The Uchiha Patriarch's Test

Here's another chapter for you guys

Hope you guys enjoy and thanks for all the help you provided for my questions

A heads up, no chaps on Fri and Sat as I have exams on those days.

Enjoy :)

[2866 words]

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Chapter 4

The Uchiha Patriarch's Test

{2 months later}

For the last two months, I've mainly been training for most of my time, seeing as I didn't want to become a training maniac, I decided to pick up drawing. It was something I've always wanted to do but never had the chance to. Now that I have the sharingan, drawing with precise movement is easy. So whenever I had time I would draw, it was quite the fun hobby and it was quite compatible with my lazy nature.

Other than that I also have been contemplating my grandfather's words from our first training day. I've always wondered what mask I wanted to use to hide my emotions. The easiest option would be to take up what the Uchiha's do, but that wouldn't differentiate me from the others and I don't want to act like an emotionless brick that uses grunts as a way to communicate. After mulling over it for some time, I finally decided that I wanted something that would make someone feel relaxed with me. Something that would register me as harmless to them. This quality is what I felt would be the most important, as when an enemy is at ease with me, then they are at their most vulnerable with me. So I reached a conclusion that smiling at them in a calming manner would be the most efficient manner of bringing about my intended result. This theory was something I was going to test out when me and my grandfather leave to go to the current festival in the village.

As for my training, It has been progressing smoothly. My physique has slowly been reaching a level where I could do all 6 katas against my grandfather, meaning that soon I'll be moving onto the intermediate katas which are much more specialised. My taijutsu, bukijutsu and shurikenjutsu have reached levels where my grandfather has deemed acceptable.

Gunbai training has been going well as well, but I've made the most progress in chakra control. A month ago, my grandfather deemed my chakra control good enough to start forming jutsus, specifically the clone and transformation jutsu. They were quite easy to do with the only hurdle being the transformation jutsu. Moulding my chakra to fit the specific details of a person was a complicated process but nothing training can't fix. The clone jutsu was just using my mould from the transformation jutsu and forming it into a physical form which just meant using more chakra.

Since I finished those jutsus quickly we're finally moving onto nature transformation and genjutsu, with the addition of tree walking as extra chakra control training. My schedule was quite the crazy one. Something I disliked as I was striving to be lazy but you have to make sacrifices for the greater good. My version of the greater good was being able to laze for the rest of my life.

''Arata-sama, breakfast has been prepared'' The servant said, most servants have left already since I'm old enough to take care of myself. The only one that stayed was the family servant in front of me as we still needed someone to take care of the chores of the house since we spent most of our time training, and since his family has been serving us for generations, he's quite like family to us. However, the male servant in front of me was called Sasiki Uchiha and whenever I was around him my weeb sense spiked. I could feel it. This man or more specifically my butler had a past. A badass past. His aura spoke volumes of my theory. He had it. The antagonist with the tragic past aura. I don't know what could be more badass than a shinobi but whatever it is, I must find out. Once I become clan head, I shall devote every resource possible to find his story. I'm 100% sure that his story will be very entertaining for me. Sasaki, my friend, you can run but you can't hide. Muhahahaha*cough*. You get the point.

Going back to the main topic,I sat in front of my grandfather for breakfast. Thinking it was a good time, I began using the mask I've been practising.

''Arata, before we go to the festival we'll be meeting with the clan head, he wants to know how you've turned out''

'' Why now, Masa-jii its been 4 years already''

''Oh, did I forget to tell you? If the clan head deems you suitable now then your position will be confirmed and then he'll take up my spot as your trainer after I pass on''

'' How does somebody forget to tell something so important'' I deadpan at him

''Hey, give me some slack, I already have one foot in the grave, of course i'm going to forget things''

He said with a grin while rubbing the back of his head.

'' Yet you seem to perfectly remember any pushups I seem to miss'' I sarcastically remark

''Well, your pushups are much more important than some silly meetup''

'' The one you're calling silly is your clan head, masa-jii''

''Baah, Ryuuji always liked his formalities'' He sighed exaggeratingly

''I've been meaning to ask you this, Arata, please stop smiling, you keep sending shivers down my spine from how creepy it is''

''Is it really that creepy, this was the mask I came up with'' I questioned, disappointed that my mask had created the opposite of my intended effect.

''To be honest, it does give off a rather calming feeling. That's exactly the reason why I feel so weirded, you only do this when you're plotting something, but I do suggest that you change your tone and vocabulary into something that gives off a calming effect, it would help a lot with your mask''

''What, I never noticed I smiled like that...I see... is that how you noticed me stealing the dango'' I questioned inquisitively.

