New Ninjutsu

Uchiha Gen's Great Fireball Technique was the most powerful of all the ninjutsu he had mastered, thanks to the boost from that Skill Proficiency Card.

And after adding the specially made Fire Oil brought by Sarutobi Enju, its power became even more astonishing, like a meteor falling from the heavens.

The two giant snakes that lunged at Uchiha Gen together had no time to dodge. They were sent flying on the spot, back to Ryūchi Cave, their fates unknown.

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

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

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

"It isn't Nature Transformation. He added Fire Oil. This is more like a Combination Ninjutsu of Water Release and Fire Release. But it isn't entirely unrelated to Nature Transformation either. Using Fire Oil to enhance Fire Release is actually something both Teacher Sarutobi and Jiraiya are quite skilled at. They just wouldn't take a swig of oil before a battle. Instead, they use Water Release to transform water into oil, then blend that oil directly into their Fire Release. Not only does it 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 he had used Fire Oil rather than the Nature Transformation of Fire Release. No wonder Yashiro had failed to recognize it at first.

"Even so, this child's mastery of the Great Fireball Technique is already exceptional. He truly deserves to be called the clan's genius ninja. No wonder you wanted to test him like this, Jonin Orochimaru."

Under Orochimaru's gaze, Sarutobi Enju scratched his head.

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

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

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

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

The latter gave 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 more capable people allows those resources to create greater value. That is not only a reasonable allocation of resources within a squad, but also the underlying logic behind how human society operates. It is precisely because of this that power came 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.

For his age, his combat awareness and tactical mind were both excellent. He was bold yet meticulous, and his talent and ability in ninjutsu were outstanding. Though in Orochimaru's view, he still had many shortcomings, they could ultimately be remedied.

As long as his foundation was solid enough and his mind clever enough, with the guidance of a renowned teacher, he could grow rapidly in a short time. He might even be like Orochimaru himself, possessing Jonin-level combat power at thirteen or fourteen.

Even now, aside from his severe lack of combat experience and similar areas, Uchiha Gen's overall strength had in fact almost 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 he had tossed them onto the ground.

Sweat and snake blood ran down Uchiha Gen's body together. He spun around swiftly and hurled two Shuriken, pinning the python trying to ambush him from behind to a burning tree trunk. Then, in one fluid motion, he pulled out the few remaining Kunai from his ninja tool pouch and flung them out, pinning them around the area as well.

This way, even if the Kunai became bent or shattered, he could simply pull fresh ones from the battlefield around him and use them in combat, saving him the trouble of retrieving them from his ninja tool pouch.

What a shame I haven't learned Uchiha Style Swordsmanship yet. Things would be much easier right now if I had.

The thought flashed through Uchiha Gen's mind. Sensing something approaching from behind, he immediately leaped into the air, evading a giant snake that shot toward him. His hands formed seals.

It was still the Great Fireball Technique.

Although the Fire Oil had run out, its power was still considerable. It blasted another giant snake rushing at him back into Ryūchi Cave. At the same time, Chakra gathered beneath his feet as he ran upside down along the tree trunk for several quick steps, swinging his blade and sending several small snakes flying.

His Chakra reserves had dropped again.

He probably wouldn't be able to use any more high-powered ninjutsu. With his small body, it would be difficult to deal with these enormous snakes.

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

If he had not used ninjutsu, there was no way he could have dealt with the second giant snake.

But now, with his Chakra nearly exhausted, Uchiha Gen had no idea what other cards he had left to deal with the coming assault.

Yet before long, the giant snakes suddenly stopped attacking.

"The time is up. You did quite well."

Orochimaru's figure had appeared before Uchiha Gen at some point, his expression calm.

A green python crawled out from Orochimaru's sleeve, opened its enormous mouth one hundred and eighty degrees wide, and spat out a scroll still covered in a little mucus.

"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 am the only one who can bring out most of its power. However, the training process is somewhat dangerous, so prepare enough medicine for your injuries when you practice it. And only after you meet my requirements may you proceed to the next stage."

"Thank you, Teacher Orochimaru!"

Uchiha Gen's expression brightened.

The suffering hadn't been for nothing. This technique sounded incredibly badass!

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

A young Uchiha with a mature-looking face walked over to the two of them, continuously sizing up Uchiha Gen.

"You are... Brother Yashiro?"

Uchiha Gen recognized the identity of the man before him.

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

At the time, Uchiha Yashiro had just been promoted to a Three-Tomoe Sharingan Jonin within the clan, and had gone up to offer incense to their ancestor, Indra God.

Uchiha Yashiro said, "Mm, your Fire Release is quite good. You haven't disgraced the Uchiha genius title. I hope to see you at the clan assembly before long."

The clan assembly was different from the annual ancestral worship 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—essentially 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, though it could be convened at any time, and its discussions concerned major clan affairs, giving it a certain political significance.