Inheritance of the Ninja Way

The more one knew, the more one realized one did not know.

What was Chakra? The standard answer was that it was the product of combining Physical Energy and Spirit Ability, the foundation upon which ninja survived, and the source that allowed them to perform ninjutsu.

But what could Chakra do?

There were simply too many answers to that question.

Ninja could use Chakra to cast ninjutsu, samurai could use Chakra to Cut out Sword Energy, Jiraiya used Chakra to peep on people, and Orochimaru used Chakra to research biotechnology...

So Chakra was like a brick—put it wherever it was needed.

Uchiha Tokimitsu's research into combining Yin Style and Fire Style was a discovery for the Uchiha Clan akin to opening the New World Gate.

The Uchiha Clan was too powerful. Especially in this era when their millennia-old enemy, the Senju Clan, had faded into obscurity, there was almost no one who could restrain them.

Following the path of Sharingan evolution and Fire Style study, once an ordinary Uchiha clan member awakened the Sharingan, as long as their talent was passable, they could basically learn ninjutsu suited to their temperament from the various Family Lineages' collections according to their preferences. If they possessed a little more talent and some ability to study and refine techniques, they could develop a few unique secret arts and forge a jonin path suited to themselves, becoming a powerful ninja.

Although most Uchiha ninja toiled their entire lives as nothing more than Chunin, even Chunin born of the Uchiha Clan were among the strongest of their rank.

In this world where extraordinary power manifested, the Chakra possessed by ninja was inherently a miracle. Limiting it solely to fighting with ninjutsu would have been a terrible waste.

After dinner, Uchiha Tokimitsu's family headed together to Elder Setsuna's Mansion.

At nightfall, the normally quiet and deserted streets of the Uchiha Clan Compound were filled with fully armed Uchiha ninja standing guard and patrolling at street intersections. Upon seeing Uchiha Nakagen's group, they all offered their greetings.

Uchiha Nakagen calmly returned their greetings one by one.

"Father... did something happen?" Uchiha Tokimitsu was somewhat puzzled.

Uchiha Nakagen merely rubbed his hair without saying anything.

"The village suffered an attack. The Konoha Military Police Force and Anbu have been investigating the culprit recently." Emiko answered Uchiha Tokimitsu's question, but she did not elaborate on the incident.

Seeing this, Uchiha Tokimitsu found it inappropriate to ask further and could only suppress his curiosity.

The Tokimitsu family residence was not far from Elder Setsuna's Mansion. After walking for a while, they arrived at their destination.

The normally tranquil entrance to the Elder's Mansion was likewise surrounded by a large number of Uchiha ninja standing guard. They appeared to be Elder's Guards from the various Family Lineages.

"So all the elders from the various Family Lineages are here..." Uchiha Nakagen's sigh confirmed Uchiha Tokimitsu's judgment.

"Has little Tokimitsu arrived?"

The moment they reached the entrance, Elder Setsuna's voice came from within the residence.

A radiant Elder Setsuna emerged from the Inner hall, looking at Uchiha Tokimitsu with a beaming smile.

"Great Elder!" Uchiha Tokimitsu solemnly greeted Elder Setsuna.

"Come in, quickly!" Elder Setsuna warmly beckoned the three inside. "Emiko, hurry in as well. You have not visited this old man's home in a long time."

Upon entering the Inner hall, they found it already filled with elders from the major Family Lineages of the Radical Faction. Though all were in their twilight years, each had once been a renowned powerhouse. As Uchiha Tokimitsu's family followed Elder Setsuna inside, every gaze turned toward him at once.

Uchiha Tokimitsu's heart trembled slightly beneath the scrutiny, but his expression remained unchanged as he greeted the elders of each Family Lineage one by one according to Elder Setsuna's introductions.

The Inner hall was arranged according to tradition, with upper and lower seats. Elder Setsuna naturally occupied the Main Seat at the head, while the others sat to either side. Uchiha Tokimitsu swept his gaze around the room and spotted an acquaintance: Uchiha Nagakage, the jonin Guard Captain who had escorted him back from the Land of Grass.

Uchiha Nagakage also nodded to Uchiha Tokimitsu, who naturally returned the gesture politely. However, he was somewhat curious about the Uchiha Girl sitting upright behind Uchiha Nagakage.

This was the first time he had seen a young Female Clan Member at a Radical Faction Meeting.

"Nakagen-kun, Came forward and take your seats." Elder Setsuna led the three members of the Tokimitsu family forward to sit down, then returned to the Main Seat.

The elders who had been whispering among themselves or secretly studying Uchiha Tokimitsu all fell silent as soon as the Great Elder settled into the Main Seat, and the Inner hall became still.

"Gentlemen, tonight's matter was previously announced as well." Elder Setsuna's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "It concerns the method of Yin Fire explored by our clan member, Uchiha Tokimitsu."

