The golden light in Uchiha Xuan’s eyes subsided as he stood up and opened the door.
Just as he opened it, he saw an Uchiha clansman standing at the entrance.
"Xuan, the Third Elder wishes to see you."
The Uchiha clansman at the door wore a friendly expression and spoke softly after Uchiha Xuan opened it.
"...Understood."
Half an hour later.
Uchiha Xuan appeared...
at Uchiha Setsuna’s home.
"Third Elder."
Uchiha Xuan greeted Uchiha Setsuna, who sat cross-legged before him, sporting a hairstyle similar to Uchiha Kenji’s, with a black iron mask covering his face.
"You did well today, defeating that Hyūga branch family boy in one move. Xuan, you have talent, but... merely defeating a Hyūga is not enough. Do you understand what I mean?"
Uchiha Setsuna narrowed his eyes as he looked at Uchiha Xuan, his tone carrying both praise and gravity.
"I don’t understand."
Facing the representative of the Uchiha hawk faction who had only been released from Konohagakure’s prison a few years prior, how could Uchiha Xuan not grasp the underlying meaning in his words?
"You are still young, but you must have heard from various sources about the feud between the Uchiha and... the Senju. Never mind... it’s not yet time to discuss such matters with you.
Your talent is sufficient, which is why we are meeting today. Uchiha Xuan, remember this: weakness and hiding yourself will never earn the pity or attention of the strong. Since you have talent, show it without reservation.
When your talent draws more attention, the clan will stand behind you and shield you from any dangers that may arise."
Uchiha Setsuna spoke solemnly to Uchiha Xuan, while at the same time, surging Ocular Power filled the room, and a crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan gently rotated within his eye sockets.
"Talent? Do you mean... like this?"
Watching Uchiha Setsuna suddenly activate his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to gaze at him, Uchiha Xuan’s lips curved into a smile.
In the next moment, amidst the surging Ocular Power, another force emerged—relatively weaker yet remarkably resilient. As soon as this distinct Ocular Power appeared, it clashed and contended with Uchiha Setsuna’s own.
This development startled Uchiha Setsuna, causing him to sharply focus on Uchiha Xuan’s eye sockets.
There, a jet-black Tomoe slowly rotated within a blood-red pupil.
"Hahahahaha!!! Hahahaha!! Excellent! Truly excellent! Uchiha Xuan! Your emergence only strengthens my conviction in that plan!"
After staring intently at Uchiha Xuan’s eyes for a moment, Uchiha Setsuna suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly, the excitement and delight in his laughter unmistakably clear.
An Uchiha who awakened his eyes at such a young age...
Senju Tobirama! The time has come for the Uchiha to reclaim everything that belongs to them.
"Uchiha Xuan, after tonight, I will discuss with the other elders. Most of the clan’s resources will be made available to you."
Whether it’s ninjutsu, ninja tools, or money, as long as the reason is appropriate, you can freely take and use them, including... the mobilization of a certain number of personnel."
The laughter ceased. Uchiha Setsuna formed hand seals and slapped his own wrist. A puff of white smoke exploded, and as it dissipated, a purple scroll appeared in Uchiha Setsuna’s palm.
After placing the purple scroll in front of Uchiha Xuan, Uchiha Setsuna spoke seriously.
"Then... what is the price?"
Looking at the scroll before him, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted.
Having control over the Mist Space, Uchiha Xuan certainly wouldn’t lack offensive capabilities, but in many situations, the support of the clan could also save him a lot of trouble.
For example, having just mastered swordsmanship, he now lacked a good blade.
If he relied on the Mist Space, he might draw a decent sword in the future, but at least he couldn’t obtain one immediately. Moreover, what tempted Uchiha Xuan the most was the authority to mobilize a portion of the personnel.
Right now, he was in great need of opponents to obtain new card draw counts.
"Price? Hahahaha! Xuan, this was never a transaction. If it’s not a transaction, how can there be a price? Everything the clan can give you is simply because your talent is sufficient.
However... if there really is a price, there is only one: that you live up to the Uchiha name, become a true powerhouse, and protect the glory of the Uchiha."
A smile reappeared on Uchiha Setsuna’s face as he looked at Uchiha Xuan and spoke with a laugh. That smile... was very sincere.
Looking at the smiling Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Xuan suddenly understood.
What it meant to be a clan.
In the end, Uchiha Xuan took the scroll gifted by Uchiha Setsuna and left his home.
....
In Uchiha Setsuna’s home after Uchiha Xuan had left.
"Lord, that child..."
A shadow appeared beside Uchiha Setsuna, looking toward the entrance alongside him.
That was where Uchiha Xuan had departed.
"Originally, I just wanted to see Ni’s grandson and have him deal with that kid from the Senju, but I never expected... Hahahaha! She, arrange a clan meeting. Regarding Xuan’s talent, I need to discuss it with the other old fellows.
The future of the Uchiha has finally been grasped by me, Setsuna! Hahahaha! Such a young Uchiha Xuan who has awakened his eyes... The plan... can be revised. This time, they will be persuaded by me."
"Yes!"
.....
"An unexpected surprise indeed."
In Uchiha Xuan’s home, he sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at the scroll in his hand.
Showing his Sharingan to Uchiha Setsuna was merely a spontaneous move. Having lived in the Uchiha clan grounds for so many years, Uchiha Xuan was well aware of the status of the Sharingan, this Kekkei Genkai, within the Uchiha clan.
Easily mastering ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu? None of that compares to the awakening of these eyes.
In the Uchiha clan, only those who have awakened these eyes are worthy of being called geniuses. As for other talents, they are merely ordinary people with some ninja ability.
Uchiha Xuan’s Sharingan had awakened far earlier than Uchiha Setsuna had imagined.
When Uchiha Xuan first began practicing the Golden Light Mantra, the growth in his Spirit and Vitality Cultivation had naturally triggered the awakening of his One-Tomoe Sharingan.
Now, after several years of cultivation, Uchiha Xuan could clearly sense that his eyes would soon evolve into the Two-Tomoe stage. There was no need for extreme emotions to force the awakening—it would progress naturally as his Spirit and Vitality Cultivation deepened.