CHAPTER 35

Uchiha Clan Compound

After hearing that Uchiha Tunan had graduated early, the Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan paid him a visit.

At that moment, Uchiha Tunan was sitting under the eaves, carving a piece of wood with a kunai. Wood shavings littered the ground, and soon, a lifelike wooden sculpture emerged—Uchiha Mina.

"Some people die, but their value remains for the living to exploit."

Tunan placed the carved figure inside his house, then picked up another piece of wood and began carving Uchiha Amao.

The Great Elder pushed open the slightly ajar courtyard door and immediately noticed Tunan working under the eaves.

"Tunan, how diligent," the Great Elder said with a smile as he stepped into the courtyard.

Tunan paused his carving, set the wooden sculpture down, and respectfully bowed. "Elder, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

The Great Elder scanned the furnishings of the house and noticed several completed wooden sculptures on a shelf—figures of Tunan's parents and Uchiha Mina.

"There's no need to be so formal. We are family, after all," the Elder said, his voice gentle, almost like a kindly grandfather.

Tunan stood and quietly went inside to prepare tea. When he returned, he handed a cup to the Elder and sat beside him.

"You enjoy tea, I see," the Elder observed as he took a sip.

Tunan nodded faintly, absentmindedly running his fingers over the unfinished sculpture in his hand. "Yes. Reading and training drain my energy. Tea helps keep me sharp."

The Elder watched the young Uchiha intently, then sighed. "It feels like only yesterday you were just a child. And now you've graduated... Time moves so quickly."

Tunan replied calmly, his kunai resuming its slow, precise carving. "Precisely because time moves so fast, we must cherish every moment. One should not wait until something is lost before regretting its absence."

The Elder narrowed his eyes, watching a flock of white doves take flight in the distance. "You are different from the other Uchihas. You are... unique." His gaze sharpened. "In fact, you may be the most enigmatic person I have ever met. I once thought I understood you best, but there are moments when you are completely unreadable."

A faint smile played at the Elder's lips as he observed Tunan's hands. "You left Amao for last. Do you feel guilt?"

Tunan's carving hand paused for the briefest moment, then he looked up with a confused expression. "I don't understand, Elder."

The Elder chuckled softly. "You are remarkably composed, highly intelligent, and possess the ability to completely detach emotion from reason. Even in the most critical situations, you remain rational."

Tunan's heart clenched, but he maintained a lonely, detached expression. He shook his head. "I think you overestimate me. I act on impulse too. Just the other day, I challenged a senior member of the Torture and Interrogation Corps."

The Elder calmly set his teacup down, reached into his robe, and pulled out a small, yellowed book. He placed it between them.

"This belonged to you once. I think it's time I returned it."

Tunan's pupils constricted slightly as he picked up the book.

Silence settled between them.

Winter was approaching, and the chill in the air sent a shiver down Tunan's spine.

This book... It had once been Amao's. Tunan had coated its pages with a slow-acting venom before giving it away. That poison had long since evaporated—but now, looking at the book, he noticed something strange. The places where the venom had been applied were badly discolored, reacting with the aged paper.

Miscalculation.

Had he not awakened his Sharingan and proven his worth beyond measure, he might have been executed back then.

I can't win against someone like the Great Elder. If I can't fight him... then I must align with him.

Without hesitation, Tunan tossed the book into the air, activated his Sharingan, and flicked his kunai.

"Thunk!"

The kunai struck the book midair, pinning it to a tree in the yard.

With a smooth motion, Tunan formed rapid hand signs.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Dozens of small fireballs shot from his mouth, engulfing the book and the tree in flames.

The Elder watched with quiet admiration, the flickering firelight dancing in his eyes.

"Genius," he murmured.

He stood and slowly made his way toward the courtyard gate. As he passed by Tunan, he gently patted the boy's shoulder.

Just as the Elder was about to leave, Tunan spoke in a firm, steady voice.

"Elder... Please believe me. I will always be part of the Uchiha clan."

The Elder stopped mid-step. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face as he turned to look at Tunan.

"But for now," Tunan continued, "I can only be half."

A pleased smile spread across the Elder's lips. "I have always believed in you. In a few days, we will visit the ancestral hall. I will take you somewhere special to choose your new jutsu."

With that, he gave Tunan an approving nod before disappearing into the night.

Tunan watched him leave, then bowed deeply. "Safe travels, Elder."

A notification rang out in Tunan's mind.

"Ding! You have gained the approval of Uchiha Tenzo."

Tunan straightened, exhaling slowly. A glint of calculation flickered in his eyes.

But then, he noticed something.

Two faint yellow handprints on his pants.

His expression darkened. He brought his hand to his nose and sniffed.

A subtle, sweet fragrance.

That old bastard just marked me!

Suppressing the surge of irritation, Tunan took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

With a neutral expression, he turned and walked inside his house.

From the depths of his cabinet, he retrieved a dust-covered book:

"Advanced Psychological Manipulation and Espionage Tactics."

---

Naka Shrine - Midnight

At the hidden Uchiha shrine, the Great Elder knelt across from Uchiha Fugaku.

"Elder, what is this about?" Fugaku asked.

The Elder's eyes gleamed. "Tunan's potential far surpasses what we initially believed."

Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

The Elder nodded. "Today, he used Phoenix Sage Fire in front of me. His chakra fluctuations are already approaching the level of a Jonin."

Fugaku's eyes widened. "What?"

Gazing at the ancient stone tablet, the Elder continued, "That is not the most important thing. What matters most is that he remains loyal to the Uchiha."

Fugaku stroked his chin. "Are you saying that his usual behavior is an act?"

The Elder nodded gravely. "Not only is he gifted far beyond his peers, but his cunning surpasses even the most seasoned Uchihas. His outward demeanor is a carefully crafted illusion to deceive Konoha's higher-ups."

A realization dawned on Fugaku. "Then... was it truly him who poisoned Amao?"

"It was," the Elder confirmed. "He did it to awaken his Sharingan."

Fugaku inhaled sharply. "He truly cared for Amao and Mina… yet he chose to sever those bonds with his own hands. But why did he still kill Mina, even after awakening his three-tomoe Sharingan?"

"Perhaps... he believed he had reached the next level."

Fugaku's breath hitched. "You mean..."

"Yes." The Elder's voice was heavy with certainty. "He is aiming for the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Fugaku clenched his fists under the influence of painful realization.