Since further research into natural energy is required, the laboratory naturally needs to be made a bit more official.
"We can't let outsiders know about what's happening here, and all the research equipment purchases must be handled in secret."
Ruri's expression was extremely serious.
The matter of Immortal Technique was too important—forget outsiders, Ruri wasn't planning to reveal a single bit to other members of the Uchiha Clan.
"But without those maids to help, just the two of us will have a hard time…"
Hakushi was about to get troubled when Ruri bit her thumb, then began to form seals, and finally slammed her palm down onto the floor with a smack.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a puff, white smoke appeared.
A pitch-black cat showed up in front of Hakushi and Ruri.
It was about half the size of a person and wagged its tail at Ruri.
Ruri took out a list displaying various research equipment names.
"Buy everything on this list. I'll inspect the goods in one day."
The black cat nodded decisively, turned into white smoke with a puff, and disappeared.
Hakushi stared at the place where the black cat vanished. "That's..."
"Our Uchiha Clan has always gotten along well with the Ninja Cat Clan. Before entering school, I signed summoning contracts with some of the ninja cats. Having them handle things is safe and discreet—they can avoid the village's eyes and ears."
The Ninja Cat Clan operates in obscure corners of the Ninja Realm; wherever you go, you'll see traces of them—whether it's gathering intelligence or buying goods, their mobility is first-class.
For Ruri, ninja cats who signed summoning contracts with her were undoubtedly her most reliable assistants.
Hakushi marveled at Ruri's connections—this is the difference between elites and commoners.
Not only did she have her own complete training system, she also had all kinds of reference books to consult, as well as much broader connections than a commoner.
◎
Hakushi moving into Ruri's house hadn't caused any stir; for the whole village, it was a trivial matter.
Now, Hakushi lived every day in a room comparable to a luxury hotel, slept in a plush, soft bed, ate nutritious breakfasts carefully prepared by the maids, could stroll in the yard when tired, and went fishing in the pond. He was called a servant in Ruri's household, but in reality was treated like a young master.
Living in the home of a rich heiress, life was tasteless, plain, and ordinary.
Although he occasionally caught weird looks of contempt from the maids, Hakushi was indifferent about it.
He was getting his soft life through real ability and hard work—what would these maids know?
Now, Hakushi could only occasionally help Ruri train. After school, he'd immediately rush back to the newly outfitted underground laboratory Ruri set up for him to research and channel natural energy.
Only by successfully stabilizing and guiding natural energy could he begin the next step: fusing Sage Art Chakra.
Because of this, Ruri's basement exploded frequently. Although the impact was minor, Ruri had reinforced the laboratory surroundings more thoroughly for secrecy, so that nothing could be detected above whenever an explosion happened.
These precise lab instruments—including the reinforced environment—used defensive plates imported from the Land of Iron.
According to Ruri, all this cost forty-five million ryo, which was one-tenth of her pocket money fortune in the bank.
Hakushi only wanted to know: what kind of small business were Ruri's parents doing out there that let Ruri live such an ordinary life?
◎
On the last day of Hakushi's first month living at Ruri's house—
Hakushi returned to the laboratory after school to continue his natural energy research, while Ruri went to the Uchiha's Nankai Shrine to attend the monthly clan meeting.
The Uchiha members attending the clan meeting weren't just average clan members—awakening the Sharingan was only a basic requirement. One also had to be at least the level of Special Jonin, or like Ruri, a clan prodigy marked for future clan leadership.
Ruri wasn't just a Uchiha prodigy; she was also nurtured as one of the candidates for the next Clan Leader.
So she qualified to attend the monthly clan meeting.
Nankai Shrine.
One by one, Uchiha ninjas gathered here. The sky was dim, torches lit both sides of the road, illuminating the path leading up to the shrine.
Arriving at the upper level of Nankai Shrine, they entered the shrine building, opened the sealed stone tablet with jutsu, and the Uchiha ninjas filed downward.
In the vacant underground chamber, an ancient stone monument stood. Flames burned on either side, lighting up the dark basement.
There were more than twenty people gathered here—all currently stationed Special Jonin or Jonin in the clan, and some missing Jonin who were out on missions and couldn't attend.
