With his study of Sealing Jutsu complete for the time being, Shinichi turned his attention to another field—developing a kekkei genkai.
Yet he had made no progress in awakening his Sharingan. Despite his life-and-death battles on the battlefield, he still could not take that final step.
Shinichi felt frustrated, but he did not let it stop him. Instead, he came up with a new idea—if he could not awaken his Sharingan, he would try developing another kekkei genkai!
He told Tobirama Senju about his idea, and a rare flicker of interest appeared in Tobirama's eyes.
"Oh? Developing a new kekkei genkai is no simple matter." Tobirama set down his book and studied Shinichi with a sharp gaze. "Besides, kekkei genkai are usually inherited genetically. How do you intend to create a new one?"
The corners of Shinichi's mouth lifted slightly as he replied confidently, "Old man Tobirama, have you forgotten? My mother was from the Yuki Clan. Though her bloodline was rather diluted, my body should still have the potential to awaken Ice Release."
Ice Release—a kekkei genkai formed by combining Water Release and Wind Release chakra—could control low temperatures to freeze moisture, turning it into powerful Ice Style Jutsu.
This kekkei genkai was extremely rare in the Shinobi World, passed down only within the Yuki Clan of the Land of Water.
At those words, Tobirama narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment's thought, he slowly nodded. "...Indeed. In theory, your bloodline may contain the factors for Ice Release. But the question is, how will you develop it?"
Shinichi had already prepared for that question. He gently raised his right hand, slowly gathering chakra in his palm. Water Release and Wind Release energies intertwined and merged at his fingertips, forming a faint current of cold air.
"If a kekkei genkai is the product of combining chakra natures, then in theory, I can use precise chakra control to merge Water Release and Wind Release inside my body in a particular way." Shinichi's voice was firm. "With proper control, I should be able to activate Ice Release."
"Heh... You're an interesting little brat." Tobirama's lips curved slightly, his eyes gleaming. "But I must warn you: awakening a kekkei genkai often carries enormous risks. A reckless attempt could disrupt your chakra, or even damage your chakra pathways."
Shinichi nodded. Of course he understood that, but danger had never frightened him.
"Don't worry. I won't act recklessly." There was a note of resolve in Shinichi's voice. He looked at Tobirama, his eyes shining with eagerness. "But... with you beside me to monitor my chakra flow, my chances of success should be higher, right?"
"Hmph. You certainly know how to make use of your resources." Tobirama snorted, then gave a knowing smile. "Very well. Let's see how far you can go."
And so his path toward awakening Ice Release began!
As the night deepened, a cold wind swept through the courtyard of the Senju Main Residence. Shinichi slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began concentrating on controlling the chakra flowing through his body.
Water Release and Wind Release chakra mingled within his chakra pathways, and subtle changes began to occur. Tobirama stood beside him with his arms folded, carefully observing his condition.
"...Let's see whether you truly can create a new kekkei genkai," Tobirama murmured, his gaze growing sharper.
This undertaking was never going to be easy, but Shinichi was ready.
If he could not awaken his Sharingan, then he would forge another path of his own!
The Mountain Graveyard.
Madara Uchiha leaned against the enormous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
He drew life force through the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to prolong his own life.
Within the dark cavern, firelight flickered faintly, illuminating his weathered, imposing face.
Madara Uchiha sat quietly on a massive rock, his deep eyes gazing ahead through the firelight, complex emotions flickering within them.
At his feet lay an unfurled intelligence scroll brought by White Zetsu. It detailed a series of major events that had recently taken place in Konoha—
Tobirama Senju was alive, the Third Hokage had been chosen, Uchiha Raishin had become clan head, and... Uchiha Shinichi, the nine-year-old Uchiha Heir, had actually mastered Fire Release powerful enough to rival Madara's own!
"...An interesting brat."
Madara's voice was low and resonant. His fingertips slowly traced the writing on the scroll as he recalled White Zetsu's description of Shinichi.
"Fire Release stronger than mine, yet he still hasn't awakened his Sharingan at nine..."
Madara narrowed his eyes slightly, a knowing look crossing his face.
"How surprising," he said slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "To think there is an Uchiha like this. Remarkable talent, experience in both Taijutsu and Sealing Jutsu, and capable of holding his own on the battlefield without even awakening his Sharingan... In that respect, he rather resembles me in my youth."
He lowered his eyes slightly, recalling his younger self.
In that turbulent era, his talent had already surpassed that of his peers, but before awakening his Sharingan, he had always been held down by Hashirama Senju.
Now this Uchiha Shinichi, still without his Sharingan at nine, was already strong enough to shake the Shinobi World...
"When he awakens his Sharingan..."
Madara's gaze gradually sharpened as he murmured to himself, "He will be the strongest in the Shinobi World."
This was not mere speculation, but a conclusion drawn from his knowledge and experience.
