Returning to the Uchiha District.
Mirai Uchiha spotted a clan ninja waiting in front of his door early in the morning.
"Mirai Uchiha, the Clan Head requests your presence."
"I understand."
After quickly washing up, Mirai followed the clan ninja to the home of the current Uchiha leader—Tajima Uchiha.
"Tajima Clan Head."
"Future, sit down."
Looking at the elderly Tajima Uchiha, Mirai sat on the floor and waited silently for him to speak.
Sensing Mirai's composure, Tajima showed a hint of approval on his face.
"A fine child indeed. No wonder even Hiruzen took notice."
"Third Generation?" (Third Hokage?)
"That's right. I called you here specifically about this matter."
Seeing the puzzled look on Mirai's face, Tajima didn't beat around the bush.
"Hiruzen sent word today saying he wants to assign you to a village ninja team once you graduate from the Ninja Academy."
"What do you think?"
Tajima asked, looking at Mirai.
"I'll follow whatever arrangements the Clan Leader makes."
Mirai replied directly.
At this stage, he was still playing it safe and didn't have the standing to voice any objections yet.
More likely than not, Tajima had simply wanted to get to know him better.
Thinking that Tajima was genuinely seeking his opinion would be foolish.
As for Hiruzen's intentions, he could roughly guess them too.
The old man most likely intended to brainwash him repeatedly, shaping him into a double agent like Shisui Uchiha or Itachi Uchiha in later generations.
That actually suited him quite well.
At the very least…
He wouldn't easily fall under the scrutiny of the village elders.
"Very well."
Mirai's attitude greatly pleased Tajima. "As compensation, you may make one request. The clan will do our best to fulfill it."
Hearing Tajima's words, Mirai paused thoughtfully before slowly replying, "I would like to ask you to send an expert to guide me occasionally."
With his Plunder System, the stronger the opponent he faced, the better the reward.
Because powerful ninja often possessed formidable secret techniques.
"Hmm..."
Tajima had originally assumed Mirai would ask for something like money or a few jutsu scrolls, but hadn't expected this kind of request.
What a clever boy indeed.
After all,
guidance from a strong individual couldn't be compared to mere wealth or a few jutsu scrolls.
But somehow, this demand didn't feel unreasonable at all.
"Fuuka!"
After hearing Tajima Uchiha's words, a tall, square-jawed young man walked through the door.
"Father."
"You should spare some time in the future to train Mirai."
"Yes."
...
The next day.
After Ninja Academy dismissed.
After leaving a homemade lunchbox for Kurenai Yuhi to take home and warm up, Mirai Uchiha arrived at the meeting spot he had agreed on with Fugaku Uchiha.
"Let me see your strength first."
Seeing Mirai approach, Fugaku wasted no time on small talk and spoke expressionlessly.
Mirai didn't hold back either. Upon arriving, he immediately activated his double-tomoe Sharingan.
He had no intention of feigning weakness.
Because...
At his current level, that would only make others think he really was a fool.
"Double tomoe?"
Fugaku showed slight surprise.
To have awakened a double-tomoe Sharingan at this age without any special resources...
That truly deserved the title of "genius."
However,
Seeing Mirai assume an offensive stance, Fugaku furrowed his brow.
"Are you planning to fight me bare-handed?"
"What about this?"
Mirai pulled out a wooden practice kunai from his ninja tool pouch.
Ninjas required high-quality nutrition, so he spent most of his money on meat.
"Hmph! I don't have time to indulge in childish games."
"Use this."
With a flash of disdain in his eyes, Fugaku threw a steel kunai toward Mirai.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!]
At the very moment Fugaku moved, Mirai launched his attack directly.
Without delay,
He activated the Shifting Body Technique, appearing directly behind Fugaku.
Bang!
A whip kick aimed straight at Fugaku's head nearly landed, but Fugaku swiftly raised his arm, turned around, and caught Mirai's ankle.
"Cunning little brat."
Fugaku coldly snorted and, gripping Mirai's leg, forcefully slammed him down onto the ground.
Boom!
Dust filled the air as Mirai exploded into a puff of smoke.
"A Shadow Clone?"
Fugaku furrowed his brow.
[Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!]
Two hands shot up from the ground, grabbing Fugaku's feet and yanking him downward forcefully.
Puff!
Another cloud of smoke rose, and Fugaku's body turned into a wooden log.
Already failed?
Mirai Uchiha sighed in disappointment after his ambush failed. He shook his head and began scanning the area for Fugaku Uchiha's whereabouts.
Suddenly, a dozen shuriken shot toward him.
Quickly jumping backward and flipping through the air, Mirai grabbed the tempered steel kunai that Fugaku had previously thrown to the ground. Using his Sharingan, he deflected all the incoming shuriken.
At that moment, Fugaku appeared beside him, lifting his leg to kick toward Mirai's head.
[Punch!] [Crack!] [Thud!]
The two engaged in close combat.
Within moments, Mirai began to struggle.
In terms of speed, strength, and technique, he simply couldn't match Fugaku.
"Stop!"
"I surrender."
Mirai immediately admitted defeat.
He had already used up all his tricks. Continuing would just result in a one-sided beating.
"Not bad."
Fugaku couldn't help but praise him.
He was somewhat surprised by Mirai's performance.
First, when Fugaku tossed the kunai toward the boy, Mirai suddenly attacked, using Fire Release to obscure vision, then employing Shadow Clones to distract him, finally attempting to trap him with Earth Release...
Most importantly, Mirai's timing was perfectly coordinated.
It genuinely gave him quite a scare at the time.
If not for his timely reaction and the fact that Mirai was slightly slower, he might have actually lost.
That would have been a huge embarrassment.
After the fight, Fugaku pushed aside the faint arrogance he'd carried into the match.
Mirai wasn't especially strong yet—but that was only because he was still a student who hadn't graduated from the Ninja Academy yet; his body had yet to reach full maturity.
To be able to pressure him even like this...
This kid's future achievements would certainly be remarkable.
Unaware of Fugaku's thoughts, Mirai wasn't paying attention.
He was now completely immersed in his own world.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master! Successfully stolen reward: [Uchiha Nagare Swordsmanship]!]
[Name: Mirai Uchiha]
[Physique: 8]
[Spiritual Power: 21]
[Chakra: 7]
[Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan]
[Ninjutsu: ...]
[Others: Shuriken Throwing Technique, Trap Setting, Uchiha Nagare Swordsmanship]
As the [System Notification] sounded, a massive amount of information flooded into Mirai's mind.
It included not only content related to Konoha-style sword techniques, but also extensive battle experiences and insights into combat.
In just a few seconds, Mirai Uchiha had matched the swordsmanship of Fugaku Uchiha!
"Not bad... for a system."
"That's way overpowered."
Mirai couldn't help but mutter.
At a time when his chakra reserves were still low, this reward gave his combat power a huge boost.
After calming down, Mirai noticed Fugaku Uchiha staring at him.
"Hmm?"
"Have you thought about what I said earlier?"
"What did you say?"
You damn brat!
Fugaku gritted his teeth. "A real ninja should have his own weapon."
"What kind of weapon do you want to use?"
Hearing Fugaku's question, Mirai smirked slightly.
As if he even needed to think about it?
"I'll use a sword!"
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