Konoha
The main Uchiha residence
In the dark hall, before the clan emblem featuring a large red and blue cattail leaf fan, a group of Uchiha elders with serious expressions knelt quietly.
"With the blessing of our ancestors, I hope that more talented young men will emerge in this clan competition, bringing new blood and hope to our family."
Uchiha Fugaku inserted the three incense sticks he held into the shrine, bowed a few times, and then returned to the main hall from the side room and sat upright.
"Master Patriarch."
"Master Patriarch."
Many elders greeted him respectfully, though their expressions were puzzled.
"I wonder why the clan leader has called us here today?"
Finally, Uchiha Huo couldn't help but ask.
Uchiha Fugaku glanced at him coldly and said, "I called everyone here today to remind you that the Uchiha are still part of Konoha. Before that, I hope some of you can restrain yourselves."
Hearing these words, Uchiha Huo's face darkened, and the expressions of many elders also changed rapidly.
"Master Clan Leader! Many clan members have been bullied while on guard duty outside! Konoha blames us for the Nine-Tails incident from years ago. This is unfair!"
Someone said indignantly.
"So you think it's acceptable to smash up shops and demand protection money?"
Uchiha Fugaku slammed the table angrily.
The room fell silent.
After a moment, Fugaku shook his head and sighed, "Everyone, I will advocate for us with the Sandaime. Please trust me. For now, the focus of the clan should be on the clan competition. Only when we are strong will we not fear the storms outside."
"Yes, that's what the Patriarch says."
The elders' expressions relaxed, and they all nodded in agreement.
"Mr. Fugaku, Itachi is a very good kid. Is he old enough to attend the Ninja Academy now?"
"Yes, I plan for him to start school after participating in this clan competition. After all, a ninja is not complete until they have gone through this. This is also in line with the Sandaime-sama's dedication to teaching."
Fugaku replied seriously.
"Ninja Academy? Just another excuse to bind us… They want to restrict us, but they're also afraid of us."
Uchiha Huo lowered his head, his eyes dark and inscrutable, and no one knew what he was thinking.
"This time, many geniuses have emerged from our Uchiha clan—Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Juri, Uchiha Fangzheng. These kids are all very impressive. I believe the Uchiha will be able to regain the glory of the past."
Some elders of the clan were filled with hope.
At this moment, someone nearby exclaimed in surprise, "Speaking of Uchiha Fangzheng, how is his brother now?"
Uchiha Fangzheng's brother? Uchiha Fangyuan?
At the mention of this child, many elders were startled and then sighed in disappointment. When Uchiha Fangyuan was born, he could walk at one month old, speak eloquently at three months old, and recite poetry at five months old. He was considered by everyone to be the most outstanding genius of Uchiha in recent years. However, to this day, he still cannot even extract a trace of chakra.
A fallen genius.
"What a pity, but his younger brother Fangzheng has surpassed him. He is extremely intelligent. Although he is only four years old this year, he has already learned B-level ninjutsu, the Great Fire Dragon. His shuriken technique is also perfect. He is a well-deserved genius!"
"Yes, both brothers are remarkable. I hope Yuejian and Fangju can rest in peace underground. They are both heroes of the Uchiha," Fugaku paused, "and also heroes of the village..."
"Everyone, today's clan meeting ends here. Uchiha Kaname will stay behind, and the rest of you may leave."
Uchiha Fugaku knocked on the table with authority. The elders all nodded and dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts.
Only Uchiha Huo's face remained so gloomy it seemed like water could drip from it.
…
In the Uchiha clan territory, thunder rumbled and heavy rain poured.
In a small wooden house on the edge of the area, a six-year-old boy on the tatami opened his eyes. There was no trace of the innocence and romance of an ordinary child in his gaze, only a calmness akin to the stillness of a cold pond.
"Hmmm? This isn't the Gu World. Where is this?"
Uchiha Fang Yuan's eyes were dim as he approached the window. A cold wind blew outside, accompanied by thunder and icy rain hitting his body.
"I was reborn using the Spring and Autumn Cicada, but it seems I have come to another world."
Fang Yuan looked at his reflection in the window glass, stretched out his pale little hand to examine it, and felt the reality of his situation.
"Five hundred years really does feel like a dream..."
"But it doesn't matter where I am. My path has already been determined."
Fang Yuan closed the window to prevent the rain from seeping into the house. He glanced around again and was taken aback.
The wood in this world was finely crafted, and the windows were made of transparent glass stone rather than window paper, which piqued his great curiosity.
"I wonder if the Gu worm can still be used? This is crucial to my chances of rising here."
Fang Yuan smiled bitterly. He tried to use his mental power to inspect his own orifices but was surprised to find that he couldn't do so at all.
"This is a bit troublesome. If I can't use my Kongqiao, my five hundred years of experience will be wasted."
Fang Yuan frowned, but his expression remained calm.
Humans are the most intelligent creatures in the world, and Gu is the essence of heaven and earth. It will not disappear but will just exist in nature in another form.
With this thought, Fang Yuan no longer hesitated. He lay back on the bed, waiting for the thunderstorm outside to pass.
The next day.
Fang Yuan got up early. He had no memory of this body, so he needed more time to adapt to this place.
On the streets of the Uchiha clan, Fang Yuan studied the culture and technology of this world with curiosity. He saw commercial flags fluttering in the air and many other things he had never seen before.
"It's Fang Yuan. You're up so early? You haven't had breakfast yet! Come here. Grandma will treat you to three-color meatballs."
When passing by a meatball shop, an elderly woman with white hair at her temples called out to Fang Yuan and raised a lunchbox in her hand.
Behind the old woman, a cute little girl with black hair poked her head out and waved to Fang Yuan.
"Fang Yuan-san, do you want to practice shuriken together today? I'll prepare a lunchbox for you as well."
"Uh..." Fang Yuan was stunned and remained silent.
Because he couldn't recognize the grandparents and grandchildren in front of him at all, Fang Yuan felt that they seemed very familiar, as if he was usually taken care of by them.
"Mr. Fang Yuan, if you have time, take Quan with you to play. This kid keeps repeating your name at home, and I, an old woman, will get annoyed if I hear it too much."
The old lady smiled, handed the lunchbox to Fang Yuan, and gently pushed her granddaughter towards him.
Uchiha Izumi, pinching the corner of her clothes and blushing, took out her ninja tool bag and retrieved a shuriken from it.
"Fang Yuan-san, your birthday is coming soon. This is for you."
"Um."
Fang Yuan accepted the shuriken in silence. He examined the weapon of this world and couldn't help but frown.
It was just ordinary pig iron—nothing special about it.
"Izumi... huh? Uchiha Izumi." Fang Yuan murmured softly.
"Ah~ Yes, it's me. What instructions does Fang Yuan-san have?"
Uchiha Izumi was a bit nervous.
"Nothing, let's go."
Fang Yuan nodded, noting the name and observing Izumi's red face.
The first characteristic of this world is that children here are generally precocious. Fang Yuan silently kept this observation in mind.
To better disguise himself, he needed more memories of this place.