Re-cultivation

Uchiha Zhuang knew that peace required strength; to speak of peace without it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Conversely, to possess power without the desire for peace was merely the indulgence of desire, which would eventually turn one into a wicked dragon. To stand tall between heaven and earth, both were indispensable. Having resolved this, Uchiha Zhuang smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting. He took out the medical scanner and gave his entire body a check-up. Feeling the tissues visibly repairing themselves, his heart settled, and he lay back on the hospital bed to meditate and sleep.

Once Uchiha Zhuang had fallen into a deep meditative state, Genmu slightly lifted his eyelids and glanced at him. Seeing that he was fast asleep, he quietly slipped out, closed the door, and sped toward the clan grounds. In the Uchiha council hall, dozens of male clansmen sat together, discussing something among themselves. Sitting at the head, Uchiha Ichinohe kept his eyes slightly closed, remaining silent. After a long while, Genmu stepped into the hall. Everyone fell silent, watching as he slowly approached the clan head and sat down cross-legged. Uchiha Ichinohe opened his eyes, scanned the room, and asked, "Has Uchiha Madara still not been found?" "Yes! He has not been found!" a masked Uchiha clansman replied. Uchiha Ichinohe remained silent. At this moment, an elder clansman stepped forward and said, "Clan Head, we have been searching for Uchiha Madara for seven or eight years now and have never found him. I suspect he may already be dead, so please, stop looking for him!" After he finished, others chimed in with remarks like, "Indeed," "Don't waste more resources on him," and "He has already betrayed the clan." Uchiha Ichinohe opened his eyes, his three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotating as he looked at the crowd. "He possesses many secrets passed down since the Warring States period, as well as his own immense power. Our Uchiha clan must find him; even if we cannot bring him back to face judgment, we must obtain all the secrets he carries." The majestic aura of the clan head permeated the room, and those seated dared not speak. After a moment, Ichinohe spoke again: "Tobirama is becoming increasingly impatient. He has made constant moves over these past few years, all aimed at eradicating our Uchiha clan. A while ago, our Anbu members were executed on the spot while returning from a mission under the pretext of colluding with the enemy. That detestable Tobirama!" A buzzing sound erupted from the crowd as everyone expressed shock at Tobirama's ruthlessness in openly dealing lethal blows, followed by a wave of cursing and anger.

"I suggest we stop sending clansmen to the Anbu operations team; it is too dangerous," one clansman said. "But that would be falling right into Tobirama's trap. He wants to purge our Uchiha clan's influence from the Anbu so that we will be completely in the dark regarding the actions of Konoha's high command, leaving us in a very passive position." The crowd erupted into a chaotic argument again, with everyone convinced of their own logic. Ignoring the chaotic scene, Uchiha Ichinohe said, "Finally, let us evaluate the boy from Genmu's family. To possess such strength at this age, he will surely be an outstanding Uchiha ninja in the future! The elders and I have decided to focus on cultivating him, grooming him to be the next Uchiha clan head. Does anyone have any objections?" The people below looked at each other, but no one spoke. At this, Genmu stepped forward and said, "Lord Ichinohe, Uchiha Zhuang is a young man with ambition and ideas. I hope that before he officially takes on the position of clan head, he can be allowed to develop freely and cultivate with focus, without being disturbed by too many trivial matters, so as not to hinder his growth!" Watching Genmu, who remained in a kneeling bow after speaking, Ichinohe frowned in thought for a moment before saying, "That is acceptable. I can make the decision; I will persuade the elders. Let him cultivate in peace these next few years and stay out of trouble." "Yes! Thank you, Lord Ichinohe!" Genmu lowered his head even further.

