"Fuse!"
After using the Experience Cards, Uchiha Hui fused with that portion of "Trace Pupil Power" as well.
The suffocating sensation returned.
It took him a little over an hour to finally adjust to his strengthened Sharingan again.
This time.
The increase in Pupil Power was substantial.
It contributed a full 10%.
That was most likely because the ninja who had dropped this Pupil Power was a powerful Chunin. Judging by appearances, he was quite talented, too, with balanced skills in both ordinary Ninjutsu and genjutsu rather than specializing in just one.
His Sharingan reached Two-Tomoe, 35%.
That thrilled Uchiha Hui.
And so.
Looking at the final five glowing orbs, he decided to use them all in one go.
[Substitution Technique (Experience Card)] [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (Experience Card)] [Shadow Clone Technique (Ninjutsu Card)] [Trace Pupil Power x1] [Trace Pupil Power x1]
Two Experience Cards, one Ninjutsu Card, and two portions of "Trace Pupil Power."
Just like that.
Uchiha Hui kept busy until past seven that evening, by which time it was completely dark outside.
His status panel had also changed dramatically.
-- Kekkei genkai: Sharingan (Two-Tomoe 46%), Shikotsumyaku (5%) Ninjutsu: Clone Technique (proficient 93%), Substitution Technique (mastery 4%), Transformation Technique (beginner 85%), Body Flicker Technique (mastery 6%), Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (mastery 11%), Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique (proficient 9%), Hidden Mist Technique (beginner 15%), Earth Release: Fissure Palm (beginner 33%), Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique (beginner 40%), Shadow Clone Technique (beginner 15%) --
Uchiha Hui felt that his current repertoire was downright lavish by Chunin standards.
He might not have had all that many Ninjutsu.
But he at least had all the essentials, along with a few standouts, such as the three techniques that had reached the "mastery" level.
Perhaps because he had fused with several portions of Pupil Power in succession that day.
Uchiha Hui also felt a swelling sensation in his eyes.
It did not hinder his movements.
But it felt rather like they had been "overfed."
So.
After eating something to replenish his strength, he decided to rest instead of doing extra training.
Tomorrow would be another "fulfilling" day.
Because.
He would challenge the clan's Chunin again, laying a solid foundation for his path to greater strength!
Whoosh!
Just then.
Uchiha Hui heard movement outside his door.
His expression remained calm as he opened the door and looked into the courtyard.
A Uchiha ninja stood by the gate.
"What is it?"
Uchiha Hui did not recognize him. Perhaps they had met, but he had left little impression. Still, the Uchiha Clan Crest on his clothing did not lie.
"Clan Head Fugaku wants you to come over."
Uchiha Kiyoshi spoke slowly as he looked at Uchiha Hui.
He was a member of the Konoha Military Police Force serving under Uchiha Fugaku.
Before this, he might have scoffed at Uchiha Hui, whose strength had stagnated for years and who seemed utterly lacking in ambition.
But rumors had begun circulating within the clan over the past two days.
His opinion of the clan head's younger brother had gradually changed. The disdain in his eyes was gone, replaced by a measure of respect for an equal.
"Understood."
Uchiha Hui was a little puzzled.
He held no position within the clan. He had joined the Konoha Military Police Force after becoming a Chunin, but it was really just a nominal post. He served under Fugaku, who almost never sent him on missions and, at most, notified him about the monthly meetings.
To put it more simply.
He was collecting a paycheck for doing nothing.
Apart from the benefits.
He brought nothing home.
So.
Uchiha Hui did not understand why Uchiha Fugaku would summon him at this hour.
As far as he knew, Uchiha Fugaku had recently been leading the Uchiha Clan's ninja in the supposedly great undertaking of "saving Konoha." He should not have had time to spare for a small fry like him.
Even if he and Uchiha Fugaku were brothers.
"Aren't you leaving?"
After briefly pondering the matter, Uchiha Hui looked up and found that the ninja who had delivered the message was still standing there, even staring at him continuously.
He could not help asking.
"I heard you've beaten quite a few of the clan's Chunin over the past two days. I'm a Chunin, too. We could spar sometime when you're free!"
Uchiha Kiyoshi looked a little younger than Uchiha Hui.
But he was certainly no teenager.
Still, he was very curious about the current Uchiha Hui.
"Are you sure?"
Uchiha Hui glanced at him, raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked instinctively.
In his field of vision.
The other man's information was plain to see.
-- Name: Uchiha Kiyoshi Identity: Uchiha Chunin of Konohagakure, Land of Fire; member of the Konoha Military Police Force Reputation: 6,739 points Relationship: Distant --
To be fair.
The ninja serving under Uchiha Fugaku all had reasonably decent relationships with Uchiha Hui. Judging by his reputation, Kiyoshi was not weak, either. He was at least a competent Chunin, with some distinctive ability or specialty.
"Of course. Have you forgotten? Back at the Ninja Academy, you cornered me after school..."
Uchiha Kiyoshi spoke with a smile.
His words, however, left Uchiha Hui momentarily speechless.
Cornered you after school?
That meant what I thought it meant, right?
As it turned out.
Bullying really was everywhere.
Even the Shinobi World had not stamped out that sort of thing.
But Uchiha Hui had no memory of it.
From what he remembered, the original owner of his body had been no saint, but he had not been a bad person, either. Apart from his rather extreme views on matters concerning the Uchiha Clan, he did not seem to have had any major flaws.
If he had.
Uchiha Hui could only consider "being weak" his greatest sin!
"Then let's do it now!"
Uchiha Hui promptly spoke.
At those words.
Uchiha Kiyoshi froze for a moment, seemingly unable to process them, his gaze settling on Uchiha Hui.
Uchiha Hui was wearing casual clothes, their loose fit accentuating his tall, straight figure and making him look exceptionally handsome. He even had wooden sandals on his feet, looking for all the world as though he were going on an outing.
He wanted to fight me dressed like that?
Uchiha Kiyoshi could not help frowning.
He had wanted to spar with Uchiha Hui because he had heard his clansmen say that Hui's strength had improved significantly and that almost no one at Training Ground Two was a match for him.
But now.
The man did not seem to have changed much at all.
He was still far too arrogant!
"You don't still think I'm that little kid you cornered at the academy gates, do you?"
Uchiha Kiyoshi couldn't help reminding him.
If they really could have a fight, he did want to see what Uchiha Hui was made of now and whether he was truly as impressive as their clansmen claimed.
"You look like you really want to give me a beating, so don't hold back. I can't wait to test the skills of a full-fledged member of the Konoha Military Police Force, either. After all, you know that although I belong to the force, I've always just been a reservist..."
Uchiha Hui stepped into the courtyard.
His wooden sandals made crisp clacking sounds against the ground.
But to Uchiha Kiyoshi, those sounds seemed like mockery.
Look, I could beat you even like this!
Uchiha Kiyoshi clenched his fists.
He decided to teach this arrogant fellow a lesson and make him recognize the gap between them.
As for revenge.
He, Uchiha Kiyoshi, wasn't that shallow.
"Fine!"
Uchiha Kiyoshi turned and moved to stand opposite Uchiha Hui, taking a fighting stance as a flicker of scarlet flashed through his eyes.
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