The monthly clan meeting didn't really announce anything important—the relationship between the Uchiha and the village's Hokage was still fairly harmonious.
Except for a few higher-ups who were dissatisfied or hostile toward the Uchiha.
But the Uchiha Clan didn't pay attention to those wary or loathing glances.
As Konoha's leading ninja clan, they had the confidence.
Even the Hokage had to show them respect, let alone those who were weaker than the Hokage.
The clan meeting mostly handled trivial matters—where training fields broke down, whether complaints by Konoha villagers against the Security Team had increased lately, whether there were any new promising recruits worth nurturing, how this month's expenses compared to last, whether the clan's business income had grown…
After an hour, the clan meeting ended in a dull, drawn-out rhythm.
"Ruri, Fugaku, you two stay behind."
An elderly man with graying hair spoke. He was in his sixties, his face covered in wrinkles.
Uchiha Shikora.
He was the most respected elder in the Uchiha Clan. Having retired from a ninja's career due to age, he stayed on the home front, taking on the task of nurturing the clan's genius ninjas.
Called to remain with Ruri was a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old Uchiha ninja—Uchiha Fugaku.
Handsome, with no trace of youth left on his face, he exuded a mature, stable air.
Fugaku, like Ruri, was a prodigy in the Uchiha Clan. Last year, he passed the Jonin exam, becoming an excellent and young Jonin.
And since his Sharingan had reached the Three Tomoe level, he had a distinct advantage among Jonin peers.
Ruri and Fugaku knelt on the floor before Elder Shikora, quietly waiting for him to begin.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the next Clan Leader will be chosen from between you two."
"Yes."
Hearing Elder Shikora say this, neither Ruri nor Fugaku showed any change of expression.
"Both of you are without a doubt rare geniuses in the Uchiha since ancient times, possessing the possibility of awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan."
When they heard Elder Shikora mention the Mangekyo Sharingan, Ruri and Fugaku were both visibly moved.
Mangekyo Sharingan: the ultimate eye, transcending the Three Tomoe Sharingan.
The details of its ancient origins are lost; in the most recent era, the only Uchiha ninja to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan was Uchiha Madara, who founded Konoha Village alongside the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
It was the legendary eye that only the Uchiha could awaken, wielding the highest-level pupil techniques.
As the most senior elder of the current Uchiha Clan, Elder Shikora had already been a Jonin during the founding of Konoha; regarding Uchiha secrets, he might not know everything, but he certainly knew much more than most clan members.
This included the secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Elder Shikora, what exactly are the conditions for awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Fugaku was the one to ask.
His Sharingan had already reached the Three Tomoe level—the highest state for a regular Sharingan. He was more desperate than Ruri to know how to advance to the Mangekyo Sharingan.
That was the only way he could guarantee himself the Clan Leader seat and lead the Uchiha to new heights.
He felt he now had enough strength to touch upon the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Fugaku, your Three Tomoe Sharingan isn't fully honed yet. You still need to keep refining it. In a few days, I'll recommend you to the Third Hokage to join with other Konoha ninja on a squad mission. You'll gain a lot from it."
"Yes."
Fugaku obeyed; his entire skill set was taught by Elder Shikora, and he had absolute faith in the elder's arrangements.
There had to be a reason behind these plans.
"Elder Shikora, what do I need to do?"
Ruri spoke up.
"Your luck's better than Fugaku's—you've already found the conditions to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. Next, you just need to hone your regular Sharingan to its limit. When the time is right, I'll tell you the method for opening the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Elder Shikora looked at Ruri with subtle intention.
He valued Ruri even more than Fugaku.
Her deep bonds with ninja from the village, her determination for strength, and her unmatched talent for manipulating the Sharingan…
When the time comes, in pursuit of the strongest power, she'll surely give in to the allure of the legendary pupil technique—and make the right choice.
At that point, the Uchiha Clan will once again enter prosperity and finally surpass the Senju lineage.
"Yes."
Ruri was puzzled as to why Elder Shikora said her conditions for awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan were more sufficient than Fugaku's—she only needed to refine the regular Sharingan to the utmost—but she didn't dwell on it and simply nodded to show she understood.
Compared to the Clan Leader position, she was much more interested in the method for awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan.