Early the next morning, Uchiha Kairen arrived at the training grounds with a pack slung over his shoulder. His two teammates showed up right after, chatting as they discussed their plans for the coming week.
Honō bragged that he'd packed a whole assortment of seasonings this time — swearing he'd cook something legendary during their downtime. Yasuyuki, on the other hand, was eager to set a few traps around the training field to "test" their new instructor.
Kairen and Honō immediately shut that idea down. "You trying to die early?" Kairen said dryly.
Before long, Uchiha Ankoku arrived with two clan members in full jōnin attire. The three young ninja straightened up at once.
"These two are some of our clan's elites," Ankoku said. "Uchiha Ze and Uchiha Sa. For the next week, the three of us will be conducting your closed training."
The trio bowed deeply. "Please take care of us!"
Ze waved them off. "No need for formality — we're family. I've already been briefed on your abilities. I'll be teaching you how to cast genjutsu, break genjutsu, and combine illusions with trap tactics. How much you master depends on your effort."
Sa followed up. "You three all have Fire and Earth affinity. I specialize in Fire, Wind, and Earth releases — as well as their combination techniques. I'll also teach you the basics of chakra nature transformation. Anything more advanced will have to wait."
Ankoku gave a faint smirk. "My focus is simpler — Uchiha style kenjutsu. You'll be using your Sharingan to learn, which makes it easier than for those without it. This week will just be fundamentals — but take it seriously."
He glanced approvingly at the faint breeze of chakra swirling around Kairen. "Good. You're ready."
"Alright, Sa — they're yours," Ankoku said. "Ze and I are heading into the forest to prepare a little… lesson for them." His tone carried that kind of wicked amusement only a seasoned mentor could manage.
Kairen, Honō, and Yasuyuki felt a chill run down their spines. Whatever that "lesson" was, it couldn't be good.
Sa clapped his hands together. "Alright, show me your best Fire, Wind, and Earth jutsu. Don't hold back — I need to see where you stand."
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!"
One after another, flames erupted across the field.
Sa nodded thoughtfully. "Your offensive power's solid, but your control is lacking. You've got almost no defensive or crowd-control jutsu, and your attack patterns are too linear. Before we move to elemental combinations, I'll teach you something you'll be using often — the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
With a poof of smoke, two perfect copies of Sa appeared. "Alright — one-on-one instruction begins now."
---
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, Ankoku and Ze were laying traps among the trees.
"Honestly, Ankoku," Ze said, stringing a wire between two kunai, "your genjutsu and trap work are almost on my level. You didn't call me here just for backup. What do you really want?"
Ankoku smiled faintly. "You're overthinking, Ze-senpai. You've always supported our younger clansmen — I just thought they'd benefit from your expertise."
Ze chuckled. "Ha. So that's how it is. You want your students to build connections. Clever. You really believe in that boy, don't you? Uchiha Kairen."
"Yes," Ankoku said without hesitation. "His potential is unlike anything I've seen. He's sharp, independent, and he truly loves the clan. I believe he might be the one to pull us out of the shadows."
"The Police Force just formed its Fourth Division," he added. "I'm captain, but for now I only command one squad — Kairen's team. I've already discussed with the clan head — next year, Kairen will be promoted to sub-captain and lead three teams. I was hoping you might recommend some reliable people to fill the ranks."
Ze laughed. "Reliable people? I've got plenty. And of course, my own students are the ones I trust most. I'll introduce them soon — if they're going to work under Kairen, they should start building rapport now."
The two shared a grin, then returned to setting up the last of the traps.
When they came back, the training field was neatly divided into three sections — each with Sa and three very focused students.
The first group was learning Earth Release:
Swamp of the Underworld — a jutsu that liquefies the ground beneath an enemy's feet, turning it into a deadly bog that swallows them whole. Perfect for battlefield control or combo setups with fire and wind jutsu.
Sa's explanations were detailed — from chakra molding to timing, even sharing personal stories from his missions. The students listened in awe.
The second group practiced Fire and Wind Release combinations — Sa and Yasuyuki formed one pair, while Honō and Kairen formed another. Timing and positioning were everything. They first rehearsed without chakra, coordinating their movements and hand signs until they moved as one.
The third group focused on chakra nature transformation — a theory-heavy session filled with notes, observations, and Sa's personal insights into refining elemental affinity.
Time flew by. By midday, they finally stopped for lunch. Afterward, Sa sprawled lazily on the grass with a bottle of sake while Ankoku told the trio to leave a shadow clone behind and follow him and Ze into the woods.
"Activate your Sharingan," Ankoku said, drawing his sword. "Today we start with the basics of kenjutsu. Remember — the blade is a tool of will. In the hands of the righteous, it protects. In the hands of the cruel, it destroys.
To master the blade, you must become the blade. Never let yourself become its slave. A slave to the sword is one who mimics without understanding — who practices form without intent.
The sword's essence lies in touch, flow, body rhythm, stance, power, and instinct. You'll grasp the forms in a week — but the essence takes years."
He demonstrated a fluid sequence of cuts, sweeps, and thrusts. The three students, eyes glowing red, followed every movement. Their clumsy imitation made Sa laugh from across the field. Watching beginners was always a joy.
Meanwhile, Ze had his own "lesson" ready. He held up half of a broken mask and pointed toward the forest. "Your task: find the other half within three hundred meters. Do that, and I'll teach you a genjutsu personally."
The forest had fallen silent — not even the birds dared to sing.
The trio crept forward — Kairen in the center, Yasuyuki ahead, Honō watching the rear. Every sound made them tense.
Moments later—
"Boom!"
"Shhhk!"
"Down!"
"Jump!"
"Left!"
Explosions, wire snaps, and shouted warnings filled the forest.
Outside, their instructors chuckled darkly.
"Alright, that's enough," Ze said finally, motioning for Sa to follow. When they emerged from the trees, they were carrying three very battered genin — Kairen and Honō dragged by the collar, Yasuyuki slung over Sa's shoulder, his face puffed up like a balloon.
"Dispel your clones and rest," Ankoku ordered, barely suppressing his laughter.
"Training resumes after dinner."
As the shadow clones popped out of existence, all the exhaustion hit at once. The trio collapsed where they stood, fast asleep.
Ankoku turned to Ze. "When they wake, I'll have to trouble you with their genjutsu lesson."
Ze smiled. "Don't worry. If I'm teaching, I'll teach properly."