The atmosphere within the Uchiha Clan's compound was solemn and oppressive.
Inside a central chamber, Uchiha Han knelt on one knee, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Standing before him with his hands clasped behind his back was none other than the head of the Uchiha Clan and the captain of the Konoha Police Force—Uchiha Keizan.
"You fool!"
Keizan's voice was cold and laced with displeasure.
"Captain…"
Han's body trembled slightly as he maintained his kneeling posture, fear and reverence evident in his expression.
Keizan turned to face him, his sharp gaze like daggers. "Because of a mere brat, you've stirred up such a commotion."
"Do you realize even the Hokage himself has personally inquired about this matter?!"
Han remained silent, unable to utter a single word in his defense.
Regret and frustration churned in his heart.
Never had he expected that a mere outsider like Yoru would cause such an uproar, putting the entire Uchiha Clan in the spotlight.
If he had known things would escalate like this, he would have ensured that brat was eliminated from the start!
Now, however, it was too late.
Yoru had become renowned throughout Konoha, and everyone knew of his conflict with the Uchiha.
If anything happened to Yoru now, the Uchiha Clan would be implicated, regardless of whether they were involved or not.
But there was still one pressing issue—the duel.
In less than three months, Han and Yoru were set to face each other in a battle to the death.
"Although the Third Hokage has taken interest in this matter, the pride of the Uchiha Clan is non-negotiable."
Keizan's voice was firm, his presence commanding.
"It doesn't matter whether it's you or that brat—what's important is that the Uchiha's reputation remains untarnished."
"If we back down simply because of a so-called prodigy showing some talent, what face will the Uchiha have left in Konoha?"
The air turned icy with his words.
"I… I understand…"
Han's voice wavered, but his resolve was clear.
Keizan sighed, shaking his head before turning away once more.
"Leave. In three months, I expect no surprises."
"Yes!"
Han's eyes glinted with killing intent as he responded.
No matter how much Yoru had accomplished in the academy's ranking exam, to him, it was nothing more than child's play.
The idea of Yoru defeating him?
Ridiculous.
A Secluded Training Ground
The rustling of leaves filled the quiet clearing, the occasional gust of wind making the branches sway.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
A rhythmic pounding echoed in the air.
Yoru stood before a thick wooden training post, his fists hammering into the same dented spot repeatedly.
His knuckles were wrapped in bandages, yet faint traces of blood seeped through them.
Despite the pain, he didn't falter.
"Hah!!"
After silently counting his punches, Yoru let out a sharp cry as he launched his thousandth strike.
CRACK!
A surge of vibrating force burst from his fist, shattering the already-weakened post.
"Hah… another one broken."
Yoru exhaled deeply, staring at the ruined post with mild frustration.
This was the tenth one.
Perhaps he should switch to metal training equipment?
But that would be far too expensive.
Then again, if metal was out of reach, he could always use stone.
It would be far more durable than wood, though undoubtedly more painful.
"…It'll be worth it if it strengthens my body enough to unlock the Second Gate."
Muttering to himself, Yoru's eyes gleamed with determination.
Only two days had passed since his victory over Minato in the academy's ranking exam.
Yet he hadn't taken a single day to rest.
The moment the exam ended, he dove straight back into training.
Fame and reputation were meaningless.
Only power mattered.
The looming threats ahead—his duel with Uchiha Han and the approaching Second Shinobi War—were far too real.
After taking a brief moment to steady his breathing, Yoru prepared to continue his training.
Just as he moved toward the broken training post, a masked figure flickered into existence before him.
"The Hokage has summoned you," the Anbu operative stated flatly.
Yoru raised a brow in surprise but nodded without hesitation.
The Third Hokage's summons weren't something he could ignore.
What puzzled him, however, was the delay.
By all logic, Sarutobi Hiruzen should have called him immediately after the ranking exam.
Instead, he had waited two days.
For a moment, Yoru even wondered if the Hokage had forgotten about him.
But that was unlikely.
"Understood."
With a calm response, Yoru followed the Anbu into the village.
As they left, the masked shinobi cast a lingering glance at the shattered post and the blood-stained bandages on Yoru's hands.
A glint of intrigue flickered in his eyes.
Talent alone was nothing special.
But talent combined with such relentless training?
That was terrifying.
If Yoru survived the trials ahead, his potential would be unimaginable.
Hokage's Office, Konoha
Yoru arrived at the grandest building in the village, following the Anbu operative through the hallways.
Finally, they reached the Hokage's office.
At the highest point of the village, this was the heart of Konoha's power.
Within, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat behind his desk, a contemplative frown on his face as he exhaled a puff of smoke from his pipe.
"The Uchiha Clan's stance is far more rigid than expected…"
He murmured, lost in thought.
"…But I suppose that makes sense."
"If this matter had remained in the shadows, it could have been resolved easily."
"But now, with the entire village watching… the Uchiha cannot afford to back down."