One Fish, Two Meals

"Boss!"

Asuma Sarutobi called out without the slightest hesitation.

To become a Kage-level expert just by acknowledging someone as his boss? That was practically the deal of a lifetime. Forget calling him Boss—even calling him Dad would have been a damn bargain for him!

After all, even his biological father couldn't make him a Kage-level expert.

"Not bad resolve."

Uchiha Akira stroked his chin. "Let me think about which method to use to raise your strength."

"Huh? There's more than one method?"

Asuma Sarutobi was dumbfounded. The way he looked at Uchiha Akira grew even more reverent. With a big brother like this, how was he any different from a biological father?

"Don't interrupt!"

Uchiha Akira frowned and lightly rebuked him. Asuma hurriedly held his breath and focused, lightly slapping himself across the mouth with a fawning expression.

There were several ways to further improve Asuma Sarutobi's strength.

First, after obtaining a Sage Body, he could transplant cells into Asuma. That would certainly improve Asuma's physical qualities and Chakra, but there was a chance Asuma might end up in a vegetative state.

Second, he could teach Asuma an ability capable of breaking through to the Kage level.

To become a Kage-level expert, one had to have a signature technique of one's own.

Take Hiruzen Sarutobi, for example. His Chakra reserves were several times greater than those of an Elite Jonin, his taijutsu was formidable, and he had mastered all five types of Ninjutsu. He could be called the pinnacle of ordinary ninjutsu.

Ōnoki of Both Scales' signature technique was Dust Release.

The Raikage's signature technique was an extremely powerful physical body and Lightning Release.

The Kazekage's signature technique was Sand Release that blanketed the sky.

For every Kage-level expert, you could think of their signature technique and what made them troublesome. Some Kage-level abilities could be passed down, while others could not—such as Hiruzen Sarutobi's Ninjutsu mastery.

That required genuine talent and comprehension.

Therefore, Asuma could not become a Kage-level expert based on his own talent alone.

"I've got it. Given the current conditions, I'll teach you Sage Mode."

Of the methods he currently possessed, that was the easiest way to become a Kage-level expert.

"What? Sage Mode?"

Asuma Sarutobi's eyes widened in disbelief, and his breathing quickened as though he had realized something. "Boss, are you saying you've already mastered Sage Mode? That's a secret technique only mastered by the Three Great Sacred Lands of the Summoning Realm!"

"In all of Konoha, even Princess Tsunade can't use it. Only Jiraiya has barely mastered it!"

In all of Konoha, only one person had mastered that ninjutsu.

One could only imagine how difficult it was!

But now, he was telling him that an ordinary guy who had not even awakened the Sharingan, someone who was at most a Jonin, had actually already mastered Sage Mode?

That was utterly outrageous!

"That's right. It's only Sage Mode, hah!"

Uchiha Akira gave a cold shout. "Sage Mode!"

In an instant, red markings appeared around his eyes, sweeping upward. A red dot and circle emerged between his brows, making him seem like a sun god descended upon the world, naturally exuding a sharp and imposing aura!

"N-No, brother, you activated it instantly?"

Asuma Sarutobi was stunned. He stammered so badly that he could barely speak.

He had previously considered learning Sage Mode from Jiraiya, so he naturally knew a little about it. But Sage Mode was said to be incredibly difficult to learn. Even Jiraiya's Sage Mode was only half-finished, and he still needed a long period of preparation before battle after learning it.

That was why he had given up on learning it.

Yet even Jiraiya, one of the Three Ninja, had struggled to learn Sage Mode.

With Uchiha Akira, it seemed as simple as eating and drinking. He could activate it whenever he damn well pleased!

"Heh, it's only Sage Mode. So, do you want to learn it?"

Uchiha Akira raised a brow, and his already powerful aura became several times stronger.

It was enough to let any Jonin step directly into the domain of Kage-level experts!

"Brother, teach me!"

With a thud, Asuma Sarutobi dropped to his knees, incomparably devout. As long as he could overcome the mountain called Father pressing down on him, he would do anything!

"Rest assured. Now that you have entered my fold, I will naturally help you attain the supreme realm of a Kage-level expert."

Uchiha Akira looked calm and unconcerned.

"But with your aptitude, I'm afraid this will be your limit."

Asuma Sarutobi did not understand. "I'll already be completely satisfied if I can become a Kage-level expert!"

Uchiha Akira shook his head.

Unfortunately, Asuma did not yet know that by the later stages of becoming Hokage, Jonin would be everywhere, while Kage-level experts would be nothing special.

"Then, Big Brother, how do I cultivate Sage Mode?"

Asuma's heart was filled with unease. He was not merely nervous; more than that, he could hardly believe it.

Sage Mode was so damn amazing.

Could he really master it?

He did not even dare imagine it!

"If it were Mount Myōboku or the other Sacred Lands, they would coat your entire body with a special substance that senses Nature energy, while keeping a constant watch over you to prevent your body from turning to stone if you failed. Their approach prioritized safety."

Uchiha Akira explained leisurely.

"That really is safe. As expected of the Three Great Sacred Lands!" Asuma praised.

"But even so, many people still have their bodies turn to stone."

Upon hearing that—

Asuma instantly lost his confidence. "What? Even with the Summoning animals of the Three Great Sacred Lands watching over them, there's still a chance of petrification?"

"Don't worry."

Uchiha Akira grinned. "Our method is completely different from those Three Great Sacred Lands."

"Big Brother's method must be even safer!" Asuma let out a sigh of relief.

"Not really."

Uchiha Akira abruptly changed his tone. A guileless smile appeared on his lips as his large hand landed on Asuma's shoulder.

"Our method is just more efficient. Don't worry, it's not that different. It's just that my Chakra is a little rough, so bear with it."

"Huh?"

Asuma had not even processed it when agonizing pain struck. He let out a bloodcurdling scream!

The next moment—

Before his terrified eyes, one of his arms rapidly turned to stone. He was so frightened that he nearly cried. "B-B-B-Big Brother! I'm turning into stone!"

"What are you panicking for?"

Uchiha Akira's expression remained utterly calm. In an instant, he absorbed all the chaotic Nature energy into his own body. Without the Nature energy, Asuma naturally returned to normal, as though everything that had just happened had only been a dream.

Yet the cold sweat on his back clearly proved that he had just brushed against death.

But he had indeed felt a trace of Nature energy just now!

That powerful force was completely incomparable to ordinary Chakra. Asuma looked at Uchiha Akira with even greater reverence.

As long as I follow Big Brother, becoming a Kage-level expert won't be a dream!

"From now on, come train with me whenever you have nothing to do. Do it a few thousand times, and learning Sage Mode will be a sure thing."

Uchiha Akira rubbed his stomach.

"Come on, it's getting late. Treat your big brother to a meal."

Now that he had a little brother, there was naturally no reason for him to pay.

"Hey, Big Brother, the dining street is over there!" Asuma Sarutobi hurriedly reminded him.

"I know."

Uchiha Akira said calmly, "I think there might be a child who's even hungrier than I am right now."

He glanced at the System panel.

[Task: Help Naruto establish proper values!]

[Task Reward: One random draw!]

One meal, two system tasks.

Heh! He really was such a clever little genius!