the Uchiha's… abstract nature.
But he hadn't expected there to be someone even more extreme…
What kind of Warring States mindset was this!
Even in the Warring States era, it wasn't common for three- or four-year-old children to go to the battlefield, and most cases were due to necessity and lack of manpower.
Someone like Fugaku, with no external pressure, yet proactively sending children of that age to the battlefield…
Even in the Warring States era, that would be considered "outstanding among men."
"Are there any other parents who think the same way as Fugaku-nii?" Tobirama asked loudly.
Fugaku froze—was Seisui about to praise him?
He waited happily for others to respond.
But the Uchiha all shook their heads. Now that the Ninja Academy was run so well, everyone wanted their children to build a solid foundation and have a happy, fulfilling childhood…
Who would be sick enough to send their children to the battlefield?
Tobirama let out a sigh of relief.
If they were all like Fugaku, that would be a serious problem—he'd have to deal with them one by one…
If Uchiha children all had a father like Fugaku…
Then even Tobirama believed that when they grew up and went mad, it would be understandable—not just because of the Sharingan's effect on the brain.
They really needed to get away from their original family environment early!
"Fugaku-nii's intentions are good…"
"But you're indeed not suited for raising children."
"How about this—if you trust me, once Itachi grows up, let him spend more time around me…"
"Your idea of sending Itachi to the battlefield at that age doesn't align with the Will of Fire, nor with the spirit of the Great Clan Leader." Tobirama said seriously.
Fugaku nodded blankly.
How could that not align with the spirit of the Great Clan Leader?
The Uchiha clan was a clan of battle—it was natural to apply enough pressure from a young age to train them…
Could it be that his understanding all along had been wrong?
Fugaku wanted to argue, but thinking that Seisui was smarter than him, he didn't say anything.
More importantly, Seisui had agreed to guide Itachi in the future!
Although Fugaku wasn't the sharpest, he could always tell who had potential…
Following "Seisui"…
In the future, he would surely grow into a fine young man!
Shining for the Uchiha clan and making great contributions!
"Th-then… I'll listen to you, Seisui!" Fugaku scratched his head.
He also grew more and more expectant.
At tonight's clan meeting, how would "Seisui" interpret Madara's Will and the Will of Fire…
Fugaku also wanted to become a "cultured" man, just like Uchiha Isshin.
"Fugaku-nii, I can see that your fighting style is imitating the Great Clan Leader described in the records…"
"But in fact, for people like us of average talent, imitating the Great Clan Leader's style is a thankless effort."
"The Great Clan Leader is called the 'Rose of the Battlefield' and the 'Shura of the Shinobi World' because, aside from the First Hokage, no one could put pressure on him—he could regard all the shinobi of the world as nothing more than a rabble…"
"So it is the afterglow of his strength that allowed him to turn combat into an art, making others intimidated by the pressure he exuded."
"You can't just imitate his surface—you need to learn how he constantly refined his own skills…"
"If you want to stand out before others, you must endure hardship behind the scenes…"
"Let's work hard together, Fugaku-nii!" Tobirama said earnestly, then changed tone: "I believe you'll be able to carry the bearing of the Great Clan Leader in the future. You're very strong, Fugaku-nii."
This speech was also meant to plant a suggestion in the Uchiha clan's mind…
When he said he would inherit Madara's will, it wasn't empty talk…
In every aspect, he—"Uchiha Seisui"—understood Madara deeply. He had authority!
'I never thought there'd be a day when I'd praise Uchiha Madara in public…'
'Hmph, but it's the truth. Whatever.' Tobirama comforted himself inwardly.
Tobirama was an objective man.
Even though his wariness toward Uchiha Madara ran deeper than even Ōnoki's.
He would not deny Madara's ability.
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had extraordinary talent, but their level of effort was also beyond ordinary people.
Tobirama often saw Hashirama spend several sleepless nights pondering how to deal with one of Madara's techniques, and once he had an idea, he would eagerly go test it…
And correspondingly, Madara was likely the same.
