Chapter 9

For nearly the past year, aside from his own studies and daily training, Xuan had been giving Mikoto and his older brother, Uchiha Hao, pointers every few days.

He used those opportunities to have them help test his ideas about taijutsu and body-tempering techniques.

As a result, he had accumulated a huge amount of data and experience. It was crucial for creating a body-tempering technique of his own.

Half a month later.

[You practiced the popular version of Tai Chi from your previous life and suddenly attained enlightenment, comprehending True Taijiquan (Body-Tempering Version).]

After carefully studying the Uchiha clan's body-refinement secret arts and incorporating the fitness martial arts he had learned in his previous life, a flash of inspiration struck him—a brand-new Uchiha Basic Body-Tempering Method emerged in his mind.

This set of techniques could not only strengthen the body, but could also be used as a fist style. In combat, it was just as formidable as ordinary taijutsu.

"Done!"

Xuan drew back his hands and feet. Having performed an entire set of Basic Body-Tempering Technique and Tai Chi so fluidly, he felt thoroughly refreshed.

He could clearly feel his tendons, bones, and muscles gradually growing sturdier, while his whole body felt much lighter.

"Again."

Without another word, he began practicing once more.

After finishing one set of body-tempering techniques, he immediately followed it with a set of Tai Chi.

Tai Chi could be used for fighting, body tempering, and improving the body's flexibility and agility.

So although Xuan had created a more comprehensive Basic Body-Tempering Technique, he had not neglected proper Tai Chi.

"Hmm?"

Just then, Mikoto walked over. Seeing Xuan practicing, she asked curiously, "Xuan, what kind of fist style is that? Why does it look a little like the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist?"

"Mikoto, you don't have a mission today?"

Xuan did not stop moving. As he practiced, he replied, "This isn't from the Hyuga Clan. It's the Tai Chi I created myself. It can temper the body and serve as a fist style. Do you want to learn it?"

"Practicing it will make your body softer and more flexible, and it'll even make your figure look better."

Teased by Xuan, Mikoto blushed and shot him a gentle glare. "Learn, learn, I'll learn, all right? But Xuan, you're amazing. You can even come up with such an incredible body-tempering method. Is there anything you can't do?"

As she spoke, Mikoto's eyes were filled with undisguised affection for Xuan.

Sometimes, even she found it absurd—how had she really fallen for this little brat twelve years younger than her?

Yet she simply could not resist Xuan's charm.

It was not just his frightening talent. His face was becoming more and more appealing as well.

Over the past year, with Xuan's help, Mikoto's strength had risen rapidly. She was now firmly an elite chūnin.

In terms of taijutsu alone, thanks to body-refining medicinal baths and Xuan's occasional guidance, she had already reached the level of a chūnin.

As for spiritual power, there was no need to mention it. After practicing the Soul Refinement Art and awakening her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, even a Jōnin could fall into her genjutsu and be unable to escape if he was careless.

Her reputation as a genius had long since spread throughout the entire Uchiha Clan. Even people in Konoha knew of her.

"There is. I can't give birth."

After completing the set, Xuan stopped, blinked at Mikoto, and said with a grin.

"You're asking for it!"

Unable to help herself, Mikoto reached out and lightly smacked his back.

"Come on, I'll teach you the Basic Body-Tempering Technique and Tai Chi I just created."

Xuan had taught her bits and pieces before, but none of it had formed a complete system. This time, he intended to pass the complete set on to her.

"With this as your foundation, you'll soon rise to another level."

With that, he pulled Mikoto along and began explaining the key points of the two body-tempering techniques.

"Mm!"

Mikoto nodded, warmth filling her heart as she followed along attentively.

Her foundation was not bad to begin with. After practicing twice, she had grasped most of it.

"All right, that's roughly it. The rest depends on you practicing it repeatedly and building up your proficiency."

"If you get stuck anywhere, come find me anytime."