''Heh, as if you could steal my stash of sweets and yes, you always smile like that when you're trying to catch me off guard. I honestly thought you already chose that as your mask.'' He said as he elegantly ate his food. I swear this man can be so antagonistic sometimes. His voice will be boisterous and noisy while his mannerisms will be elegant and graceful.

Also, so that's how all my schemes have been foiled, to think I would be betrayed by my own body.

''Go get ready now, we need to hurry before Ryuuji throws a tantrum over being late''my grandfather told me as we finished off our breakfast.

'' Are you sure you're allowed to badmouth him so much'' I asked in doubt

''Of course, I'm not allowed''

Seriously, how is he still alive with how reckless he is.

'' Now go change''sigh, grandmother must've had a rough time with him.

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{1 hour later}

'' Wait here Arata, I'll call you in a bit'' My grandfather ordered as we stood in front of the clan head's house.

Seeing my nod at his words, he entered the house, leaving me in the garden. After waiting for a bit, I sat at a tree beside the koi pond, ready to take a quick nap. Out of nowhere, a ball came flying at my face. Reacting accordingly, I catch the ball, waiting for the one who sent the ball at me.

Behind the tree came a 3 year old girl. She seemed distraught, looking for her ball. Seeing it as my opportune chance to use my mask, I smiled and walked up to her.

'' Ojou-san, are you looking for this ball'' I asked in a serene voice.

''Whaa!'' seemingly startled at my appearance, she jumped up in fright.

''Oya, I'm sorry for scaring you'' I said apologetically, using a different set of vocabulary than usual.

''Umm, what are you doing in my home?'' she said, slightly relaxing upon seeing my peaceful demeanor.

Ahh, so she's the head's child. Better be careful with her.

''My jii-san is currently meeting with your otou-san, so I'm waiting for him''

'' Is he your jii-san, the one with the scruffy beard''

Upon seeing my nod, she completely relaxed and then her eyes suddenly were filled with excitement.

'' My name's Mikoto, What's yours''

''My name's Arata'' I responded accordingly.

''Arata, if you have nothing to do then let's play together'' she said, already dragging me to her play area.

''Hai, hai Mikoto-sama'' I said, smiling at her antics, and so for the rest of my time waiting for my meeting with the head, I played with her and much to her excitement, she barraged me with multiple different games, emptying my tank of energy for the day. At this point, I honestly thought the head sent his daughter to me just to test my endurance.

The girl was the very meaning of the saying ''a ball of energy''. The minute we finished with one game, we went onto the next with no time to rest. But I guess it was worth it seeing how much she enjoyed it.

''Arata, it's time'' My grandfather said as he opened the door for me. Seeing it was time for me to leave, the young girl pouted with tears piling on her eyes.

''Are you going to leave now, Arata? '' she said sniffling as the dams on her eyes were breaking.

'' Oya oya, to think you're going to miss me this much. How about this, the next time I come here we'll play double the amount'' I said, patting her head, my eyes filled with mirth.

''You promise?'' she said as her eyes gained a mischievous glint as a slight smile broke out on her face.

''It's a promise Mikoto-sama'' the minute I promised, any semblance of tears mysteriously evaporated as she immediately smiled gleefully seeing that her ploy worked.

'' You promised, Arata. People who break their promise deserve to die a thousand deaths'' damn what the hell are they teaching her and this girl, she just tricked me didn't she. She did, didn't she.

''Well then Mikoto-sama, have a nice day'' I said as my smile twitched continuously, still annoyed at being deceived.

''Bye bye, don't forget the promise'' she said waving at me as I walked away.

''She's a crafty one, ain't she, she's done the same to me multiple times'' My grandfather as he escorted me to the clan head's office.

''Crafty is an understatement'' I said grumbling

''Heh, looks like you had a taste of your own medicine, you do the same all the time, you nearly robbed me of my fortune, just for some sweets!'' He pointed at me accusingly.

'' It's not fun when other people do it to me, it's only fun when I get to do it to you'' I said, smirking at his annoyed expression.

''You damn brat, it looks like you still need some discipline ,have a taste of my heavenly headlock!'' He shouted as he wrapped me around in a headlock that sucked the air out of me.

''I give,I give'' I said, desperate for an escape

''Haaaa, I can't hear anything, do you hear anything Arata?... Like I thought it was nothing'' He said, completely ignoring my pleas for help.

''I'll give a months stash of sweets'' I bargained, my head turning red from oxygen loss.

