Upgrading Earth Release

Qingcheng thought to himself, "This Earth Release: Underground Submarine Technique, I got it from digging up Meiling. Not only did I get the Earth Release Ninjutsu, but also the Earth Release Chakra nature transformation, which allows me to use Earth Release."

Qingcheng then mused, "Meiling must specialize in Earth Release, which is why the system rewarded me with Earth Release. The Uchiha Clan primarily focuses on Fire Release, with other elemental Ninjutsu as secondary. All Uchiha members have fire-natured Chakra."

Qingcheng then said with a serious expression, "If I want to make rapid progress, I still need to dig up Tsunade. I might directly obtain a Sage Body, and perhaps even be rewarded with the Strength of a Hundred Seal. With these two, who would bother diligently refining Chakra?"

Qingcheng began to plan. "First, master Genjutsu and the Three Basic Jutsu. Then, get close to Tsunade and hit her with a Genjutsu. Second, transform into Kato Dan and have an in-depth exchange with her. Wouldn't that produce a Sage Body?"

"However, training also has priorities. First, train in Ninjutsu for escaping, so I can be invincible in combat."

So, Qingcheng first practiced digging techniques. With hand seals, he shouted, "Earth Release: Underground Submarine Technique!"

Qingcheng's body passed through the ground and slowly entered the earth, completely enveloped by Earth Release Chakra. His body became like mud, allowing him to move through the soil. In an instant, the Chakra in Qingcheng's body rapidly depleted.

Qingcheng, fearing he might get stuck underground, immediately emerged to the surface. He saw that his clothes were perfectly intact, without a speck of dust, and he could even breathe underground.

Qingcheng commented, "This Ninjutsu is indeed very good. After learning to dig, I can also use the Inner Decapitation Technique." Qingcheng then selected a more advanced stealth technique from the Uchiha Ninjutsu.

The B-rank Ninjutsu, "Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique." He immediately formed hand seals. Qingcheng shouted, "Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique!" In an instant, Qingcheng's body burrowed into the earth, much faster than the previous Earth Release.

However, in just a moment, his Chakra was almost depleted. Qingcheng immediately came out of the ground, looking exhausted, and lay directly on the floor to rest.

Qingcheng gasped for breath and grumbled, "Why is my Chakra as weak as Kakashi's? I can't accept being so small and powerless. I want to become Hashirama! I want to stir up a storm!"

After a short rest, Qingcheng sat cross-legged and began to refine Chakra. During the process of refining Chakra, Qingcheng could clearly feel a continuous force emanating from his lower back.

"I'm still a weakened version of the Senju Clan's physical constitution. My Chakra recovers incredibly fast. In about twenty minutes, it's mostly recovered."

Qingcheng's heart filled with joy: "My passive talent, Strong Kidney and Body Strengthening, not only strengthens my kidneys but also gradually enhances my body, making it increasingly robust. The amount of Chakra I can store will also increase."

Qingcheng closed his eyes and communicated with the system: "Use the enhancement card to upgrade Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique." The system chimed, "Upgrading Hiding Like a Mole Technique. First use of upgrade card grants an instant level-up. Upgrade complete."

He obtained: "S-rank Secret Ninjutsu, Earth Release: Deep Earth Rapid Movement Technique."

Qingcheng said with a surprised look, "An S-rank Ninjutsu for digging holes? Isn't that super cool? If I had known that the first use of a Ninjutsu enhancement card would give an extra level, I would have upgraded Genjutsu instead!"

Qingcheng then grumbled, "This was a huge loss. Next time, I must dig up Tsunade many more times to make up for it!"

When Qingcheng comprehended the Deep Earth Rapid Movement Technique, he instantly felt it was amazing. "This is even more incredible than White Zetsu's Mayfly Technique. I can burrow over a hundred meters underground and move rapidly through the deep earth layers."

It could be called: "The 'dog hole' version of the Flying Thunder God Technique. No other ninja can burrow that deep."

Qingcheng commented again, "Even Madara would have to praise it, saying, 'When it comes to digging dog holes, I declare you the number one!'"

Moreover, this S-rank secret dog hole rapid movement doesn't even require hand seals. Just using Chakra allows you to enter the ground. It's truly a divine skill for assassinating. Comprehending the ultimate transformation of Earth Release Chakra also greatly reduces Chakra consumption when digging holes.

