New Ninjutsu

Uchiha Gen's Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu was the most powerful of all the ninjutsu he had mastered, bolstered by that Skill Proficiency Card from back then.

And after adding the special Fire Oil Sarutobi Enju had brought, its power became even more astonishing, like a meteor falling from the sky.

The two giant snakes charging at Uchiha Gen could not dodge in time and were sent flying on the spot, back to Ryūchi Cave, their fate unknown.

"The power of that Great Fireball... Something's off? Nature Transformation? No, it doesn't quite seem like that either. The power is still somewhat lacking."

Uchiha Yashiro watched the Great Fireball Uchiha Gen had unleashed, shock written across his face.

Orochimaru was far calmer, though he was still slightly surprised. He turned to glance at Sarutobi Enju.

"It isn't Nature Transformation. He added Fire Oil.

This is more like a Water Release and Fire Release Combination Ninjutsu. However, it is not unrelated to Nature Transformation. Using Fire Oil to strengthen Fire Release is actually something both Teacher Sarutobi and Jiraiya excel at. They simply would not take a swig of oil before battle. Instead, they use Water Release to transform the nature of water into oil, directly mixing it into their Fire Release. Not only does that greatly increase the power of the Fire Release, but because of the oil's properties, it also makes the flames much harder to extinguish."

After Orochimaru's explanation, Uchiha Yashiro understood.

So Fire Oil had been used, rather than Fire Release Nature Transformation. No wonder he had not recognized it at first.

"Even so, this child's mastery of Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu is already exceptional. He truly deserves his reputation as a genius of the clan. No wonder you wanted to test him like this, Jōnin Orochimaru."

Sarutobi Enju scratched his head under Orochimaru's gaze.

Both had used Fire Oil to enhance Fire Release, yet Uchiha Gen's attack was clearly far more powerful than Sarutobi Enju's.

"Uh... Gen's Fire Release is indeed stronger than mine."

"Enju, we can see that. Tell us something we don't know."

Utsuki Ruri wrapped the bandage around Sarutobi Enju's shoulder and rolled her eyes.

He let out a foolish chuckle.

"Well, I was the one who gave him the Fire Oil too."

"We could have guessed that without you saying it. Still, you did well. Concentrating surplus resources in the hands of those more capable allows those resources to create greater value. This is not only sound resource allocation within a squad, but also the underlying logic behind how human society operates. It is precisely because of this that power comes into being."

Orochimaru spoke calmly, his eyes reflecting Uchiha Gen's every movement.

By now, he had more or less seen through Uchiha Gen's overall combat capabilities.

His combat instincts and tactical mind were both excellent for his age. He was bold yet meticulous, and his talent and aptitude for ninjutsu were exceptional. Though Orochimaru saw many areas where he fell short, those deficiencies could ultimately be remedied.

As long as his foundation was solid enough, his mind sharp enough, and he received guidance from a renowned teacher, he could undoubtedly grow rapidly in a short time. He might even become like Orochimaru himself, possessing jōnin-level combat ability at thirteen or fourteen.

Even now, aside from his serious lack of combat experience and similar shortcomings, Uchiha Gen's overall strength had practically surpassed the level of a Genin.

The focus returned to Uchiha Gen.

The two standard-issue kunai produced by the system had long since curled at the edges and been discarded on the ground.

Sweat and snake blood streamed down Uchiha Gen's body. He spun around, flung out two shuriken, and pinned a python attempting to ambush him from behind to a burning tree trunk. Then he took the last few kunai from his Ninja Tool Pouch and threw them out, pinning them around the area as well.

That way, even if his kunai curled or broke, he could simply pull fresh ones from the surrounding battlefield and continue fighting, saving him the trouble of taking them from his Ninja Tool Pouch.

What a shame I haven't learned Uchiha Style Swordsmanship yet. This would be much easier otherwise.

The thought flashed through Uchiha Gen's mind. Sensing something coming at him from behind, he leaped away, evading a giant snake that shot toward him, and formed hand seals with both hands.

It was Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu again.

Though the Fire Oil had run out, its power was still considerable. He blasted another giant snake rushing at him back into Ryūchi Cave, then gathered chakra beneath his feet and ran several rapid steps upside down along the tree trunk, slashing several small snakes away.

His chakra reserves had dropped another notch.

He probably would not be able to use any more high-powered ninjutsu. With this small body of his, dealing with these enormous snakes would be difficult.

But he had had no choice but to use it just now. Even though his sensory ability had allowed him to detect the ambush in advance and evade it, it had still forced him to reposition.

If he had not used ninjutsu, he truly would have had no way to deal with the second giant snake.

But now, with his chakra nearly depleted, Uchiha Gen did not know what cards he still had to deal with the coming attacks.

Yet before long, the giant snakes suddenly stopped attacking.

"Time is up. You did fairly well."

Orochimaru appeared before Uchiha Gen at some unknown moment, his expression calm.

A green python crawled from Orochimaru's sleeve, opened its huge mouth one hundred and eighty degrees, and spat out a Scroll still coated with a little slime.

"This ninjutsu is yours."

Under the envious gazes of Sarutobi Enju and Utsuki Ruri, Orochimaru tossed the Ninjutsu Scroll to Uchiha Gen.

"This technique was passed down by the First Hokage. In present-day Konoha, I alone can bring out most of its power. However, the training process is somewhat dangerous, so prepare enough medicine for injuries when you practice it. And only after you meet my requirements may you advance to the next stage."

"Thank you, Teacher Orochimaru!"

Uchiha Gen perked up.

His suffering had not been in vain. This technique sounded badass!

"So you're Uchiha Gen, the clan's newly emerged genius?"

A young Uchiha with a mature-looking face walked up to them and continuously sized Uchiha Gen up.

"You are... Cousin Yashiro?"

Uchiha Gen recognized the person before him.

The two had not had much interaction in the past. The last time they had met was at the annual ancestral ceremony at Naka Shrine.

At that time, Uchiha Yashiro, as a newly promoted Three-Tomoe Sharingan jōnin within the clan, had gone up to offer incense to their ancestor, Indra God.

Uchiha Yashiro said:

"Mm, your Fire Release is quite good. You have not disgraced Uchiha's name as a genius. I hope to see you at the clan assembly before long."

The clan assembly was different from the annual ancestral ceremony at Naka Shrine.

In theory, every Uchiha could attend the latter, including civilians, because that day was the birthday of their ancestor, Indra God, equivalent to an internal holiday of the Uchiha Clan.

The clan assembly, on the other hand, was open only to Uchiha who had awakened the Sharingan. It was held once a month and could be convened at any time. The matters discussed were all major affairs of the clan, giving it a certain political significance.