''WHAT!'' he shouted condescendingly.

'' TWO MONTHS!'' I shouted, my head finally turning purple

''Deal!, remember Uchiha's who go back on their words deserve a thousand deaths.Heh, that'll teach you to mess with me'' It was him! He was the one who taught her such extreme promises.

''Damn brute'' I grumbled

''I think I heard something!''

''Nothing sir!''

''Like I thought''

Heaving a sigh, We finally reach the doors to the office.

''You go in first'' He said, his tone turning serious.

Complying, I slowly opened the door and entered the office. Before I could even speak, a huge amount of killing intent honed in on me instantly. My smile immediately disappeared as my pupils dilated in fear. My body instantly tensed and shook in fear as the owner of the intent passed on to me his intentions. I could see the numerous times I was killed by their hands through their intent, each death more gruesome than the next. If I kept going like this I would lose consciousness, I need to do something, fast.

Looking around the room, I tried to identify the source of the killing intent. Finally identifying my potential attacker in the form of a shadowed figure sitting with his chair turned to me. Knowing where it came from, one of my sources of fear disappeared. With a chunk of my fear gone, I could finally get a hold of my body and soon my smile was once again on my face, although there was a constant slight twitch in it due to the pressure of the intent. Now all I had to do was move forward, I had to move forward with death looming beside me. Gathering all my resolve, I closed my eyes and stopped any twitching in my smile and I stepped forward. Each step was heavier than the next. It felt like each step was piling a mountain on my back. My body was steady yet slow, I couldn't show any signs of weakness, so I had to take it slow. The killing intent kept increasing and increasing as I neared the chair. Once I finally reached the seat, I said my rehearsed line.

'' Good afternoon, Ryuuji-sama'' I said in a slow bow, my movements containing no hint of fear. Before he responded, he let one last burst of killing intent that completely dwarfed his last one. My face scrunched up in fear once more, but I kept my body in its bowed stance and held on for dear life. Much to my relief, the pressure was let up after a few seconds.

'' Looks all that praise Masahiro gave wasn't for show, you did well facing all that killing intent. You pass my test, you are now truly my successor'' The man said as he turned his chair around only to reveal an aged man similar in appearance to my grandfather.

''You praise me too much, Ryuuji-sama. I nearly failed your test, If not for my grandfather's teaching, I would have most likely crumbled under your pressure'' I responded humbly

''Hoh, an offspring of that man being humble, it looks like the sun is going to rise from the west tomorrow'' He said as he raised his eyebrows in amusement.

''I assure you, Ryuuji-sama, I am very much brash, however, I merely direct all my brashness towards my grandfather'' I said cheekily

''Hahaha, it looks like Masahiro has his work cut out for him'' he boisterously laughed while his face remained absolutely emotionless. Seriously, what's wrong with these guys, can't you show a silver of emotion on your face. You're showing emotion in your voice so what's the difference.

''You can leave now, Arata. I look forward to the day I teach you.''

Moving towards the door, suddenly I remembered something. Didn't grandfather teach Mikoto some unlady-like stuff. The head seems to be a person quite uptight on formalities, right?. Heh,heh. Grandfather, you shall rue the day you stole my precious sweets.

''Ryuuji-sama, before I leave, I wanted to tell you something. I passed by Mikoto-sama a while ago and I promised her that I would play with her the next time I would visit, however, what came next quite surprised me. She said something quite unlady-like, telling me I would die a thousand deaths if I broke her promise, but what surprised me even more was the person who taught her it. She said it was a man with a scruffy beard. I hope you can find this man and reprimand him for teaching such things.'' The clan head attentively listened to my story and when he heard the phrase ''scruffy beard'', he instantly broke a pen in his hands and a black aura seeped out around him. No lies, I could see a demon rising from behind him.

''I see, I see...of course, of course…I was wondering who was corrupting my daughter from behind the scenes, so it was you Masahiro. Young Arata, you have done a great deed reporting this to me today, I shall see to it that this information is used very well'' He said ominously as he continuously cracked his fingers.

''It was merely my duty, Ryuuji-sama'' I could feel my lips rising into a malicious smile as I left the room.

''Masahiro, You can come in, we have a lot to...discuss'' just from that pause my grandfather understood how dire the situation was. He turned to me wondering what happened, but, when he saw my smile he understood immediately. I had betrayed him.

''Masa-jii, you must understand. I will always have the last laugh, muhaha!'' I whispered to him and broke into evil laughter as I sent him into the demon's den that was oozing with the clan head's sinister aura.