Improve Strength! For Konoha!

[Chakra Nature: Lightning (LV3) upgraded. 100,000 gold consumed. Lightning Release Chakra successfully promoted to LV4.]

[Chidori (A-Rank Ninjutsu): Accelerated training experience purchased. 120,000 gold consumed to master A-Rank Ninjutsu Chidori.]

The experience of using Chidori flooded his mind repeatedly, as if he had already fully mastered it. At the same time, the chakra within his body felt different. Uchiha Yoruro knew now that he had successfully trained in this ninjutsu, and even his Chakra Nature had leveled up.

Fortunately, he had Chidori as a ninjutsu, so he only needed to purchase an experience pack to achieve mastery. But even so, it had cost him a full 120,000 gold to completely grasp this technique.

Now, his remaining balance was only 110,000 gold. Uchiha Yoruro narrowed his eyes and murmured, "Right now, Orochimaru is still honeymooning with Danzo. I can't focus on the Sharingan—after all, Danzo wouldn't bother with anything below Three Tomoe. And since I still need to catch Orochimaru's attention, there's only one way."

[Remaining balance fully exchanged for Swordsmanship (Physical Arts) experience pack... 110,000 gold consumed. Swordsmanship (Physical Arts) promoted to LV4.]

An experience pack, as the name implied, allowed the host to directly master a certain skill after spending gold, or to elevate that skill to the next level.

These levels corresponded to strength: LV1 (Academy Student) → LV2 (Genin) → LV3 (Chunin) → LV4 (Special Jonin) → LV5 (Jonin) → LV6 (Elite Jonin) → LV7 (Kage-level) → LV8 (Super Kage) → LV9 (Six Paths Level) → LV10 (Otsutsuki).

Feeling the changes in his body, Uchiha Yoruro shook his head and sighed inwardly. "As expected, this is just an upgrade in technique and experience. The experience pack doesn't directly improve physical fitness."

For example, Swordsmanship and Physical Arts were linked, but after his promotion, he only gained technique and experience. His body still needed training to keep up—just like in the original story, where Sasuke could see through Rock Lee's movements after awakening his Sharingan, but his body couldn't keep pace.

He had worked hard too. Before this, his proficiency in Swordsmanship and Chakra Nature was at the Chunin level. After spending gold, both had been directly elevated to Special Jonin level, saving him at least a year or two of training. More importantly, he had also mastered an A-Rank Ninjutsu.

Combined with the One-Tomoe Sharingan he had awakened on the Night of the Nine-Tails, his overall strength was enough to qualify as an Elite Chunin.

Every ninja had their own style. Most people explored their talents as they went, gradually forming their own combat style.

But Uchiha Yoruro smiled confidently. Why bother with all that effort? Just walk someone else's path and let them walk his. For example, his plan to follow the early route of Sasuke Uchiha (Orochimaru's team Sasuke) was perfect. Most importantly, it saved money.

His future development path was just right. The Chidori series of ninjutsu was both offensive and defensive, and more importantly, it was cost-effective. As for looking cool? Who wouldn't love being stylish while maintaining strength? The key was that it would build his reputation, giving him enough prestige within the clan.

He was currently on Orochimaru's team, so this worked perfectly. He could perfectly replicate early Sasuke Uchiha's combat style and even milk some benefits from the clan later. As for being branded as part of Orochimaru's faction?

Was Orochimaru's brand really worse than the Uchiha Clan's?

At the very least, before Orochimaru defected, having his mark would bring the greatest benefits. As for later? Heh. So he needed to maximize his gains during this period, squeeze out every bit of advantage, and strengthen himself.

"Yoru, let's go. Teacher Orochimaru has a mission."

Anko's voice came from outside the tent. Having already heard her footsteps, Uchiha Yoruro smiled. "Coming, Anko."

As he stepped out, his handsome face wore a sunny smile. Mitarashi Anko, in turn, put on a tsundere expression. The two walked together toward Orochimaru's tent—a scene deliberately put on for others to see.

