Clan Meeting
"He seems like a promising junior, and it was Fugaku who recommended him."
Uchiha Yu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "He's worth cultivating."
"If I'm not mistaken, Qianzhi and Linna should've left you with some basic Fire Style techniques," he added, his voice slow and deliberate.
Uchiha Mingjing nodded. "Yes, Elder Yu. I've already learned the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu on my own."
He was doing his best to show value, hoping to receive greater resources and attention for future training.
Yu narrowed his eyes with interest. "Very good. The Fireball Jutsu, Phoenix Fire Jutsu, and Dragon Fire Jutsu are the foundational C-rank techniques in the Uchiha's Fire Release arsenal. Mastering them is the first step toward learning our advanced Fire Style techniques."
"For example, by applying chakra form manipulation to the Great Fireball Technique, one can develop the Great Fire Annihilation. Add chakra nature transformation to the Dragon Fire Jutsu, and it becomes the Great Dragon Fire Technique. Even the Phoenix Sage Fire Claws evolve from the basic Phoenix Fire Jutsu."
He continued, his tone now instructional. "You're not yet ready for high-level jutsu, but there's no shortage of basic ones to build upon. Listen carefully, and watch closely with your Sharingan—what I'm about to teach you are the remaining core Fire Release techniques and how to further develop your chakra control."
With that, Uchiha Yu stood from his reclining chair and led Mingjing outside. The young shinobi followed him with excitement in his eyes.
Getting close to the clan patriarch clearly had its perks—just one visit to Uchiha Fugaku's estate, and he'd already gained direct guidance from a veteran Jonin.
Yet Yu's generosity wasn't only because of Fugaku.
He was over seventy now, his strength greatly diminished. Once a fierce Jonin, he now held a more passive role—guarding the clan's treasury. But his decades of experience gave him insight that younger shinobi lacked.
He'd lived through the leadership of four Uchiha heads—Uchiha Tajima, Madara, the third clan head, and now Fugaku. A true "veteran of the Four Dynasties," he held significant influence within the clan. Even Fugaku respectfully called him "Clan Uncle."
Yu had witnessed the peak of Uchiha power and its slow decline after the founding of Konohagakure. That knowledge made him cautious—and hopeful.
Mingjing had awakened his Sharingan at just ten years old. That alone marked him as special. Combine that with strong chakra and a mature demeanor, and Yu believed the boy could one day become a pillar of the clan.
They soon arrived at a calm stretch of the Naka River, just downstream of the Naka Shrine—ancestral meeting grounds of the Uchiha. Legend had it that Madara and Hashirama once met here, possibly even challenged each other in trivial games as boys.
"This is a good spot," Yu said. "The water prevents accidental fires."
He pulled out a kunai with a steel wire tied to the end. "Let's start with Dragon Fire Jutsu. It uses fewer hand signs and can be enhanced with ninja tools. Makes it easier for beginners."
He handed the kunai to Mingjing.
"This technique uses the signs: Snake → Dragon → Hare → Tiger." He slowly formed the seals, letting Mingjing's Sharingan track every movement and chakra flow.
"Unlike the Fireball Jutsu, you don't exhale with brute force. Instead, focus and compress the flame into a concentrated, narrow stream—like a lance."
He demonstrated.
A jet of fire, narrow and piercing, shot out from Yu's mouth and struck the lake like a darting dragon.
Mingjing's eyes glowed. "I've memorized it with my eyes."
Yu smiled approvingly. "For Genin like you, it's best to start with the aid of tools—like steel wire—to control and focus your fire. Coat the wire with flammable oil, and the fire will spread even faster."
He added casually, "Ninjas outside of clans like ours rarely receive this kind of instruction from elite Jonin."
"Try it," he said.
Mingjing hurled the kunai, the steel wire trailing behind it. It landed firmly on a rock in the lake.
"Snake, Dragon, Hare, Tiger—Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Flames erupted along the wire and reached the distant rock, scorching it red-hot.
"Excellent," Yu said with a nod. "Let's move on to the Phoenix Fire Jutsu."
---
By day's end, Mingjing had taken the graduation exam, received his forehead protector from Kurono Ohno, visited Uchiha Fugaku, and trained in Fire Release with Uchiha Yu.
Yu didn't simply demonstrate jutsu and walk away. He explained fire chakra theory, transformation types, and battle applications. He even shared personal training methods and clan secrets that defined Uchiha's feared Fire Style legacy.
He was truly invested in Mingjing's future.
So much so, he even invited the boy to dinner.
"Grandpa Yu, I'm being a burden. Please, let me do the dishes."
Yu chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. "My wife died early, and my son perished on the battlefield twenty years ago. I live alone. But having you here brings life back to this place."
Mingjing's expression faltered. "I'm sorry, Grandpa Yu—I didn't mean to…"
Yu waved him off. "No need to apologize. When your father graduated the Academy, the First Hokage had just passed away. The world was still at peace. My son took him into the Police Force. Your instructor was your great-uncle. We've been family friends for generations. So yes, calling me 'Grandpa' is perfectly fine."
He paused, looking at the boy as if seeing a reflection of someone long gone.
"If I had a grandson, he'd be your age. Polite, talented, and maybe... our clan's future."
"My uncle?" Mingjing asked curiously.
"Ah, yes. Uchiha Kagami—your great-uncle. He was once the most powerful Uchiha in the village. A student of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and a friend to the future Third. He could've led the clan, if not for the political tensions around his allegiance to Tobirama."
Yu sighed. "His son, Uchiha Tatsu, lacked talent. But last month, they welcomed a newborn—Uchiha Shisui."
Shisui…? Mingjing's eyes widened. So Shunshin no Shisui, one of the greatest Uchiha in history, had just been born?
Yu stood. "Enough reminiscing. It's time for the clan meeting. You're coming with me. The dishes can wait."
---
Nightfall – Naka Shrine
The monthly Uchiha clan meeting was about to begin.
Yu, a Three-Tomoe Sharingan Jonin, sat in the front row, alongside other elders and elites. Mingjing, still a Genin, quietly took a seat at the back. If he hadn't awakened his Sharingan, he wouldn't even be allowed in.
Uchiha Fugaku stood at the front, carrying the replica Gunbai and Uchiha scythe once wielded by Madara. The originals had vanished with Madara decades ago, and few knew the truth. The replicas, forged by Craftsman Ninja at great cost, were symbols of leadership—if not power.
As Yu had warned, most meetings were boring reports: clan expenses, earnings from Uchiha-run industries, promotions, Sharingan awakenings.
But tonight was different.
Fugaku began reading names—clan members who had recently fallen in battle.
Among them were Qianzhi and Linna.
"They died as heroes of the village and Uchiha," he said. "They proved our strength and pride with their lives."
Everyone stood at attention.
Whenever their clan's glory was mentioned, every Uchiha, regardless of age or station, felt the weight of their thousand-year legacy.
"But…" Fugaku's voice dropped. "Some people seek to defile that legacy—for selfish gain."
The audience stirred.
"Patriarch, what happened?"
"Who would dare stain Uchiha honor?!"
Fugaku smiled inwardly. Their reaction was just as he'd hoped.
"Fugaku, be careful what you imply," a voice warned.
It was Uchiha Setsuna, a sharp-eyed elder in his fifties who had held great influence since the last clan head's death. He had seized considerable power before Fugaku was deemed "ready" to lead.
"This room is filled with our clan's finest. None here would betray the Uchiha."
Fugaku narrowed his eyes.
The meeting had just begun.