Uchiha's personal opinion

He was very satisfied with Uchiha Tokumitsu's fighting performance. Although he was inexperienced and lacked skill, he was full of fighting courage.

As his bodyguard, Uchiha Chiaki also possessed Chunin-level strength. It's quite remarkable that Uchiha Tokugawa, with his young age, wasn't instantly killed. Keep in mind, other ninja children his age were still playing ninja games on the street.

"Little Deguang..."

Elder Setsuna affectionately stroked Uchiha Tokumitsu's smooth hair.

"Grow up quickly, the future of the family depends on you..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded silently.

After a moment of silence, Uchiha Tokumitsu looked up and asked:

"Grandpa Elder, what is the most important thing for a ninja?"

The trial he had just undergone made Uchiha Tokumitsu realize that, besides his age and physical disadvantages, he still had many shortcomings before becoming an excellent ninja. Talent in ninjutsu, if not translated into actual strength, would ultimately remain a mirage.

"Fight! Fight without fear! And survive the battle!"

Elder Sha Na replied with a smile.

This answer is very Uchiha-esque.

Chapter 8 The Shadow of War

Time flies, the years are like a shuttle.

Two years passed swiftly like sand slipping through his fingers as Uchiha Tokumitsu persevered in his training.

Konoha 30th year.

It was early summer, and the weather was warm and humid, but Konoha, and indeed the entire ninja world, was unusually restless.

Since the end of the First Shinobi World War in Konoha 21, the shinobi world has been in a state of near-peace for nine years. These nine years have also been the nine years of Konoha's Golden Generation.

In the 22nd year of Konoha, the wife of the head of the Hyuga clan, another powerful family in Konoha, gave birth to twins, named Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi.

In August of the 23rd year of Konoha, the Senju clan, the archenemy of the Uchiha, had a son born to a direct descendant of Hashirama Senju, who was named Senju Nawaki.

In January of the 26th year of Konoha, the wife of the Yamanaka clan patriarch gave birth to a son, who was named Yamanaka Inoichi.

In April of the 26th year of Konoha, the wife of the Akimichi clan patriarch gave birth to a son, who was named Akimichi Choza.

In July of the 26th year of Konoha, the wife of the Nara clan patriarch gave birth to a son, who was named Nara Shikaku.

Another character who, though not featured prominently in the original work, had a profound impact is Minato Namikaze, born in January 27.

The legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, who would later dominate the world and possess unparalleled power, were all born in Konoha in 17 and are now 13 years old. They have all been taken in as disciples by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The tragic clan leader in the original work, Uchiha Fugaku, born in Konoha 15, is currently a Chunin in the police department. However, it is said that in a recent life-or-death battle during a special mission, his Sharingan evolved into three tomoe, and he will probably be promoted to Jonin soon.

Having studied under Elder Setsuna for two years, Uchiha Tokumitsu has not only mastered the various Fire Release ninjutsu passed down in the clan, but has also made some progress in Lightning Release and Wind Release ninjutsu. In addition to ninjutsu, his Uchiha swordsmanship is also quite impressive. According to his father, Uchiha Chunggen, putting aside the difference in physical strength and chakra levels due to age, Uchiha Tokumitsu's swordsmanship is already comparable to that of a senior Chunin who specializes in swordsmanship in the clan, and he is unparalleled among his peers.

At least, Uchiha Tokumitsu once sparred with his cousin Uchiha Chikama on a whim. As a result, he used a small dachi to make the confident and appreciative Chunin Uchiha Chikama doubt his life. Under the influence of a complex mix of emotions such as doubt, self-denial, and unbearable grief and anger, Uchiha Chikama was forced to evolve his two-tomoe Sharingan into a three-tomoe Sharingan during the practice. He can be considered the second most unusual Sharingan awakening and evolution among the Uchiha clan members, second only to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

From then on, Uchiha Chika got a nonsensical nickname within the clan: "Chika who deserves a thousand cuts".

However, Uchiha Tokumitsu strictly adhered to the ninja's principle of secrecy, never revealing his true strength outside the clan's territory. Those in the clan who knew his true strength also kept silent at Elder Setsuna's request. In the eyes of others, he was just a slightly old-fashioned Uchiha boy.

……

Every morning, as it had been for the past two years, the Uchiha clan would get up early, wash up, change clothes, and go downstairs.

Today, Uchiha Nakagen was secretly transferred out of town for a special clan mission, while his mother, Emiko, prepared breakfast as usual, smiling as she looked at her beloved son.

While eating breakfast, Uchiha Tokumitsu chatted with Emiko, but neither of them mentioned or asked about their father Uchiha Nakagen's business trip.

After all, the fewer people who know about a mission involving significant and confidential information, the safer it is.

After Uchiha Tokumitsu finished breakfast and helped wash the dishes, he was about to leave when his mother handed him a small ninja tool pouch with a smile.

"This is……"

"This is a special explosive tag made by Mom. It's twice as powerful as a regular explosive tag!"

Mother Emiko still had a smiling face.

"I don't need it in my family..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu muttered something under his breath, took the ninja tool bag, and casually opened it. Inside, it was filled with nearly a hundred specially made explosive tags...

"That many detonating tags are enough to start a small-scale war..."

"Hmm~ The family's arms business has been booming lately. Not only is the village buying in bulk, but many mysterious wealthy customers are also snapping up goods. Little Deguang, you should keep these safe, it's always good to be prepared~"

Emiko's words had a hidden meaning, and she felt that her precocious and intelligent son could understand them.

"War..."

