Ninja Cat Clan

I only have the Sharingan because of Madara's Character Card, not because I awakened it myself. I wonder whether this process can also speed up my own awakening—or whether the Dojutsu Power of two pairs of Sharingan can stack?

Uchiha Gen pondered for a moment, then decided not to dwell on such distant matters. He casually pulled open a large drawer in the cabinet.

Several balls were stuffed inside the drawer.

He picked one at random, extended his hand, and steadily released Chakra into his palm, controlling it to spin erratically within the ball.

A few seconds later, the rubber ball burst with a bang.

As the ninjutsu that most comprehensively demonstrated the training process in the original work, Uchiha Gen had naturally tried to replicate the Rasengan.

However, the difficulty of learning this technique was as high as A-rank, meaning that the Rasengan was actually harder to learn than the level expected of a Jonin. Naruto had been able to master it largely because he exploited a loophole with the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

And the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique was also an A-rank ninjutsu—moreover, a dangerous forbidden technique. Without an enormous amount of Chakra, it was difficult to perform.

Uchiha Gen had not mastered it yet, of course. However, as a non-elemental ninjutsu, the Rasengan was an excellent measure of a ninja's Chakra control. By now, Uchiha Gen had gotten used to kneading balls as training for his Chakra shape transformation.

Popping a balloon was not particularly difficult; Uchiha Gen had been able to do that back in his fourth year. Popping a rubber ball was considerably harder, but the current Uchiha Gen could accomplish that as well.

But combining high-density Chakra, solidifying it into a miniature typhoon as it spun, and maintaining its form amid its chaotic internal movement so that it could move precisely within the rubber ball without damaging it—that was the hardest step.

However, after obtaining Young Madara's Character Card, Uchiha Gen could feel that his Chakra control had improved somewhat as well.

At the very least, the rubber ball had lasted a few seconds longer than before.

"Now, it's time to go see the Great Elder. Hmm... I can stop by the ninja tool shop run by the Ninja Cat Clan first and pick out a suitable Ninja Sword."

This month of training had been far too packed, so Uchiha Gen had not spent much time on swordsmanship.

He had barely touched the practice bamboo sword he had bought for sword training a month ago.

Fortunately, Young Madara had been quite skilled with a sword. In the cutscene, even though he lacked Young Hashirama's strength, Madara could still rely on more refined techniques to fight Hashirama to a draw in their sparring matches.

With that thought, Uchiha Gen looked at the rubber ball fragments scattered across the floor. He formed hand seals, stirred up Wind Release Chakra, and unleashed Gale Palm, raising a light breeze that swept the dust and fragments on the ground into the dustpan in the corner. Then he turned and headed out.

With good control over Wind Release ninjutsu, even cleaning saved him the trouble of sweeping.

After having lunch at a well-reviewed restaurant within the Clan Grounds, Uchiha Gen did not head directly to the ninja tool shop. Instead, he turned around, left the Clan Grounds, and made his way to the commercial district near central Konoha.

This street saw the greatest flow of people in Konoha. Clans such as the Uchiha Clan, Hyuga, and Yamanaka Clan all operated shops here, bringing in money hand over fist every day.

Following the crowded stream of people, Uchiha Gen arrived at the entrance of a shop filled with the scent of medicinal herbs.

Nara Pharmacy.

Behind the counter stood a middle-aged ninja with a pineapple hairstyle.

"You're a young man from the Uchiha Clan, huh? There, the catnip is over there. We've specially put together a matching bundle for customers buying catnip—buy two packs, and you'll get a ball of yarn for free.

"If you're buying Ration Pills and healing medicine, we've got those ready here as well."

The middle-aged Nara Ninja yawned. After glancing at the red-and-white fan Clan Crest on Uchiha Gen's clothes, he pointed toward the medicinal packets on another counter.

Catnip was a Chinese medicinal herb that dispersed wind and heat, promoted blood circulation, and stopped bleeding. It was also often used in healing medicine.

It had another name: cat mint.

At some point, it had become customary for Uchiha Clan ninja to prepare some catnip before visiting Ninja Cats.

That was why, after recognizing Uchiha Gen's clan identity, this Nara Clan ninja immediately pointed out where the catnip was.

"Two packs, please."

"There you go. One hundred and sixty ryo."

"Thank you."

Five minutes later.

At a ninja tool shop near the Uchiha Clan Grounds, with a maneki-neko stone statue displayed by the entrance.

"Mmm! Slurp... Nara Clan goods. Pure enough!"

A plump orange cat twitched his pink triangular nose and pressed his entire face close to the two packets of catnip Uchiha Gen had brought, his expression dazed.

"Ninja Cat Senior, these are some small gifts for you. I was wondering whether you have any Ninja Swords here that would suit me."

Uchiha Gen looked at the Fat Orange Cat and asked politely.

"Mhm, kid, you know what you're doing! Let Cat Master take a look. With this height and arm length, come with me. What price range are you looking for?"

"Uh... under fifty thousand ryo."

Uchiha Gen estimated the remaining money in his wallet.

Ever since he had contracted Ninja Crows as his summoned beasts, his finances had not been particularly comfortable.

The food he bought for those birds was all of the highest quality, capable of improving the Ninja Crows' Chakra quality.

Quite a few of the Uchiha Clan's ninjutsu and genjutsu were related to Ninja Crows. For the sake of his future development, he could not let those Ninja Crows go hungry no matter what.

Even though he had recently been carrying out missions with Orochimaru Squad, D-rank missions truly did not pay much. On average, a mission only brought in five thousand ryo, and after splitting it with his teammates, he was left with even less.

"Fifty thousand ryo? At that price, forget about high-quality famous blades. For the catnip's sake, Cat Master will try to pick out something decent for you."

The Fat Orange Cat waddled his chubby body and strutted past a row of shelves.

"These few will do. They're all under fifty thousand, but above thirty thousand. Their quality is passable. They can't be called masterpieces, but they're definitely better than standard-issue Ninja Swords. Every one of them was made with materials and forging techniques strictly following the Ninja Cat Clan's standards. Whether it's sharpness, strength, or resilience, they're all up to standard."

"If you're willing to pay a little more, these two are better in terms of feel and blade durability. They'd suit you quite well too."

Following Fat Orange Cat's directions, Uchiha Gen took the Ninja Swords off the rack one by one.

There were five in total. Their designs and weights varied, but their lengths were similar, suited to his height and arm length.

Uchiha Gen first picked up the one closest to him.

It cost forty-five thousand ryo. Its balance and grip felt decent. He drew it from its sheath and swung it through the air, cutting a faint ripple through the air. Then he spun it in a flourish before sheathing it again.