"So… there's no other way?"
Uchiha Masayuki asked, his mood somewhat heavy.
He had thought things were finally improving—
That the future was heading in a better direction.
But now…
This wasn't what he wanted.
Over the past year, he had spoken with Sora many times.
He clearly understood that if the Uchiha clan wanted to change its awkward position within the village—and even produce a Hokage of Uchiha origin in the future—
Then improving their reputation within the village was a crucial step.
And now—
That crucial step had hit a dead end.
"Mm."
Sora took a bite of food and nodded.
"For now, there's no good solution."
"The only advice I can give is—focus on improving your own strength, and the overall strength of the Uchiha."
"And keep a low profile while doing it. Don't expose too much, or you'll still be targeted."
"When the time comes, and your strength is sufficient, then you can present facts and reason things out with Konoha's higher-ups."
"If reason doesn't work—then use physics."
"At that point, let your fists do the talking."
"In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are meaningless."
"So—Dad, Big Brother—train hard and improve your strength."
"I've set a small goal for you."
"Reach Kage-level combat strength within three years. Not difficult, right?"
It wasn't that there were truly no other methods.
But those methods would require long-term scheming, political maneuvering, and constant covert battles with people like Danzo and the Third Hokage.
And that would also require complete unity within the Uchiha—
No fools dragging things down.
In a world where power ultimately belonged to the individual—
Sora had no interest in that.
Once he had enough strength, he wouldn't need to play those games at all.
If others chose to scheme in the shadows—
He would simply flip the table and smash all the rules.
Then rebuild them according to his own will.
Rules had always existed to restrain and protect the weak.
As long as the strong were willing to follow them, they could persist.
But once the strong refused—
They ceased to exist.
Uchiha Masayuki: "…"
Uchiha Hao: "…"
Both of them stared at Sora blankly and asked in unison:
"Are you serious? You call reaching Kage-level a 'small goal'?"
"Why not?"
Sora curled his lip in disdain.
"Dad is one thing—you've already reached the peak of elite Jōnin."
"With the Spirit-Refining Method over the past year, combined with the Youth Version Body-Refining Medicinal Bath, you've already reached quasi-Kage level, haven't you?"
"And your Sharingan's Ocular Power has already exceeded the three-tomoe level by fifty percent."
"You just need a trigger to evolve into the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Is reaching Kage-level within three years really that difficult for you?"
"I was being conservative by saying three years."
"Heh."
Uchiha Masayuki chuckled.
"You really do have sharp eyes, kid. Nothing gets past you."
"That's right—I'm confident I can break through to Kage-level within a year."
Previously, what held him back wasn't talent—
It was chakra.
Or more precisely—
The Sharingan itself.
Success because of the Sharingan.
Limitation because of the Sharingan.
The three-tomoe Sharingan had restricted his further growth.
Preventing qualitative transformation of chakra and deeper nature transformation.
There had been countless similar cases throughout Uchiha history.
Such was the limitation of bloodline.
But now—
With the Spirit-Refining Method, his spiritual power and physique had improved significantly.
Continuing like this, achieving transformation was only a matter of time.
Moreover, the increasingly powerful spiritual energy enhanced his three-tomoe Sharingan—
Giving him the possibility of reaching Kage-level even without awakening the Mangekyō.
Then—
Sora turned to his older brother.
"Big Brother, you're in your golden age for growth."
"With body-refining techniques and the Spirit-Refining Method, if you still can't reach Kage-level in three years…"
"I'll seriously start questioning whether you're hopelessly stupid."
After a year of Spirit-Refining training—
Even Mikoto had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Uchiha Hao, being of similar age, had naturally reached that level as well.
Combined with the Basic Body-Refining Technique—
His growth would only accelerate further.
Hearing this, both Masayuki and Misa turned to look at Hao.
That look…
Uchiha Hao: "…"
"Alright, alright! I'll try my best!"
Under immense pressure, he raised his hands in surrender.
Internally, he sighed.
Looks like he wouldn't be getting any rest from now on.
But—
Growing stronger sooner was a good thing.
That way, he could protect his increasingly monstrous little brother.
With Sora's level of talent—
Trouble would inevitably follow him in the future.
As the older brother, it was only right for him to stand in front and shield him.
Sora smiled in satisfaction.
His brother was finally showing some promise.
He immediately took out a scroll and handed it to Hao.
"Here. This is the Basic Body-Refining Technique and Tai Chi I just created today."
"Train them together. They'll significantly accelerate your physical growth and improve your absorption of body-refining medicinal baths."
"I'm giving them to you. Don't disappoint me."
Then he looked at his parents.
"Dad, Mom—you should learn them too. Just get the scroll from Big Brother."
"These are very useful. Don't forget."
Not just his father and brother—
Even his mother had already reached Jōnin-level strength thanks to the Spirit-Refining Method and body-refining medicinal baths.
Her Sharingan had also evolved from two tomoe to three tomoe.
How could he not cultivate that properly?
In a few years—
That would be another Kage-level pillar.
"Oh? Body-refining techniques? No problem!"
Masayuki and Misa both brightened and nodded.
Anything that could accelerate their strength was naturally welcome.
"By the way, son—"
Masayuki suddenly asked:
"Do you have any ideas about evolving from three-tomoe to Mangekyō?"
If he could directly awaken the Mangekyō—
He could instantly step into Kage-level without further effort.
A perfect shortcut.
That was just how powerful the Sharingan was.
Misa and Hao also turned to look at Sora.
Sora shook his head helplessly.
"It's not that simple."
"I haven't even awakened my own Sharingan yet."
"Maybe once I do, I'll find a way."
"But I don't recommend you follow the method used by many Uchiha ancestors—"
"Forcing the Mangekyō Sharingan to awaken through extreme emotional trauma."
"That kind of awakening comes with serious flaws."
"It will push your mind into extremes…"
"And you'll lose the potential to naturally evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Not to mention—the strength of such a Mangekyō is far inferior to one that evolves naturally."
The examples of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki and Indra Ōtsutsuki already proved—
Under the right conditions—
A three-tomoe Sharingan could directly evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.