Thunder Breathing Great Improvement!

"Huh? All for me?"

Uchiha Ao pointed at himself, his face full of astonishment.

Could it be?

He glanced subtly at the shop owner's feet.

He wasn't wearing white socks either...

Even if we're both Taijutsu Ninja, there's no need for him to give me such a huge favor.

"Cough, little brother, don't misunderstand. I... I actually have something to ask of you."

The shop owner quickly explained, scratching his head. "You mentioned earlier that there's a ninjutsu that can improve physical quality, right?

To be honest, my Ninjutsu Talent is really... mediocre. I was always at the bottom in clan assessments, which is why I gritted my teeth and switched to Taijutsu. But after training for so many years, I've reached my limit."

He looked at the equipment filling the room, his eyes like he was looking at his last resort.

"If, if you're willing to guide me on that path... I can give you all these guys! If it's not enough, I can add money!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ao suddenly understood. He knew there were no free lunches in the world. After a moment of silence, he could only show an apologetic expression as wisps of blue-white arcs began to surge from his body.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Brother. I'm only interested in Taijutsu. Actually, my Ninjutsu Talent..."

Before he could finish, there were two soft "poof" sounds, and white smoke rose. Three Uchiha Ao appeared simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized. Even their chakra fluctuations were solid and uniform, far from the deceptive low-level Clone Technique.

"It's alright. This level of cloning and control is just 'basic' for me."

He sighed and looked at the shop owner. "But the thing you want requires a monstrous level of Chakra Control, Body Perception, and even Willpower.

Honestly, Brother, its threshold... might be even higher than mastering an A-rank Ninjutsu.

If I hadn't resolved to become the Toughest Man in the village, I wouldn't have wasted this effort practicing this High-Difficulty Ninjutsu."

"..."

The shop owner looked at the three identical Ao, opened his mouth, and finally his shoulders slumped. He gave a wry smile.

"I understand... I was being unrealistic. That level of technique is indeed beyond someone like me, a Mediocre Talent... sigh."

The atmosphere became a little heavy.

Ao looked at the equipment and broke the silence. "However, Brother, I do need the equipment.

Let me take these two items on credit at market price first. I'll come back for the rest once I've saved enough money, how about it? As for Taijutsu training experience, as long as it doesn't involve any Secret Techniques, we can always exchange ideas."

"Deal!"

The shop owner looked up, a spark of light returning to his eyes, and nodded vigorously. "It's settled then! Don't worry about paying for these two, consider it... consider it a friendship!"

"I truly admire you. With such talent, you're still willing to put in the hard work on taijutsu. If you truly become the Toughest Man in the Shinobi World in the future, remember to let my shop bask in some of that glory!"

Uchiha Ao smiled sincerely. "Thank you for your kind words, Brother."

In truth, the Eight Inner Gates was indeed a ninjutsu that could push the body to its limits, but he understood the principle of Do Not Flaunt Wealth.

Moreover, if it were exposed later and someone with ill intentions investigated, it would be easy for him to handle, but it wouldn't be a good thing for Might Duy, who was still a child.

However, Ao wasn't one to take advantage. He thought that if he later figured out any ninjutsu that could help this shop owner, he wouldn't mind giving him some pointers.

After all, the shop owner was a decent person, and under his guidance, he had already grasped the usage of various equipment.

With that, he bid farewell to the shop owner, activated Thunder Breathing, and carried the two dumbbell pieces, which were almost as tall as he was, back home.

"Huh? What is this..."

Upon returning home and setting down the equipment, Ao looked at the panel before him, his tone filled with surprise.

[Thunder Breathing: 86/100]

In the mere ten-odd minutes it took to get back from the equipment shop, the progress of Thunder Breathing had increased by a full seven points!

He had to know that from going on a mission and returning, he had only managed to push Thunder Breathing to 79.

It seemed these Large Dumbbell Plates needed to be played with, and played with seriously!

As the thought crossed his mind, he consumed another Ration Pill. While under the effect of Thunder Breathing, he placed the barbell plates on his back and performed over a dozen sets of Push-ups.

Before long, the progress of Thunder Breathing increased by another six points.

As his Physical Quality improved, he could clearly feel that his understanding of the essence of Thunder Breathing and Lightning Release Body Refinement had deepened significantly.

"Only eight more points..."

Ao took off his sweat-soaked clothes, revealing a physique with toned muscles that were already taking shape, and gasped for air.

"I'll push a little harder tomorrow and strive to break through in one go!"

Would the transformed Thunder Breathing then be even stronger than the Lightning Release Armor?

He was truly looking forward to it!

Afterward, Uchiha Ao reviewed the release principles of those four Wood Style ninjutsu. Soon, the time approached around five in the afternoon.

Ao closed the scroll and shut his eyes, carefully contemplating.

