"Dismantle"

"Your chakra natures are Fire, Lightning, and Earth. Including the Yin Release from your Sharingan, you were born with four chakra natures."

Shen Huo took the chakra test paper and said, "Not bad. Such attributes are well-suited for learning our clan's techniques."

"This guy is probably at the level of a Special Grade Sorcerer," Sukuna's voice rang out.

Within the mental space, Sukuna had finally secured two hours of awareness of the outside world each day.

"Same as you."

"Brat... I was rated Special Grade because Special Grade is the highest rank!"

"I know. So how many fingers do you think he's worth compared to you?" Kagami Uchiha had given Sukuna a chance to get some air purely because he used him as a unit of measurement.

Sukuna felt that the brat's words were rather disrespectful... but after several years, he had more or less gotten used to it.

"Three fingers. But brat, my current strength can no longer be described by a mere twenty fingers. I've already..."

Ignoring Sukuna's following words, Kagami Uchiha turned his attention to Shen Huo.

Shen Huo was no ordinary Three-Tomoe user. His strength should have been among the strongest below the Mangekyo.

Kagami Uchiha had originally hated comparing combat power across different worlds the most, but now that he was caught up in one, he had no choice but to consider the issue.

Sukuna could now be considered at his peak and had comprehended Space Severance. Compared with the Nine-Tails, which possessed both Yin and Yang...

It was unrealistic to find out now. Konoha would never allow the Nine-Tails to come into contact with the Uchiha Clan, considering the painful lessons of the past.

"Fire Release and the Sharingan were the foundation that allowed our Uchiha Clan to establish itself during the Warring States era. I don't know Lightning Release ninjutsu. I'll teach you some simple Earth Release techniques later."

"You already know the Great Fireball Technique, so I'll teach you..."

"Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

"The Great Fireball's main purpose is to block the enemy's vision and restrict their position."

"The Great Dragon Fire is a high-speed flame attack meant to defeat the enemy in a single blow. Watch carefully."

Shen Huo slowed his movements. From the corner of his eye, he saw that Kagami Uchiha had already activated his Sharingan and nodded inwardly.

He knew to activate his Sharingan and observe the flow of chakra without being reminded. Very good.

Snake—Dragon—Rabbit—Tiger.

After completing the hand seals, flames surged forth like a fire dragon's breath, rushing forward at tremendous speed before exploding into a huge fireball at the center of the lake!

"This technique is best used with the Sharingan's assistance. It raises the chance of hitting the enemy."

After trying several times, Kagami Uchiha formed the hand seals and mobilized his chakra.

Boom!!

A streak of blazing fire shot out at high speed, erupting into a dragon flame slightly smaller than the one from before.

"Excellent! As expected of you!"

Even the rigid Uchiha Shinka could not help but smile.

"Then I'll teach you the next fire—"

"Not for now." Kagami Uchiha shook his head. "I still need to become proficient with this technique. Haste makes waste. I'll learn the next one after I've completely mastered this."

Shen Huo pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Haste makes waste. That's quite an insight for a child like you."

"Steady progress is indeed important. Practice on your own for now, and ask me if there's anything you don't understand."

"I only lack proficiency. I can practice during the day as well." As he spoke, Kagami Uchiha took out the short sword Shen Huo had given him, Sode no Shirayuki.

"Shen Huo Elder, could you guide me in swordsmanship?"

In the ninja world, there was no clear distinction between swords and blades. Even those who used blades were said to practice swordsmanship.

"I nearly forgot. Compared to Fire Release, your talent for swordsmanship is even greater."

Shen Huo drew the long blade he carried with him and nodded.

"Come. You may begin attacking whenever you wish."

Whoosh!

The moment the words left his mouth, Kagami Uchiha's small body lunged forward. Sode no Shirayuki left its sheath, and a flash of cold blade light gleamed.

Clang!!

Blocking Kagami Uchiha's slash, Shen Huo commented, "Your speed and timing are both good, and your strength is comparable to a Chunin from the clan."

"Kagami, you truly are a genius comparable to our ancestors!"

Kagami Uchiha knew exactly who Shen Huo was comparing him to: Uchiha Izuna.

Unfortunately, even for Uchiha Izuna, the identity people remembered most was merely Madara's younger brother.

