"Grandpa, then I'll never be able to defeat that hateful Ketsuna from the Hyuga Clan, will I?"
Mingxi suddenly thought of this question and couldn't help but clench her fists. Constantly being outdone—that wasn't the Uchiha Clan's style!
But how could she, with only a Two-Tomoe Sharingan, defeat Hyuga Yuzuru, who had awakened the Tenseigan?
Shoon Uchiha merely smiled and didn't immediately answer Mingxi's question. After a long pause, he slowly said, "Who said our Uchiha's Sharingan's highest form is only the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"
"Grandpa, are you saying there's an even higher form of Sharingan above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"
Mingxi's eyes widened in astonishment, seemingly shocked by Shoon Uchiha's words, which had a huge impact on her worldview.
Ever since Mingxi was old enough to understand, she had always believed that the highest form of Sharingan was the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and the elders in the clan also thought the same. She had never heard of any higher form existing above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan…
"That's right. The form above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan is called the 'Mangekyo Sharingan.' That is a power only 'gods' can possess!"
When Shoon Uchiha mentioned the 'Mangekyo Sharingan,' even his usually unruffled heart felt a slight tremor. The images of that 'god-like' power were still deeply etched in his memory, never to be forgotten.
"Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Mingxi repeated the name. From her grandpa's tone, she understood that the 'Mangekyo Sharingan' was absolutely incredibly powerful.
"Grandpa, has anyone in our Uchiha Clan awakened the 'Mangekyo Sharingan'?"
Mingxi asked intelligently, knowing that awakening such a 'god-like' power must come with extremely strict limitations or conditions!
Shoon Uchiha simply shook his head gently and didn't continue the topic. Instead, he chuckled and said, "You're still young now. It's too early to understand these things. When you grow a bit older, I'll tell you everything about the Mangekyo Sharingan, piece by piece…"
"Hmph! Grandpa just loves to tease!"
Mingxi, knowing her grandpa's temper, understood that no matter how she asked, her grandpa wouldn't tell her. So, she pouted, expressing her dissatisfaction.
"Haha…"
Shoon Uchiha patted Mingxi's head, his wrinkled face filled with smiles. Mingxi, however, didn't know what her grandpa was laughing about.
"Go back. Tomorrow you still have to go to the Ninja Academy, so you don't need to train so late."
"Mm, Mingxi understands."
Mingxi nodded, then left the training ground with Shoon Uchiha and returned to her own residence.
※
Time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already July.
The Ninja Academy was also about to welcome the summer break, and the Academy Students were very much looking forward to it.
However, before the summer break, the teachers would organize a practical exercise to test the students' learning achievements for the semester.
The practical exercise was divided into two parts: ninja tool throwing and two-person combat.
The rules for the first part, ninja tool throwing, were simple: Academy Students would use ninja tools to throw at a target in the center of a target board at a certain distance. Those who hit the bullseye would receive an excellent score, while those who missed the bullseye would be given corresponding scores based on their deviation.
As for the second part, two-person combat, it was divided into two smaller parts. The first small part was same-grade combat, testing the students' taijutsu, combat awareness, and Chakra application. The second small part was lower-grade versus higher-grade combat. The teachers would arrange several higher-grade students as challengers, drawing a circular circle beneath their feet. They could only move freely within the designated circle. Once forced out of the circle by a lower-grade student attacking the challenge, the combat would end, and that lower-grade student would receive a perfect score. However, even if this step wasn't achieved, the teachers would not give lower-grade students a low score; instead, they would give corresponding scores based on their specific practical combat and coping strategies.
"…Alright, that's the general content of this practical exercise. If anyone has any questions, you can ask them now."
Otani Yuto stood in front of the podium, speaking to the students.
"Teacher Datani, what if the score for the practical exercise is too low?"
At this moment, a student raised their hand and asked, a worried expression on their face. Clearly, he belonged to the 'underachievers' in the class.
"If your score is too low, it might affect your future as a ninja. After all, the Ninja Academy trains competent ninjas, not useless individuals who can't do anything right!"
Otani Yuto spoke very sternly at this point. He wanted the students present to know that becoming an excellent ninja was not simply about spending six years in the Ninja Academy; it also required hard work, effort, and sweat. Only then could they survive in the cruel environment after officially becoming ninjas…
"In one semester, you have learned basic theoretical knowledge, Chakra refinement techniques, and corresponding taijutsu training. Now is the time for you to demonstrate what you have learned. I hope you won't disappoint me!"
Hearing Otani Yuto say this, some students were happy, some were expectant, some were nervous, and some were anxious and uncertain…
"…Since everyone has no more questions, class will be dismissed early today. Tomorrow, be sure to gather at the Ninja Academy training ground at 8 AM sharp!"
"Yes, Teacher Datani!"
...
※
The next day, 8 AM.
The first-year students were neatly lined up on the training ground according to their height, waiting for the practical exercise to begin.
Soon, the ninja tool throwing was about to start, and then the teacher began calling names from the first student.
"Kitamura Yusuke!"
"Here!"
"Hmm, do you see the target over there? I'm giving you three shuriken now. You need to hit the bullseye as much as possible!"
"Yes, Teacher Datani."
The student named Kitamura Yusuke, though a little nervous, still walked confidently to Teacher Datani to receive three shuriken, then headed towards the designated throwing spot.
"The target is only 30 meters away from me. This distance isn't far. I can definitely hit it!"
Kitamura Yusuke encouraged himself, then signaled to the scoring teacher beside him that he was ready. With the teacher's permission, he immediately threw one of the shuriken in his hand.
Whoosh…
Luckily, it hit the target!
But the effect was not good; it did not hit the bullseye.
Seeing this, Kitamura Yusuke did not lose heart. He was a bit nervous the first time. He was confident he could hit the bullseye next time.
Whoosh…
Whoosh…
Next, Kitamura Yusuke threw two shuriken in succession. Just as he expected, they all hit the bullseye. This scene immediately caught the attention of the scoring teacher nearby, who quickly marked the score on the paper in his hand.
"Next…"
The scoring teacher spoke directly, not intending to inform Kitamura Yusuke of his score. The latter naturally didn't linger and returned directly to his original position.
"What a boring exercise…"
Mingxi, next to Ketsuna, yawned, looking as if she hadn't slept enough. Clearly, she had trained late into the night again.
"Compared to this boring 'ninja game,' I'd rather have a real fight with you!"
Mingxi's gaze turned to Ketsuna, two tomoe rotating slightly in her crimson eyes, seemingly filled with a desire for battle.
"Do you have a masochistic tendency?"
Ketsuna turned his head to look at Ketsuna and asked, puzzled.