Sunlight scattered across the streets and alleys of Konoha Village, and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility enveloped this settlement of Ninja.
Meanwhile, within the Uchiha Clan's compound, a different kind of atmosphere prevailed.
Uchiha Kaede, with steps that were slightly weary yet resolute, entered the gate of the clan compound.
Looking at the familiar architectural style, he walked straight home.
Hurrying along the small path inside the compound, Uchiha Kaede soon saw his familiar residence.
Before he could even get close, his parents had already come out upon hearing him, standing at the doorway.
His mother, a gentle and virtuous Uchiha woman, instantly had tears well up in her eyes.
It was the eruption of worry and longing intertwined over many days, and she cried out excitedly, "Feng'er, you're finally back!"
Saying this, she quickly rushed toward Uchiha Kaede and hugged him tightly, as if wanting to convey all her worry from the past few days through this embrace.
Uchiha Kaede hugged his mother back tightly, feeling the familiar warmth, and whispered, "Mother, I'm back. I made you worry."
At this moment, his father, Uchiha Gō, also walked over. Although he tried hard to remain calm, his slightly trembling hands betrayed his inner excitement.
His father heavily patted Uchiha Kaede's shoulder and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "It's good you're back, it's good you're back. Come inside, let's hear properly what you experienced on this trip."
The family of three entered the house, and the mother quickly went into the kitchen to busy herself. Before long, she served a lavish meal, all dishes that Uchiha Kaede usually loved.
At the dinner table, Uchiha Kaede recounted the details of his trip, omitting the experience at Takigakure.
He started by mentioning the instruction to head to the Hidden Sand Village for a mission, describing how he cautiously gathered intelligence there and completed the task only after overcoming numerous difficulties.
Naturally, he also truthfully mentioned meeting the Third Hokage after returning to Konoha Village, as well as the punishment of house arrest he received for acting without authorization.
His parents listened intently, their expressions changing continuously as Uchiha Kaede spoke.
When they heard he successfully completed the Hidden Sand Village mission, his father's eyes showed a flicker of approval, and he nodded slightly in recognition.
When they heard he was punished with house arrest for violating regulations, worry and distress immediately reappeared in his mother's eyes.
"Feng'er, although you completed the mission, acting without authorization really isn't proper. You mustn't be so reckless again in the future," his father said earnestly, frowning.
Uchiha Kaede nodded in response, "Father, I understand. I will definitely be more cautious in my actions from now on."
His mother gently stroked his head and said tenderly, "Feng'er, all that matters is that you returned safely."
After the heartwarming reunion with his parents, Uchiha Kaede decided to go visit the clan's Great Elder, Uchiha Setsuna.
Uchiha Setsuna held a respected position within the Uchiha Clan. Not only did he possess profound mastery of Ninjutsu, but he also had an intimate understanding of the Uchiha Clan's history and heritage. His opinions often held crucial weight within the clan.
In other words, displaying greater strength in front of him would be the most helpful.
Uchiha Kaede arrived at the Great Elder's residence, respectfully straightened his clothes, and then gently knocked on the door.
"Come in." Uchiha Setsuna's voice, slightly aged but still steady and powerful, came from inside the room.
Uchiha Kaede pushed open the door and entered the room. He saw the Great Elder sitting on the Tatami, with several ancient scrolls laid out before him, seemingly studying something.
"Great Elder, Uchiha Kaede has come to pay his respects." Uchiha Kaede bowed respectfully.
Uchiha Setsuna immediately raised his head, his gaze falling upon Uchiha Kaede.
With just that one look, he keenly sensed the unusual aura emanating from Uchiha Kaede.
It was a feeling of strength that was more potent, restrained, and profound, as if he had undergone a transformation, making him seem like a completely different person compared to before.
"Hmm! You're back!" The Great Elder stood up, somewhat agitated.
Uchiha Kaede responded solemnly, "Thank you for your concern, Great Elder. I was delayed due to some matters."
"Good, good! I've already heard. You and Kakashi went to the Hidden Sand Village, and you even injured the Fourth Kazekage?"
"Yes, that is true." Kaede knew that Kakashi must have reported this matter, which is why Hiruzen Sarutobi did not want to tear off the mask so quickly.
Otherwise, the first ones to look for him upon his return would have been Root.
He then told Uchiha Setsuna about his experiences in Sunagakure and Takigakure. When he heard that Kaede had drunk the water of heroism, the Great Elder's eyes widened instantly.
"Then your current strength! But why take such a huge risk to seize the water of heroism? Improving strength requires gradual progress!" Uchiha Setsuna was first surprised by his current strength, and then frowned.
In his view, Uchiha Kaede was too reckless in his pursuit of strength. What if he hadn't returned?
"Thank you for your guidance, Great Elder, but Kaede has a reason for needing to improve his strength. Now, please guide me!" Uchiha Kaede requested with clasped fists.
Seeing him say this, Uchiha Setsuna stopped questioning him, only instructing him to always remember that he belonged to the Uchiha Clan.
He then led Kaede to the clan's Ninjutsu Secret Room. "Look, these are the Ninjutsu scrolls passed down through the Uchiha Clan for ages. There are also quite a few secret techniques from outside villages!"
Uchiha Setsuna proudly showed them to him. Kaede was indeed startled; worthy of the Uchiha, who have endured since the Sengoku era, the sheer number of Ninjutsu was terrifying.
He casually picked one up and opened it, discovering that it even contained the Iwagakure's Mountain Earth Technique.
"One of our ancestors once dominated the Ninja World, and he collected many Ninjutsu from outside villages," Uchiha Setsuna said with a chuckle, seeing his shocked expression.
Could that ancestor be... Kaede looked at the Ninjutsu in his hand and couldn't help but think of a certain Ninja World Dance King wearing red armor.
"Collecting" probably meant piloting a Gundam, taking a tour of various Ninja Villages, and then they "voluntarily" handed over their Ninjutsu.
However, with these Ninjutsu, he had more confidence in protecting his family during the Night of the Clan Massacre. He could quickly learn any of them that the Great Elder knew.
After all, the copying ability of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan was no joke. As long as it was a Five-Element Release Ninjutsu and he possessed the corresponding nature transformation, he could quickly copy it.
From then on, Uchiha Kaede devoted himself entirely to studying the advanced Ninjutsu and Genjutsu of the Uchiha Clan.
However, Uchiha Kaede's rapid rise also attracted the attention and concern of some people in Konoha Village.
Especially those who held prejudice against the Uchiha Clan, their growing anxiety intensified as they watched Uchiha Kaede's strength increase day by day.
Inside the Hokage Building,
"Hiruzen, I told you you would regret it!" Danzo said coldly to the Third Hokage. "Now that he's drunk the water of heroism, he's become even more troublesome. I told you long ago to hand him over to me."
"Do you still have the confidence to take him down now?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked indifferently. "According to Kakashi's report, he already had the strength to injure Rasa even before drinking the water of heroism."
Danzo's face was unpredictable, clearly showing that he wasn't very confident anymore. "Transfer him out of the village, and we'll have people surround and kill him."
"If he's transferred out now and then dies, even if the Uchiha Clan were idiots, they'd know who was behind it." Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned by Danzo's foolishness..
"Then what do you suggest? The Uchiha are becoming increasingly unstable, and now they have such a powerful combatant. Don't forget, he's only twelve years old!"
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed even deeper. He shook his head, "The water of heroism is not a good thing."
Full book àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (luffy1898)