The two of them reaching the pinnacle of the shinobi world was inseparable from how they pushed each other.
"Heh, this brat… this boy understands me!"
Uchiha Madara's eyes lit up. "Others only praise my heaven-defying talent and exquisite skills, yet overlook the sweat of my effort…"
"Very good. Back then, Izuna also advised me not to overexert myself."
Thinking of his younger brother, Madara subconsciously sighed.
His feelings toward Seisui also became more complicated.
At first, he had only been passing time, curious to see what a clan member who resembled his brother looked like…
But later, he was drawn in by Seisui's talent.
This was indeed a good candidate to be a spokesperson…
And when Seisui said he would inherit his will, Madara straightened up after a long time.
How long had it been since someone in the Uchiha clan mentioned that?
Especially coming from Seisui, who resembled his brother so much—it carried an indescribable meaning.
Although Madara didn't show it, how could he not care?
That was his clan. He was the clan head of the Uchiha.
That was a fact—it wasn't something that could simply be severed cleanly…
"Seisui, this brat, just now displayed Izuna's fighting style and my ninjutsu…"
"The unfortunate thing is—why is there also that bastard's element mixed in? This is simply…"
Madara paused. Being a refined man, he didn't want to use crude comparisons: "It's like a speck of filth smeared onto a gunbai…"
But after thinking it over, he let it go.
From Shisui's earlier words, he had already understood…
Seisui was Shisui's older brother, and Shisui's ancestor was a disciple of Senju Tobirama.
"What a pity…" Madara sighed.
As if hearing Madara's thoughts, Fugaku spoke at this moment: "Seisui, why did you study that person's techniques?"
"Actually, Uchiha Fire Release is already enough, right? There's no need to waste time on those… tricky, unorthodox methods…"
Fugaku was very restrained. Even within the clan grounds, he didn't use strange nicknames to refer to Senju Tobirama.
Because he was now a "Konoha council member"…
He didn't want to accidentally slip up and cause trouble.
If Hizashi or Danzō targeted him for an ANBU investigation…
"Unorthodox methods?"
Tobirama smiled. "Fugaku-nii, I know everyone must have this question…"
"As an Uchiha, why am I not focusing on training the Sharingan and Fire Release, but instead practicing Water Release and other techniques?"
"Especially the techniques of the Second Hokage."
Uchiha En nodded. Having had his arm cut off by Senju Tobirama, he was naturally very curious.
The reason he hadn't asked directly was that he didn't want Seisui to feel like he was accusing him…
After all, an Uchiha learning Tobirama's ninjutsu could be interpreted in many ways…
"It cannot be denied that Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage, once suppressed the Uchiha clan."
"Whether in policy or in his combat system, everything was built to counter the Uchiha."
"But precisely because of this, we must face what he did directly, and turn this 'natural enemy' of the Uchiha into a resource for the clan, extracting nourishment for our development."
"I want to make it clear—I do not have a favorable impression of Senju Tobirama."
Tobirama coughed lightly, his expression serious: "From my research, the Konoha Military Police Force policy he established was a malicious measure targeting the Uchiha, with very insidious intentions…"
"Compared to the current Third Hokage, his Will of Fire was not pure enough—he damaged the relationship between the village and the clan!"
As he spoke, Tobirama subtly controlled his expression with chakra.
Even he was struggling to keep a straight face…
Watching this scene, Hiruzen showed a surprised expression.
'In order to win over the Uchiha, Sensei is really going all out…'
'He can even deny himself so smoothly? This position as the Uchiha leader—he truly deserves it!'
'I can't let Sensei's efforts go to waste. As Hokage, I must cooperate well with this Uchiha prodigy…'
Hiruzen thought to himself: 'Danzō… if Sensei wants to use you to build his reputation, then I can only let you suffer this time. I can't help you…'
'Next time… next time I will…'
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