Chapter 24: You’ve Got to Be Kidding – Is That a Three-Tomoe Sharingan?!

A squad of six was escorting the convoy toward the border. Once they'd left the thirty-mile radius from the village, everyone became extra cautious. Even though they were still within the Land of Fire, the world of shinobi had become increasingly chaotic. Encounters with hostile shinobi were likely, even on home soil.

By dusk, they had only traveled about a fifth of the distance to their destination. It would take at least five days to arrive. After setting up camp, Mirai expertly began placing traps around the perimeter, with Asuma and Kurenai assisting. Under Mirai's guidance, both had honed their basic shinobi skills considerably.

Seeing the group hard at work, Minato couldn't help but smile admiringly.

"Mirai seems like an incredible shinobi."

Despite being part of the same Uchiha clan, Mirai and Obito were worlds apart.

"Yes… Mirai really does make things easier," Shinku said thoughtfully. "The progress Kurenai and Asuma have made is largely thanks to Mirai's influence. Without him, teaching a rebellious Asuma and the headstrong Kurenai might've been quite the challenge."

"If possible, I'd like Mirai to spend some time with Kakashi," Minato suggested.

Shinku nodded. "No problem."

Minato smiled warmly in response. Back when he led the Anbu, Kakashi had been his subordinate. But ever since Sakumo Hatake's death, Kakashi had withdrawn into himself. This was why Minato specifically requested the Third Hokage to place Kakashi with teammates like Obito and Rin, hoping they'd help him open up again. Yet the more he observed, the more Minato saw that Mirai might be able to help as well.

As the two conversed, Mirai and the others finished setting up the traps and returned to camp. Minato immediately approached him.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Minato Namikaze, Jonin of Konohagakure."

Mirai looked at Minato, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "Uchiha Mirai."

He had been contemplating how to approach Minato himself, but he hadn't expected the renowned shinobi to introduce himself first.

"Mirai, I heard you defeated Kakashi and even deflected his Chidori single-handedly," Minato remarked in his calm, refreshing tone.

"Quite impressive! When I was your age, I was nowhere near your level."

"Chidori is powerful," Mirai replied quietly. "Kakashi's speed was just a bit lacking, which allowed me to counter it."

"Would you like to learn Chidori?" Minato asked suddenly. "I could teach you."

Since Minato had provided Kakashi with guidance in creating Chidori, he saw no issue in sharing it with Mirai.

Mirai raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"

"Not much," Minato replied with a slight smile. "Just that you help Kakashi open up when you get the chance. You know how he's been… and it isn't helping his growth."

Mirai's expression remained unmoved. "Chidori? I'll pass."

"Huh?" Minato was taken aback.

Chidori was an A-rank jutsu, highly coveted among shinobi. Even in powerful clans, such techniques were few and far between.

"Mirai, Chidori has great destructive power, especially when combined with your Sharingan," Minato began explaining, thinking perhaps Mirai didn't understand its value.

But before he could finish, Mirai interrupted him. "It's not that I think Chidori is weak. I just don't need it."

With that, Mirai formed a series of hand seals. In an instant, the chirping sound of Chidori filled the air.

"I've already mastered it," Mirai said calmly, letting the technique dissipate as he relaxed his hand.

Everyone, including Minato, Kakashi, and Obito, stood in stunned silence.

Although the jutsu had only appeared for a moment, there was no mistaking it. It was Chidori.

"Wait, isn't that your jutsu, Kakashi?" Obito blurted out in disbelief. "Mirai, when did you steal Kakashi's technique?!"

Kakashi himself was still processing what he'd seen. He had only demonstrated Chidori once during their previous sparring match. Could Mirai really have learned such a complex jutsu from just one demonstration? That would be beyond impressive—it was almost terrifying.

Jinroku and Minato shared a look of astonishment as well. Chidori was far from a basic technique. Mastering it required advanced control over both chakra shape transformation and nature transformation, skills that even seasoned Jonin found challenging.

And yet, here was Mirai, casually performing it as though it were nothing.

Kurenai and Asuma, who had little knowledge of Chidori's complexity, simply watched with puzzled expressions, wondering why everyone else seemed so shocked.

"Hey! Answer me!" Obito demanded, still in disbelief as he faced Mirai.

"Calm down, Obito," Minato said sternly before turning to Mirai. "Mirai, care to explain?"

"A little over a month ago, Kakashi used Chidori against me in a sparring match."

"Hey, stop dodging the question!" Obito interrupted, waving his hand in frustration. "We're asking how you learned Kakashi's jutsu!"

Mirai let out a faint scoff, then pointed at his own eyes, locking Obito in a steely gaze.

"Obito, I doubt you understand the true power of the Sharingan, do you?" Mirai's voice was cold, almost mocking. "In front of these eyes, no jutsu remains a secret."

As he spoke, Mirai's eyes turned a deep crimson, the tomoe in his Sharingan spinning slowly.

Seeing those eyes, Obito fell back, a look of shock and awe on his face as he stammered,

"Y-You're kidding… T-Those are… three-tomoe Sharingan?!"

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