Sure enough, the other ninjas muttered under their breath. That Uchiha Clan was so shameless, using good looks to seduce Orochimaru's disciple for their own gain.

The elite young ninjas of the Uchiha Clan looked somewhat awkward. It was obvious to them too, and many secretly felt relieved that it wasn't them selling themselves out.

Even Uchiha Shisui watched the departing pair and sighed inwardly. "Brother Yoru, you've worked hard. The clan won't forget this."

Sacrificing one's feelings, even one's body, for the sake of missions and the clan—that was something worthy of respect.

"Yoru, your Uchiha Clan's reputation isn't great, you know."

As they walked, Anko teased him. Uchiha Yoruro just shrugged nonchalantly and laughed. "Can't be helped. It's all for the village."

Indeed. If the Uchiha Clan hadn't worked so hard on missions, how could they have caught all these spies? And how would he have gotten intelligence from spies in the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Water?

As for the Land of Wind, he could only sigh. He wanted to sell information to them too, but he didn't yet have a channel for passing intelligence to their spies. Otherwise, he would have sold it long ago.

And there were so many smaller nations. Thinking about it, Uchiha Yoruro's expression lit up with fighting spirit. The revolution wasn't complete; comrades still needed to work hard!

He had to grow bigger! Stronger! Among the Five Great Nations, besides Konoha, the other four, plus all the smaller nations—he was determined to become the biggest intelligence broker.

To contribute to Konoha's growth and strength! It was all for the village!

Land of Fire Border.

The endless forest felt like something out of a prehistoric era. An ordinary person standing on a tree branch would be no bigger than a cat. Dark figures darted through the woods.

Shadows flashed by, incredibly agile in the primeval forest. But in the dim, dense jungle, Anko and Uchiha Yoruro stared solemnly at the figures passing by.

"Yoru, these are the scouts from the intelligence report."

Uchiha Yoruro's eyes reddened as a single tomoe spun. With his enhanced vision, the shadows slipping past came into clear view. He spoke calmly, "A squad. One leader, three subordinates. Four total. The leader is about twenty-five, carrying a ninja sword. The other three are all men, around twelve or thirteen years old."

He reported his findings coolly. Mitarashi Anko didn't find it unusual. Ninjas usually let loose a little during downtime—it was a form of release. But during a mission, especially when preparing for battle, no one joked around.

Just then, a loud explosion rang out in the distance, followed by a scream. The squad leader's face twisted in shock and anger as he raised a hand to stop his men. "A trap! Fall back!"

But in that instant, two shadows flashed from the trees behind them, blocking their escape route.

Four ninjas. The explosive tag trap had already taken out one—clearly a young one. The two remaining young ninjas looked grim, but when the squad leader saw who had appeared, his eyes went blank, and fear crept onto his face. He stammered, "O-O-Orochimaru!"

Ssshhh~

From the shadows of a tree trunk, Orochimaru's sinister face slowly emerged, wearing a mocking, cat-and-mouse grin. His tongue extended, licking his lips as he let out that distinctive, hoarse laugh. "Heh, looks like we have some little mice."

Orochimaru!

The squad leader spoke the name in terror, making the two young ninjas freeze in shock. One of the Sannin—Orochimaru! How was that possible?

But at that moment, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. A hail of gleaming shuriken flew in from behind.

"No! Something's wrong!" Sensing the ambush from behind, the squad leader's face suddenly lit up with frantic joy. If Orochimaru were really here, why would he resort to sneak attacks?

"Run! There's no winning against Orochimaru here! Run! I'll hold him off! You two deal with whoever's behind us!"

The ninja barked at his two students, then charged madly at Orochimaru.

He was experienced. In an instant, he had deduced that the Orochimaru before him must be a fake. Otherwise, why would there be a sneak attack? He didn't know how strong the ambusher was, but his two students could test that for him.

Hearing this, the two young ninjas' eyes lit up with emotion. Their squad leader!

"Watch out!"

In the blink of an eye, the squad leader—wearing no headband—drew the ninja sword from his back and charged at Orochimaru. Behind him, his two students each gripped kunai, blocking the incoming projectiles.

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