As Uchiha Qingcheng continuously practiced, he only needed to softly utter: "Earth Release: Deep Earth Rapid Movement," and his body directly entered the earth, moving flexibly and freely in the deep soil, even faster than White Zetsu's burrowing.

Qingcheng was very satisfied, thinking to himself, "Tonight, I'll burrow into Danzo's house and use explosive tags to blow up his clan members. I want the Shimura Clan to be wiped out too!"

When his Chakra was depleted, Qingcheng climbed out of the ground. He estimated that his Chakra could sustain burrowing for five minutes. If he could increase his Chakra capacity to Jonin level, that would be over twenty minutes, easily enough to bomb the Shimura Clan several times over.

Qingcheng began to refine Chakra again. His kidneys started to work, and after half an hour, the Chakra refinement was complete. His Chakra capacity had also increased somewhat.

Qingcheng then selected several Fire Release Ninjutsu scrolls. These were inherited Uchiha Ninjutsu: Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique, Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Fire Release: Immortal Flower Claw Crimson Technique, Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation, Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique, and Fire Release: Uchiha Flame Formation.

Qingcheng laughed, "With these Ninjutsu, while the Uchiha Clan is alive, how dare the Sarutobi Clan claim to be Konoha's number one Fire Release clan? The Third Hokage's Five-Element Great Breakthrough is a combination Ninjutsu that only rivals one Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation. It's only because the Uchiha Clan was annihilated that any monster dares to claim to be number one!"

Qingcheng then said gravely, "Konoha's number one Fire Release clan must be the Uchiha Clan."

Qingcheng reviewed all the Fire Release Ninjutsu. Among them, Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation, though a B-rank Ninjutsu, could increase the area of the flame based on Chakra output, making it comparable to a general S-rank Ninjutsu. It was definitely worth learning.

Qingcheng also discovered a few particularly good Ninjutsu. Don't let the A-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu, Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique, fool you; it can spew out several giant fire dragons, making it very much worth learning. There's also another Ninjutsu, the Uchiha Flame Formation, which is a defensive Ninjutsu worth mastering.

Qingcheng added, "Although in some sense, Fire Release has never truly burned anyone to death—only Sarutobi Asuma has killed a few people with Fire Release—it doesn't diminish Fire Release's brutal aesthetic."

As Qingcheng was engrossed in his reading, a voice came from the doorway: "Clan Head, the chef has prepared a meal for your lunch."

Qingcheng replied with a smile, "Icha Icha Paradise is truly great. Yamahuku, next time, check in town when the latest volume of Icha Icha Paradise will be released. After reading it, I feel completely refreshed."

The Anbu ninjas and Root ninjas monitoring from the rooftop all started to break down, cursing inwardly, "That evil Uchiha Qingcheng, hiding in his room all morning, and the sounds of his fingers moving were just him reading Icha Icha Paradise!"

Sasuke's face lit up with interest when he heard "Icha Icha Paradise." He asked with a serious expression, "Brother Qingcheng, is Icha Icha Paradise a very powerful Ninjutsu? You actually spent a whole morning reading it."

Qingcheng explained with a smile, "You're still a child. You'll understand how powerful it is when you grow up."

Sasuke's interest grew even stronger upon hearing this. He asked with a curious expression, "What exactly is it? I really want to know!"

Qingcheng replied with a smile, "Do you have someone you like? Or someone who likes you?"

Sasuke recalled, and the image of a blond figure appeared, "Sasuke, I challenge you!" In an instant, Sasuke's face filled with disdain. He said speechlessly, "I don't have anyone I like. Girls are just troublesome creatures."

Qingcheng said with a smile, "For the Uchiha Clan to prosper again, we need those girls to marry into our clan. From now on, be more patient with them."

Sasuke nodded awkwardly upon hearing this, then said helplessly, "To think the Uchiha have fallen to this point, it's truly detestable."

To be fair, the Uchiha Clan basically produces handsome men and beautiful women. Whether it's young Sasuke or himself now, they are both top-tier Konoha "charms" (or "succubi").

Qingcheng looked at his fluffy, "shag" hairstyle, paired with his fair, jade-like, melon-seed shaped face. He could completely rely on his looks to get by.

"But a true man should have a center part. I'll change it next time to further enhance my appearance. That way, when I dig up others, I'll feel less guilty."

Sasuke looked at Qingcheng's very serious expression and thought to himself, "As expected of Brother Qingcheng, his words are truly powerful."