Shinichi's talent surpassed even his own at that age.
If his Sharingan awakened, then in the future... perhaps he could surpass Madara and become the true King of the Uchiha!
Madara lightly tapped his fingers against the rock wall, his gaze deep and composed.
But a moment later, when his eyes fell on the final lines of the scroll, they abruptly turned cold.
—Uchiha Shinichi had become Tobirama Senju's disciple!
—He was currently studying Sealing Jutsu at the Senju Main Residence!
—He felt a strong sense of belonging to Konoha and had yet to show any desire to monopolize authority within the Uchiha Clan!
"What?!"
Madara abruptly rose to his feet, his black cloak swaying slightly in the firelight. His pupils contracted sharply, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes.
"He actually... became Tobirama Senju's disciple?"
Madara's expression darkened, his brow furrowing. His eyes filled with indescribable anger and disbelief.
—He, the greatest genius of the Uchiha, had willingly taken the Second Hokage of the Senju Clan as his teacher?!
—He, Uchiha Shinichi, had chosen to stand beside Tobirama Senju rather than his own clansmen?!
"Damn it..." Madara growled under his breath, clenching his fingers so tightly that his knuckles gave faint cracks. The air around him seemed to tremble with his anger.
He could not understand what this child was thinking!
Tobirama Senju was one of the Uchiha Clan's greatest enemies!
—He was the one who established the surveillance policies against the Uchiha Clan!
—He was the one who founded the Konoha Military Police Force and relegated the Uchiha to the outskirts!
—He was the one who gradually isolated the Uchiha Clan from Konoha's center of power!
And now the Uchiha Clan's most promising rising star had willingly become that old fox's disciple?!
This filled Madara with anger and disbelief, while also igniting an even deeper obsession—
"I must set this child straight!"
Madara clenched his fists sharply, his eyes narrowing slightly, his expression utterly grim.
No matter what, he could not let the Senju Clan completely tame Shinichi!
He had to become the king of the Uchiha, not the Senju's dog!
"...It seems I need to meet this brat myself."
Madara Uchiha murmured to himself, then continued reading the intelligence.
"Uchiha Kanon... Uchiha Setsuna's granddaughter. Awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan at nine, proficient in Lightning Release and Fire Release, and determined to defeat Uchiha Shinichi..." Madara murmured, a sharp gleam appearing in his eyes.
He continued looking through the scroll, carefully reading the detailed intelligence on the girl.
—Exceptional talent, a fierce temperament, clear goals, and a deep obsession.
"An interesting girl..." Madara slowly lowered the scroll, interlacing his fingers, his gaze inscrutable.
Not only had she awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan at an early age, an extreme rarity among her peers, but she had also made surpassing Uchiha Shinichi her goal since childhood, driven by a powerful competitive spirit.
With cultivation, such talent might one day place her among the strongest in the Shinobi World.
More importantly, there was her temperament.
Unlike those Uchiha clansmen who were gentle, hesitant, or even filled with loyalty to the village, Kanon displayed pure obsession and fierce fighting spirit—the very qualities most valuable in the Uchiha Clan.
An Uchiha who possessed great talent yet was consumed by obsession was the easiest to guide and control.
"Her disposition makes her more suitable than Shinichi to be my heir," Madara murmured, a thoughtful look settling over his face.
Yet there was Uchiha Shinichi—
At the thought of the boy who had displayed extraordinary strength at nine, yet still failed to awaken his Sharingan, Madara's gaze grew a little colder.
"A Fire Release shinobi stronger than I was in my youth, yet his Sharingan still hasn't awakened... Is this brat exceptionally gifted, or has his destined moment simply not arrived?" Madara closed his eyes, tapping his fingertips lightly against his knee.
He greatly resembled Madara's younger self.
Since ancient times, the Shinobi World had been a place where strength reigned supreme, and the Sharingan was the symbol of the Uchiha Clan's place at its pinnacle.
Yet Shinichi had not displayed those "crimson eyes" that belonged to the Uchiha.
What did that mean?
Was his will too unshakable, or had he not experienced a powerful enough emotional shock?
Or did he simply not want to become a powerful Uchiha in the traditional sense?
Whatever the answer, Shinichi's existence was a variable.
And what Madara disliked most was an "uncontrollable variable."
"Still, since he has chosen to stand beside that old fox Tobirama Senju, perhaps his future is already decided." Madara sighed softly, his expression turning indifferent again.
Compared with the difficult-to-control Shinichi, Uchiha Kanon's temperament clearly suited Madara's standards better.
Her family background, personal resolve, upbringing, and even her rivalry with Shinichi all gave her the potential to become an excellent heir.
"With a little cultivation, she will surely become an important pawn of mine."
At that thought, the corners of Madara Uchiha's mouth lifted slightly, a dangerous gleam flickering in his eyes.
"It's time for the Uchiha Clan to prepare for the future."
Before you continue