Everyone's attention focused on Uchiha Tokimitsu once more.

"Though it is a newly created method, after selected members within the clan tested it, three people have successfully completed the fusion of Yin Style and Fire Style Chakra..."

"They are Uchiha Emiko, Uchiha Nagakage, and Uchiha Makoto..."

As Elder Setsuna called their names, the three of them each extended a hand and condensed a ball of purple flame in their palms.

Uchiha Tokimitsu noticed that the girl seated behind Uchiha Nagakage had likewise condensed a strand of Flame Style Chakra.

"Uchiha Makoto..." Uchiha Tokimitsu raised his brows.

"In the thousands of years of our Uchiha Clan's inheritance, no such ninjutsu has ever been born. Tokimitsu-kun's research results will add another Kekkei Genkai inheritance to our clan. Its significance is Not Inferior To the beginning of our Founding Ancestors' excavation of the Sharingan Secret Technique..."

That was praise of tremendous weight.

Uchiha Tokimitsu could also feel the heavy weight behind those words.

"...Given Tokimitsu-kun's talent and ability, I intend to formally establish Uchiha Tokimitsu as my Heir, grant him the post of Head of the Board of Retainers, and have him command the Tiger Faction ninja. After my death, he will inherit the Position of Chief of this faction..."

"Tokimitsu-kun, are you willing to accept?" Elder Setsuna, his face stern, looked toward the astonished Uchiha Tokimitsu.

"It would be my honor!" Uchiha Tokimitsu took a deep breath and bowed low.

Everyone present, old and young alike, bent at the waist to salute Uchiha Tokimitsu.

"Congratulations, Young Lord!"

The so-called Head of the Board of Retainers was the title of the Dark Guard leader within the Uchiha Radical Faction. Not only could he command the Dark Guard Ninja, he was also nominally the Radical Faction's Chief Jonin and wielded authority within the faction equivalent to that of a jonin squad leader in Konoha.

Amid the chorus of congratulations, Uchiha Tokimitsu rose and sat upright.

"The significance of Yin Fire cannot be overstated." After everyone rose, Elder Setsuna spoke again. "Our clan has been trapped in tradition for far too long..."

Elder Setsuna sighed with emotion, carrying a touch of melancholy.

"Our inheritance may be glorious, but without innovation, we will inevitably be left behind by the endless stream of talented Juniors..."

"Though we call ourselves the Number one clan in the Ninja World, how many years has it been since we joined Konoha? Not a single powerhouse Comparable to the Five Kage has been born in our clan. Even Sarutobi's monkey has no equal within our clan."

Elder Setsuna's words were heavy, and the assembled elders lowered their heads in silence.

"What was the reason? In the past, I don't know. I merely believed that a peaceful environment did not suit our clan members, that without the tempering of war, true powerhouses could not emerge..."

"But! I discovered that what truly plagued us was precisely our tradition! I cannot even remember how many years it has been since we explored a new ninja way beyond our clan inheritance!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu was moved as well.

The Uchiha were powerful, but if they stubbornly clung to tradition and obsessed over inherited texts and the glory of the Sharingan, then their ultimate ceiling would likely be no higher than Uchiha Madara's level.

"Tokimitsu-kun's Yin Fire has opened a new ninja way for our clan members." Elder Setsuna sighed with emotion. "It has also shown a new path to those clan members whose strength can no longer Advance an inch."

All the clan members present nodded in agreement.

"Nagakage-kun, it has been ten years since you awakened your Three-Tomoe Sharingan and became a jonin, has it not?" Elder Setsuna said, pointing to Uchiha Nagakage at one side.

"Yes, Elder. It has been Almost eleven years now." Uchiha Nagakage bowed in response.

"Over those eleven years, how much do you think your strength has grown?"

"...Not much." Uchiha Nagakage also sighed softly. "My Chakra reserves have increased somewhat, my ninjutsu and genjutsu have become more proficient, and my combat experience has grown richer. But for eleven years, I was never able to undergo another transformation or breakthrough, until I encountered Tokimitsu-kun's path of 'Yin Fire.'"

"Yes... So many exceptionally talented clan members have been trapped here, wasting their years with little progress. In the end, they were devoured by their obsession with power and embarked upon an evil path from which they could not escape..."

The elders present all sighed.

Seeing this, Uchiha Tokimitsu was moved as well.

"The War of Naraka and Yomi drained far too much of the clan's vitality. The clan's strength has, in substance, fallen to its weakest point since the Warring States Period." Elder Setsuna's words were extremely grave.

Though outsiders still saw the Uchiha Clan as the Number one clan in the Ninja World, invincible and arrogant, Elder Setsuna saw flourishing splendor on the surface and oil poured onto raging flames beneath.

