Dual Kekkei Genkai

Silence.

The vast space was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Numerous powerful auras had withdrawn to the utmost in an instant, leaving only constrained breaths carrying traces of their earlier brutality.

Before them lay a Snow Domain!

Beneath their feet, Giant Trees, stubborn wild grass, crawling insects—everything was covered in bitterly cold ice. What was more, it was clear that the freezing had occurred in the blink of an eye!

Those insects and beasts even retained the postures they had held while hunting and resting in life!

As for the culprit—

Icy gazes fell directly upon the little fellow sitting alone amidst the snow and ice.

His eyes were tightly shut. Snow settled around him, while the kunai in his hand had long since frozen over. Frigid air continued to spread outward without restraint.

"What is this?"

Clan Head Fugaku Uchiha fell silent, his thick brows drawn tightly together. Their clan primarily specialized in Fire Release, with only a small number of members adept at Lightning Release. Yet now, the entire area was frozen over.

"Could this be...?"

Elder Yashiro's heart trembled as well. His hands, weathered like eagle claws, began to shake.

The Sharingan, known as the strongest ocular technique, gradually faded.

This was also a Kekkei Genkai!!

They could not see through it!

Just as these powerful Uchiha reached that conclusion, the little fellow seated in the snow suddenly opened his eyes. Two black Magatama rested quietly within his scarlet pupils.

The wind howled at that moment.

Snow danced in that instant.

"Secret Technique: Wind-Soughing Crane-Cry."

The bone-chilling cold frantically stripped away every trace of life that might exist nearby. Frost flowers quietly condensed even within the empty air. This strange yet familiar power seemed intent on freezing the entire area!

This was the Ghost Entanglement Power!

The power of the lord-class great demon, the Yuki-onna!

Even if it was power he had forcibly borrowed, it was still enough to make Genin retreat and force Chunin to take it seriously!

That night was a sleepless one, whether for the Uchiha or Konoha's upper ranks.

"A dual Kekkei Genkai wielder has appeared in the Uchiha: Arata."

"Age: five."

"Awakened Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan, Ice Release."

"Parents: Affected during the Nine-Tails invasion."

Looking at the intelligence report placed on the desk, the Third Hokage absentmindedly exhaled a ring of smoke.

Shisui, Itachi, and now Arata.

Why did the heavens always favor that clan?

"So, what are you planning to do, Hiruzen?"

A sinister question came from the room's shadows. Looking toward the voice, one could see an old man leaning on a cane, his right eye wrapped in bandages.

"Wait. We must wait a little longer."

"Uchiha Shisui has yet to be confirmed as being on our side."

Only after a long while did a somewhat helpless reply sound within the room.

Spring, Year 54 of Konoha.

Delicate cherry blossoms bloomed exuberantly amid the lingering chill of early spring.

While accepting applications from a new class of students, the Ninja Academy was also holding examinations for its graduating students.

The sixth-years had eagerly anticipated this day for a long time.

As long as they passed the assessment, they could graduate from the academy and receive the title of Konoha Genin, along with a ninja forehead protector symbolizing their ability to stand on their own!

The entire corridor outside the examination room was filled with excitement, anticipation, and countless other emotions.

However, before the examination began, the appearance of a younger student made these seniors, brimming with enthusiasm, feel somewhat uncomfortable. They gradually restrained their emotions.

The newcomer wore a light-blue ninja outfit and black shorts. His features were refined and handsome, his expression calm. Even while walking among upperclassmen, he showed no sign of timidity.

"Third-year student, Uchiha Arata!"

A low, gritted utterance revealed the newcomer's identity.

It was Rin Sarutobi's voice.

Three years ago, he and his brother had been badly beaten by the other boy and warned not to provoke Izumi Uchiha, their classmate, again. Due to the difference in age and strength, they could only swallow that resentment in silence.

But now, he was no longer that little brat from before. Not only had he mastered the Three Basic Techniques required for graduation from the Ninja Academy, he could even form the hand seals and cast the C-rank Fire Release ninjutsu, the Great Fireball Jutsu.

Perhaps his chance to use this opportunity for revenge had come today!

A chill flashed through Rin's eyes as he turned sideways, intending to squeeze through the crowd of students.

But at that moment, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder and firmly pinned him in place.

Rin turned his face angrily, wanting to see who was foolish enough to provoke him at such a time. Yet the face that entered his sight belonged to his own brother.

"Don't cause trouble."

Compared with his impulsive younger brother, Ki Sarutobi was considerably steadier.

He lowered his voice as he spoke. Though anger filled his eyes as well, there was even more fear in them, as though he had recalled some nightmare.

"Big Brother!"

Rin was unconvinced and continued struggling, but in the end, he could only watch the other boy walk past him.

However, although Rin Sarutobi had been stopped, other upperclassmen still stepped forward.

"Hey, Uchiha Arata, what are you doing here? Today is for our graduation examination."

When the boy had crossed half the corridor and was about to reach the examination room, three graduating students blocked the passage.

Only then did the little fellow, who had ignored everyone around him, slightly rein in his attitude.

As he stopped, his gaze lifted.

The first person to enter his sight was a broad, or rather somewhat fat, upperclassman. A huge "Food" clan crest was embroidered on his clothes. Uncle Yashiro, who often taught him ninjutsu and the powers of the Ninja World, had mentioned that this was the symbol of Konoha's prestigious Akimichi Clan. They excelled at the Multi-Size Technique, possessed strength beyond ordinary people, and should never be casually promised a meal.

The two companions at his side looked far more ordinary.

Yet the obscure fluctuations of spiritual power and their sharp gazes both highlighted that they were anything but simple.

"Yamanaka. Nara Clan."

After glancing at the two distinctive clan crests, Arata understood.

"An examination form?"

"Brother Hishi, he wants to take the graduation examination!!"

Just as Uchiha Arata raised his eyes to examine the trio blocking his path, a startled cry sounded beside his ear.

Akimichi Hishi's expression changed slightly at those words. He had naturally seen the examination form in the other boy's hand, but hearing Arata admit it himself was entirely different from merely hearing someone else speculate.

"That's right."

Uchiha Arata answered calmly and stepped forward again, ignoring their obstruction as he continued ahead.

He did not want to cause trouble either.

"Graduate? Heh, a third-year student should go back and study properly for a few more years."

"As your senior, I'll teach you what humility and knowing your place mean!"

Having received his answer, Akimichi Hishi angrily threw a punch. Graduating alongside a runt three grades below him would be an enormous humiliation! Even if he belonged to Konoha's foremost clan, the Uchiha, he could not be so arrogant!

This was no longer a time of war.

Besides, it was enough for that clan to have one peerless genius like Uchiha Itachi. If another emerged, what would the other clans do?

Akimichi Hishi's fist was not particularly fast, but it carried strength no weaker than an adult's. Even the surrounding air seemed to shudder and groan beneath its force.

As Hishi struck, the surroundings instantly became noisy. Some urged him not to fuss with a junior, while others shouted that he had done well and should teach that brat a lesson.

After all, although Uchiha Arata had some reputation in the academy, that was ultimately just childish scuffling among lower-grade students. He was fundamentally different from them, graduating students who were about to become Genin and begin carrying out the village's missions! Such a gap could not be erased no matter what.

Just as most of the upperclassmen expected Arata to flee and voluntarily abandon the idea of graduating early, something unexpected happened.

Facing the strength-oriented Akimichi Clan, the little fellow three grades below showed no sign of dodging. Or, more accurately, he had temporarily changed his mind about avoiding trouble.

[Immediate Mission Triggered: Dominate the Class]