As is well known, quite a few members of the Uchiha clan are mentally unhinged.
The prodigy Uchiha Shisui was not unhinged, but he certainly did things in a rather abstract manner. He constantly dreamed of single-handedly resolving the deepening conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha.
Because of this, when Uchiha Reki casually brought up the Will of Fire championed by the village one day, Uchiha Shisui found the idea immensely appealing. Consequently, he would find any excuse to discuss it with Uchiha Reki, and as time went on, the two unexpectedly became close friends who talked about everything.
Ever since the Uchiha clan left Uchiha Reki to his own devices, Uchiha Shisui frequently sought him out for sparring matches. Naturally, Uchiha Reki lost quite miserably.
"Shisui, your performance today was rather impressive. You defeated your opponent with just a single Fire Release."
Uchiha Shisui gave a shy nod. "Big Brother Reki, I still have a long way to go."
Regarding the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, he had once revealed his perspective to Uchiha Reki: as long as he could become the number one prodigy in the village, he would earn the attention of the higher-ups. After that, he could use himself as a bridge to ease, and perhaps even completely resolve, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village.
Of course, Uchiha Reki chose to respond to Uchiha Shisui's thoughts with a quiet smile.
You are wholeheartedly devoted to Konoha and the Uchiha, but there are bad actors among the masses.
"Personally, I don't think you need to rush about graduating. Wait until you're a bit older before you worry about that."
"I will consider it."
Walking and chatting along the way, the two unconsciously arrived at the Uchiha clan's training ground.
Uchiha Shisui stopped in his tracks. "Big Brother Reki, it's been quite a while since we last sparred, hasn't it?"
Uchiha Reki was momentarily taken aback. In the past, it was always he who requested spars with Shisui, attempting to learn something from them. He hadn't expected Uchiha Shisui to initiate it himself today.
Very well, then. Perhaps he could even squeeze some rewards or the like out of Uchiha Shisui.
"Alright."
Uchiha Shisui hesitated for a moment before saying earnestly, "Big Brother Reki, this time, I hope you use your full strength."
"Huh?" Uchiha Reki blinked, then smiled. "Alright."
On the training ground, the two young members of the Uchiha clan stood facing each other.
Uchiha Shisui stood in the center of the field as withered leaves fluttered around him, his fingers brushing against the pattern of the clan emblem on his ninja tool pouch. Watching Uchiha Reki casually fiddling with some vines across from him, he felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of panic.
For some reason, he felt that Big Brother Reki was somewhat different today than usual.
Hah, Uchiha Shisui let out a breath.
"Big Brother Reki, I'm coming!"
Uchiha Shisui tossed out several shuriken. Uchiha Reki flicked his finger, and vines extending from the ground easily batted them down.
Yet this was merely a feint by Uchiha Shisui.
Before the afterimage left by Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker technique had even dissipated, the cold edge of a kunai was already pressing against Uchiha Reki's back. He drew his kunai and thrust it fiercely into Uchiha Reki's back, showing not the slightest bit of mercy.
"Big Brother Reki, show me your true strength."
Judging by today's display, Uchiha Shisui believed that Uchiha Reki had been concealing his strength all along. Though he didn't know why, a portion of it had been revealed today. But Uchiha Shisui was convinced that Uchiha Reki's true strength went far beyond this.
Only by attacking with full force could he force Uchiha Reki to show his real power.
Sure enough, the kunai stabbed heavily into Uchiha's back, but it did not yield the familiar sensation.
"This feeling... it's like stabbing into a piece of wood."
"It's a Wood Clone."
Uchiha Reki emerged from some corner or another. "This is a Ninjutsu used by the First Hokage."
A smile appeared on Uchiha Shisui's face. Big Brother Reki truly wasn't as simple as he seemed.
Uchiha Reki clapped his hands together. "Wood Release: Silent Murder Binding Technique."
A thick tree branch shot rapidly toward Uchiha Shisui, binding him tightly.
*Poof*, a puff of smoke dispersed.
Uchiha Reki realized that what he had trapped was merely a wooden log.
"Substitution Technique..."
Uchiha Reki turned his head to look at Uchiha Shisui, who suddenly burst into a smile. To release Ninjutsu without even needing hand signs—Big Brother Reki was truly giving him a huge surprise.
"In that case, I will use my full strength as well."
A Single Tomoe slowly surfaced in Uchiha Shisui's eyes. With the activation of the Sharingan, Uchiha Shisui's aura experienced a significant boost.
"Big Brother Reki, it looks like I'll be winning this time."
Ever since the beginning, the Sharingan had been the capital of which the Uchiha clan was most proud. Not only could it see through an enemy's movements, but it could also trap the opponent in a Genjutsu to be slaughtered at will. Once the Mangekyo Sharingan was activated, it became unimaginably powerful.
Because of this, countless ninja dreamed of obtaining the Uchiha clan's Sharingan—such as that old geezer Shimura Danzo, who had an entire arm stuffed with them. This indirectly demonstrated just how great the temptation of the Sharingan truly was.
Uchiha Reki scratched his head. Uchiha Shisui truly lived up to his name as the strongest prodigy of the Uchiha clan in recent years. If he didn't have a cheat system, he really wouldn't be able to handle him.
At the same time, Senju Hashirama, who was secretly watching the battle, was also quite shocked.
"Reki, this junior named Shisui is even younger than Madara was when he unlocked the Sharingan."
"If it's a one-on-one, not having a Sharingan is genuinely troublesome. Back when Madara awakened his Sharingan and we had our first duel..."
Uchiha Reki curled his lips in mild disdain. It was no wonder Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara spent their entire lives locked in a cycle of mutual love and slaughter. No matter the occasion, he always had to compare other ninja to the other man.
These two—they were quite the pairing.
On the other side, Uchiha Shisui rapidly formed hand signs with extreme speed, put his all into it, and took a deep breath.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball spewed from his mouth, its scorching temperature making it difficult to breathe. The blinding red light dyed the entire training ground crimson.
Senju Hashirama's pupils contracted. Was a Fire Release of this caliber really a Ninjutsu that a Ninja Academy student could use? Back when Madara was at this age—*bah, bah, bah*, what did that have to do with Madara?
How would Uchiha Reki respond?
Uchiha Reki remained completely calm. The moment he brought his hands together, gnarled giant trees rose from the ground.
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall."
A row of wooden pillars rose from the ground, curving to form a dome-like barrier that protected Uchiha Reki within. The raging, burning flames instantly engulfed it, producing a continuous crackling sound. Yet as time passed, the flames grew smaller and smaller.
If it were Yamato's Wood Release, it might not necessarily withstand such blazing flames. But what Uchiha Reki inherited was the genuine Wood Release of Senju Hashirama! Even if it was incomplete, it was more than enough to deal with a mere half-baked Uchiha Shisui.
A short while later, Uchiha Reki slowly walked out from the flames.
Looking at Uchiha Reki, who was entirely unscathed, Uchiha Shisui's eyes widened.
Come on, bro, shouldn't your clothes at least be dirty? Is this the technique of the First Hokage...?
[From Uchiha Shisui, you have successfully awakened the Single Tomoe Sharingan]