You Are My God! (Seeking Follow-ups and Monthly Votes)

Splash, splash...

Countless sprays of water scattered in every direction along the shore, causing the surrounding flowers, trees, and shrubs to tremble violently.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey..."

However, the culprit behind this scene, Uchiha Ao, was currently soaked like a drowned rat, spitting mud and sand from his mouth incessantly.

"Brother Sou, did you cause all of this?"

Might Duy leaped down from a tree, his tone filled with astonishment.

"Ptooey, ptooey, so it's you, Duy."

Uchiha Ao shook out his sodden clothes and tilted his head from side to side to drain the water, replying casually, "You mean this spray? I didn't control my strength when I released that Fire Release just now. I didn't expect such a massive commotion... Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey, I really didn't expect... ptooey... that there would be so much mud and sand at the bottom of such a small lake."

"..."

Might Duy gazed at the lake surface, which had evaporated by several millimeters, and clicked his tongue in secret awe.

Brother Sou's strength was simply too formidable. The power of this ninjutsu was almost on par with a Jonin he had once seen.

No, looking at the sheer power, it seemed Brother Sou was even stronger.

Good heavens, that was a ninjutsu expert who had once nearly made it into the Anbu!

Might Duy was ecstatic. Choosing Brother Sou as his teacher was simply the most correct decision he had ever made in his life.

Brother Sou, you-are-my-god!

Uchiha Ao naturally had no idea what his little brother was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't have the heart to care, for as he stared at the panel before him, his mouth stretched wide enough to reach the back of his head.

[Great Fireball Technique (Modified) 0/200]

[B-Rank Fire Release Ninjutsu: Improved upon the original foundation; power increased twofold, release speed increased twofold]

"I was wondering why my ninjutsu was getting faster even though my hand seal speed hadn't changed. So that's why!

I just wonder... what the chakra consumption is like for the upgraded ninjutsu?"

Thinking of this, he calmed his mind and carefully sensed the remaining chakra in his body, discovering with surprise that nearly half of it still remained.

"Could it be that the process of upgrading a ninjutsu can invisibly increase my chakra reserves as well?"

He looked at the panel.

[Chakra Level: Intermediate Chunin]

Nothing much has changed, then...

The last time he nearly awakened his Sharingan, his chakra levels had increased slightly, bringing him to this current tier.

Could it be because...

Uchiha Ao's eyes lit up. He suddenly recalled the word "improved" mentioned on the panel earlier and seemed to understand something.

So, the improved Great Fireball Technique didn't just increase in power and casting speed; the chakra pathways used to perform this ninjutsu had also been refined. That was why the miraculous phenomenon occurred where the chakra consumption actually decreased after casting it.

Then, what if I were to master an A-rank Lightning Style: Lightning Clone? What kind of effect would that produce?

Multiple Shadow Lightning Clone Technique?

"Brother Sou, was that a secret technique of the Uchiha Clan you just used?"

"Brother Sou, can you teach me?"

"That was so strong! I wonder when I'll be able to learn such a powerful ninjutsu!"

Might Duy was not skilled in ninjutsu, so witnessing such a powerful technique in person for the first time left him unable to contain his excitement. He chirped away, circling around Uchiha Ao.

"I managed to figure this ninjutsu out by pure luck."

Uchiha Ao snapped back to reality and waved his hand dismissively. He then smiled and ruffled Duy's bowl cut. "I can certainly teach you, but the prerequisite is that you must first master the Substitution Technique I taught you."

He silently estimated the progress. Based on how Might Duy was learning the Substitution Technique, he figured it would take a conservative estimate of one year for him to learn his Modified Great Fireball Technique...

If he wasn't being conservative, maybe three years?

Might Duy was stunned upon hearing this, his mouth slightly agape.

This ninjutsu was actually self-created by Brother Sou!

Brother Sou is... just too awesome!

You have to realize that those capable of creating such powerful ninjutsu are all Elite Jonin, or even Kage Level powerhouses. Could it be that Brother Sou is actually...

Whatever, Brother Sou being awesome is all that matters!

"Ah! My youth is burning!"

Feeling increasingly optimistic about the future of his ninjutsu, Might Duy was filled with high spirits. His eyes sparkled, two jets of white steam puffed from his flared nostrils, and he struck a pose.

"Brother Sou, I summarized what I learned in class today, and I have a feeling I'll be able to master the Substitution Technique today!"

Uchiha Ao smiled without a word, stepping aside to clear the space.

The meaning was clear: "Young man, show me what you've got."

Might Duy straightened his small face, began weaving hand signs, and then shouted:

"Substitution Technique!"

Poof!

A puff of white smoke rose, but other than Might Duy standing in place with his face flushed bright red, nothing had changed.

Clap, clap, clap...

