The next day, Uchiha Yuan and his group set out again. This time, they didn't encounter any trouble on the road.
After traveling nonstop for a day and a night, they successfully arrived at the encampment in the Land of Bears.
Shibi Aburame instructed the three of them to wait where they were, then entered a large central tent in the camp.
About ten minutes later, Shibi came back out.
"Alright, I've already reported everything to Lord Orochimaru. He says we're to rest for two days. Once the next wave of forces arrives, we'll be assigned new missions," Shibi explained.
"Lord Orochimaru? He's the commander of the Bear Country front?" Hyuga Asana asked.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru is the commander. The new heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans are assisting him. Anyway, ask your families for the details—I won't be explaining them."
"Asana, Yuan, Kagetsu—your families each have their own encampments here. Just go there directly. If any missions come up, someone will inform you." With that, Shibi turned and walked away.
The three exchanged glances. Just as Yamanaka Kagetsu was about to speak, someone suddenly called his name.
"Kagetsu, over here!"
"Yuan, Asana, my clan is calling me. I'll head over first."
"Alright. Let's meet here again at 8 a.m. tomorrow," said Uchiha Yuan.
Kagetsu nodded and left.
Once Kagetsu was gone, it became easier for Yuan and Asana to speak.
Still, they were in a Konoha camp, so to avoid being overheard, they lowered their voices and spoke in hushed tones only the two of them could hear.
"Asana, chances are, Orochimaru will try to contact you later. Be careful."
"Don't worry, I already know Orochimaru's intentions are shady. I won't be tricked," Asana replied.
"Good. According to Sensei Shibi, the reinforcements from the village should arrive in two days. When they do, we'll most likely be sent straight to the frontlines.
The front is going to be even more dangerous than that ambush we were in. So tomorrow, I want to run some tests."
"Tests? What kind of tests?" Asana asked.
Uchiha Yuan responded by activating his Sharingan.
When she saw his Double Tomoe Sharingan, Asana's expression turned odd.
"Your Sharingan evolved again?"
"Yeah. When I faced that Mist Jonin yesterday, it was actually a very dangerous situation—I was nearly stabbed in the heart by his kunai.
At that critical moment, my Sharingan evolved. My right eye became Double Tomoe too. Thanks to the enhanced dynamic vision, I managed to avoid a fatal blow."
"I see. So tomorrow you want to test the Sharingan's dynamic vision?"
"No. I feel like my Double Tomoe Sharingan is a bit different. It seems to boost genjutsu."
"Enhance genjutsu? Isn't that a Three Tomoe Sharingan ability?"
"Exactly. That's why I'm not sure. I need to test it.
If my Double Tomoe Sharingan really does enhance genjutsu, it'll drastically improve our chances of survival in battle—and also make it easier to gather intel and complete missions."
Asana nodded after hearing that. "Got it. I'll help you test it tomorrow."
"Thanks. Let's meet here in the morning then."
"Okay."
The two of them then split up and headed toward their respective clan camps.
The Uchiha camp wasn't hard to find. After asking around a bit, Yuan quickly located it.
When he arrived, he saw only a dozen or so Uchiha clan members. They all looked older than him, and he didn't recognize any of them.
Though he didn't know them, they clearly had been told ahead of time to expect him.
The leader among them approached and said, "You're Uchiha Yuan, right? I'm Uchiha Mei, a Jonin of Konoha. Back in the village, I worked in the police force."
"Hello, Senior Mei. I'm Uchiha Yuan."
"No need to be so formal. We're all kin. On the battlefield, we should support one another," Mei said with a smile.
"You're right, Senior Mei. Yuan, how old are you this year?" asked one of the only two women in the camp.
"Ten years old. My eleventh birthday is in two months."
"Hmph! The village is really becoming useless—sending ten-year-old kids to the battlefield," grumbled another Uchiha behind Mei.
"Let's not say things like that. This is wartime. Winning the war takes precedence," Mei replied.
"Cai, Yin, your tent should still have an empty spot, right? Would it be okay if Yuan stayed with you?" Mei asked.
"Sure. He's only ten—a child. I don't mind," said Uchiha Yin, who had spoken to Yuan earlier.
"Me neither," replied Uchiha Cai, who had remained quiet until now.
Both Yin and Cai looked to be in their early twenties. Cai resembled Uchiha Osamu—the inventor of Izanami—in both face and even in her purple hair.
Yin, on the other hand, looked more like an older version of Uchiha Izumi, with the standard black hair of the Uchiha clan.
"What do you think, Yuan?" Mei asked, turning to him.
"I… I don't think that's appropriate. I'm a boy, and Senior Yin and Senior Cai are women…"
Mei thought to himself: "Kids today really are mature—already distinguishing between genders at ten. When I was ten, I still bathed with my mother!"
But since Yuan didn't seem comfortable, Mei didn't push it. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If you're shy, Yuan, come stay in my tent. I'm alone in there."
"Then I'll be in your care, Senior Mei."
"Good. Oh right, Yuan—I heard you already awakened your Sharingan. Is that true?" Mei asked.
"Yes. I awakened it when I heard the news of my parents' deaths."
"Awakening at ten—same as Cai. I didn't awaken mine until I was twelve," Mei said with a smile.
"I really envy you people who awakened before fifteen. You're all Three Tomoe already. I awakened mine at seventeen, and it's been five years… still only Double Tomoe," Yin said a bit enviously.
"Sigh… What's there to envy?" Mei said. "I awakened mine because my father died. Cai awakened hers after her parents were killed. Yuan's situation is the same.
If I had the choice, I'd rather not have this Sharingan at all."
(To Be Continued...)