As the tide of flames receded, what remained were charred tree remnants scattered across the ground, along with fan-shaped scorch marks carved into the earth by the passing inferno.
Behind her, the children erupted into stunned cries.
"Oh my god… the gap between us and her is way too big!"
"She's even stronger than last time! It's only been half a month!"
"No doubt about it—she's beating Feng again and taking first place!"
In the second row sat a girl with short, ear-length blonde hair, her features somewhat resembling Samui's. A lollipop was tucked into her mouth as she glanced sideways at the boy beside her.
"Hey, big bro~ Looks like you couldn't make a comeback this time either~."
The boy, with neat black hair and a gentle, scholarly air, smiled wryly.
"Yeah… I lost completely. Yuki's talent is far beyond mine, and she works just as hard. I really admire her."
These siblings—Uchiha Feng and Uchiha Hua—were Yuki's cousins.
"Haa…" Yuki exhaled, dispelling the lingering heat in her throat. She released her hand seals and rested her right hand on her waist.
Biting her lip, she clenched her left fist.
"Is… this really all I can do right now?"
Under the gazes of admiration and envy from her peers, she turned and walked back to the lineup.
Yet her heart was filled with unspoken thoughts.
This level… Forget Dad. I'm nowhere near Mom either.
At this rate, when will I ever be able to help him?
This year… those threats to the ninja world will appear.
Dad will definitely be overwhelmed.
I can't let Mom handle protecting and taking care of Yue all by herself.
I have to become stronger.
Madara's eyes never left Yuki until she sat down. Only then did he turn to Akira.
"That girl's eyes are good. Not something pampered kids of this era usually have."
Akira gazed at Yuki's petite back, his tone complicated.
"She's been sensible since she was little. Back home, we'd say she was born to repay kindness."
"She's also incredibly sharp. From little hints around her, she figured out I was planning something big. She kept testing me in subtle ways… It put me in a difficult spot."
"Honestly, I didn't want to involve her. I even thought about hiding everything."
"But…"
The Uchiha massacre.
Itachi and Sasuke's tragedy.
They were still vivid lessons.
So often, what adults think is 'for the child's good' ends up twisting them instead.
Not just Sasuke.
Even Akira's own life in his previous world was proof.
"After thinking it through, I decided to be honest with her and let her choose her own path. As parents, all we need to do is support her fully."
"I see," Madara nodded deeply, impressed. "With a family like that, it's no wonder she turned out this way."
Though proud and relieved, Akira hadn't forgotten his real purpose.
Introducing the people he was determined to protect.
"My family."
"Those two in the third row—the short-haired boy and the blonde girl—are Feng and Hua, my nephew and niece. They're excellent too."
"Especially Feng. He's already awakened three tomoe. He excels at Lightning Release, Body Flicker, and swordsmanship."
Madara nodded approvingly.
"Your brother's children. Naturally, they wouldn't be ordinary."
Obito joined in.
"Lightning, Body Flicker, swordsmanship… Those fit the Uchiha, but that must also be influenced by their mother from Cloud, right?"
"Correct. Samui taught him swordsmanship."
Obito asked curiously, "She's from Cloud. Why would she be willing to move here?"
Akira replied, "Not just her. Her brother Atsui came too."
"Huh?"
Akira explained calmly.
"Samui knows part of the plan my brother and I carried out. She understood it conflicted with the Five Great Villages' ideals."
"She also knew that staying in Cloud with Jin's children might one day trap them in an impossible situation."
"That would've been bad for me, and bad for her and the kids."
"The thing I respect most about her is that she never wavers on major decisions."
"She understands that short pain is better than long pain."
"She even persuaded Atsui herself. And the way they parted with Cloud was dignified and wise."
"Ninjas aren't allowed to defect."
"But they are allowed to become civilians."
"They submitted a petition to the Raikage, renouncing their ninja status and promising never to act against Cloud."
"After coming here, they never wore forehead protectors again. They stayed as civilians, honoring that promise."
"I never needed them to join my plans. Just having them and the kids by my side is already the greatest support."
"And…" Akira gripped the fence, smiling meaningfully.
"Atsui may be mediocre as a ninja—honestly, pretty bad—but in another sense, he's a winner in life."
"How so?"
"More than half of the twelve core trainees we're cultivating right now came from him."
"Uncle Madara, Obito—see those identical blonde kids in the back?"
They looked over.
In the last row stood seven small boys with identical bowl cuts and golden hair, about six or seven years old, watching quietly.
"They came to observe, not to take the test.
"Atsui got married the same year he joined Hidden Shadow. The next year, his wife gave birth to septuplets."
"See the markings on their shoulders?"
One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven.
Akira chuckled.
"I can't even remember all their names. We just call them Big One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven."
"They're still young, but their talent is already showing."
"Three specializes in Fire. Four in Water. Five in Lightning. Six in Wind. Seven in Earth."
Obito asked, "What about One and Two?"
"Big One has Yang Release and natural brute strength. He's perfect for taijutsu."
"Two has Yin Release and strong mental energy—a natural genjutsu user."
Obito laughed. "Lively bunch."
"You said twelve trainees. Yuki, Feng, Hua, and the seven kids make ten. Who are the other two?"
"One isn't here. She's Master Zen's granddaughter, Jinghua. When he entrusted her to me, she was tiny. Now she's a full-fledged ninja, traveling abroad."
"Traveling? Not on missions?"
"Our village is financially independent. We don't rely on national funding, so we don't need to send people out for money."
"I see… And the last one?"
Akira pointed to a boy on the field.
"The one who just finished throwing kunai."
"Kansuke. Son of Yamato, our academic director."
Madara glanced at the bearded man writing rapidly.
"Oh. So that Wood Release user is called Yamato."
"Yes. He married and had a child here. I named him Kansuke."
"He was born with Wood Release—mutated Wood Release."
"Mutated?" Madara's interest was piqued.
"Kansuke, ninjutsu test!" Yamato encouraged.
Kansuke nodded, inhaled deeply, and formed seals.
"Wood Release: Demon Bamboo Dance!"
Akira explained, "His Wood Release produces rapidly growing bamboo with extreme flexibility and piercing power."
Crack crack crack!
Dozens of bamboo pillars burst upward, intertwining and skewering a massive slab of granite, lifting it into the air.
The stone weighed over a thousand pounds.
The bamboo bent like fully drawn bows, creaking—yet never broke.
Madara gave a lifetime-worthy evaluation.
"Interesting."
Obito turned to Akira.
"Why bring Yamato here? With your level, his Wood Release shouldn't impress you."
Just as I thought—you'd ask.
Akira smiled.
"Don't underestimate him. His 'mechanics' are complete. He just lacks raw numbers."
"If there were a way to boost his stats, his combat power would be terrifying."
"During the Fourth War, when he was possessed by that special White Zetsu, he once blocked the Kage."
"You'd already checked out by then, so you missed it."
"Special White Zetsu…" Obito's eyes flickered.
"Don't tell me…"
"Exactly. That's the real 'old acquaintance' I wanted you to see."
"…!"
Obito lifted his gaze.
On the roof, a black-cloaked figure raised his spiral white mask at the same time.
Their eyes met across the distance.
In an instant, Obito's thoughts were dragged back to that underground lair.
Bandaged, sitting on a cold stone bed.
Surrounded by laughing White Zetsu.
Those brief, warm days.
"…I never thought I'd see you again, Tobi."
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?