Drawing Another Big Picture, the Team's First Combat Mission

The looks of envy and jealousy could not be faked.

Uchiha Yao took in the expressions of the other two and secretly chuckled.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

A living, breathing success story was far more convincing than any hollow promise.

"You have all seen Rin's progress."

"The reason she was able to improve so dramatically in such a short time wasn't just my guidance. More importantly, it was because she has absolute loyalty to me and to this team."

"The system—no, my special training methods—can unleash a person's potential to the fullest extent. But the prerequisite is that person must be one hundred percent loyal to me."

Uchiha Yao looked at Tetsu and Kai. "Do you understand what I mean?"

Uchiha Tetsu and Uchiha Kai both shuddered!

So that was it!

The captain truly possessed some secret technique capable of unleashing potential!

And the key to activating that secret technique was—loyalty!

One hundred percent loyalty!

At that moment, the two men looked at Uchiha Yao with even greater fervor.

They had no doubt about the truth of Captain Yao's words.

After all, Rin's astonishing transformation was right before their eyes!

"Captain! I understand!"

Uchiha Kai was the first to shout. His dark face had flushed bright red.

"I, Uchiha Kai, swear that from this day onward, I will be utterly loyal to you, Captain, with no second thoughts! Please give me a chance to grow stronger as well!"

Uchiha Tetsu took a deep breath and spoke solemnly:

"Captain, Tetsu understands as well."

"Please rest assured. I will prove my loyalty through my actions."

Uchiha Yao nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good."

"I look forward to your performance."

"Remember, opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared and worthy of trust."

With that, Uchiha Yao said no more and turned to continue his own training.

As for Uchiha Tetsu and Uchiha Kai, they threw themselves back into training with even greater diligence, as though they had been injected with stimulants.

The power of the Clan Growth System had begun to truly reveal itself.

Mass-producing powerful people loyal to himself—this was Uchiha Yao's greatest foundation for taking control of the Uchiha in the future, and even changing the entire Shinobi World's balance of power!

Rin's success was only the beginning.

Next, Uchiha Yao would have Tetsu and Kai reach maximum loyalty as soon as possible and undergo Potential Unleashed!

Over the following days, the two men's enthusiasm for training surged to unprecedented heights, nearly to the point of forgetting food and sleep.

Uchiha Yao was more than happy to see it, and he further adjusted their training plans according to their individual traits.

At the same time.

Uchiha Yao's development of Chidori had also entered its final, most critical stage.

The Lightning Release Chakra gathered in his palm was becoming increasingly stable.

A week of coordinated training soon drew to a close.

Next, it was time to test the team's training results.

"Today is a combat mission."

On the training ground, Uchiha Yao looked at his three team members, whose spirits had been completely renewed, and spoke in a deep voice.

"Mission objective: eliminate a band of rogue samurai entrenched along the Land of Fire's border."

"Mission rank: C-rank. It carries a certain degree of danger."

At the mention of a combat mission, Rin, Tetsu, and Kai all perked up, their eyes filled with fighting spirit.

After a week of hellish training, they were all eager to test their strength.

"This is the first official mission since our team was formed."

Uchiha Yao's gaze swept over their faces one by one.

"I require not only that we complete this mission successfully, but that we do so with zero casualties and display our team's coordination and strength as much as possible."

"Understood?!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The three answered in unison.

At the border of the Land of Fire, the mountains were steep and the forests dense.

The four members of Uchiha Yao's team moved silently through the thick woods like agile leopards.

"Captain, according to the map, the rogue samurai's hideout should be in a valley three kilometers ahead," Uchiha Tetsu reported to Yao in a low voice.

Under Yao's guidance, his sensory abilities had improved considerably as well.

"Rin, you'll launch a frontal assault and draw their attention."

"Tetsu, circle around from the flank. Look for an opportunity to use genjutsu and disrupt their formation."

"Kai, you're with me. We'll support from the center and carry out the decapitation strike."

"Remember, all actions are under my command!"

Uchiha Yao swiftly issued the combat orders.

"Yes!"

The three accepted their orders and immediately infiltrated the target area according to the plan.

Before long, the entrance to the valley came into view.

"Move!"

At Uchiha Yao's command!

Whoosh!

Uchiha Rin shot out like an arrow loosed from its bow!

Her speed was several times greater than it had been a week ago!

"Who goes there?!"

The rogue samurai at the valley entrance clearly had not expected a sudden attack and immediately fell into chaos.

But before they could react, Rin had already charged into the crowd like a tiger!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Rin's fists and kicks carried fierce gusts of wind as they struck the rogue samurai's vital points with precision and speed!

Within just a few breaths, the five rogue samurai at the valley entrance had all been knocked to the ground, losing their ability to fight!

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Shouts rang out from within the valley.

Dozens of rogue samurai wielding weapons rushed out from camps scattered throughout the area.

"Now, Tetsu!"

Uchiha Tetsu, who had long since hidden himself on the flank, immediately formed hand seals at Yao's words!

Genjutsu: Mist Servant Technique!

"Good work, Tetsu!"

Tetsu's genjutsu was still rather immature, but it was more than enough against these ordinary samurai.

"Kai! With me!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Uchiha Yao forcefully spewed a huge fireball from his mouth. Like a roaring beast, it screamed through the air toward the one-eyed brute at the front!

Boom!!!

The enormous fireball slammed viciously into the one-eyed brute!

"Argh—!"

A miserable scream came from within the flames!

When the fire dissipated, the one-eyed brute was charred black all over, sprawled on the ground without a trace of life left in him.

"The... the boss is dead!"

"Run!"

Seeing their leader killed, the rogue samurai were terrified out of their wits and began fleeing in all directions.

But how could Uchiha Yao possibly give them a chance to escape?

Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!

Yao swiftly formed hand seals, and several balls of lightning condensed from Lightning Release Chakra struck the rogue samurai trying to flee with pinpoint accuracy!

Crackle—!

Uchiha Kai also rushed forward, using taijutsu to kill the fleeing rogue samurai.

The battle ended in just a few minutes.

The entire process was clean and decisive!

"Clean up the battlefield and count the prisoners."

"Yes, Captain!"

The mission was successfully completed.

The team, now beginning to reveal its edge, had already gained the initial ability to stand on its own.