Cultivation and Growing Stronger

Uchiha Iori stepped out of the command tent, greeted by a scene of tense yet orderly activity.

The ninjas in the camp were performing their respective duties, each preparing for the impending battle.

The trap squad moved with speed, carrying explosive tags and other sabotage tools as they hurried off to set defenses around the perimeter of the camp.

The scouts dispersed like ghosts, preparing to slip behind enemy lines to gather intelligence and remain ready to relay critical information back to the camp.

Uchiha Iori returned to his own tent, once again beginning his training in Projection Magic and the Sharingan.

Over the past few days, Iori had experienced so much; he had yet to fully digest or master his newfound power.

Iori closed his eyes and began to meditate, sensing the flow of chakra within his body. He channeled chakra into his eyes to activate the Sharingan; three tomoe rotated slowly, his ocular evolution proceeding with unusual smoothness.

Just as I speculated in my past life, Iori thought, the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha is primarily based on Yin Release, emphasizing spiritual energy.

He recalled the day he had prepared to die in battle, the internal struggle and pain, and his final resolve; it was this extreme emotional fluctuation that had vastly enhanced his spiritual energy.

The reason the Mangekyo is awakened through stimulation is also due to the fluctuations caused by massive shocks to the spirit. If one doesn't collapse, there is a massive elevation.

According to the research of Tobirama Senju, who claimed to understand the Uchiha better than the Uchiha themselves:

When a member of the Uchiha clan receives intense stimulation, the brain produces a special chakra that acts upon the optic nerves, subsequently awakening the eyes that reflect the heart: the Sharingan.

The Uchiha are a clan of love. The deeper the love, the more painful the loss, and the stronger the power becomes—though, naturally, the person also becomes more unhinged.

He sighed softly, secretly feeling fortunate that he had another path to choose.

My path is different from the average Uchiha; it is evolving along the route of the clan's progenitor, Indra.

Relying purely on brute-forcing spiritual energy is hard to improve, but it also lacks side effects, though my mental state... well, it doesn't seem entirely sound either.

Regardless, there are no shortcuts. I just need to keep fighting the Heroic Spirits in the Hall of Heroes.

After pondering the issues regarding his Sharingan, Iori began to organize his "cheat."

My Projection Magic currently relies entirely on the memories of Heroic Spirit Emiya to hold up, and while I've digested quite a bit through combat,

I need to intensify my training; there is still room for improvement. Most importantly, I need to project more backups to store within Unlimited Blade Works.

If I keep projecting during the heat of battle, the consumption would be enough to drain even the Senju clan.

I can only project two Noble Phantasms right now: Gan Jiang and Mo Ye count as one, and Gáe Bolg as the other.

I have already fully grasped the data on Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, but I haven't had time to look closely at Gáe Bolg; I only remember it has two modes of use.

He recalled the sensation of using Gáe Bolg previously: One is the method I used before, held in the hand, and the other is the method of throwing the demonic spear.

Gáe Bolg
Rank: B→B+
Type: Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm
A Noble Phantasm originally intended for throwing, re-engineered by Cú Chulainn for use as an Anti-Unit weapon; it is his finishing move and trump card.
It is a technique that reverses the "causality" of the order of events. The moment it is unleashed, the "result" that "the opponent's heart has been pierced" is created first.
The "cause"—that the spear hit because the heart was pierced—happens afterward. Without considerable luck, it can be said to be a move destined to be "instant death upon release."

Gáe Bolg: Soaring Spear of Striking Death
Rank: B+
Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm
The greatest and strongest attack using Gáe Bolg. It is activated by taking a running start, leaping high into the air, and throwing it at the ground with all one's might.
Unlike the standard Gáe Bolg, it lacks the conceptual property of "guaranteed to pierce the opponent's heart," but both its power and area of effect are increased.
The attack range covers the area surrounding the target like a carpet bombing; even with sturdy defensive barriers or nimble evasion, it can blow away a whole group of people at once.

A surge of irrepressible joy welled up in Uchiha Iori's heart. I have a large-scale AOE attack now, but just how large are this range and power?

It seems I still need to go to the Hall of Heroes and find a lucky volunteer to test the spear on to be sure.

