The First Bloody Battle

Winter, 55th year of Konoha, the biting wind howled.

Uchiha Xingye headed alone into the wilderness outside Konoha, planning to test his newly acquired Lightning Release abilities.

Just as he condensed the Chidori Sharp Spear, three distinct killing intents struck from different directions.

His Byakugan activated in an instant, his panoramic vision immediately locking onto the movements of the three enemies.

Three Root jonin launched their attack with expressionless faces.

"Lord Danzo has ordered the elimination of Uchiha Xingye," the leader of the Root members stated coldly.

The corners of Uchiha Xingye's mouth curled upward slightly.

"Danzo, you finally couldn't hold back anymore."

His Sharingan activated instantly, the three tomoe rotating slowly.

"Lightning Release: Chidori Sharp Spear!"

Uchiha Xingye gathered lightning-natured chakra in his hand and thrust it forward violently. The lightning pierced the air like a blade, striking straight into the chest of one of the Root members.

"Squelch!"

The Root member's chest was run through, blood spraying everywhere.

The other two Root members were shocked and hurriedly launched their own attacks.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

An earthen wall rose from the ground as a massive fireball descended from the sky.

Uchiha Xingye remained unhurried, weaving hand seals.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"

The water barrier technique was cast instantly; a towering wall of water rose up, successfully blocking the Great Fireball. As water and fire clashed, steam filled the air, and their vision became blurred.

Just then, a Root member lunged out from the steam, a kunai glinting with cold light, aiming straight for Uchiha Xingye's throat.

Uchiha Xingye's Sharingan clearly captured his movements; he sidestepped, the kunai grazing his cheek. Following this, Uchiha Xingye's palm struck the man's chest, the powerful current of his Lightning Release sending him flying.

"Ah!"

The Root member let out a miserable scream, collapsing to the ground in convulsions.

The last Root member saw the situation was dire and prepared to retreat.

"Trying to run?" Uchiha Xingye sneered. "Too late."

He teleported behind the Root member, his Sharingan tracking every move.

"Lightning Release: Senbon!"

Countless tiny needles of lightning chakra shot out like rain, piercing the Root member's body.

"Thud!"

The Root member fell to the ground, silent.

The battle ended in less than a minute.

Three Root jonin, all slaughtered.

Uchiha Xingye stood beside the corpses, his expression calm, unshaken.

This was not murder; it was survival.

The system's notification chime rang out once more.

[Defeated Root jonin, lootable traits available.]

[Please select the traits to loot.]

Uchiha Xingye's thoughts stirred, and the system interface materialized, instantly analyzing the talent traits of the three Root members:

Root Member A: [Earth Release (Green)] [Assassination Arts (Blue)] [Stealth (Blue)]

Root Member B: [Fire Release (Blue)] [Taijutsu (Blue)] [Intelligence Analysis (Green)]

Root Member C: [Wind Release (Green)] [Ninjutsu Mastery (Blue)]

[Killing Experience (Green)]

Xingye selected [Earth Style (Blue)], [Assassination Technique (Blue)], [Taijutsu (Blue)], [Ninjutsu Mastery (Blue)], and [Killing Experience (Green)].

[Plunder Successful]

[Acquired Talents: Earth Style (Blue), Assassination Technique (Blue), Taijutsu (Blue), Ninjutsu Mastery (Blue), Killing Experience (Green)]

[System Prompt: Entry Rank Upgraded]

[Earth Style (Blue) → Earth Style (Purple)]

[Assassination Technique (Blue) → Assassination Technique (Purple)]

Feeling the powerful energy surging within his body, Xingye clapped his hands and smiled with satisfaction.

It seems my entry library is becoming increasingly rich, he mused to himself. Earth Style, Assassination Technique, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu Mastery, Killing Experience... these are all incredibly useful talents.

He did not dispose of the corpses, choosing instead to leave them where they lay.

The corpses were the best evidence.

Upon returning to the Uchiha compound, Xingye reported the incident to Fugaku.

After listening, Fugaku's face turned ashen.

"That despicable old man Danzo! To think he would dare to openly strike at Xingye!" Fugaku slammed his hand on the table in a fit of rage. "We must teach him a profound lesson!"

"Father, calm down," Xingye analyzed coolly. "This is only the beginning. Danzo will not stop here; he will continue to send people to attack us."

"Then what should we do?" Fugaku asked.

"Endure for now and accumulate strength in the shadows," Xingye said. "At the same time, we can use these corpses to lodge a complaint against Danzo's actions to the Third Hokage."

"A complaint?" Fugaku frowned. "Do you think the Third Hokage will believe us?"

"No, I don't need him to believe us," a cold glint flashed in Xingye's eyes. "I only need him to see that Danzo is undermining the internal unity of Konoha."

Fugaku was stunned. He looked at his son, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

"Xingye, your idea..." Fugaku took a deep breath. "It is good. But it carries great risk. If the Third Hokage sides with Danzo, we will be in an even more passive position."

"Precisely because of that, we must remain cautious," Xingye nodded. "Father, please set your mind at ease; I have everything under control."

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.

"Very well, we shall do as you say. But remember—if the situation turns, stop immediately. I will not let you put yourself in danger."

"Yes, Father." Xingye bowed respectfully.

After leaving his father's room, Xingye stood by the window, gazing at the distant Hokage Building.

"Danzo, your time is running out," Xingye muttered to himself. "Black Zetsu, you didn't expect me to grow this quickly, did you?"

"I have already begun to set the board for this game of chess."