Sealing Techniques

In the southeastern corner of Kumogakure, construction of the Uchiha Clan's new compound was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

With Kumogakure's full support and the Uchiha clansmen's own efforts, the once somewhat empty area had begun to take shape.

Sturdy stone houses stood in neat rows, the training grounds were flat and spacious, and simple fortifications and warning barriers had already been set up.

At the center of the compound, cold-resistant pines and cypresses had even begun to be transplanted, adding a touch of life.

Once construction here was complete, they would need to find some servants. With only a dozen or so people in such a large place, it was simply far too quiet.

Yet Uchiha Shaoyu, as both clan head and an elder of Kumogakure, devoted most of his energy to his own training.

He knew perfectly well that whether the Uchiha Clan could truly gain a foothold in Kumogakure and earn lasting respect and room to develop ultimately depended on his own strength.

Only by becoming strong enough could he protect his clansmen, secure resources, and possess sufficient influence in this land that revered power.

These days, aside from his daily taijutsu, chakra control, and further coordination with the Ten Shadows Technique shikigami, he focused most of his efforts on studying the Six Eyes in greater depth.

As his understanding of the Six Eyes' characteristics deepened, the profound knowledge of spatial manipulation that originated from its very essence unfolded in his mind like an ancient scroll, revealing ever more details.

One ability in particular caught his attention: Limitless.

It was an absolute defensive technique based on the Six Eyes' principles of infinitely subdividing and controlling space, theoretically capable of achieving a state of being "untouchable."

Although his current mastery of the Six Eyes and understanding of spatial laws were still insufficient for him to truly cast Limitless, its core mechanism greatly broadened his thinking.

This mechanism... against the mainstream methods of attack in the shinobi world, it could practically be called a dimensionality-reduction strike.

Shaoyu sat quietly beneath a waterfall, deep in thought.

Unless the opponent is equally proficient in advanced space-time ninjutsu, or... possesses a specific ability capable of ignoring or interfering with spatial laws.

Another possibility naturally came to mind: sealing techniques.

In the shinobi world, many powerful sealing techniques operated by binding and isolating chakra, energy, and even concepts. Some of the highest-level sealing techniques could even reach the realms of space and time.

If he truly encountered a troublesome ability in the future that could break through Limitless, then his knowledge of sealing techniques would undoubtedly be an extremely valuable supplement and offer a way to counter it.

He acted as soon as he made up his mind. Uchiha Shaoyu was not someone who hesitated.

He went straight to the Raikage Building and requested an audience with the Third Raikage, Ai.

"Oh? Shaoyu, what a rare visitor. Is construction of the clan compound going well? Do you need any help?"

The Third Raikage had been handling official business. He looked quite pleased to see Shaoyu arrive.

"Everything is going smoothly. Thank you for your concern, Lord Raikage."

Shaoyu got straight to the point.

"I came to request permission from the village to borrow some books and scrolls on sealing techniques for study and research."

"Sealing techniques?"

Raikage Ai raised a thick brow, somewhat surprised, before an interested look appeared on his face.

"You're interested in that? Well, it makes sense. Your Uchiha Clan excels at genjutsu and Fire Release, so you probably haven't delved deeply into sealing techniques. What kind do you want to study? Basic sealing formulas, or advanced applications?"

"The more comprehensive, the better. I want to understand everything from the fundamental principles to advanced applications."

Shaoyu said, "My ocular powers and certain abilities may be combined with sealing techniques to develop new applications and strengthen my tactical options."

It was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

"Hahahaha! Good! You've got ideas!"

Raikage Ai rose with a hearty laugh and walked over to a heavy metal cabinet at the back of the office. After entering a complex chakra password, he opened its doors.

Inside were not gold or treasures, but a large number of ancient and newly made scrolls.

With a sweep of his arm, he pulled out a thick stack of scrolls—at least twenty or thirty at a glance—and dropped them onto the table in front of Shaoyu with a bang, sending dust flying.

"Here! These are all about sealing techniques! From the most basic Fire-Sealing Seal and Evil-Sealing Seal to complex barrier formations, chakra seals, and even advanced theories involving souls and space, they're all recorded in here."

Raikage Ai spoke with considerable generosity.

