Mastery

Kashiwa didn't explain right away when he saw Sasuke's expression.

Instead, he beckoned.

A member of the Uchiha clan quickly entered the courtyard.

"Go find a Genin from our Uchiha clan, the younger the better," Kashiwa ordered.

"Yes, sir."

Before long, a young Uchiha Genin arrived. He was pretty small, having just graduated last year.

"What's your name? Have you awakened your Sharingan?" Kashiwa asked.

Although the information was on the clan's registry, there were too many Uchiha members for him to bother checking.

The young ninja responded calmly, "My name is Kosuke, sir. I haven't awakened my Sharingan yet."

Kashiwa nodded. "Attack me with everything you have."

Kosuke didn't waste words and quickly got into a fighting stance.

"Sasuke, watch closely," Kashiwa reminded, then signaled Kosuke to start.

Kosuke moved swiftly from side to side, then pulled out shuriken from his pouch and threw them. His force and accuracy were impressive for a Genin.

Kashiwa seriously dodged to the side, and as he evaded, Kosuke quickly performed hand seals, launching a Fireball Jutsu in the direction Kashiwa dodged.

Kashiwa moved swiftly to avoid the fireball.

Kosuke abandoned the Fireball Jutsu and dodged Kashiwa's hand strike, kicking towards him swiftly.

Although Kashiwa quickly blocked the attacks, he allowed Kosuke to complete a round of attacks.

Kashiwa finally kicked him away only when Kosuke attempted an aerial kick.

"That's enough. You may leave. Before you awaken your Sharingan, don't use such elaborate Taijutsu moves," Kashiwa said calmly.

"Yes, thank you, sir!" Kosuke replied happily and left without further questions.

"Did you understand, Sasuke?"

"Is teacher saying my moves are too many?" Sasuke asked.

Bang!

Kashiwa knocked on Sasuke's head again.

"Wrong!"

Sasuke rubbed his head.

"Your mistake is not that your Taijutsu moves are many, nor that your shuriken throwing is bad, nor that your Fireball Jutsu is poorly executed."

"It's that you lack control."

"Control?" Sasuke looked up.

"Correct. The numerous moves in our Uchiha-style Taijutsu aren't a flaw. More moves mean more versatile attacks—fists, feet, elbows, shoulders, knees, all can be used offensively."

"Our Uchiha-style Taijutsu can be as elegant and graceful as dancing on a blade."

"But there's one prerequisite: the Sharingan."

"The Sharingan?"

"Without the aid of the Sharingan, you can't match your opponent's speed or adjust your Taijutsu in time. In that case, the many moves of Uchiha-style Taijutsu become redundant."

"Oh!" Sasuke realized that when he learned Uchiha-style Taijutsu, Itachi praised him because Itachi had the Sharingan.

Without the Sharingan, Sasuke couldn't fully control those moves.

"Your shuriken accuracy is good, but you must remember, your enemy won't be a stationary target. Accurate throwing isn't enough; you must anticipate the enemy's movements."

"If you can't predict the enemy's reactions, what's the point of throwing shuriken? Do you expect them to stand still and get hit?"

"Your brother Itachi is famous for his shuriken. He can change the trajectory of his shuriken mid-flight by making them collide."

"When you use Fireball Jutsu, you can't see your enemy. Even when the enemy is close, you don't stop the technique. Do you think the enemy will wait for you to finish your jutsu before attacking?"

"A Fireball Jutsu isn't effective because it's big or lasts long. It's effective when you control the timing and opportunity."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh." Sasuke nodded repeatedly, realizing that combat and training were entirely different.

Previously, his brother was just playing ninja games with him.

"When to throw shuriken, where the enemy will dodge—you need to create opportunities with your shuriken or force the enemy into a trap with Fire Style."

"You must understand one thing," Kashiwa raised a finger.

"Our clan's common Fireball Jutsu is typically used to restrict the enemy's movements or to hide oneself in the flames to launch an attack."

"Few shinobi die from a Fireball Jutsu."

"Yes, teacher! I understand!" Sasuke now realized how much more he had to learn.

Kashiwa tapped Sasuke's forehead. "You can't control your power yet. When you can start and stop your ninjutsu at will and hit moving targets with shuriken, I'll teach you more."

"Also, you're not allowed to use Uchiha-style Taijutsu until you awaken your Sharingan."

"Understood, teacher. Just like my brother, poking my forehead," Sasuke mumbled, feeling closer to Kashiwa.

"Mastering all your skills is essential for becoming a strong ninja."

"Sasuke, if you want to be strong, fully master each skill before using it in battle."

"Otherwise, you might end up harming yourself."

"Yes, teacher!"

Seeing Sasuke now obedient and attentive, Kashiwa felt pleased.

No matter how much Sasuke remembered, he would have achieved great things if he hadn't been arrogant and had worked hard.

"Alright, school starts tomorrow. Prepare yourself. You're almost six. Your brother graduated from the academy at seven."

"Don't worry, teacher. I'm Itachi's brother. I'll graduate early too," Sasuke said confidently.

Kashiwa waved his hand.

Itachi graduated early due to the war, requiring more ninjas on the battlefield. Anyone who could throw a shuriken and use the Substitution Jutsu was sent to fight, especially a genius like Itachi.

"The academy is a good place to build your foundation. You should also learn to get along with others. Good communication with teammates is also something you need to learn."

"Get the top grades in the academy, then consider early graduation."

"Teacher, I will get the top grades!" Sasuke declared firmly.

...

At the Land of Fire's border.

Having traveled through wind and rain, the Uchiha clan members were finally about to enter the Land of Fields.

They were all exhausted from the journey.

Itachi decided they should rest before entering the Land of Fields.

The Uchiha quickly removed camping equipment from their storage scrolls and set up tents.

They used Water Style to gather water and Fire Style to light fires.

Some went hunting nearby, while others collected firewood and prepared cooking utensils.

Everything proceeded smoothly.

Before long, some members returned with a deer and a wild boar, enough to eat.

Itachi took out the plan Kashiwa had given him earlier and reviewed it.

Shisui sat next to Itachi.

Itachi looked up and asked, "Has your vision recovered?"

Shisui nodded. "Using Kotoamatsukami on so many people for the first time, I thought I'd exhaust both my eyes, but I still have one left."

"Senior Kashiwa must have calculated it. The remaining Kotoamatsukami is meant to be used here."

Shisui saw the name Itachi pointed to on the plan: Orochimaru.