"Ha!"
With a sharp shout from Gekko Yabu, the two clashed in an instant.
Sparks flew!
But no matter how Gekko Yabu attacked,
Keigo Uchiha's strikes kept pressing against his throat, leaving him deeply uncomfortable.
And before he could even unleash his next attack, Keigo Uchiha had already interrupted him. That feeling... was awful!
"Moonlight Cross Dance!"
He shouted, and in an instant, right before Keigo Uchiha's eyes, the sword in Gekko Yabu's hand seemed to split into two!
Two blades slashed through the air!
"In that case, I'll give it a try too."
Keigo Uchiha's eyes lit up.
Gekko Yabu had a remarkable talent for swordsmanship.
At just seven years old, he had already developed a technique of his own.
"Storm Release: Light Severing!"
With Keigo Uchiha's soft shout, a layer of blue light enveloped the long sword in his hand. Storm Release gathered along the blade, lightning flashed, and a terrifying aura radiated from it.
In an instant!
A fearsome blade of light cleaved through the air!
Crack!
The sword in Gekko Yabu's hand was struck flying. He stared in stunned disbelief as it slipped from his grasp, his spine going cold!
"Th-that was terrifying! Is that the technique you've been developing? For a moment there, I couldn't even hold on to my weapon, and... that was because you were holding back, wasn't it?"
His throat bobbed.
Cold sweat streamed down his forehead.
In just half a month, this guy had gotten even stronger!
I'm here trying to have a sword fight with you, and you're going all out with special effects!
"I just infused my sword with Storm Release. That not only makes the weapon sturdier, but also lets me unleash much more powerful attacks." Keigo Uchiha smiled and explained:
"If I increase the power of the Storm Release, then any weapon in my hands can become a divine blade. No weapon could stand against it."
Of course,
the weapon itself mattered too.
That would let him draw out even more of his Storm Release's power!
"That's terrifying!"
Gekko Yabu sucked in a breath and gave a wry smile. "'Just'? You call that kind of power 'just' something? That's more than enough to leave anyone stunned! You really are a monster!"
Then, gritting his teeth, he said, "You're not allowed to use Storm Release from now on!"
"Just use your swordsmanship. You're too much of a monster!"
He knew that, as Keigo Uchiha was now,
even if he only used swordsmanship, Gekko Yabu was no match for him. It was only a matter of time before he lost.
This guy was an absolute monster!
Gekko Yabu was on the verge of tears.
Keigo Uchiha helplessly raised his hands in surrender. "All right, all right. I get it."
The two began sparring again.
Their understanding of swordsmanship grew deeper and deeper!
That night,
Keigo Uchiha had been about to go to sleep. Training was important for a ninja, but so was rest!
But the Great Elder came to his room.
"Even knowing how talented you are, I'm still amazed."
Kyo Uchiha shook his head in admiration. "The sword technique you used this afternoon showed just how talented you are in Nintaijutsu. Konoha's Taijutsu is powerful, but for someone like you, who has Storm Release..."
"Cloud Hidden Village's Nintaijutsu is a much better fit!"
Keigo Uchiha's eyes lit up.
He was wide awake now.
He understood what the Great Elder meant. "Great Elder, are you going to give me Cloud Hidden Village's Nintaijutsu?"
Kyo Uchiha smiled.
That was the advantage of talking to someone clever.
He didn't need to explain; Keigo already understood.
"Of course. We've obtained Cloud Hidden Village's Nintaijutsu. The sooner you begin training in it, the better the results, and now is the perfect time for you to start!"
As he spoke,
he handed over a scroll.
Night Moon Nintaijutsu
Under the lamplight, the ink on it was still wet.
Keigo Uchiha's heart skipped a beat. He vaguely realized what had happened and asked in surprise, "Great Elder, did you send someone to Cloud Hidden Village?!"
He had originally thought the clan already possessed the Yotsuki Clan's Nintaijutsu.