Looking at the pile of clearly weighty and richly detailed scrolls, a trace of surprise flashed through Uchiha Shaoyu's eyes.

Kumogakure... had such an extensive collection of sealing techniques?

As though he had seen Shaoyu's confusion, the Third Raikage chuckled and gestured for him to come closer. Then he lowered his voice and spoke with a hint of pride and... an indescribable smile.

"Elder Shaoyu, you may be wondering why Kumogakure has so many sealing techniques. There's no harm in telling you. It isn't exactly a secret among the upper ranks of the major nations anyway."

He pointed at the scrolls.

"Most of these were spoils Kumogakure seized from Uzushio Village when we destroyed the Land of Whirlpools a few years ago."

"The Land of Whirlpools?!"

Uchiha Shaoyu's pupils contracted slightly. The Land of Whirlpools, home of the Uzumaki Clan, was renowned throughout the shinobi world for their tenacious life force and peerless sealing techniques. They were distant relatives of the Senju Clan and allies of Konoha.

Those people whose nation had been wiped out with barely a mention in the original story.

Kumogakure had destroyed them? And from the sound of it, Konoha had neither the ability nor the desire to avenge them to the end?

"That's right."

Raikage Ai nodded, a sharp glint flashing through his single eye.

"It wasn't only Kumogakure. Kirigakure and Iwagakure took part as well."

"The Land of Whirlpools' sealing techniques truly were unrivaled in the shinobi world. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong side and tied themselves too tightly to Konoha."

"Kumogakure had its eye on their techniques, especially... the sealing techniques for safely and effectively controlling and using tailed beasts."

He picked up one particularly ancient-looking scroll.

"It was through the core sealing technique materials obtained from the Land of Whirlpools that Kumogakure was able to conduct independent research and ultimately master methods for safely sealing tailed beasts."

"The current Eight-Tails jinchuriki, Blue B, and the Two-Tails' jinchuriki were able to become relatively stable jinchuriki largely thanks to the legacy of the Land of Whirlpools."

Understanding dawned on Shaoyu. So that was how it was.

Kumogakure's ability to possess two powerful, controllable jinchuriki was founded upon destroying the Land of Whirlpools, famed for its sealing techniques, and plundering its core inheritance. Such methods truly suited Kumogakure's hardline, pragmatic style.

"However," Raikage Ai changed the subject, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness.

"Kumogakure's shinobi have constitutions and chakra natures that are, after all, different from the Uzumaki Clan's bodies, which are naturally suited for sealing techniques."

"There are very few people in the village who can truly study these sealing techniques thoroughly and apply them at a profound level. Most shinobi still prefer straightforward Lightning Release and taijutsu."

He patted Shaoyu on the shoulder, his tone sincere.

"Elder Shaoyu, you possess extraordinary talent, and your Sharingan has formidable powers of perception and learning. If you can truly understand these sealing techniques, or even combine them with your ocular powers to create something new, it will be an enormous benefit to Kumogakure."

"Take these scrolls and study them as you please. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me. I know a little here and there, or you can ask several of the village's old advisors. They understand some of it as well."

Uchiha Shaoyu solemnly gathered up the weighty scrolls and thanked the Raikage.

After returning to the Uchiha compound with these sealing technique scrolls inherited from the Land of Whirlpools, Shaoyu's heart was far from calm.

Kumogakure's path to rise had been filled with plunder and conquest, yet now, as a member of Kumogakure, he felt nothing but reassured.

Meanwhile, Konoha had watched helplessly as its ally was destroyed by other shinobi villages and done nothing, allowing Shaoyu to once again see Sarutobi Hiruzen's true nature.

But...

Strength... is the foundation of everything.

Shaoyu stroked the ancient markings on the scrolls, his gaze growing ever more resolute.

Whether for the Uchiha Clan's future or for a place to stand in this cruel shinobi world, he had to grow stronger faster and master more methods.

Lights gradually came on throughout the Uchiha Clan's new compound. In the secluded meditation room specially prepared for the clan head at its deepest point, Uchiha Shaoyu had already spread open the first scroll on the fundamental principles of sealing techniques.

Within his scarlet Sharingan, strange bands of light flowed faintly as he began another round of immersive study and exploration.