"Come on, let's go over there. I'll take another look at the changes in your Sharingan."

Xuan led Mikoto to the terrace in the front courtyard, and the two sat directly on the floor.

Mikoto obediently activated her Sharingan.

Her gaze at Xuan was full of tenderness, making him feel uncomfortable all over.

He could only curse inwardly at why he was still such a little brat. Otherwise...

Suppressing his distracting thoughts, he devoted all his effort to the task at hand. He focused his senses on scanning Mikoto's eyes and parts of her brain, quickly recording the newly emerged changes and patterns and comparing them against the data he had compiled over the past half year.

More than ten minutes later, when Mikoto had used up more than half her chakra and her eyes had begun to feel sore, Xuan finally withdrew his senses and lightly touched her cheek. "All right, turn off your Sharingan."

"Mm."

Mikoto obediently closed her eyes and deactivated her Sharingan. Enduring the slight soreness in her eyes, she asked, "Xuan, how did it go? Did you gain anything? I can hold on a little longer."

"It's enough."

Xuan shook his head and placed his hands over her eyelids. Mikoto instinctively closed her eyes.

He gently massaged her eyes with both hands.

After rubbing them for quite a while, and sensing that the fatigue in her eyes had mostly faded, Xuan finally let go. "That should do it."

"I've recorded everything that needed recording. For the rest, I'll have to wait until I awaken my own Sharingan and experience those subtle changes firsthand before I can develop the cultivation method I need."

Merely using his senses to probe other people's Sharingan was no longer enough.

As for his own eyes?

For the past half year, he had constantly been nourishing them with spiritual power and Innate Primordial Energy, and the results had been obvious.

His vision and dynamic perception had improved greatly. He could also vaguely sense a special power taking shape within his eyes.

That power was almost identical to the ocular power he had sensed in Mikoto's and his other family members' Sharingan.

"Mm!"

Mikoto opened her eyes and nodded firmly. "I believe you can definitely do it! I'm going to practice taijutsu."

With that, she stood and ran toward the nearby training ground, beginning to limber up.

Uchiha Mikoto's movements started out somewhat clumsy, but before long, they became smooth and natural.

Sitting nearby and watching, Xuan could not help nodding several times.

Creak—

Near noon, the courtyard gate was pushed open. Uchiha Meixin walked in from outside and immediately saw Mikoto practicing taijutsu in the courtyard while Xuan sat nearby watching her and offering occasional guidance.

The scene looked particularly harmonious, and Meixin could not help smiling.

She walked over to them and teased, "Oh my, are this little couple secretly on a date?"

"Mom!" Xuan called out helplessly.

"Meixin..." Mikoto's cheeks instantly reddened, and she was too embarrassed to continue practicing.

Although Uchiha Meixin had teased her like this many times before, Mikoto still became shy every time.

Even she felt she was rather hopeless.

She was clearly bold in front of outsiders and good at controlling her emotions, yet whenever she was teased like this at home, her face would redden.

Xuan hurriedly changed the subject. "You're back early today. Isn't the hospital busy?"

Over the past few months, ever since Xuan had cooked his first meal himself, Meixin had stopped specifically rushing home to cook for him whenever the hospital was busy.

Meixin smiled. "That's right." She reached out and ruffled Xuan's hair. "The fighting hasn't been as intense lately. Major conflicts between the great ninja villages have decreased considerably, so there are fewer injured people. Naturally, the hospital has become less busy."

"Is that so? That's good." Xuan nodded.

He knew in his heart that the Second Ninja World War was basically coming to an end.

Over the next few years, there would likely only be minor frictions and covert maneuvering between the major ninja villages. Everyone needed to build up their strength and stockpile supplies. Once the time was right, another Great Ninja War would break out.

There was no helping it. In the end, this war had not truly produced a victor.

Honestly, aside from Konoha, the other ninja villages were not very satisfied with the gains they had obtained so far.