The first boy named Uchiha Aiju began the test. He stepped into the fiery red puddle with his bare feet, and instantly, a heart-wrenching pain shot through his entire body.
"Hiss! It's so hot!" Uchiha Aiju cried out, quickly retracting his feet. He turned to meet Uchiha Kaname's stern gaze. "If the challenger does not enter the trial venue within five seconds, it will be deemed as a forfeit."
"I…" Uchiha Aiju hesitated, gritting his teeth as he put his foot back into the puddle. He staggered a few steps but managed to stand firm, though his face was flushed red, and sweat poured down his forehead.
"We just got here. Is it really this difficult?" whispered the Uchiha kids in the audience, their murmurs growing louder.
"It's like stepping on a branding iron!" someone exclaimed.
Uchiha Huo shot a glare at the whispering crowd, which quickly fell silent.
Uchiha Aiju continued to move forward with great difficulty. Each step was a struggle; white smoke billowed from his body, and his eyes grew glassy as the burns took their toll. Despite his pain, his chakra began to shift from blue to red, indicating the activation of the fire attribute.
One step, two steps, three steps... until the twenty-third step, when Uchiha Aiju stumbled and fell weakly.
"The test is over. Uchiha Aiju, your result is C grade. You've passed." Uchiha Huo announced. Using a flash technique, he lifted Uchiha Aiju from the water. Medical staff quickly attended to him and carried him away on a stretcher.
Uchiha Fugaku, observing from the platform, nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. This is only the first child, and he has achieved such good results. The Uchiha clan is thriving."
"Congratulations, Clan Leader! The high quality of the children is a reflection of your personal cultivation," praised the elders.
Fugaku dismissed their flattery. "Enough of that. The future of the Uchiha clan is what matters. Focus on the children here."
The elders nodded. "Which candidate is the Clan Leader most optimistic about this time? Uchiha Itachi seems exceptional."
An elder spoke up, "Fugaku, who are you most optimistic about?"
Fugaku contemplated before replying, "Uchiha Fangzheng. He's performed well. I once tested his aptitude and taught him the B-level Great Fire Dragon Technique. He mastered it in just half a month, comparable to Itachi's progress."
"Fangzheng is indeed promising, though he's a bit timid," noted the elders.
When discussing Uchiha Juri, the elders were impressed. Uchiha Dongtu, sitting in the corner, looked at his son with pride, hoping for a successful outcome that would benefit the family.
The trial continued. Many candidates impressed the audience, with one walking thirty-seven steps and opening a pair of single-magatama Sharingan.
"My eyes have opened!" someone exclaimed.
"Remarkable! Another Uchiha genius!" cheered the crowd.
Uchiha Juri sneered. "Thirty-seven steps and you're already calling him a genius? His limit is elite jounin at best!"
Juri's words ignited anger among the onlookers. "Juri, you haven't even tried. Don't be so arrogant!"
"I'll show you what a real Uchiha genius is!" Juri retorted.
Fang Zheng tried to calm him, but Juri brushed him aside. "You're my brother, but your timidity is pathetic!"
"Next, Uchiha Juri!" Uchiha Kadashi announced, cutting through the discord.
Juri strode to the front, addressing Uchiha Kagami. "Elder, if I walk forty steps, I want you to accept me as your disciple."
Uchiha Huo, glaring furiously, responded, "If you can walk forty steps, I'll consider it. Otherwise, I'll have to deal with you myself!"
The room fell silent. Uchiha Dongtu, watching from the sidelines, trembled, knowing Uchiha Huo's reputation.
Juri's defiant behavior shocked everyone, drawing all eyes to him. Even Fugaku adjusted his posture, intrigued by the unfolding drama.
At that moment, the attention of everyone inside and outside the cave was solely on Uchiha Juri.