Although he was impatient to experiment with his new move, he suppressed his excitement to calmly analyze his current strength and whether there was room for improvement.

The final part of my power is the combat system I had before the cheat was activated.

Before the cheat, I relied mainly on the Sharingan to enhance Uchiha Style: Sword Flame Leap and Konoha Style swordsmanship, paired with the Uchiha's signature Fire Release.

Aside from basic moves, the only Uchiha Style swordsmanship I learned was Uchiha Style: Sword Flame Leap, which Shisui taught me.

Although I inherited the Dance of the Crescent Moon for Konoha Style swordsmanship, it is difficult to use in actual combat for now, though the Shadow Clone Technique I pair it with is working well.

For Fire Release, I only know three C-rank ninjutsu: Fireball Jutsu, Phoenix Sage Fire, and Dragon Flame Jutsu.

Once I am promoted to Jonin, I should be able to obtain some higher-tier techniques from the clan.

To prepare for the coming battle, Iori decided to head to the Hall of Heroes to test the power and range of his newly acquired Soaring Spear of Striking Death, while simultaneously acclimating to the enhanced vision and genjutsu reinforcement provided by his three-tomoe Sharingan.

Then, he planned to strengthen his Projection Magic and stockpile inventory for Unlimited Blade Works to enhance his combat endurance.

Finally, if there was still time, he intended to practice the Body Flicker Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique; these two skills were extremely useful in actual combat and could provide more tactical options.

Although Iori had many things he wanted to do right now, during this period before the battle, he needed to concentrate his energy and prioritize improving the abilities he needed most in combat.

He decided to set aside his other plans and ideas for the time being, waiting until after the battle to realize them.

Uchiha Iori closed his eyes, and his soul crossed the boundaries of space, arriving once again at the Hall of Heroes.

As his soul power increased, the feeling the Hall of Heroes gave him grew closer and closer to reality.

Clang, clang, bang, bang—the sounds of weapons clashing drifted over from the distance, and Uchiha Iori followed the noise.

As he gradually drew closer, the sounds became increasingly loud, accompanied by violent air currents and destructive vibrations that made the very earth seem to tremble.

Even without unleashing their Noble Phantasms, the battles of Heroic Spirits were enough to display astonishing power, altering the terrain and shattering giant boulders.

When he reached the edge of the battlefield, he saw Cú Chulainn locked in a fierce fight with a man in unique attire.

This man wore a dark green bodysuit, with armor equipped on his forearms and legs, and he wielded a red spear and a red sword in his hands. His gaze was resolute, his yellow eyes flashing with a sharp light during the combat, and his striking bangs danced in the air with his movements.

Most notable was the beauty mark under the corner of his eye; it seemed to possess a special charm that made one involuntarily drawn to it.

Iori smiled slightly, leaning the spear he had projected onto the ground, the sound alerting them to his arrival.

"Yo, do you mind if I join in? A three-way melee." His voice revealed a hint of excitement.

"I never refuse a warrior's challenge, but are you sure you want to fight him? As it stands, he is your natural counter."

Cú Chulainn turned his head to look at Iori, his words carrying a trace of mockery, yet also serving as a warning about the opponent's abilities.

The spear in his hand defended with ease, remaining undisturbed by the conversation.

"Since it is a warrior's invitation, as a knight, I never refuse. If you wish to join, then come along."

The man holding the sword and spear said magnanimously.

"My name is Uchiha Iori. May I ask the name of this knight?"

Iori activated his Sharingan, the three tomoe in his eyes slowly rotating, and he brandished his spear, charging toward his opponent.

Although he said that, Iori already had a guess as to the other party's identity.

With a swish, the opponent's spear struck out like a bolt of red lightning, thrusting toward Iori in an instant.

The spear Iori had projected was shattered in an instant.

The opponent's spear passed through the shaft as if it had met no resistance, as if passing through a phantom.

But Iori seemed to have anticipated this scene; his figure had already dodged before the opponent's spear could strike, leaping to the side with agile and graceful movements.

"It seems you have already guessed; I am the first knight of the Fianna, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne," the man said calmly.