A crimson gleam flashed in Kagami Uchiha's eyes.

I don't want to merely be comparable to my ancestors. I'm someone who will surpass them!

Sode no Shirayuki thrust forward, aimed directly at Uchiha Shinka's throat.

The current Kagami Uchiha was no match for Shen Huo. Naturally, once they fought, he went all out, unleashing killing moves one after another.

Uchiha Shinka remained calm. With a sidestep, he easily avoided the fierce strike, while the long blade in his hand swept toward Kagami Uchiha's arm.

Kagami Uchiha turned and blocked. With a clang, the two blades collided fiercely, scattering a spray of sparks.

At the Training Ground by the lake, flashes of blades filled the air.

Kagami Uchiha's attacks grew faster and faster, while Shen Huo's defense remained impenetrable. Every now and then, he even counterattacked.

Just as Shen Huo began to relax somewhat, Kagami Uchiha, who had been gripping his blade with both hands, suddenly freed one hand.

His left hand faced Shen Huo's face, its four fingers extended straight.

This is bad!!

Years of combat experience made Shen Huo sense the danger in an instant. A Three-Tomoe Sharingan appeared in his eyes.

"Dismantle."

Screech—

An invisible slash swept through the air. At the very last moment, Shen Huo barely evaded the terrifying cut that had been meant to slice off half his face.

Yet a clear bloody wound still appeared on his face, crimson blood trickling down.

"What... was that?"

It was an invisible blade like an edge of steel, somewhat similar to the Wind Blade he had encountered before.

But that was an A-rank Wind Release ninjutsu. Where had Kagami learned it?!

And there had been no sound of wind. If it had been Wind Blade, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan's perception would have allowed him to evade it completely.

After that one strike, Kagami Uchiha's stamina was exhausted as well, and he collapsed onto the ground.

This body was still too frail. He estimated that, not counting the chakra he had spent on ninjutsu earlier, he could only use the "Dismantle" slash three or four times at full power.

The ultimate development of Ryomen Sukuna's basic ability was slashing attacks that cut through space.

"This is a Secret Art Slash I comprehended myself."

"Hah, it's nothing more than power stolen from me!" Sukuna snorted disdainfully.

What a joke. Never mind where it came from—wasn't I the one who used it?

After pondering for a while, Shen Huo smiled bitterly. "Kagami, did you really use such a dangerous technique on me without even giving me a warning?"

Kagami Uchiha gave an awkward, carefree laugh. "Ha, I believed Shen Huo Elder could definitely handle it!"

"To be honest, if I didn't have the Sharingan, it would have been very difficult to block such an invisible slash."

"I won't ask how you learned this ability, but I suggest you keep it as a hidden trump card and do not use it lightly."

"If the enemy is unprepared, this technique could possibly kill a Special Jonin instantly!"

Ninjas were famous for high offense and low defense. It was said that even a ninja at Hashirama Senju's level could be killed by a kunai.

Sukuna's slashes were like Destructo Disc. Cutting-type attacks were simply too effective against physically frail ninjas.

Ignoring those overpowered monsters and those few pairs of Mangekyo, Sukuna absolutely had the strength to massacre the entire ninja world.

"Shen Huo Elder, my body is too weak. I want to undergo a Medicinal Bath."

Besides ordinary training, Medicinal Baths were also an important means of improving one's physique.

However, that kind of consumption was ongoing. It would take at least several years to show noticeable results, and even the Uchiha Clan could only manage a few such treatments.

They also had to exchange resources with other clans for medicinal ingredients. It was very troublesome.

Only Fugaku had received such treatment recently, when he was young.

That was also why Kagami Uchiha had revealed "Dismantle."

He was displaying his value to make Shen Huo invest more in him.

No matter how loving a clan was, if they could not see your value, they would not invest in you without limits.

Shen Huo pondered for a while, touching the wound on his cheek.

"Yes, but the Medicinal Bath must last at least two years without interruption."

"That means you won't be able to graduate early and go on missions."

"Huh? When did I ever say I wanted to graduate early?"

Kagami Uchiha smiled. "With three rare years of training time, only an idiot would graduate early and go shine for those old fools."

"...You're right."