Back to Uchiha Zhuang, though he was still in a deep sleep, his body was evolving unconsciously. Under the slow nourishment of the Perfect Warrior serum, genetic agents, and Chakra Essence, his body was gradually growing stronger. Perhaps the secret to his robust physique at such a young age lay in these factors. It was only when the bright sunlight hit his face, the yellow leaves on the trees shivered, and the chirping birds fluttered about that Uchiha Zhuang finally woke up. He stretched his body, feeling refreshed and invigorated after the sleep, seemingly stronger and more energetic than before. He got out of bed and put on his old cloth shoes, only to find them feeling a bit tight. Standing up, he noticed his field of vision had increased slightly; Uchiha Zhuang knew he had hit another growth spurt. As he stood, he startled the lively birds outside the window. Looking at the desolate hospital garden, he thought of the homeless children shivering in corners during the cold winter, waiting for death. He could not let such good talent die like this; he had to accelerate and increase the scale of recruiting promising youths. He could even take in impoverished families on the verge of starvation, building a powerful organization with systems as rules, emotions as bonds, himself as the master, and fanatical worship of him as the faith. Clenching his fist, Uchiha Zhuang vaulted out the window, pulled it shut behind him, and leaped toward home (climbing out of windows was a traditional skill for patients at Konoha Hospital).

At dinner that evening, Uchiha Zhuang stated that he needed to pursue further cultivation and would depart in a month to travel toward the northwest of the Land of Fire, urging Meiko and Genmu not to worry. Genmu and Meiko listened intently, as if the pillar of the family had shifted to Uchiha Zhuang overnight. Genmu then said, "Then go with peace of mind. I have already requested from the clan head that you remain unfettered and free to cultivate until you succeed as the Uchiha clan head. I will also ask for leave from the academy for you, saying you are undergoing special training within the clan grounds." "Don't forget to say goodbye to Akihime before you leave!" Meiko emphasized. "Understood!" Uchiha Zhuang nodded steadily, and the family finished their meal in a quiet atmosphere.

In the living room, Uchiha Zhuang used several hundred points to redeem a matte golden ring and a jade-green bracelet. The gold ring provided a five percent boost to earth-style energy, increasing its efficiency, while the jade bracelet offered a ten percent luck boost. He gave the gold ring to Genmu and the jade bracelet to Meiko, instructing them to wear them at all times, claiming they were relics from the ancient Xia Kingdom obtained during his previous travels in the Land of Rivers. The two smiled at each other and put on the gear; though inconspicuous, the items were highly practical, which gave Uchiha Zhuang a sense of security.

During that month, Uchiha Zhuang acted like a model student, attending classes quietly, leaving on time, causing no trouble, and not intentionally beating up Fat Tiger. Of course, the occasional short-sighted upperclassman who provoked him would be taught a lesson in the back alley. Thanks to the serums, Uchiha Zhuang, who previously had average intelligence, found that when dealing with the skewed, high-difficulty mathematical theories of the ninja world, he could reach conclusions after a little thought, and even perform operations like analogy, reverse deduction, and counter-verification. Naturally, he ignored the envious gazes of all the little brats. Every noon, he shared a bowl of rice with Akihime. Their intimacy was obvious to Kirito, but since both were from prominent Konoha clans, he could only cough occasionally to signal his presence before continuing the lesson.

On the eve of the start of winter in November (the ninja world also followed the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar), the evening before Uchiha Zhuang's departure, he walked side-by-side with Akihime, ignoring the Chunin bodyguard who hid behind her every day. Watching the sunset paint the entire sky, casting orange and reddish hues over the surrounding houses, Uchiha Zhuang couldn't help but sigh, "What a beautiful view. I wish this moment could last forever." Akihime's face flushed, and hidden by the rosy glow, she replied, "The setting sun passes quickly, and beauty fades all too soon." Uchiha Zhuang glanced at her and said, "Love comes from eight thousand miles of mountains and rivers; I have pledged to keep you through fifty thousand stars in the galaxy." The two walked and spoke in riddles. When they finally reached the gates of the Hyuga clan grounds, Uchiha Zhuang held Akihime's shoulders and said, "I am going into seclusion to cultivate. I might not be able to attend school for a few months, so please take care of yourself." Looking at Uchiha Zhuang's determined face and earnest eyes, Akihime said, "You must take care of yourself, too. Don't overdo the training! Your strength is already the best for your age; you don't need to push yourself too hard." Looking at Akihime, who was a head shorter than him, Uchiha Zhuang smiled and said, "You cheeky Akihime, you better cultivate well! It won't do if you're much weaker than me!" Akihime giggled and gave Uchiha Zhuang a playful punch.

In the sunset, the two waved goodbye.