"I intend to prohibit the path of Izanagi from this day forward. What do you elders think?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu was somewhat bewildered. As far as he knew, Izanagi and Izanami were two forbidden techniques of the Uchiha Clan, but why did Elder Setsuna wish to prohibit it with such solemnity?

Uchiha Tokimitsu turned an inquiring gaze toward Uchiha Nakagen.

"...It is the Mangekyō Sharingan." Uchiha Nakagen naturally understood what he meant. After hesitating for a moment, he answered with a touch of melancholy.

Emiko lowered her head and held her husband's arm without speaking.

After thinking it over carefully, Uchiha Tokimitsu understood.

The so-called path of Izanagi perhaps referred to the legendary method by which the Uchiha Clan awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—killing one's kin to prove one's way.

"...From this day forward, if any clan member dares defy this prohibition and pursue the path of Izanagi, we shall exhaust all our clan's strength to kill them. What do you gentlemen think?"

"Agreed!"

"Seconded!"

The elders accepted straightforwardly and neatly.

With Yin Fire offering a more viable path to increasing one's strength, prohibiting the method of killing one's kin to obtain the Mangekyō would bring nothing but benefits.

"Tokimitsu-kun, demonstrate Yin Fire for everyone." Elder Setsuna said to Uchiha Tokimitsu.

"Yes!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu rose from his seat and stood in the middle of the Inner hall. He formed a Tiger Hand Seal with one hand.

Purple flames spread from his palm, enveloping his Entire body.

Then he casually drew the Wakizashi at his waist. His left hand brushed across the blade, and purple flames spread over its edge as well. With a casual swing forward, he slashed out a streak of purple light that gradually faded only after traveling about five meters.

Then he condensed another ball of compressed Flame Style Chakra in his left hand and pressed it against the floor.

Bang!

With a muffled boom, a hemispherical pit roughly fifty centimeters in diameter appeared in the ground. The wooden floorboards and the soil beneath had all turned into Flying Ash.

Uchiha Tokimitsu had three applications for Yin Fire Chakra. The first was Flame Style Chakra Mode, the protective flames surrounding his body. The second was its application in swordsmanship: attaching Flame Style Chakra to a weapon to form Flame Style Sword Energy with formidable offensive power. The third was the Flame Style Spiraling Sphere, conceived by imitating the principle behind the Rasengan that future Namikaze Minato would create.

Though the demonstrated applications were relatively simple, they were enough to convince the elders of the various Family Lineages.

Elders skilled in swordsmanship could develop further innovations in Uchiha Style Swordsmanship from Flame Style Sword Energy, while the Flame Style Spiraling Sphere represented the possibilities of applying Flame Style Chakra to ninjutsu.

The elders and Jonin present were all experts who had immersed themselves in Chakra for many years, so they naturally understood the future of this newborn ninja way called Yin Fire.

"It truly is..." an Elder sighed with emotion. "Unbelievable..."

The significance of Yin Fire to the Uchiha Clan was simply immeasurable.

As a fusion of Yin Style and Fire Style, it was inherently an extension of the Uchiha Clan's strengths. Chakra manipulation was also a ninja's basic skill; it was merely that in the past, everyone had believed it was enough as long as it worked, and had not devoted much effort to studying it. Yet the Uchiha Clan did not lack all manner of effective methods for training Chakra manipulation.

"I believe Young Lord Tokimitsu may be granted the title of Mastery License." Another Elder bowed slightly to Elder Setsuna.

The elders exchanged glances and all nodded in agreement.

Mastery License represented a Grandmaster of a school, and it also meant that Uchiha Tokimitsu could henceforth Establish a sect within the clan and create his own branch of the Ninja Sect.

"Elder, esteemed seniors..." Hearing this, Uchiha Tokimitsu hurriedly interrupted. "I truly dare not accept the title of Mastery License. Yin Fire is only newly created, and it still requires the joint study and refinement of the clan's seniors, so that everyone in the clan may use it to progress together. I am merely a junior member of the clan and truly dare not claim such an honor."

"Since Tokimitsu-kun says so, let it be set aside." Elder Setsuna considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "However, I intend to open Yin Fire to the clan's Jonin. Would that be acceptable?"

"That would naturally be even better." Uchiha Tokimitsu quickly replied. "As the saying goes, one person's skills are limited. Without the joint discussion and assistance of the clan's seniors, who knows when the newly created method of Yin Fire could be perfected?"

Elder Setsuna and everyone present nodded approvingly.

Uchiha Nakagen and Emiko were extremely satisfied with their beloved son's manner of conduct.

Uchiha Makoto, seated behind Uchiha Nagakage, let her beautiful eyes wander as she looked at Uchiha Tokimitsu, her gaze clearly carrying a few unusual traces of radiance.

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