But now it seemed they didn't. Instead, because he wanted Cloud Hidden Village's Nintaijutsu, the Great Elder had sent someone there to steal it!
A warmth welled up inside him.
This old man truly had his best interests at heart!
If they were discovered, the entire Cloud Hidden Village would retaliate against the Uchiha Clan. And to settle the score with Cloud Hidden Village, either the Uchiha Clan would have to hand someone over to atone for the offense,
or... go to war!
Yet even knowing how serious the consequences could be, the old man before him had still sent someone to steal Cloud Hidden Village's Nintaijutsu without hesitation.
It was a debt of gratitude he could never repay in a lifetime!
"You're a clever boy. But it was worth it."
Kyo Uchiha smiled, his aged face creasing. A trace of nostalgia showed in his eyes. "The Uchiha Clan was once glorious. The clan is flourishing now, but in my eyes... compared to the days when we served under that man... we're no better than ants!"
He looked at Keigo Uchiha. "But Keigo, in your hands, the Uchiha Clan will shine with glory once more!"
"That is the path ahead of you. And I, a frail old man nearing the end of his days, will clear every obstacle from your way!"
His gaze was resolute.
Like a flame in the dark!
Keigo Uchiha's heart trembled.
He finally understood what the Great Elder hoped for. He wasn't a warmonger, nor was he a peacemaker.
He was an old man who wanted the Uchiha Clan to prosper!
Because he had witnessed that era, he couldn't accept what the clan had become...
"I understand, Great Elder. The glory of the Uchiha Clan will shine through me once more."
Keigo Uchiha replied softly.
Calmly,
but with unshakable conviction!
He didn't ask whether anyone had died because of the scroll. Some things were better kept in his heart!
The next day.
In class,
Keigo Uchiha continued practicing his Hand Seal speed.
Even after reaching three seals per second, he showed no sign of slowing down!
That was because he had never neglected his Taijutsu training. The two disciplines complemented each other!
"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll break through to four seals per second within a month! As expected, the younger you are, the more room you have to grow!"
Just then, Inuzuka Mi's pretty brows furrowed beside him.
Keigo Uchiha quite liked the delicate little girl. They had been deskmates from the beginning.
"What's wrong? Are you having trouble with your training?"
Keigo Uchiha asked with a smile.
"N-no... It's just... I don't like dogs... but Mom wants me to form a contract with a Ninja Dog."
Inuzuka Mi's delicate face flushed bright red, and her little hands nervously played with her sleeves.
She didn't dare meet Keigo Uchiha's eyes.
Could this little girl... have a crush on him?
Keigo Uchiha was taken aback.
He wasn't as oblivious as Uzumaki Naruto.
Inuzuka Mi could be shy around other people, but she had never been this shy.
He thought it over, then said, "You're a ninja of the Inuzuka Clan, so forming a contract with a Ninja Dog is the easiest way to become stronger. It's also part of your clan's tradition."
"Y-yes..."
Inuzuka Mi blushed shyly, her little face full of distress. "But I can't get near Ninja Dogs. Whenever I do, my whole body goes numb, and I can't... can't think."
Her face was full of sadness.
"I don't want to make Mom sad, but I really can't get near Ninja Dogs."
As she spoke,
her clear blue eyes filled with sorrow, and she looked ready to burst into tears.
"Wait, are you allergic to dogs?"
After hearing Inuzuka Mi's explanation, Keigo immediately understood what was going on.
Being a ninja of the Inuzuka Clan while being allergic to dogs was a real headache.
If Inuzuka Mi had ordinary talent, Keigo would have advised her to give up being a ninja and live as an ordinary person.
But Inuzuka Mi's chakra was exceptionally pure, and she had great potential.
It would be a shame for her not to become a ninja!
"Maybe... you could consider another way."
Keigo thought for a moment and said, a glimmer of light in his eyes.
"Hm?"
Inuzuka Mi was taken aback, unsure what he meant.
Before you continue