Uchiha Iori walked out of the command tent and into a scene of tense, orderly activity.
The ninjas in the camp each had their own duties, and everyone was preparing for the battle that was soon to come.
The trap squad sprang into action. Carrying Explosive Tags and other tools, they hurried off to lay traps around the camp.
The scouts scattered like ghosts, heading deep behind enemy lines to gather intelligence and stand ready to relay crucial information back to camp.
Uchiha Iori returned to his tent and resumed training in Projection Magecraft and the Sharingan.
Over the past few days, Iori had been through too much. He hadn't yet had a chance to digest and master his newfound powers.
Iori closed his eyes and began to meditate, sensing the flow of chakra within him. He guided it to his eyes and activated the Sharingan. The three Tomoe slowly turned, and his eyes evolved with astonishing ease.
Iori thought, Just as I'd suspected in my past life, the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai is based on Yin Release and emphasizes mental strength.
He recalled the day he'd prepared to die in battle: the turmoil and pain inside him, followed by his final resolve. Those extreme emotions had greatly strengthened his mental power.
The Mangekyo is awakened by a shock because of the upheaval caused by an immense blow to the mind. As long as you don't break down, your strength will grow enormously.
According to Tobirama Senju's research—he claimed to understand the Uchiha better than the Uchiha understood themselves—
When the Uchiha Clan suffers intense emotional stimulation, their brains produce a special chakra that acts on the optic nerves, opening the eyes that reflect the heart: the Sharingan.
The Uchiha are a clan of love. The more deeply they love, the more they suffer when they lose someone, and the stronger they become. Of course, the crazier they get, too.
He sighed softly, privately relieved that he still had another path to follow.
My path is different from that of ordinary Uchiha. I'm evolving along the path of Indra, the Uchiha Clan's progenitor.
Relying purely on brute mental strength is hard to improve, but it doesn't have many side effects. My mind is... Well, maybe it isn't exactly in great shape, either.
Anyway, there are no shortcuts. I just need to fight more Heroic Spirits in the Hall of Heroes.
After considering the Sharingan, Iori began to sort out his Golden Finger.
For now, I'm relying entirely on Heroic Spirit Emiya's memories to prop up my Projection Magecraft. I've digested quite a bit through combat, though.
But there's still room to improve if I train harder. Most importantly, I need to project a few more weapons and store them in Unlimited Blade Works.
If I keep projecting them in the middle of battle, I'd need someone from the Senju Clan to keep up with the chakra cost.
I can only project two Noble Phantasms so far: Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, and Gae Bolg.
I've already studied everything there is to know about Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, but I haven't had time to take a closer look at Gae Bolg. I only remember that it has two modes of use.
He recalled how it had felt to use Gae Bolg earlier. One way is to hold it in your hand, like I did before. The other is to throw the Demonic Spear.
Gáe Bolg, the Spear That Pierces with Death's Thorn
Rank: B→B+
Type: Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm
Originally an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm meant to be thrown, Gáe Bolg was modified by Cú Chulainn for use against individuals. It was his finishing move and trump card.
It reversed the "cause and effect" that determined the order of events. The moment it was released, the "effect"—"the opponent's heart is pierced"—was created first.
The "cause"—"the spear hit because the heart was pierced"—came afterward. Without extraordinary luck, it was a technique that guaranteed death once unleashed.
Gáe Bolg, the Spear That Soars Through Death
Rank: B+
Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm
The strongest and most powerful attack using Gáe Bolg. After a running start, the wielder leapt high into the air and hurled it at the ground with all his strength.
Unlike "Gáe Bolg, the Spear That Pierces with Death's Thorn," it had no conceptual property that guaranteed it would pierce the opponent's heart, but its power and area of effect were both greater.
It attacked the entire area around the target like a carpet bombing. Even a sturdy barrier or a nimble dodge wouldn't save a group from being blown away in one go.
A surge of irrepressible excitement welled up inside Uchiha Iori. I've got a large-area attack now. But just how big and powerful is "large-area"?
