The news that Uchiha Haru had instantly defeated Uchiha Gō and easily crushed Uchiha Kenta caused quite a stir within the Uchiha clan compound!
"Did you hear? That 'loser Haru' beat up Uchiha Kenta yesterday!"
"No way, really? Kenta may not be exceptional, but he's still got the strength of a regular Genin. Haru's been stuck at the bottom of the class—how could he possibly beat him?"
"It's true! Someone saw Kenta limping away, and Gō? That guy got burned so badly he was nearly unrecognizable—gruesome stuff!"
The derogatory nickname "loser Haru," once a common insult, shifted in tone overnight from mockery to suspicion and curiosity.
Of course, after the initial shock came speculation and doubt.
After all, for someone who'd been bullied for years to suddenly display strength far beyond expectations… well, the whole thing seemed a bit fishy.
Even within the Uchiha Police Force, a few of the patrolling members couldn't help gossiping about it during their break.
"Captain, did you hear? That kid named Uchiha Haru from the clan—seems like he might be something," said one patrolman to a tall, broad-shouldered Uchiha Jonin with a stern face.
Uchiha Setsuna simply replied with a flat "Mm," his expression as calm as still water, showing no reaction.
"Probably used some underhanded trick," another officer who was acquainted with Uchiha Kenta scoffed immediately.
"Doesn't matter whether it's true or not. We'll know from his future performance. Keep patrolling!" Uchiha Setsuna cut off the discussion and led the team onward.
Unbothered by the clan's chatter, Uchiha Haru continued to keep a low profile.
He knew well that although he was much stronger than before, he still couldn't hold a candle to true elites.
Forget Kage-level powerhouses—even a random Jonin or elite Chunin could mop the floor with him.
Haru stuck to his daily routine, training at the clan's public training grounds without fail.
He deliberately kept his Chakra output in check and only activated his Sharingan when no one was around, refining his ocular prowess in secret.
But even with his desire for discretion, trouble had a way of finding him.
Uchiha Training Grounds
Haru was practicing shuriken throwing.
Even without using his Sharingan, his enhanced physical condition and improved Chakra control allowed him to hit the bullseye seven or eight times out of ten with ten shuriken.
An accomplishment unimaginable for the old Uchiha Haru.
"Yo, if it isn't Haru. Heard your strength's shot up lately—even beat down Kenta?" came a voice thick with sarcasm from the side.
Turning his head, Haru recognized the speaker. It was Uchiha Yū, Kenta's cousin—a Genin with strength far above average.
Uchiha Yū crossed his arms, eyes carrying a hint of provocation.
"It was just luck," Haru responded flatly.
"Luck?" Yū snorted. "Beating Kenta and the others that easily? That's not something you can brush off with 'luck'. How about a little sparring match? Let's see what that 'luck' of yours is really made of."
The two lackeys behind him chimed in:
"Yeah, yeah! Yū is one of the best among our generation. It's only fair that he gives you some pointers!"
"Sure," Haru replied without hesitation, agreeing readily to Yū's challenge.
He understood that refusing would only bring endless trouble later.
Keeping a low profile was a privilege of the strong. Before you had strength, you should act modest before the powerful—but toward the weak, strength was the best deterrent.
In the center of the training field, the two faced each other.
Uchiha Yū made the first move. Forming hand seals, he shouted, "Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"
Fist-sized fireballs shot toward Haru from multiple angles like scattered blossoms.
This display of Phoenix Fire far exceeded normal Genin standards in both speed and accuracy.
Haru's gaze sharpened. A crimson glint flashed in his eyes for a brief second—a single-Tomoe Sharingan activated and just as quickly faded away.
He didn't take the fireballs head-on. Instead, he pushed off the ground, weaving like a phantom through the flames with fluid, graceful movements.
Every fireball barely grazed his clothes—none landed.
"What?!" Uchiha Yū's eyes widened, shock written all over his face.
He hadn't expected Haru's movements to be so nimble!
Before he could recover, Haru was already up close.
He didn't use any high-level taijutsu—just a simple straight punch. But it was fast—alarmingly fast!
Caught off guard, Yū could only raise an arm to block.
Boom!
A dull thud echoed as Yū was forced back seven or eight steps by the sheer force, his arm going numb from the impact.
'That strength!'
This kind of power wasn't something a Genin should have. Damn it—Uchiha Haru's strength had already reached Chunin level, maybe even beyond!
Landing the hit, Haru didn't press the advantage. He simply stood still, looking at Yū calmly.
"Want to continue?"
Uchiha Yū's face turned from red to pale.
He knew he'd lost. Any further fighting would only add to his humiliation.
The Haru in front of him was no longer the loser who used to be pushed around.
"Hmph, guess you've got some skills," Yū grumbled, leaving with his two followers in tow, looking thoroughly defeated.
Some of the Uchiha clan members watching from the sidelines exchanged subtle glances.
If beating Uchiha Kenta could be chalked up to luck, then this clean win over Uchiha Yū was undeniable proof of Haru's strength.
But Haru paid no attention to the gazes. He simply returned to his training.
These kinds of "tests" might continue in the future.
But that was fine. Through these "tests," he could gradually solidify the image he was building—
the image of an "awakened Uchiha prodigy."
That evening, as Haru finished training and walked home, he sharply sensed a hidden gaze sweeping past from a nearby watchtower.
At the window of the tower, a shadow flickered and vanished.
Though brief, Haru's exceptional memory let him recognize the person instantly.
It was an Uchiha Jonin named Uchiha Inaho, a high-ranking officer in the Uchiha Police Force, and one of Uchiha Fugaku's trusted aides.
'Looks like my performance has started to attract attention from the higher-ups.'
Everything was going according to plan.
[Uchiha Inaho – Rank: Mid-level Jonin | Loyalty: 80% (to the clan), 10% (to the host)]
"Only 10% loyalty to me, huh? So it's just curiosity and observation for now."
Haru knew that to truly change the Uchiha's predicament, he'd need to build fame step by step, earn recognition, and ultimately seize power.
The next goal: joining the Uchiha Police Force. That would be his stepping stone toward a higher status and stronger influence.
Attribute Panel:
Power: Entry-level Chunin
Mastered Skills:
Three Academy Techniques (Proficient)
Great Fireball Technique (Proficient)
Sharingan (One Tomoe)
Clan Rank: Ordinary Genin
Clan Honor: 75 points
(Repelled Uchiha Yū and other challengers, slightly boosted clan reputation: +25)
Clan Strength Assessment: Genin-level (Initial)