Touched, Uchiha Tokumitsu remained silent. He carefully put the explosive tag away and then said goodbye to Emiko before leaving.

……

Today is also a rather special day.

The Uchiha clan's new generation's competition will begin today...

Unfortunately, her father was away on a mission, and her mother, being an unofficial faction ninja, could not make an appearance.

Uchiha Tokumitsu first arrived at Elder Setsuna's residence, greeted the elder as usual, and waited for the elder to arrange the day's learning content and training opponents.

……

Today's simulation is a forest skirmish, and the training subject is Uchiha Himon, a shadow clone who is a close confidant of Elder Setsuna.

call out!call out!call out!

Three shuriken shot out instantly from Uchiha Tokumitsu's palm without the slightest hesitation, tracing strange arcs in the air and attacking Uchiha Himon from different angles.

Manipulating ninja tools has always been a specialty of the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Tokumitsu had naturally put in a lot of hard work in this area, but he would never be so arrogant as to think that his two years of training could rival that of Uchiha Himon, a senior Jonin, even if he was just a shadow clone.

However, he has fought against Elder Setsuna's guards countless times in the past two years. Although he is not in danger of dying, he still suffers many injuries, both major and minor, even when his trainees consciously control their power. He has a thorough understanding of the fighting style of ninjas.

Uchiha Himon quickly drew a kunai to parry, deflecting and sending the shuriken flying one by one. The sparks that flew from the clash of blades were particularly noticeable in the dim forest.

Then, six more shuriken flew in.

Uchiha Himon didn't let the second wave of shuriken get any closer to him, deflecting them all with a swing of his blade. Uchiha Tokumitsu gripped his katana tightly with both hands, and in a flash, he closed the distance with Uchiha Tokumitsu, engaging in close-quarters combat.

The two wielded their ninja tools with lightning speed, tearing through the air as their blades clashed fiercely.

The weapon used by Uchiha Himon was, after all, a kunai that he casually pulled out, which was far inferior to the kodachi wielded by Uchiha Tokumitsu in terms of material and sharpness.

After a brief exchange, Uchiha Tokumitsu delivered a leaping slash, and with a clang, Uchiha Himon's kunai snapped in two. The kodachi, its momentum undiminished, continued its fierce and sharp attack on Uchiha Himon.

In the critical moment, Uchiha Himon suddenly shrank back like a spring.

"Uchiha Style: Sword Flame Slash!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu frantically mobilized the chakra within his body, condensing, shaping, and releasing it outwards, unleashing a sword aura composed of fire-style chakra in pursuit.

Caught off guard, Uchiha Himon, who was in mid-air, was struck squarely by the sword energy.

"Oh!"

The shadow clone transformed into a wisp of smoke.

Success!

Uchiha Tokumitsu was overjoyed. Although he was only fighting a shadow clone, it was still a Jonin's shadow clone. Although its strength was not as good as the original, its experience and skills were no less.

The smile on his face had just appeared when suddenly, with a "bang!", two broken wooden stakes emerged from the smoke.

"This……"

It's a substitution technique.

A matte kunai was silently placed against Uchiha Tokumitsu's neck; the sharp, cold blade touched his skin, raising goosebumps.

"Little Deguang, I won again!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu only then realized that what he had hit was actually a wooden stake disguised as a Substitution Jutsu by Uchiha Himon's Shadow Clone Jutsu.

"Little Deguang, why didn't you use your Sharingan earlier?"

While the Sharingan's perception is not as good as the Byakugan's, its boost to individual combat power far exceeds that of the Byakugan. For example, if Uchiha Tokumitsu had activated his Sharingan, he wouldn't have failed to detect Uchiha Himon's disguise.

"I... my chakra won't last much longer..."

Uchiha Himon slapped his forehead, realizing he had asked a stupid question. Perhaps because of their frequent interactions and Himon's remarkable talent, he had unconsciously forgotten that Uchiha Tokumitsu was only six years old this year...

Elder Setsuna, who was watching the battle from outside the forest with his Sharingan, was as satisfied as ever with Uchiha Tokumitsu's performance.

However, as the junior whom Elder Setsuna favored the most and cultivated with the most effort, Uchiha Tokumitsu was clearly more withdrawn. He usually kept to himself and rarely interacted with his peers or other people in the village. Although the Uchiha clan members were indeed quite proud, there were very few like Uchiha Tokumitsu.

Zhongxuan and Huimeizi don't care, leaving it all to me to worry about.

Elder Sha Na muttered to himself for a moment.

"Xiao Deguang performed quite well today."

Elder Setsuna gave Uchiha Tokumitsu a seemingly calm critique after his training, but the satisfaction in his eyes was impossible to hide.

After all, such an outstanding junior is hard to find in the Uchiha clan or even the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

"You're getting three days off starting tomorrow, so have a good rest."

Elder Shana was very kind and approachable with a smile on his face.

"Elder... I don't want to rest. How about Qianzhang and I do it tomorrow..."

Before Uchiha Tokumitsu could finish his protest, Elder Setsuna interrupted him:

"The family competition is in four days. Since you're going to participate, you should get some rest."

"Oh……"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Tokumitsu ceased his obsession.

The Uchiha clan's tournament is essentially a centralized competition among ninjas of all ages, similar to the Chunin Exams, except that the Uchiha clan's tournament, which emphasizes martial prowess, does not include academic subjects.

“You have been training with me for two years, but you have never made a name for yourself in the family. It’s time for you to show your skills to everyone.”

Elder Sha Na said calmly.