Uchiha Hui explored the new ability his "cheat" had revealed.
Before long.
He spotted a few clues on the initial panel.
-- Name: Uchiha Hui (+) Identity: Chunin of the Uchiha Clan, Konohagakure, Land of Fire Reputation: 1,478 points --
Uchiha Hui noticed a faint, illusory "+" hidden beside his name. It might have been there before, but he had been so pressed for time that he had never even noticed it.
Now, he also noticed that his reputation had changed.
It had started at just over eight hundred, and now it had passed a thousand, nearing fifteen hundred. His identity had barely changed, so did that mean his strength had increased by almost half since that morning?
That seemed a little excessive.
But considering that he had integrated Shikotsumyaku, another Kekkei Genkai, it made perfect sense!
He focused his mental energy on the "+."
Uchiha Hui soon saw an unfamiliar panel.
-- Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (One-Tomoe, 80%), Shikotsumyaku (5%) Ninjutsu: Clone Technique (proficient, 90%), Substitution Technique (87%), Transformation Technique (beginner, 80%), Body Flicker Technique (mastered, 4%), Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (proficient, 73%), Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique (beginner, 80%) --
So there was a "second page." Surprise crossed Uchiha Hui's face. He had thought his cheat was a little bare-bones before, but looking at it now, it seemed much more reasonable.
Still, looking at his rather meager "skill list," Uchiha Hui could not help wanting to complain.
A Chunin really was just a Chunin.
Apparently, mastering two Ninjutsu already counted as pretty good.
Among them, Uchiha Hui also noticed something that stood apart from the other techniques: the Body Flicker Technique, the only one on the panel at the "mastered" level.
The Body Flicker Technique was essentially a burst-type Ninjutsu.
It gathered Chakra in the legs, giving them tremendous strength for an instant to boost the user's speed. It was fundamentally different from the "spatial" ability he had imagined; the sudden burst of speed merely created that illusion.
After briefly reviewing the abilities he currently possessed.
Uchiha Hui soon focused his attention on "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."
An experience card?
Anyone who had played games could understand that.
So.
He sank his consciousness into the Temporary Space and took out the orb of light he had received after his fight with Uchiha Fugaku.
Is this how I use it?
Uchiha Hui murmured inwardly, sending his mental energy straight into the orb in his hand.
The next second, something wondrous happened. As though answering a summons, the orb rapidly dissolved, then flowed into Uchiha Hui's body through his mouth, nose, ears, and other openings like a sentient current of air.
It felt a little warm.
That was Uchiha Hui's first impression, as though a warm current were flowing through his body, making him feel wonderfully comfortable.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (proficient, 88%)]
The Great Fireball entry on the panel changed. Its proficiency rose rapidly, only slowing to a stop after increasing by nearly 15%.
And as its proficiency increased.
Uchiha Hui's mind gained new knowledge about using the Great Fireball Technique, such as how to conserve chakra, or how to increase the technique's power without wasting chakra...
Amazing!
A delighted expression spread across Uchiha Hui's face.
He even felt the urge to stand up in the bubble-filled bathtub and throw a few rounds of "monkey boxing" to vent his excitement.
So I need to fight more to maximize my growth?
The thought occurred to Uchiha Hui, and he immediately frowned. His cheat was certainly powerful, but his original intention had been to grow stronger quietly, gaining enough strength to protect himself without drawing anyone's attention.
If battles could "drop experience," then he would have no choice but to step into the public eye.
That ran somewhat counter to his original plan.
Still, Uchiha Hui did not dwell on it. Reality was like that, always straying far from expectations, and he would not give up on becoming stronger just to "avoid attracting attention."
In any case, his goal of quietly developing had not changed, and the main path of "getting stronger" was clear. That was enough!
After settling his emotions.
Uchiha Hui stopped thinking about it. He soaked for a long while, washing away his exhaustion, then got out and returned to bed to rest.
The next day.
The Uchiha Clan Compound.
The previous night, the clan head had already notified some of the Uchiha ninja. They were mostly members of the Konoha Military Police Force with reasonably agreeable temperaments, so early that morning, Uchiha Hui saw roughly thirty ninja leap across the rooftops toward the nearest disaster zone.
Holding a large bowl.
Uchiha Hui took small sips of freshly cooked porridge, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Yesterday, he had explicitly told Uchiha Fugaku that this "conciliatory" approach would never work. Clearly, however, a few words from him had not persuaded Fugaku to give up an opportunity to draw closer to Konoha.
Never mind Konoha High Command's hostility toward the Uchiha—even the Uchiha ninja seem a little reluctant to help rescue Konoha. Fugaku! Haven't you noticed?
Uchiha Hui noticed resistance on the faces of a few ninja in the group, making him even less optimistic about Uchiha Fugaku's decision.
Perhaps these people were already among the Uchiha most favorably disposed toward Konoha.
But.
The Nine-Tails Incident had still left these ninja with a vague sense that something was wrong.
First, the higher-ups had refused to let the Uchiha join the battle, even specifically sending Anbu to watch them. Then came even more "surveillance" after the battle.
Yesterday alone.
The Uchiha had not even been allowed to leave their compound, and more watchers had appeared around its perimeter, as though they had done something wrong.
It was hard to stomach!
True!
The Sharingan visible in the Nine-Tails' eyes had made the whole affair suspicious.
But in reality, the Uchiha ninja in Konoha had no understanding of that connection at all. All they knew was that they had done nothing, yet the village leadership feared and excluded them.
Anyone would have been upset by that.
Let alone the already proud Uchiha ninja!
Thus, when Uchiha Fugaku gathered ninja to assist with the village's rescue efforts, even those who had originally felt close to the village could not help showing their displeasure.
Fortunately, Uchiha Fugaku still commanded respect.
Besides, they also felt that perhaps this was a chance to let Konoha see a different side of them.
Uchiha Fugaku soon led his people to one of the largest fields of rubble.
There.
A large number of ninja were already hard at work. Some searched for survivors, while others cleared construction debris and the like from the outskirts.
"We don't need the Uchiha's help! Please leave!"
"Stay away from us! Where were you earlier?!"
"..."
This was a settlement of small ninja clans not far from the Uchiha Clan Compound, so the Uchiha had planned to start here. Yet before they could do anything, several ninja approached to refuse their help and even began "driving them out."
"Nora, we came to help you. What are you doing?"
Uchiha Fugaku was puzzled.
Behind him, the Uchiha ninja's expressions darkened. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken such harsh words to their faces, and these people belonged to nothing more than an obscure little ninja clan whose strongest member was only a Special Jōnin!
However, the ninja Fugaku had called "Nora," along with the people behind them, seemed to have no intention of answering him.
Seeing this.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression involuntarily darkened as well.
He had a bad feeling!
"Sorry for the intrusion!"
Drawing on his considerable self-control, Uchiha Fugaku suppressed his anger and led the ninja behind him elsewhere. After walking some distance, he turned to Uchiha Yakumi, who was following him. "Yakumi, send someone to find out what happened!"
"Yes!"
Uchiha Yakumi left the main group with several ninja and soon arrived at a place where people had gathered: a temporary shelter set up after the disaster.
Before you continue