Chapter 9

Over the past year or so, besides studying and cultivating on his own, Yan had also given pointers to Mikoto and his older brother, Uchiha Hao, every few days.

Using the opportunity to guide them, he had them help test out his ideas about taijutsu and body-tempering techniques.

As a result, he had accumulated a vast amount of data and experience. It would be crucial for creating a body-tempering technique next.

Half a month later.

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

After carefully studying the Uchiha clan's body-refining secret arts and blending in 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 technique. Its combat power was no weaker than ordinary taijutsu.

"Done!"

Yan drew back his hands and feet. He had just performed an entire set of Basic Body-Tempering Technique followed by Tai Chi, moving as smoothly as flowing clouds and water, leaving his whole body feeling wonderfully refreshed.

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

"One more time."

Without another word, he began practicing again.

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

Tai Chi could be used in a fight, for body tempering, and to improve the body's flexibility and agility.

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

"Hm?"

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

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

Yan 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 technique. Do you want to learn it?"

"Practice it, and your body will become softer and more agile. Your figure will look better too."

Teased by Yan, Mikoto's face reddened. She rolled her eyes at him lightly. "Fine, fine, I'll learn! But Yan, you're amazing. You can even come up with such a powerful body-tempering method. Is there anything you can't do?"

As she spoke, Mikoto looked at Yan with undisguised affection in her eyes.

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

But she simply could not resist Yan's charm.

It was not only his terrifying talent. That face of his was becoming more and more attractive too.

Over the past year, with Yan's help, Mikoto's strength had risen rapidly. She was now firmly an Elite Chunin.

As for taijutsu alone, thanks to body-refining medicinal baths and Yan's occasional guidance, she had already reached the level of a Chunin.

There was no need to mention her spiritual power. After practicing the Soul Refinement Art and awakening her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, even a Jōnin could fall into her genjutsu and struggle to escape if they were careless.

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

"There is. I can't have babies."

After finishing the set, Yan stopped, winked at Mikoto, and said with a grin.

"You're asking for it!"

Mikoto could not help reaching out and lightly smacking his back.

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

Yan had taught her bits and pieces before, but none of it had been systematic. This time, he planned to pass the complete set on to her.

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

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

"Okay!"

Mikoto nodded, warmth filling her heart as she diligently began learning.

Her foundation was actually quite good. After practicing twice, she had already grasped most of it.

"That's about it. For the rest, you'll need to practice repeatedly and build 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."

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

Mikoto obediently activated her Sharingan.

Her eyes were full of tenderness as she stared at Yan, making him feel uncomfortable all over.

He could only curse himself inwardly for still being such a little brat. Otherwise...

Suppressing those distracting thoughts, he focused entirely on business. He concentrated and swept his perception across Mikoto's eyes and parts of her brain, quickly recording the newly emerged changes and patterns, comparing them against the data he had organized over the past six months.

More than ten minutes later, when he sensed that over half of Mikoto's chakra had been consumed and her eyes were beginning to sting, Yan finally withdrew his perception. He gently touched her cheek. "All right, turn off your Sharingan."

"Okay."

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

"That's enough."

Yan shook his head and placed his hand over her eyelids. Mikoto reflexively closed her eyes.

He gently massaged her eyes with both hands.

After massaging them for quite a while, Yan finally let go when he felt that most of her eye fatigue had faded. "That should do it."

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

Simply probing other people's Sharingan through perception was no longer enough.

As for his own eyes?

Over the past half year, he had constantly nourished them with spiritual power and Innate Primordial Energy, with obvious results.

His eyesight and dynamic vision had improved considerably. 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 within Mikoto's and the other family members' Sharingan.

"Okay!"

Mikoto opened her eyes and nodded heavily. "I believe you'll definitely succeed! I'm going to practice taijutsu."

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

Uchiha Mikoto's movements were clumsy at first, but before long, they became smooth and natural.

Yan sat nearby, watching her and nodding several times.

Creak—

Near noon, the courtyard gate was pushed open. Uchiha Meixin entered from outside and immediately saw Mikoto practicing taijutsu in the courtyard while Yan sat not far away, occasionally offering a few pointers.

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

Walking over to the two of them, she teased, "Oh my, are this little couple secretly on a date?"

"Mom!" Yan called out helplessly.

"Meixin..." Mikoto's cheeks instantly turned red, and she was too embarrassed to keep practicing.

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

Even she felt that she was being rather pathetic.

She was clearly bold around outsiders and could keep her emotions under control, yet a little teasing at home was enough to make her blush.

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

Ever since Yan had cooked his first meal himself a few months ago, Meixin no longer made a special trip home to cook for him whenever the hospital was busy.

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

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

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

Over the next few years, there would probably only be minor frictions and covert maneuvers 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.

It could not be helped. In the end, this war had not truly produced a winner.

To be honest, aside from Konoha, the other ninja villages were not very satisfied with the gains they had achieved so far.