Early the next morning, Uchiha Yang arrived at Training Ground Three with his backpack secured tightly. His two teammates, Uchiha Rei and Uchiha En, arrived shortly after, their faces filled with excitement and determination. The three of them huddled together, discussing their upcoming training regimen and the skills they hoped to refine.
With a smirk, Uchiha Yan unzipped his pack, revealing an assortment of carefully packed spices. "I've brought plenty of seasonings. This time, I'm going to show off my cooking skills." Uchiha Rei, on the other hand, had a more mischievous idea. "I was thinking of setting up a few wire traps infused with explosive tags to test the reflexes of our new instructors."
Uchiha Yang and Uchiha En immediately shut down his reckless plan. "Are you trying to get us killed before training even starts?" Yang scoffed, shaking his head.
Moments later, Uchiha Mei arrived, flanked by two elite clan members clad in Jōnin uniforms. As the trio straightened up and gathered, Mei introduced them. "These are two of our clan's strongest shinobi—Uchiha Ze, a master of genjutsu and tactical warfare, and Uchiha Sa, a specialist in multi-element ninjutsu. Together, the three of us will oversee your closed training for the next week."
The young Uchihas bowed deeply. "Please guide us!"
Uchiha Ze waved a hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. We're all family here. Your previous instructors briefed us on your current abilities. I will teach you how to cast genjutsu, break free from illusions, and strategically layer them with traps. Pay close attention—how much you absorb is entirely up to you."
Uchiha Sa crossed his arms. "You all specialize in Fire Release and Earth Release. I, however, wield Fire, Wind, and Earth, along with their combined techniques. I'll also train you in chakra nature transformation. But don't expect to master everything—some things take years."
Uchiha Mei chuckled, his Sharingan glinting. "My specialty is Uchiha-style kenjutsu. Once you refine your blade work, activating your Sharingan will help you learn it faster than those without it. However, swordsmanship requires long-term practice, so we'll focus on the basics for now."
Mei's gaze drifted toward the tanto strapped to Uchiha Yang's waist, Qingfeng, and he nodded approvingly.
"Alright, let's begin. Brother Ze and I will head into the forest to prepare a 'welcome gift' for our students. Some lessons are best learned firsthand." With an ominous chuckle, Mei and Ze disappeared into the dense foliage.
The three young shinobi felt an immediate sense of foreboding, beads of sweat forming on their brows. But Senior Uchiha Sa wasn't going to let them dwell on their nerves.
"First, show me your Fire Release, Wind Release, and Earth Release techniques. I need to gauge your current level, so don't hold back," Uchiha Sa commanded.
The trio quickly formed seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flame Crimson Lotus!"
Flames erupted across the training ground, their intensity flickering in the morning light. After observing them, Uchiha Sa nodded, then smirked.
"Your offensive capabilities are solid, but you lack battlefield control. Your defensive techniques are limited, and you have no mobility-based ninjutsu. Before we move on, I'll teach you a crucial jutsu—Shadow Clone Technique."
With a single seal and a soft poof, two identical copies of Uchiha Sa appeared. One clone grinned. "Alright, time for individualized training."
Meanwhile, in the grove, Uchiha Ze set up an intricate genjutsu-triggered trap as he spoke to Uchiha Mei. "You're surprisingly well-versed in both genjutsu and trap mechanics. You've sought my advice multiple times now. Just be upfront—what do you want in return?"
Mei lowered his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Senior, you're overthinking things. You've always supported the younger generation in our clan. With your guidance, these three will undoubtedly reach new heights."
Ze chuckled. "Ah, so it's about connections. I've personally trained countless Uchihas over the past few decades. It's not just about strength—you're thinking about power, too. You're betting on that kid, aren't you? Uchiha Yang."
Mei's expression grew serious. "Yes. His talent is the rarest I've ever seen. More than that, he has ambition and unwavering loyalty to the clan. I believe he can lead us out of our current predicament."
Mei then revealed his plan. "The Konoha Military Police Force has just established a Fourth Division. I lead it, but for now, I only have a single squad—those three. I've spoken with the patriarch. Next year, Yang will be promoted to squad leader and command three teams. Senior Ze, do you have any candidates you'd recommend?"
Ze laughed heartily. "I do have a few in mind. Blood ties foster stronger bonds, and sibling-like relationships ensure loyalty. I'll arrange for them to meet soon. If they're going to fight side by side, they need to trust each other."
With that, the two resumed their trap preparations.
---
By the time Uchiha Mei and Ze returned, the training field had been divided into three zones, each overseen by Uchiha Sa and his three apprentices.
In the first group, Uchiha Sa demonstrated Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld, a technique that liquefied the ground into a deep mire, trapping enemies and rendering them immobile. It served as an excellent control-based jutsu, perfect when combined with Fire and Wind Release techniques. He guided them through the process step by step, from hand seals to chakra control, while incorporating real-world combat scenarios.
The second group focused on Fire-Wind combination attacks. Uchiha Sa paired off Uchiha Rei and Uchiha En against Uchiha Yan and Uchiha Yang. They practiced their timing, formation positioning, and release coordination before actually expending chakra, ensuring efficiency before execution.
The third group tackled chakra nature transformation. The three genin meticulously took notes as Uchiha Sa detailed common pitfalls and training methodologies. Some aspects, like advanced elemental fusion, would require more than a week to grasp, so the priority was building a strong theoretical foundation.
Before long, it was noon. After lunch, Uchiha Sa found a shaded spot and sipped from a gourd of sake while Mei instructed the three to create shadow clones. The real bodies followed Mei and Ze back into the grove for kenjutsu training.
Mei activated his Sharingan. "Swordsmanship isn't just about technique. You must avoid becoming a 'slave to the blade.'"
He demonstrated precise strikes, explaining fundamental forms—chopping, sweeping, thrusting, and parrying. The trio, watching intently with their Sharingan, struggled to mimic his fluidity. Uchiha Sa chuckled from the sidelines. Watching beginners wield swords was always entertaining.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ze handed each genin half of a broken mask. "The other half is hidden somewhere within 300 meters of this forest. Find it, and I'll teach you an illusion."
Silence fell. The air grew eerily still. The chirping birds from earlier had vanished.
Uchiha Rei took point, Uchiha Yang guarded the flank, and Uchiha En watched their rear. Every step was careful, every movement calculated. Then—
Boom! Swish! Duck! Jump! Incoming!
Explosions, kunai volleys, and sudden pitfalls sent them scrambling.
The instructors exchanged amused glances. "Let's drag them out before they die in there."
Uchiha Ze and Sa strode into the forest and returned moments later, each hauling a battered, dirt-covered student. Rei's face was swollen beyond recognition.
"Dispel your clones. Rest up. Training resumes after dinner," Mei ordered, suppressing a smirk.
The moment their shadow clones vanished, exhaustion crashed down on them, and they collapsed into an unconscious heap.
Mei turned to Ze. "They'll need your genjutsu lessons tonight."
Ze grinned. "Of course. It's going to be a long night."