Yellow Dog found Yako.
"Fox, the deputy commander is asking for your help. You're needed at the training field," Yellow Dog said.
"In our earlier strategy meeting, I mentioned you could use the Water Gun Jutsu to leave traces and lure the Mist-nin to chase you.
After learning that you've mastered that secret technique, Deputy Commander Uchiha Kagen wanted you to personally spar with the young clan head. I agreed on your behalf."
Yako understood what that meant.
Among the ambush units, there were two Uchiha divisions—earning the deputy commander's favor would make their mission run much smoother.
When Yako arrived at the designated training ground, four Uchiha were already waiting.
Jōnin Uchiha Tōka stood with three of his students—one of them being the young clan head himself, Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku stood beside his instructor, curiosity gleaming in his dark eyes as he examined the ANBU wearing the fox mask.
Uchiha Tōka greeted him politely.
"Jōnin Fox, sorry to trouble you, but I'd like you to assist in training my students."
"Since Lord Uchiha Kagen is supporting Captain Yellow Dog's battle plan, it's my duty to comply," Yako replied evenly.
Tōka stepped aside, and Yako approached the three Uchiha genin.
"From this point forward," he said, voice calm and cold, "I'll be attacking you as if I were a Mist-nin—particularly one from the Hōzuki Clan."
He paused, then began explaining with the precision of a tactician.
"The Hōzuki Clan possesses several unique abilities.
Their Hydrification Technique allows them to ignore all physical attacks.
When a Hōzuki uses Hydrification, Fire Release becomes highly effective.
After forcing them to liquefy, always follow up with Fire or Lightning Release.
Their Water Gun Jutsu is a rare, seal-less technique in the ninja world.
Be wary of sneak attacks using it.
They also excel at kenjutsu and Water Release.
Every member of the clan is a master swordsman—the Seven Ninja Swords are their masterpieces."
He drew in a breath and concluded flatly,
"Now then—sparring begins. Stay sharp, weaklings."
The moment Yako called them "weak," Fugaku's eyes flared crimson—the three tomoe of the Sharingan spinning in his pupils.
Seeing that, Yako turned slightly toward Uchiha Tōka.
The jōnin nodded, confirming what Yako suspected.
The young clan head truly had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan—a feat achieved after months on the battlefield, tempered by the sight of death.
Yako formed seals, unleashing his first Water Release—a simulation of the Mist-nin's Water Release: Water Shockwave.
A massive surge of water crashed forward like a roaring tidal wave, sweeping across the training field.
"Mist-nin excel at combination jutsu near the coast," Yako explained. "Their attacks usually have this level of scale."
Fugaku threw a wire-bound shuriken backward, hooking it to a tree branch to pull himself out of range.
"A poor choice," Yako's voice cut in beside him. "That tree would have been felled by a coordinated water assault."
Fugaku's eyes widened—Fox had appeared beside him in an instant, leaving only a sharp remark before vanishing again.
Moments later, the very tree Fugaku clung to was toppled by the flood.
He barely managed to throw another wire shuriken to swing to a nearby branch.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Fox flash beside a teammate and coolly comment, "Your Earth Flow Wall is garbage."
Fugaku couldn't help but feel awe. So this is the ANBU Jōnin both Father and Sensei hold in such high regard...
The next instant, Fox stood horizontally on a nearby tree trunk.
"When you move mid-air," he warned, "that's when you're most vulnerable. The Mist-nin will strike precisely when you can't maneuver."
Raising a hand, Yako formed a small bead of water on his fingertip.
A Water Gun Jutsu shot out like a bullet, snapping Fugaku's wire clean.
So fast...! Fugaku's heart pounded.
So this is a seal-less jutsu. Even with my eyes tracking it, I can't react in time. If that had aimed for my chest... I'd be dead.
As he fell, Yako unleashed another Water Shockwave.
Fugaku hastily formed hand seals—"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The two jutsu collided violently, but Water overpowered Fire. The great fireball was crushed beneath the roaring wave, filling the area with dense, blinding mist.
"This kind of fog," Yako's voice echoed, "robs you of your Sharingan's advantage."
Through the haze, Fugaku saw a shadow. He made a Clone and sent it charging, while the real body prepared another fire attack.
But he heard two pops—both clones had been destroyed.
His enemy had used Clone Technique too.
Before he could react, Fox appeared behind him. A Water Gun Jutsu whistled past, slicing off a strand of his hair.
"Never underestimate the basics—Clone, Substitution, Transformation.
In thick fog, these form the deadliest tactics."
The first spar ended in total defeat.
As the genin rested, Yako approached Uchiha Tōka.
"Jōnin Tōka," he said, "why is Fugaku's fighting style so restrained?
He dodges constantly, relies on clones—he doesn't even use his three-tomoe Sharingan for close combat."
Tōka sighed, glancing at the boy catching his breath.
"In the academy, Fugaku was far more headstrong.
He and Senju Nawaki were seen as equals—both young heirs, both gifted.
When Nawaki died on the front lines, Fugaku came to me for counsel.
He'd thought they would become shining stars together. But that death... shattered him.
Since then, he's grown cautious—too cautious.
He finally understands that even an Uchiha clan head can die any day."
Yako turned to look. Fugaku was watching him warily, as if expecting an ambush even during a casual conversation.
'If Nawaki had half of Fugaku's caution,' Yako thought, 'and didn't dream so loudly about becoming Hokage... maybe he'd still be alive.
His death scarred Orochimaru, Tsunade... and even this boy.'
After a short rest, the second round began.
This time, Yako was merciless. His Water Shockwaves were stronger, his Body Flicker Technique faster, his Water Gun Jutsu sharper.
The three genin were quickly overwhelmed. Fugaku's final wire shuriken was shot down by a water bullet, forcing him to face the torrent head-on.
His fire jutsu was crushed instantly. The wave slammed into him with brutal force, knocking the air from his chest.
When he finally staggered up, dripping and coughing, Fox's finger was already pressed to his forehead.
"Endless retreat only worsens your position," Yako said coldly.
"You must have the resolve to die for your comrades—or the ruthlessness to let them die for the mission.
Without either, your Sharingan is worthless."
He held Fugaku's gaze, hoping to see some trace of steel within those scarlet eyes.
But just like in the stories yet to come, Fugaku's nature remained soft. Even at the end, he would never draw his blade against Konoha's elders.
Yako nodded silently to Tōka and left, ending the session.
Fugaku, still panting, looked up at his teacher.
"Sensei... must a ninja truly be either resolute or ruthless?"
Tōka nodded slowly.
"The ANBU you just faced—he is both. Ruthless and resolved.
He saw through your weakness at a glance: you have caution in abundance... but lack ruthlessness.
Caution is good—I'd rather see you live to grow stronger than die young.
But remember, your enemies are just like that fox... or even crueler."