"Elder Shifang."
Fugaku walked up to Elder Shifang, who was sitting leisurely on the corridor basking in the sun, and bowed slightly.
Then, he gazed intently at Elder Shifang.
The old man's face was ever more weathered, but his appetite remained undiminished; he ate well, drank well, and according to the maid, sometimes even practiced Taijutsu to keep healthy.
Itachi, who was accompanying him, also bowed gently to Elder Shifang, then lifted his head and glanced at the elder with curiosity.
"Fugaku, you've come. Sit anywhere you wish, no need for formality here."
Elder Shifang invited Fugaku to sit and discuss.
Fugaku did not sit, remaining as respectful as ever.
"Elder Shifang, I hope you can train Itachi for a period. In the Uchiha Clan, there is no one more suited for this than you."
Fugaku stated his request.
"I've long stopped concerning myself with worldly affairs."
"I know. You always held a grudge regarding Ruri's departure from Konoha, which gave you the desire to retire. However, Itachi is different from Ruri. He is crucial to the Uchiha's future, and as a ninja, his talent surpasses even Ruri."
Fugaku's words made Elder Shifang genuinely surprised.
Rika felt the same way.
He knew Ruri's talent well—at twelve, Ruri already possessed Jonin-level strength, and could force him to use all his power.
When leaving Konoha, with just one look, she could plunge him into Sharingan Illusion Technique, leaving him unable to resist.
One must know, he and Ruri both had Three-Tomoe Sharingan, yet Ruri's Sharingan donjutsu clearly exceeded what most Sharingan could achieve.
Compared to Mangekyo Sharingan, the only thing lacking was its unique pupil technique.
But now Fugaku claimed the child beside him had talent greater than Ruri.
This made Rika somewhat skeptical.
"Itachi."
Fugaku glanced at Itachi.
Itachi understood, though he felt that this elderly man half in the grave could hardly teach him anything, he would not defy his father's will.
He formed seals with both hands and opened his mouth.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A fireball shot out from his mouth, startling Rika.
Uchiha Itachi, Fugaku's child, is not even...five years old, is he?
Rika sucked in a breath of cold air.
When Fugaku said Itachi's ninja talent might surpass Ruri, he wasn't exaggerating, but telling the truth.
"This ninja technique, Itachi learned just by seeing it once, without even possessing the Sharingan."
Fugaku spoke thus.
His tone could barely hide his pride.
This is the child of Uchiha Fugaku.
At the same time, seeing Elder Shifang looking amazed, he felt a kind of vindication, as though he had finally come out on top.
He knew that in the past, within the Uchiha Clan, Ruri was the one Elder Shifang valued most.
The reason he became Clan Leader was because Ruri defected from Konoha—if she hadn't, the position of Uchiha Clan Leader very likely wouldn't have been his.
Because Ruri's strength outmatched his, her methods were tough, and she was younger; many in the Uchiha Radical Faction believed Ruri would be the next Clan Leader.
But now?
The Third Ninja War broke out, the radical faction's power was greatly diminished, Uchiha Ruri defected and became a stray, while he became the leader of the noble Uchiha Clan, powerful and influential, gradually controlling most of the Uchiha's voice.
His son Itachi's talent even surpassed that of Uchiha Ruri back then—he was the true victor.
Rika knew Fugaku's character; though he could be vain, he wasn't someone who made empty boasts.
That is to say, Itachi learned this technique just by seeing Fugaku demonstrate Fire Style once, without the Sharingan.
Such talent, Rika couldn't find the right words to describe.
Seeing Elder Shifang fall silent, Fugaku knew he had achieved his aim.
"As Itachi still needs to learn other things, Elder Shifang training him for one hour a day is sufficient. It doesn't need to be for long—three months will do, so it won't take up much of your time. I want Itachi to strengthen his foundation before entering Ninja School."
Rika felt that Fugaku's tone had changed from respectful to a veiled command and frowned.
Elder Shifang spoke, "Since you trust this old man so much, I'll agree."
Fugaku patted Itachi on the head. "Itachi, you are to stay here and learn diligently from Elder Shifang. When the time comes, I'll send someone to fetch you."
"Yes, father."
Itachi nodded obediently.
For some reason, he felt the atmosphere between his father and Elder Shifang was strange.
But he couldn't quite say what exactly was strange.
Once Fugaku left, Elder Shifang took Itachi to the training ground, with Rika tagging along.
He was quite curious about Itachi's talent—whether it truly surpassed Ruri as Fugaku claimed—he wanted to see it in person.
At the training ground, eight wooden targets were set up. Each was about the size of a human head, with a black spot painted in the center.
Itachi stood in the arena. Under the watchful gaze of Elder Shifang and Rika, he did not show the slightest trace of fear. His expression was calm, unnervingly so for a child.
Itachi stood there, each finger clutching a shuriken—eight in total.
He made no unnecessary preliminary movements, simply exhaled quietly.
Bending his knees, he sprang up from the ground, rotating his body in midair.
His arms in front of his chest forcefully stretched to both sides.
Ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka—a string of sounds came before Itachi even landed, echoing past their ears.
All eight targets in the training ground were struck by shuriken dead center on the black spot, without exception.