Genius meets genius—and only one can stand at the peak.
The meeting concluded.
As the Uchiha clan members filed out, smiles lingered on their faces.
If Kai's three policies were implemented successfully, it might not take many years before the Uchiha rose to prosperity once again.
In high spirits, Fugaku even had a few drinks during dinner. Before the night ended, he instructed Kai and Itachi to gather at the Uchiha training grounds at eight the next morning.
The next day—
Kai woke early.
As always, the first thing he did was convert 450 chakra into energy to upgrade his Asura's Chakra.
The Asura's Chakra's energy had already surpassed 30,000.
Level 2 was getting closer and closer.
At the training ground—
Eight in the morning.
Fugaku arrived on time with Itachi.
Seeing Kai already waiting, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Good morning, Clan Head," Kai greeted.
"You can call me Uncle Fugaku from now on. There's no need for formalities between us," Fugaku said. He disliked the Hyuga clan's rigid etiquette and had no intention of letting such practices take root within the Uchiha.
"I heard you defeated a member of the Hyuga clan at the academy recently. Well done," he added with approval.
The Hyuga clan's strength was widely recognized throughout Konoha.
For Kai to defeat one of them—
not only upheld the Uchiha's pride, but also proved his own ability.
"Just luck," Kai replied calmly, showing no trace of arrogance.
Fugaku smiled.
"Last night, I discussed your three proposals with the elders until late. We're preparing to implement them."
He understood clearly—
if nothing changed, the Uchiha would inevitably decline.
Destruction precedes renewal.
Fugaku's gaze shifted to Itachi, then back to Kai.
"You two will spar shortly. I want to see your strength."
He added, "Stop before causing real harm."
Those words were directed at Itachi.
Fugaku had personally trained him since childhood. With his extraordinary talent, Itachi was already the strongest among the younger generation of the Uchiha.
Kai… likely wasn't his match.
The purpose of this spar was to advance the first policy—the "Eaglet Program"—and determine how best to train Kai based on his performance.
"Understood, Father," Itachi said with a slight nod.
He understood Fugaku's intentions.
And since he and Kai were on good terms, training together would be far less dull than before.
Still—
he wouldn't hold back.
Showing mercy would only hinder Kai.
"Understood, Uncle Fugaku," Kai replied.
Next—
Fugaku laid out the rules.
They differed slightly from the academy.
Chakra and the Three Basic Techniques were allowed, but no other ninjutsu.
After all, Itachi had already learned advanced Fire Release techniques.
If both sides weren't held to the same standard, the match would be unfair—and meaningless as an evaluation.
Itachi looked at Kai, his thoughts stirring.
Just over three months ago—
they had entered the Ninja Academy together.
And now—
Kai had proposed the Eaglet Program and the housing installment system.
Ideas far beyond their age.
Itachi felt the gap between them.
And admiration.
At times, he wondered—
where did Kai's ideas even come from?
Perhaps—
the only area where he still surpassed him…
was combat.
This spar—
he could not lose.
Itachi took a deep breath, suppressing his thoughts.
"Kai, get ready. I'm starting."
"Alright." Kai nodded, his gaze sharpening.
This was Itachi—
one of the greatest prodigies in the entire Naruto world.
"I'm coming!"
"Body Flicker Technique!"
A faint hum echoed—
air currents spiraled across the ground as Itachi vanished instantly from Kai's sight.
A D-rank Body Flicker—mastered to perfection.
When he reappeared—
he was already behind Kai's flank, his fist slamming toward Kai's waist.
But the moment his strike landed—
Bang!
Kai's body turned into a wooden log.
"A fast Substitution!" Itachi's pupils shrank.
Without turning his head, he lashed out with a backward kick.
Fugaku had taught him—
when an enemy disappears, they're most likely attacking from behind.
His judgment was correct.
Kai was already there—
and he kicked out at the same time.
Their legs collided.
They separated instantly.
A burning pain spread through Itachi's shin—
as if he had struck solid stone.
Kai's physical strength far exceeded expectations.
In the next instant—
Kai used the Body Flicker Technique as well, closing the distance in a flash.
His fists came down like a storm.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Relentless.
Unceasing.
Yet Itachi—
lived up to his reputation as a genius.
After a brief moment of surprise—
he adjusted immediately.
His dark eyes grew sharper, tracking every movement.
Despite the overwhelming barrage—
not a single strike landed.
Fugaku, watching from the side, remained silent.
But inside—
he was shaken once again.
He had personally trained Itachi from childhood.
His combat talent was exceptional.
But Kai?
He had trained alone.
And yet his combat instincts—
were just as terrifying.
On the field—
the battle reached a stalemate.
They exchanged blows back and forth.
Itachi struck again—
but missed.
He pivoted instantly, throwing a punch toward Kai's chest.
This time—
he caught a brief opening.
Kai didn't have time to withdraw.
But he didn't panic.
Instead, he threw a punch of his own—
aimed at Itachi's jaw.
A trade.
With his Level 1 Asura's Chakra—
Kai feared exchanges the least.
"…Is he insane?"
Itachi's heart jolted.
He hesitated—
and retreated instead.
Then immediately launched another attack.
Their clash continued.
Itachi's offense was fast, precise, and relentless. He could identify Kai's openings with uncanny accuracy. Even if Kai avoided one wave—
another followed instantly.
At this stage—
Itachi's combat experience still far surpassed Kai's.
But Kai's learning ability was terrifying.
Combined with his Asura's Chakra—
he was adapting rapidly.
Gradually—
the tide began to shift.
The advantage tilted toward Kai.
Their battle grew increasingly intense.
After more than ten minutes—
Itachi's stamina began to wane.
Kai, on the other hand—
only grew stronger.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You've lost."
A sharp punch shot toward Itachi's forehead—
the force of it lifting strands of his hair.
Just centimeters away—
Kai stopped.
The outcome was decided.
Kai had won.
Fugaku walked toward them slowly, emotions swirling in his chest.
His proud son—
had lost.
It would be a lie to say it didn't sting.
And yet—
he also felt pride.
The Uchiha had gained another extraordinary talent.
"Kai, I didn't expect your combat ability to be this strong," Fugaku said. "From now on, you and Itachi will train under me."
"Thank you, Uncle Fugaku," Kai replied with a smile.
Being taught by an elite Jonin—
would accelerate his growth far beyond before.
Fugaku then turned to Itachi.
The boy's expression was dim.
Defeat weighed heavily on him.
Fugaku placed a hand on his head.
"In the shinobi world, no one is undefeated," he said calmly. "Keep working hard. Surpass Kai next time."
"…Yes, Father," Itachi replied, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Kai—come with me."
Fugaku's tone shifted slightly.
And Kai followed.
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