Uchiha Ao clapped his hands, his expression sincere. "Duy, you really have improved."

As he spoke, he walked up to Might Duy and poked his forehead protector with a finger.

With a "poof," the forehead protector turned into a leaf.

"Hehe..."

Might Duy's small face flushed red as he scratched his head with a goofy grin.

"I thought..."

"It was already quite good."

Uchiha Ao added sincerely. He wasn't just offering comfort; he meant it.

He had expected Might Duy to be the same as the last two days—finishing his hand signs only to let out a fart in place.

He hadn't expected that in just two short days, he would actually be able to substitute his forehead protector.

At this rate, Might Duy would likely master the Substitution Technique in just a month or two.

This speed was by no means slow. Based on his experience teaching at the Ninja Academy, he had already reached the standard of an average student.

Then why is Might Duy a perpetual Genin in the original story?

Uchiha Ao thought carefully, and suddenly, something occurred to him.

Over the past two days, in order to teach Might Duy, he had frequently performed the Substitution Technique himself. His own insights into the technique had grown deeper, and naturally, he had shared those insights with Might Duy while teaching.

It seemed that those insights hadn't just improved his own application of the Substitution Technique; they had also significantly boosted his teaching ability.

I'm really looking forward to it. What kind of brilliant flowers will a Might Duy who blossoms in both Taijutsu and Ninjutsu bloom in the future Shinobi World?

Afterward, Uchiha Ao pointed out a few more of Might Duy's mistakes until around seven in the evening, when the two returned to Konohagakure, chatting and laughing all the way.

"Let's go, Duy. To celebrate your great progress with the Substitution Technique today, Teacher is treating you to barbecue!"

"Yay! Thank you, Teacher!"

"It's nothing. While you're at it, stop by your house and grab that yel... yellow book for me. I have a great use for it!"

"Teacher, wasn't that book red?"

"Don't worry about the details."

Uchiha Clan Mission Briefing Room.

"..."

Uchiha Qiongyue sat at a long table, checking the serial numbers on several scrolls laid out before him.

A moment later, he raised an eyebrow, picked out a green scroll, and slapped it onto the table.

"Why hasn't this A-rank assassination mission been dispatched yet?"

Uchiha Setsuna, standing to the side, carefully identified the scroll and hurriedly explained:

"This mission is quite tricky. The target is a samurai from the Land of Iron. As you know, the Land of Iron has always advocated for neutrality. If we carry out this mission, I'm afraid we'll face accountability from them."

"The Land of Iron?"

Uchiha Qiongyue looked surprised upon hearing this. He opened the scroll, studied it for a while, and then laughed dismissively:

"Just a nation of ignorant people who worship blades. What can they do even if they hold us accountable?

Hmm... but since the clan will still need to accept their commissions in the future, just send a clansman who excels in taijutsu. Make sure it's done cleanly."

"Understood," Uchiha Setsuna said, bowing.

"Wait."

Uchiha Qiongyue raised his hand to stop him. As if thinking of something, he added:

"After the mission is complete, send someone to investigate the client. If they have ulterior motives and are trying to sabotage the relationship between our clan and the Land of Iron, then when you go to carry out that long-term mission later, just kill them on your way."

"The Clan Head is wise."

Uchiha Setsuna showed an expression of admiration, then pulled another scroll from his robes and handed it over.

"Clan Head, that B-rank reconnaissance operation at the border still hasn't been picked up. What do you think..."

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Uchiha Qiongyue's expression. Sure enough, it darkened visibly, and he demanded in a deep, reproachful voice, "Why hasn't it been dispatched yet?!"

Uchiha Setsuna explained in a low voice, "The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning has been quite chaotic lately. All the Jonin in the clan are out on missions, and the Chunin are afraid to take this one. Besides, you told me a couple of days ago that Sou would be coming over..."

"Don't mention that trash to me!"

Uchiha Qiongyue grew angry the moment he heard that name. It wasn't entirely directed at Uchiha Ao, but rather, whenever he thought of that guy, he was reminded of how Tobirama Senju had played him for a fool.

He was furious, the kind of furious that couldn't be soothed!

"Also, raise the reward for this mission to 300,000 Taels. Tell that bunch of losers that if no one takes it by then, not only will the reward be halved, but I will forcibly assign it!"

"This..."

Uchiha Setsuna looked troubled. On one side were his kin and relatives, and on the other was the overbearing Clan Head; he didn't want to offend either.

"If you put it that way, I'm afraid it will chill their hearts."

Uchiha Qiongyue, already in a foul mood, instantly flew into a rage:

"Chill your mother's—"

Just as he was about to throw the scroll, a drunken shout came from outside the door.

"Is Brother Setsuna here?

I am Sou. I wanted to discuss something with you."