Dismantle

"Your chakra natures are Fire, Lightning, and Earth. Including the Yin Release of the Sharingan, you naturally possess four chakra natures."

Shenhuo took the chakra test paper and said, "Not bad. Those natures are quite suited to learning our clan's techniques."

"This guy is probably at the level of a Special Grade Cursed Spirit User." Sukuna's voice rang out.

Within the Mental Space, Sukuna had finally secured two hours of perception of the outside world each day.

"Just like you."

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

"I know. Then how many of your fingers would you say he's equivalent to?" The reason Kagami Uchiha gave Sukuna the chance to sense the outside world was simply that he treated Sukuna as a unit of measurement.

Sukuna felt that the brat's words were somewhat disrespectful... but after several years, he had grown somewhat used to it.

"Three, I'd say. But brat, my current strength can't be described by a mere twenty fingers. I've already..."

Ignoring what Sukuna said next, Kagami Uchiha shifted his attention to Shenhuo.

Shenhuo wasn't an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan user. His strength should be at the highest level beneath the Mangekyo.

Kagami Uchiha had originally hated comparing power levels across different worlds, but now that he was deeply involved, he had no choice but to consider the matter.

Sukuna could be said to be at his peak now, having comprehended Space Slash. In that case, compared to the Nine-Tails with Yin and Yang convergence...

It was unrealistic to find out for now. Konohagakure would never let the Nine-Tails come into contact with the Uchiha, after all. They had already suffered a painful lesson once.

"Fire Release and the Sharingan are the foundation that allowed the Uchiha to establish themselves during the Warring States period. I don't know Lightning Style 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 main purpose of the Great Fireball Technique is to obscure the enemy's vision and lock down their position."

"The Great Dragon Fire Technique is a high-speed flame attack meant to defeat the enemy in one strike. Watch closely."

Shenhuo slowed his movements, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Kagami Uchiha had already activated his Sharingan. He nodded inwardly.

He didn't even need a reminder to activate the Sharingan and observe the flow of Chakra. Very good.

Snake–Dragon–Rabbit–Tiger.

After completing the Hand Seals, flames resembling a fire dragon's breath shot forward at incredible speed, instantly erupting into a huge fireball at the center of the lake!

"This technique works best with the Sharingan's assistance. It can increase the chances of hitting the enemy."

After trying several times, Kagami Uchiha formed the Hand Seals and mobilized his Chakra.

Boom!!

A stream of flame shot out at incredible speed. A dragon of fire slightly smaller than the previous one exploded.

"Very good! As expected of you!"

Even the stern Uchiha Shinra couldn't help smiling.

"Then I'll teach you the next fire..."

"Not for now." Kagami Uchiha shook his head. "I still need to master this technique. More haste, less speed. I'll learn the next one after I've completely mastered this technique."

Shenhuo thought for a moment, then smiled. "More haste, less speed. That's quite an insight for a child like you to have."

"Accumulation is indeed important. In that case, practice on your own. 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 Kodachi Shenhuo had given him, Sode no Shirayuki.

"Elder Shenhuo, could you guide me in swordsmanship?"

In the Ninja World, blades and swords were not clearly distinguished. Even those who used blades were said to practice swordsmanship.

"I almost forgot. Compared to Fire Release, your talent in swordsmanship is better."

Shenhuo drew the long blade he carried with him and nodded.

"Come on. You can attack whenever you're ready."

Whoosh!

The moment he finished speaking, Kagami Uchiha's small body shot forward. Sode no Shirayuki left its sheath, and a clear flash of blade light gleamed.

Clang!!

After blocking Kagami Uchiha's slash, Shenhuo appraised him. "Your speed and timing are both good. Your strength is about on par with a Chunin from the clan."

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

Kagami Uchiha knew exactly whom Shenhuo was comparing him to: Uchiha Izuna.

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

A red gleam flashed through Kagami Uchiha's eyes.

I don't want to be merely comparable to the ancestors. I'm going to surpass them!

Sode no Shirayuki thrust forward, aiming straight for Uchiha Shinra's throat.

Kagami Uchiha was absolutely no match for Shenhuo at present. Naturally, once they began fighting, he went all out, unleashing killing moves one after another.

Uchiha Shinra remained calm. He sidestepped, easily evading the fierce strike, while his long blade followed through in a sweep toward Kagami Uchiha's arm.

Kagami turned and blocked. With a clang, the two blades collided violently, sending a shower of sparks flying.

For a time, the training ground beside the lake was filled with flashing blades and clashing swords.

Kagami Uchiha's attacks grew faster and faster. Shenhuo's defense was airtight, though he occasionally managed to launch a counterattack.

Just as Shenhuo had begun to relax slightly, Kagami Uchiha, who had been holding his blade with both hands, suddenly freed one hand.

His left hand faced Shenhuo's face, all four fingers extended.

Not good!!

Years of combat experience allowed Shenhuo to sense the danger instantly. The Three-Tomoe Sharingan suddenly appeared in his pupils.

"Dismantle."

Screech—

An invisible slash swept across. At the final moment, Shenhuo barely avoided the terrifying cut that would originally have sliced away half his face.

Even so, a clear bloody mark appeared across his face, and crimson blood trickled down.

"What... is this?"

An invisible blade like a sword's edge. It somewhat resembled the Wind Blade he had encountered before.

But that was a Rank A Wind Release technique. Where had Jing learned it?!

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

After that one strike, Kagami Uchiha had also exhausted his stamina and collapsed onto the ground.

This body was still too frail. He estimated that, excluding the Chakra consumed by his earlier techniques, he could only use the Dismantle slash three or four times at full strength.

Ryomen Sukuna's basic ability, developed to its extreme, was a spatial cutting slash.

"This is a secret slash technique I comprehended myself."

"Hah, you merely stole my power!" Sukuna snorted disdainfully.

What does it matter where it came from? Just tell me whether I used it or not.

After pondering for a while, Shenhuo said with a bitter smile, "Jing, you actually used such a dangerous technique on me without warning?"

Kagami Uchiha gave an awkward, carefree laugh. "Ha, I knew Elder Shenhuo would definitely be able to handle it!"

"To be honest, if this old man didn't have the Sharingan, blocking such an invisible slash would have been very difficult."

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

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

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

Sukuna's slash was like an Energy Disc—a cutting attack. It was far too effective against ninjas with frail bodies.

Aside from the overpowered monsters and those few Mangekyo users, Sukuna absolutely had the power to slaughter the entire Ninja World.

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

Aside from ordinary training, a Medicinal Bath was also an important way to improve one's constitution.

However, that kind of expenditure was ongoing. It took at least several years to produce noticeable results, and even the Uchiha Clan could not produce many doses.

They also had to exchange resources with other clans to obtain the medicinal ingredients, which was troublesome.

Recently, only young Fugaku had enjoyed such treatment.

That was also why Kagami Uchiha had displayed Dismantle.

He was demonstrating his own value so that Shenhuo would increase his investment.

No matter how loving a clan was, if it couldn't see your value, it wouldn't invest in you without limits.

Shenhuo pondered for a while, stroking the wound on his cheek.

"All right. However, the Medicinal Bath will take at least two years, and you can't skip a single day."

"That means you won't be able to graduate early and start taking missions."

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

Kagami Uchiha smiled. "With three precious years of cultivation ahead of me, only an idiot would graduate early and go burn himself out for those old geezers."

"...You're right."