One Fish, Two Meals

"Boss!"

Asuma Sarutobi called out without any hesitation.

Being able to become a Kage-level expert just by acknowledging someone as his boss was an incredible stroke of luck—not only would he call him boss, even calling him dad would be a bargain!

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

"Not bad will."

Uchiha Siming stroked his chin: "Let me think about which method to use to boost your strength."

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

Asuma Sarutobi was stunned, looking at Uchiha Siming with even greater reverence. With a big brother like this, what difference was there from a real father?

"Don't interrupt!"

Uchiha Siming frowned and lightly scolded. Asuma quickly held his breath and focused, lightly slapping himself on the cheek with a fawning expression.

The methods to push Asuma Sarutobi's strength further were as follows.

First, after obtaining a Sage Body, transplant cells to Asuma. This would inevitably enhance Asuma's physical constitution and Chakra, but Asuma risked becoming a "vegetative state."

Second, teach him abilities that could break through to Kage-level.

To become a Kage-level expert, one must possess their own signature technique.

Take Hiruzen Sarutobi, for example—his Chakra reserves were several times greater than an Elite Jonin's, his taijutsu was formidable, and he was proficient in all five Ninjutsu natures, making him the pinnacle of ordinary ninjutsu.

Ōnoki of Both Scales had his signature technique, Dust Release.

The Raikage had his signature technique, an overwhelmingly powerful physical body and Lightning Release.

The Kazekage had his signature technique, the sweeping Sand Release.

Every Kage-level expert, you could think of their signature technique and what made them troublesome. Among these, some Kage-level abilities could be passed down, while others could not—like Hiruzen Sarutobi's Ninjutsu mastery.

That required genuine talent and insight.

Thus, Asuma, relying solely on his own talent, could not become a Kage-level expert.

"Got it. With limited conditions right now, I'll teach you Sage Mode."

This was the easiest method he currently knew to become a Kage-level expert.

"What? Sage Mode?"

Asuma Sarutobi's eyes widened in disbelief, his breathing rapid, as if realizing something: "Boss, do you mean you've already mastered Sage Mode? That's a secret technique only the Three Great Sacred Lands of the Summoning Realm possess!"

"Throughout the entire Konoha, even Princess Tsunade doesn't have it, and only Jiraiya barely managed to grasp it!"

A ninjutsu that only one person in all of Konoha had mastered.

One could imagine just how difficult it was!

But now, you're telling me that you, an ordinary guy who hasn't even unlocked the Sharingan and is at most a Jonin, have already mastered Sage Mode?

That was utterly absurd!

"That's right, just Sage Mode, nothing more, hah!"

Uchiha Siming let out a cold shout: "Sage Mode!"

In an instant, red eye shadow appeared around his eyes, slanting upward, and a single dot within a red circle emerged at the center of his brow, like a sun god descending, exuding a sharp and imposing aura!

"No, no way, bro, you activated it instantly?"

Asuma Sarutobi was stunned, stammering and unable to speak clearly.

He had previously considered learning Sage Mode from Jiraiya, so he naturally understood it somewhat. But it was said that Sage Mode was extremely difficult to learn—even Jiraiya's version was only a half-finished product, and even after learning it, he needed a long preparation time before battle.

Thus, he had given up on learning it.

Yet here was Sage Mode, which even one of the Three Ninja, Jiraiya, struggled to master.

For Uchiha Siming, it was as simple as eating or drinking—he could activate it on a whim!

"Heh, just Sage Mode. So, what do you think? Want to learn?"

Uchiha Siming raised an eyebrow, his powerful aura now several times stronger than before.

Enough to push any Jonin directly into the realm of a Kage-level expert!

"Bro, teach me!"

Asuma Sarutobi dropped to his knees with a thud, utterly devout. As long as he could surpass the mountain named "father" that weighed on him, he would do anything!

"Don't worry. Since you've entered my fold, I will naturally help you achieve the supreme realm of Kage-level."

Uchiha Siming's expression was casual and unconcerned.

"But with your talent, I'm afraid that's as far as you'll go."

Asuma Sarutobi didn't understand: "Being able to become a Kage-level expert is already more than enough for me!"

Uchiha Siming shook his head.

Too bad, Asuma still didn't know that by the late stages of Hokage, Jonin were everywhere and Kage-level fighters were a dime a dozen.

"Then, big brother, how do you train in Sage Mode?"

Asuma's heart was full of anxiety—not just nervousness, but more so disbelief.

Sage Mode was that incredible.

Could he really master it?

He didn't even dare to think about it!

"If it's one of the major Sacred Lands like Mount Myōboku, they'd coat your whole body with a special substance to sense Nature energy, and keep a constant watch on you to make sure you don't turn to stone if you fail. Their approach is all about safety."

Uchiha Siming explained leisurely.

"That really is safe, no wonder they're one of the three great Sacred Lands!" Asuma praised.

"But even so, a lot of people still turn to stone."

Hearing this.

Asuma's confidence instantly wavered: "What? Even with the Summoning animals of the three Sacred Lands watching, there's still a chance of petrification?"

"Relax."

Uchiha Siming grinned: "Our method is completely different from theirs."

"Big brother's method must be even safer!" Asuma breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not exactly."

Uchiha Siming shifted his tone, a simple smile spreading across his face as he placed a hand on Asuma's shoulder.

"Our method is just a bit more efficient. Don't worry, it's nothing at all—it's just that my Chakra is a little rough. Bear with it."

"Huh?"

Before Asuma could process it, a searing pain struck, and he let out a blood-curdling scream!

The next moment.

Under his terrified gaze, one of his arms rapidly turned to stone, scaring him nearly to tears: "B-B-B-Big brother! I'm turning to stone!"

"What's the panic?"

Uchiha Siming's expression was as calm as still water. In an instant, he absorbed all the chaotic Nature energy into his own body. Without that Nature energy, Asuma naturally reverted to normal, as if everything that had just happened was only a dream.

But the cold sweat on his back clearly proved that brush with death.

Yet in that moment, he had still sensed a sliver of Nature energy!

That immense power was nothing like ordinary Chakra could compare to. Asuma looked at Uchiha Siming with even greater reverence.

—As long as he followed big brother, becoming Kage-level was no longer a dream!

"From now on, whenever you've got nothing to do, come find me for training. Do it a few thousand times, and mastering Sage Mode will be a sure thing."

Uchiha Siming rubbed his stomach.

"Let's go. It's getting late. Big brother, let me treat you to a meal."

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

"Hey, big brother, the restaurant street is that way!" Sarutobi Asuma quickly reminded him.

"I know."

Uchiha Siming said flatly: "I just think there might be a kid who's hungrier than me right now."

He glanced at the System panel.

Task: Help Naruto establish the right values!

Task reward: Random draw once!

One meal, two system tasks.

Heh.

He was quite the clever little trickster!