Although these ninjutsu were complex, with the assistance of his destiny, the bottlenecks that might have troubled ordinary people for a month were quickly overcome in his mind.

At this rate, he estimated it would only take a week to successfully imprint these Wood Release Ninjutsu into his skill slots.

By then, with the Sharingan and Wood Release in hand, what level would his strength reach?

Elite Jonin? Or higher?

Ao gazed at the clouds outside the window, dyed orange by the setting sun, his mind wandering.

After a while, he snapped back to reality, rubbing his eyelids, which were slightly sore and swollen from the light, as he stood up and muttered:

"Regardless, I finally have some self-preservation ability in this cruel Shinobi World.

As long as I proceed steadily from here, the challenge with Danzo in half a month should be no problem."

Afterward, he casually put on a white short shirt and used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive on the clan path, heading straight towards the village.

It was getting late; he should go find Qingyi Lang and the others at the village entrance.

However, before he was halfway there, a clanmate who suddenly appeared called out to him, "Ao, the Clan Head is back. He said he wants to see you."

Ao frowned upon hearing this.

This old guy is looking for me on his own?

Could it be that he heard I went to report to Tobirama first, and now he wants to test my stance?

Just as he was about to probe for information from the clanmate who delivered the message, he saw the idiot turn around and leave with a cool, arrogant expression. As he left, his gaze towards Ao seemed to carry a hint of disdain.

Although Ao was speechless, he was used to it. This guy was from the Police Force, and everyone there treated others with that kind of attitude.

He figured all the clan's mental patients must be there.

Sigh, it's tough for everyone.

Besides, why argue with a mentally ill person? It's pointless!

However, compared to usual, this guy's gaze seemed to carry even more disgust?

What's wrong? Has his condition worsened?

While contemplating, Uchiha Ao, in order to save time, quickly arrived at the Clan Head's courtyard.

As soon as he entered, he saw several people in the courtyard describing something vividly to Uchiha Qiongyue, who was clad in ninja armor.

Ao's eyebrows twitched.

Huh? These guys, aren't they the old men at the clan entrance I passed by this morning?

What are they doing here?

"Come to collect retirement pay?"

"Clan Head."

Seeing that the sky was getting late and Cang, who had an appointment, was too lazy to wait for them to finish talking, he cleared his throat and interrupted directly.

"I heard you were looking for me?"

Qiongyue had seen him long ago and let out a soft "Mm." The others didn't know when he had arrived, and their faces seemed embarrassed at being caught badmouthing him. They bid farewell to Qiongyue and left the courtyard.

After leaving the courtyard, the few people gathered together again, talking about something.

"..."

Qiongyue stared at Cang for a while. After a long time, he said, "Those people just now said you abandoned the mission midway and were a deserter. Do you have anything to say?"

Having been the Clan Head for so many years, he naturally believed whatever others said.

Moreover, from his understanding of Cang, although his talent was average and his strength poor, would he be a deserter?

He didn't think a fool who dared to assassinate the little princess of the Senju Clan would be afraid of a mere reconnaissance mission, even if it was dangerous.

Those damn old geezers are bored out of their minds... Cang looked speechless and didn't argue. He directly took out the scroll from his embrace. The scroll was stamped with the village's red seal. He said calmly, "I have fulfilled my mission."

Although Qiongyue didn't believe he would be a deserter, he couldn't help but be surprised when he actually saw Cang produce the mission scroll with the red seal.

He was curious how the other party managed to complete the mission in such a short time as a Chunin.

Was it purely due to good luck?

"Can you tell me about how you completed the mission?" Qiongyue, as if thinking of something, showed him a rare smile and said.

Cang quickly satisfied his curiosity. He recounted in detail how he obtained information from Kinkaku Ginkaku and then fled for his life.

"..."

After listening, Qiongyue looked at Cang with different eyes.

His gaze seemed to say: Are you sure you're not bragging?

Even I wouldn't dare to say I could escape so easily under the pursuit of those two beasts!

However, he was the Clan Head after all, and he had to maintain his dignity. He quickly regained his composure and his calm expression. He tidied his mustache with his hand and said, "Mm, it seems your luck was quite good this time. You received support from Hiruzen and the others as soon as you entered the Land of Fire."

He can escape, hmm... it's only natural.

But can you tell me how you conserved Chakra during your escape?

He understood Ao's strength well. Although he acted cleverly during the escape, his actual strength couldn't be faked.

He always felt the other party was hiding something.

"..."

Uchiha Ao thought for a moment. Since he wanted to join the Police Force, he should appropriately show his value.

"Reporting to the Clan Head."

He frankly admitted:

"During this perilous escape, I was fortunate enough to awaken the Sharingan, which is why I could flee so far."

Open!

As he spoke, his scarlet eyes appeared.

"!!!"

Qiongyue's hand trembled violently, and he even pulled out a few strands of his beard.

Nani?!

Sharingan?!