"Unbelievable, unbelievable! It's a Kekkei Genkai!"
"And it's a Kekkei Genkai combining Water Release and Lightning Release—Storm Release! The Storm Release of Kumogakure!"
The Great Elder's expression was shocked. He sprang to his feet!
His gaze burned with excitement as he looked at Keigo Uchiha's handsome, youthful face as if he were gazing at a priceless treasure.
"Kekkei Genkai are among the most powerful abilities in the Shinobi World. Whether it's the Byakugan, the Sharingan, or the Shikotsumyaku and Lava Release of other villages, they all fall under the category of Kekkei Genkai."
The Great Elder drew a deep breath, disbelief in his eyes. "But a Kekkei Genkai must either be inherited or developed later in life!"
"And the prerequisite for developing one later in life is learning to change the nature of your chakra!"
"Keigo couldn't possibly have learned to change the nature of his chakra yet. And he's a pure-blooded Uchiha, too. That cold chakra of his is proof enough!"
He spoke slowly, one word at a time, and the more he said, the more absurd it sounded.
Even he thought it was impossible.
"Keigo, whose ancestors for eighteen generations were all Uchiha, awakened Storm Release?"
The Great Elder racked his brains, his brow furrowed, but still couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation.
Keigo Uchiha chuckled.
Of course he couldn't figure it out.
Nothing like this had ever happened in the entire Shinobi World. But having a system and not having one weren't the same thing, were they?
"Could this be... what they call a genius?"
"Does talent need no explanation?"
The Great Elder, Kyo Uchiha, studied Keigo with a strange expression. Even with all his experience, he couldn't think of another explanation.
It was like the clan's ancestor, Uchiha Madara.
When he was young, he had displayed immense talent for ninjutsu. Any technique he used seemed to become several times more powerful!
"Awakening a Kekkei Genkai naturally, possessing three chakra natures, and having the Sharingan unique to the Uchiha Clan... This is... truly... unbelievable."
After thinking it over for a long while, the Great Elder arrived at an answer.
And that was putting it mildly.
To put it less mildly, this was freaking absurd!
Keigo's future... was limitless!
"Wow! You're amazing, Keigo! You're definitely going to become an incredibly powerful ninja!"
Hakuto's eyes sparkled as she cheered excitedly.
The Great Elder's gaze grew thoughtful as he watched the childhood friends, the boy and girl standing before him. A smile touched his lips. An opportunity this good... would be a waste not to use it.
Keigo was Kagami Uchiha's son, a true-blooded Uchiha.
And the Great Elder had watched him grow up.
As for ninjutsu, Keigo could already use Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique and Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. Now he possessed three innate chakra natures, as well as the Sharingan and Storm Release.
That was more than enough to prove his talent!
As for his temperament, even after discovering he had such extraordinary talent, he hadn't let it go to his head. He'd stayed calm the entire time. That wasn't merely good temperament—it was instinct!
Kyo Uchiha murmured, "Perhaps... we should reconsider who we choose as the next candidate for clan head."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
It was as if he had made up his mind.
He had already chosen someone to be a candidate for clan head.
But now, compared with Keigo, that boy was nothing!
"Keigo, you already possess Storm Release, and it's only a matter of time before you awaken the Sharingan. A ninja's energy is limited, so you need to choose a field to specialize in."
Kyo Uchiha smiled. "Keigo, what would you like to focus on?"
Originally, he had planned to teach Keigo Fire Release and Lightning Release.
Those two had the greatest offensive power.
But now that Keigo had Water Release and had awakened Storm Release, Kyo naturally wanted to hear what he thought. It was a question, but also a test!
A test of Keigo's judgment!
Kyo Uchiha's eyes narrowed. They were like a still lake, making it impossible to tell what lay beneath his murky gaze.
Keigo Uchiha considered it. "Right now, my strongest abilities are Fire Release, Lightning Release, and Storm Release. Fire Release is powerful offensively. Lightning Release has explosive power and can stimulate the body, increasing speed. In battle, even a second can decide who lives and who dies."
"Lightning Release, however, isn't as versatile as Storm Release, which can change direction at will and launch stronger, less predictable attacks."
He analyzed it slowly, one point at a time.
The Great Elder nodded.
Keigo wasn't very old, yet in just a few words, he had clearly explained principles that many Chunin didn't understand!
"So Storm Release is the best choice for my main focus. As I master Storm Release, I'll naturally become proficient in Water Release and Lightning Release, too. As for Fire Release, I can learn one or two techniques to use as support."
Keigo Uchiha stroked his chin as he thought aloud. "At critical moments, Fire Release can still help control the battlefield and disrupt the enemy."
When he finished speaking,
the Great Elder couldn't help nodding.
He was amazed that Keigo, despite his young age, had such a clear line of thought.
"Good. Your choice makes a lot of sense, Keigo."
The Great Elder agreed, but at the same time, he felt a little awkward.
Keigo had made the right choice, but he wasn't very skilled in Lightning Release, knew no Water Release, and didn't know Storm Release at all!
"Keigo, come with me!"
His voice low, as if he had made a decision, the Great Elder slowly got to his feet.
"You may be young, but the Shinobi World has never cared about a ninja's age. If you can't turn your talent into strength, you'll only die on the battlefield. So you need even more powerful techniques."
The Great Elder spoke slowly, his gaze deep. Then he rose and said, "I'll help you... become even stronger!"
"I understand."
Keigo Uchiha's eyes flickered as he stood up.
He watched the Great Elder's back, his gaze thoughtful.
The Uchiha Clan's reserves were unquestionably formidable. Uchiha Madara had defeated countless clans back then, and the scrolls he'd plundered were just as astonishing. That was why hardly any clan could match the Uchiha Clan's collection!
Not even the Senju Clan, because the Sharingan had a natural advantage when it came to copying ninjutsu.
What technique would the Great Elder... give him?
"Come with me!"
At the Great Elder's words, Keigo Uchiha followed close behind. Soon, they reached the Great Elder's room and entered a secret chamber.
He went to the far end and slowly took out two ninjutsu scrolls!
"These are secrets of the Uchiha Clan. You may study them, but return them as soon as you've learned what's in them!"
"And if something unexpected happens, destroy them if you have to. They absolutely must not fall into anyone else's hands!"
The Great Elder's expression was solemn.
He handed the two scrolls to Keigo Uchiha.
When Keigo saw the words on them,
he sucked in a cold breath.
"Madara Uchiha's Lightning Release Notes!"
"Yotsuki Clan Lightning Release Compendium!"
Good heavens!
Keigo Uchiha looked at the cabinets all around him. They were packed with ancient scrolls. Just how many clans had the Uchiha Clan robbed back then?!
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