"Fang Yuan, come and play here more often. Treat this place as your home," Uchiha Mikoto said with a warm smile as she knelt on the tatami, enthusiastically serving food to Fang Yuan. She seemed genuinely pleased with Fugaku's new disciple.
"Sasuke has a new brother now. You two should get along well," Mikoto added, watching as little Sasuke crawled over to Fang Yuan's side.
Fang Yuan, with a professional smile, reached out and touched Sasuke's head. The young child flinched at the contact, instinctively recoiling.
Fang Yuan noticed Sasuke's reaction and gently pinched the boy's leg. "Be a good boy. Sasuke is a very strong kid, right?"
Sasuke let out a small cry and quickly crawled back to his mother's side, clearly intimidated by Fang Yuan's presence. The seemingly friendly gesture had frightened him deeply.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Itachi entered in slippers, observing the scene with a mixture of curiosity and concern. He saw Sasuke's fearful reaction and scrutinized Fang Yuan closely.
"Itachi's back. How was the exam?" Mikoto asked, directing the conversation towards her elder son.
Fugaku, noticing the burns on Itachi's face, commented with a hint of concern, "You seem to have been injured. What happened during the assessment?"
"It's nothing serious. Elder Huo's exam was just a free-for-all combat with other children. The top three were ranked A, the next ten B, and the top twenty C," Itachi explained. His eyes flickered towards Fang Yuan with a wary gaze.
Fugaku nodded. "And you were number one?"
"Yes, Father. The second place went to Quan, and Fang Zheng was third. Quan's fire techniques are impressive; I got a few burns from his attacks."
Fugaku's expression softened as he praised Itachi. "Well done. I had expected as much from Fang Zheng. As for the girl from the Yeyue family, I don't know much about her."
Turning to Fang Yuan, Fugaku added, "It seems that Quan's progress is largely due to your guidance. Well done, Fang Yuan."
Fang Yuan blushed modestly and replied, "Teacher, you flatter me. Izumi is very talented. I only taught her some basics. She worked hard herself."
Fugaku smiled and said, "As a reward for the top three, I will teach you a powerful Uchiha fire technique tomorrow. Itachi, gather them for the lesson."
"Yes, Father," Itachi agreed.
Mikoto returned with a medical kit and began treating Itachi's burns. Sasuke, feeling concerned, approached his brother and tried to comfort him.
Fugaku took this moment to converse with Fang Yuan about some basic ninja knowledge. Fang Yuan absorbed new insights and perspectives on the ninja world from Fugaku.
Fugaku continued, "Shisui has joined the Root. After you graduate from the Ninja Academy, avoid contact with them. Being a leading jonin or mission ninja might suit you better."
Fugaku's tone turned serious. "The Root is a dark side of Konoha. I let Shisui go because he's destined to remain in the shadows. The Uchiha clan needs a hero, a true leader. You are my chosen successor."
Fang Yuan walked out of Fugaku's residence, feeling the chill of the night wind. He heard a noise behind him and saw Itachi following him, his expression stoic.
"Fang Yuan, I want to discuss something with you," Itachi said. "Do you know the meaning of life? I'd like to have a duel with you to find out."
Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. "Is this your idea, Itachi? Or did Mr. Fugaku put you up to it?"
Itachi's eyes turned red with the activation of his Sharingan, and he said, "There's an open space three miles ahead. Let's settle this there. I want to see what you're truly capable of."
Fang Yuan's demeanor remained calm. "Very well, Itachi. Let's see what you've got."
Even in the face of Itachi's coercion, Fang Yuan just treated it as a game.
With five hundred years of combat experience and the inner circle perception of the physical and mental technique, even if Fang Yuan faced a special jonin now, the opponent would definitely not be able to touch him.