Yamagami Yohei cast an uneasy glance at Uchiha Hayato. According to his understanding, Uchiha Setsuna had attempted to assassinate the Second Hokage in his youth, and now he was actively summoning Hayato. He wondered what kind of storm this meeting would brew.
"Teacher Yohei, I'm leaving first." Uchiha Hayato smiled at Yamagami Yohei, then turned and followed the Uchiha member.
"Chirp? (∵)"
Uchiha Hayato stroked Chimchar, who had sensed the subtle atmosphere, his mood somewhat low. He only wanted to spend time happily with Chimchar now, but as an Uchiha, the struggles between the Family and the Village were something he couldn't escape.
He believed that the militant faction's ideology had become insane. The Senju Family was now nowhere to be found, and the Hyuga Family wasn't so fanatical about the Hokage position. Yet, some Uchiha were obsessed with power, perhaps because Madara's will had been passed down within the Uchiha Clan.
"Why does Elder Setsuna want to see me?" Hayato asked in a low voice, frowning. He didn't want to face this unknown meeting completely ignorant.
"Perhaps it's about the Ninja Academy. Your performance today, defeating many opponents, has spread throughout the Clan." The young Military Police Force member spoke with a hint of pride, a clear boast in his tone. "Truly worthy of being a child of the Uchiha."
At this, he lowered his voice and added, "However, only by awakening the Sharingan can one be considered a true Uchiha."
His gaze fell on Chimchar, and he showed a slight surprise: "This Summoning Beast… is truly rare."
Soon, Uchiha Hayato arrived in front of a low, wooden civilian house. No one would have guessed that this inconspicuous little house was the residence of the Uchiha Clan's highest leader.
"This is it, you can go in."
Uchiha Hayato nodded to him and stepped inside. Before him was an elegant courtyard, where an old man sat cross-legged on the porch, his hands clasped on his knees, not at all as fierce as rumored.
"You've arrived," the old man said, his voice deep and calm. He looked up slightly, his sharp gaze meeting Uchiha Hayato's in the air.
"Hayato greets Elder Setsuna." His eyes were like torches, his voice clear and bright, his words showing neither timidity nor excessive reverence.
Uchiha Setsuna met his gaze for a moment, then smiled with satisfaction. "Truly a member of our Uchiha Clan. I am very pleased that you defeated many students at the Ninja Academy today."
He stroked his chin and smiled gently, "How about this, I will teach you a Fire Release Ninjutsu."
With that, the old man stood up, his expression extremely stern.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Uchiha Setsuna quickly formed hand signs, with astonishing speed. Before Hayato could clearly see, a series of huge fireballs rapidly spewed from his mouth, covering almost half of the courtyard.
The intense heat rushing towards him made Uchiha Hayato quickly retreat. On Uchiha Hayato's back, Chimchar poked out half its head, chirping non-stop, marveling at the power of this Ninjutsu.
He glanced at the scorched ground, becoming much more cautious, and his desire to improve his strength grew urgent. With Uchiha Setsuna's power, he could easily kill him in an instant. Was he demonstrating his power?
He didn't know what thoughts Uchiha Setsuna was truly hiding.
The old man withdrew his hand and pulled out a scroll from his wide sleeve: "These are my notes from when I practiced Fire Release before. They contain my experience using the Great Fireball Technique and the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. Take them and study them."
Hayato shook his head, his tone calm yet firm: "Elder, what happened at the Ninja Academy today was merely a small effort. I truly feel unworthy of such a generous gift from you."
Setsuna's expression froze slightly, and the smile on his face gained a hint of almost imperceptible stiffness: "Take it. The stronger the children of the Uchiha Clan become, the more pleased I am."
Hayato looked at Setsuna's expression, and alarm bells rang in his heart: No good deed goes unpunished. If he accepted this generous gift, he feared he wouldn't be able to escape easily.
Sure enough, Setsuna changed the subject, his gaze falling on Chimchar: "I hear your Summoning Beast played a significant role in the battle. Why not hand it over to the Family?"
[Ding! Quest issued: Pokémon Hunter's Request]
[Option 1: Hand over Chimchar. Reward: Exp. Candy M * 5, TM — Frustration * 1, no longer able to obtain Pokémon]
[Option 2: Refuse to hand over Chimchar. Reward: Soothe Bell, Low-Grade Fire-type Energy Cube]
Uchiha Hayato's face was a little grim. Did he even need to choose?
Refuse!
His parents in this life had died while on a mission, owing nothing to the Family, nor to the Village.
In his heart, although Chimchar had only been with him for a short time, it had already become his Family. How could he do such a thing?
Moreover, if he handed Chimchar over to Uchiha Setsuna, he would not only lose it but also never be able to obtain any other Pokémon in the future.