Looks like I'll have to find a lucky volunteer in the Hall of Heroes and test it out.
He was eager to try out his new move, but forced down his excitement and calmly assessed his current strength, along with whether there was still room to improve.
The last part of my power comes from the combat system I had before my Golden Finger activated.
Before it activated, I mainly relied on the Sharingan to enhance my Uchiha Style Kenjutsu and Konoha Style Kenjutsu, while backing them up with the Uchiha's trademark Fire Release techniques.
Aside from the basics, I've only learned Uchiha Style: Sword Flame Leap. Shisui taught it to me.
I learned Dance of the Crescent Moon in Konoha Style Kenjutsu, but I can't put it to practical use yet. On the other hand, I've gotten pretty good at the Shadow Clone Technique that goes with it.
As for Fire Release, I only know three C-rank jutsu: Great Fireball, Phoenix Flower Fire, and Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu.
Once I become a jonin, I should be able to get my hands on some high-level techniques from the clan.
To prepare for the coming battle, Iori decided to visit the Hall of Heroes and test the power and range of his newly acquired Gáe Bolg: Soaring Spear of Striking Death. He would also get used to the enhanced eyesight and genjutsu that came with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Then he planned to strengthen his Projection Magecraft and build up a stockpile in Unlimited Blade Works, improving his staying power in battle.
Finally, if he had time, he intended to train in the Body Flicker Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique. Both were extremely useful in combat and would give him more tactical options.
Though Iori had plenty of things he wanted to do, he needed to focus during the time before the battle and prioritize the abilities he needed most.
He decided to set aside his other plans and ideas for now, and work on them after the battle.
Uchiha Iori closed his eyes. His soul crossed the boundaries of space and returned to the Hall of Heroes.
As his spiritual power grew stronger, the Hall of Heroes felt more and more like the real world.
Clang, clang, bang, bang. The sound of weapons clashing came from far away, and Uchiha Iori followed it.
As he drew closer, the noise grew louder, accompanied by raging gusts and destructive tremors. Even the earth seemed to shake.
Even without releasing their Noble Phantasms, the Heroic Spirits' battles displayed astonishing power. They could reshape the terrain and shatter boulders.
When he reached the edge of the battlefield, he saw Cú Chulainn locked in fierce combat with a uniquely dressed man.
The man wore a tight, dark green outfit, with armor on his forearms and legs. He wielded a red spear and a red sword. His expression was resolute, and his yellow eyes flashed with a sharp gleam as he fought. His striking bangs fluttered through the air with each movement.
Most eye-catching of all was the mole beneath his eye. It seemed to possess a peculiar charm, drawing people's attention in spite of themselves.
Iori smiled faintly. The spear he had projected rested on the ground, and the sound it made announced his arrival.
"Hey, mind if I join in? A three-way free-for-all." His voice held a hint of excitement.
"I never turn down a warrior's challenge. But are you sure you want to fight him? From what I can see, he's your natural counter."
Cú Chulainn turned to look at Iori. There was a playful note in his voice, though he was also warning Iori about the other man's abilities.
He defended himself with ease, his spear work untroubled by the conversation.
"Since a warrior has invited me, I, as a knight, would never refuse. If you want to join in, then come along."
The man holding a sword and spear spoke with easy confidence.
"My name is Uchiha Iori. May I ask your name, Sir Knight?"
Iori activated his Sharingan. The three Tomoe slowly revolved in his eyes as he swung his spear and charged at the man.
Though he'd said that, Iori had already guessed who the man was.
With a swish, the man's spear shot toward Iori like a bolt of red lightning.
The spear Iori had projected shattered instantly.
The man's spear passed through it as if it had faced no resistance, as if the weapon were merely an illusion.
But Iori seemed to have anticipated this. Before the spear could strike, he had already dodged to the side with a swift, graceful leap.
"Looks like you've already guessed. I'm Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, chief knight of the Fianna," the man said calmly.