"Shisui, you don't need to worry about anything next. Just prepare for the battle." Uchiha Fugaku said in a deep voice.
With such a detailed plan laid out, Uchiha Fugaku only needed to exercise his rights as the clan leader.
"Shisui, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Even if you lose, I have a backup plan." Uchiha Fugaku thought for a moment and added.
Shisui needed to defeat Uchiha Seisei to have an equal status with him, but Uchiha Fugaku didn't need things to be that complicated.
Uchiha Fugaku worried that if Shisui accidentally lost, he would be so devastated that he couldn't recover, which would be a huge loss for the Uchiha, even greater than submitting Uchiha Seisei's zero-feasibility proposal.
"I will win." Shisui said determinedly.
This battle was very meaningful to him, and he had to win it.
Ultimately, Uchiha Fugaku could only nod and encourage him. Since Shisui had spoken so, any further consolation would be impolite.
The following day, Uchiha Fugaku convened the Uchiha high-ranking members to discuss the matters of the martial gathering.
The Uchiha clan always valued martial prowess, so although Uchiha Fugaku's proposal was somewhat sudden, none of the elders raised any objections.
Among them, Uchiha Seisei strongly supported it, suggesting that if the other elders were busy, he could take responsibility for directing it alone.
Of course, the other elders wouldn't agree. Letting Uchiha Seisei handle it all might cause chaos.
"Just showcase strength while displaying magnanimity, and more clan members will support me." Uchiha Seisei had calculated well.
While Uchiha Fugaku was in action, Shisui was also taking steps.
Shisui sought out Mokgetsu for special training before the battle, making the final effort for the plan.
In the span of just a few days, a breakthrough in hard power was difficult, unless he could comprehend the Transparent World; otherwise, a sudden surge in power was impossible.
But the Transparent World was the Ultimate Intent of the Breathing Technique, and among Mokgetsu's disciples, only Kakashi had understood it, so from the beginning, Shisui was not aiming for an increase in hard power. He sought to enhance his comprehensive combat ability.
During these few days, Shisui battled with Mokgetsu's true form, ending each fight with simultaneous treatment and rest.
In just one day, Shisui unlocked a multitude of injury postures, being killed instantly by consecutive Flying Thunder God strikes, crushed by Mokgetsu's powerful Ninjutsu, and beaten by Mokgetsu's Taijutsu.
If Mokgetsu couldn't use Transformation to become Tsunade for treatment, Shisui's body would probably bear indelible scars.
Several days of high-pressure training granted Shisui a strong resilience, and the day before the martial gathering, Shisui challenged Might Guy once.
Shisui lost, but he felt he had improved.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, you've really been a great help." Shisui earnestly thanked Mokgetsu.
He genuinely felt Mokgetsu was being too burdened, as the special training tested not only Shisui's endurance but also Mokgetsu's control abilities.
Mokgetsu had to maintain a strength that could give Shisui tremendous pressure without leaving him utterly unable to resist, and also ensure the attacks critically harmed Shisui without outright taking him down.
Mokgetsu controlling strength and attacks this way was surely more exhausting than normal battle.
"How can teaching a student be considered troublesome?" Mokgetsu replied with a gentle smile, then took an iron spoon out of the ninja pouch and handed it to Shisui.
"This is a ninja tool that can enhance the effects of Yin Release Ninjutsu. You just need to inject Chakra into it when using it. The more Chakra you infuse, the more pronounced the amplification effect. You can use it as you see fit during battle."
This was the reward Mokgetsu received when Shisui was promoted to Jonin.
The reason it wasn't given to Shisui immediately was that other disciples only received an egg, while Shisui's ninja tool and egg seemed somewhat unique, so Mokgetsu didn't give it right away.
Shisui curiously examined the bent spoon ninja tool in his hand, not expecting something so plain-looking to be a ninja tool with such a special effect.
"I must not let Teacher Mokgetsu's teachings go to waste!" Shisui's desire for victory grew even stronger.
He had troubled Mokgetsu this much already, losing the fight would really be inexcusable.
[You gifted the bent spoon ninja tool. Due to the disciple being extremely grateful, the reward was a critical hit, and you received the reward—Earth Release: Mountain Earth Jutsu (Master Level)]
Mokgetsu nodded slightly, recognizing the Mountain Earth Jutsu as a good Advanced Earth Release that could trap giant creatures like Tailed Beasts and had strong offensive power against humans.
In the evening, Shisui experimented with the bent spoon and found this ninja tool was straightforward, lacking complexity, and its amplification was purely robust.
Moreover, Shisui realized the spoon didn't need to be held in hand, as long as it was on his body and Chakra could be infused, it would work.
...
On the day the martial gathering began.
At the training ground, Uchiha Fugaku, accompanied by several Uchiha high-level members, stood before all participating Uchiha members to deliver a speech about the martial gathering.
"For a ninja, the most important thing is strength. Strength can help you overcome all challenges." Uchiha Fugaku stated with a solemn expression.
"Today, we will hold the first Uchiha martial gathering, with battles conducted by drawing lots. The top eight will receive ranked rewards, and the top four will receive guidance from the elders on the spot."
"Whether it's to become stronger or for the rewards, do your best to fight."
Uchiha Fugaku did not say much, only giving a brief introduction to the rules of the martial gathering followed by a word of encouragement, as Uchiha did not favor lengthy speeches before events.