Hayato refused: "Elder Setsuna, Xiao Yan is my Summoning Beast. I cannot hand it over."
It was no longer the time when Senju Tobirama was in power, where he had absolute say within the Uchiha Clan. Uchiha Setsuna's expression was somewhat gloomy; he hadn't expected Hayato to refuse him.
"If you hand over your Summoning Beast to the Family, you will receive better training. Isn't that a good thing?"
"In that case, if Elder can defeat me using only the Chakra level of a Genin, I will agree." Hayato's gaze turned slightly cold.
Hayato certainly wouldn't agree; this statement was merely to lull Uchiha Setsuna into a false sense of security.
Uchiha Setsuna chuckled, "The young man has some courage. Very well, I will grant your wish."
Uchiha Hayato stroked Chimchar's head and whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry, we won't lose."
Feeling Uchiha Hayato's resolve, Chimchar recovered, its gaze fixed on Uchiha Setsuna, its fighting spirit surging.
Watching the man and his pet show affection in front of him, Uchiha Setsuna couldn't help but laugh. Even if he used the same amount of Chakra as Uchiha Hayato, his experience was not to be trifled with.
Young people are easily impulsive. Let him learn a lesson; at worst, he could compensate him in other ways.
"Come at me together."
Uchiha Hayato took a deep breath, quickly formed hand signs, and two clones appeared beside him. The three Hayatos charged at Uchiha Setsuna simultaneously.
Chimchar followed closely, its fists ablaze with roaring flames, swiftly rushing towards Uchiha Setsuna. It roared, throwing its flame-wrapped fists.
Setsuna remained composed, lightly sidestepping, perfectly evading the impact of the Fire Punch. He took half a step back, effortlessly dispelling the clones, and Lock-On Uchiha Hayato's true body within his field of vision.
Chimchar was not discouraged, continuously rolling, spinning in the air, and kicking towards Setsuna's head with both legs.
Double Kick!
Uchiha Setsuna raised his eyebrows, quickly reached out, and accurately grasped Chimchar's ankle. The immense strength brought Chimchar's offensive to an abrupt halt. At the same time, Hayato's true body lunged from the side, his Kunai aimed directly at the old man's opening.
Setsuna chuckled softly, flinging Chimchar towards Hayato. Hayato had no time to adjust and could only catch Chimchar, both of them stumbling back several steps.
"Young man, combat isn't just about direct attacks." Uchiha Setsuna's words were full of warning. "Your cooperation is interesting." He said playfully, his hands still clasped behind his back, "But this alone is far from enough."
Uchiha Setsuna's expression turned cold. He stopped jesting and decided to prioritize dealing with Uchiha Hayato. He suddenly accelerated, charging towards Hayato, his hand-blade striking down like lightning, aimed directly at Hayato's vital points.
"So fast!"
With no time to dodge, Uchiha Hayato could only barely raise the Kunai in his hand to meet the attack.
In that instant, Chimchar roared, suddenly leaping up to block in front of Hayato. Uchiha Setsuna's attack heavily struck Chimchar's body. Chimchar's small body was sent flying back, crashing to the ground, its flames gradually weakening.
"Xiao Yan!" A sharp pain pierced Uchiha Hayato's heart. Pokémon are loving beings; even though they had only been together for a few days, Chimchar was already willing to be injured to protect him.
His anger and sorrow intertwined fiercely. Under the intense emotional fluctuation, a crimson color suddenly surged into Uchiha Hayato's eyes. A black tomoe swiftly appeared, rotating within the scarlet iris.
"Now, of all times?" Uchiha Setsuna was momentarily stunned, his gaze falling on Hayato's brand new Sharingan, narrowing slightly. But what surprised him even more was not just this.
Chimchar struggled to its feet, and the flames on its tail suddenly expanded violently in that instant, burning even more vigorously than before.
Blaze ability activated!
"Xiao Yan, use 100% Fire Punch!"
Chimchar roared at the sky, its flames growing hotter, the air around its fists distorting slightly. It shrieked and swiftly charged towards Uchiha Setsuna.
A typical Genin was no longer an opponent, Uchiha Setsuna judged. He no longer underestimated him. Even Uchiha Hayato had awakened his Sharingan, so he too should become serious.
"What is this?"
Before Uchiha Setsuna could clearly see Chimchar's transformation, Uchiha Hayato had already pulled out a Premier Ball.
"Come back, Xiao Yan." Uchiha Hayato flashed and leaped, jumping out of the courtyard.
"Ha… hahaha…" Uchiha Setsuna burst into laughter. "Have I been fooled by a child?"
"What flows within that Summoning Beast's body doesn't seem to be Chakra." Uchiha Setsuna's gaze was deep. "It's not bad. Let me see how far you can go."