With constant practice, Yechen felt as though he had opened his Ren and Du Meridians. In his hands, the shuriken became dazzling flowers of sharp steel.
At a mere thought, he flicked his hand, sending several shuriken flying at different angles to strike different bull's-eyes.
Watching from the side, Sugiki Keitai nodded. At first, he had wondered why Yechen was so off his game today, and whether he still hadn't recovered from that incident. His performance now put him considerably more at ease.
At least the boy still had his head in the game.
He suspected nothing, either. Anyone would feel dejected after going through something like that, let alone Yechen, who wasn't even ten.
Time passed, and Yechen became completely absorbed in his practice. He even forgot all about keeping a low profile, making him particularly impressive today. Some classmates who normally looked down on him began to regard him more highly.
But to the students from prominent clans, Yechen was still the same worthless dead last. No matter how well he handled a kunai, it meant nothing. What mattered most for a ninja was ninjutsu.
Most ninja thought that way, but Yechen disagreed. Once your strength reached a certain level, even a kunai could cleave mountains and shatter stone.
So he refused to waste this opportunity and practiced furiously. Throwing weapons was already an Uchiha Clan specialty, so no one would question his talent in that area.
By the time school ended, several wounds had opened on Yechen's hands, and bright red blood dripped from them. Yet he remained excited.
Only by constantly growing stronger could he gain a little sense of security.
On his way home, he reflected on how his kunai throwing had gone that day.
Once home, Yechen ate a quick meal and began another day's training.
The Clone Technique was essential, as were the Substitution Technique and the Transformation Technique.
The Substitution Technique allowed the user to switch places with a nearby object at the instant an attack landed, avoiding injury. It was a lifesaving skill at critical moments.
The Transformation Technique allowed the user to change their appearance and physical form through hand seals, providing a disguise.
These two skills were especially important as well. With his Clone Technique at level 4, he couldn't let the other two fall behind.
Only late that night, after raising both the Substitution Technique and the Transformation Technique to level 3, did Yechen fall into a deep sleep.
When he woke, another day began.
School, training, and the cycle repeated.
Half a month passed just like that.
Yechen's strength had also grown.
System panel: Host: Uchiha Ye Chen Combat power: 2.2 Cultivation method: Primordial Chaos Devouring Heaven Technique Strength: 3 Constitution: 7 Spirit: 12 Energy: 120 Bloodlines: Sharingan (inactive), Byakugan (inactive) Talent: Energy Conversion Skills: Three Body Technique (level 6) Evolution points: 0
With a combat power of 2.2, Yechen was now a fully qualified Genin.
Combined with his level 6 Three Body Technique, his strength was already on par with that of mid-level Genin.
Today, Yechen had just returned home and was about to eat something before starting his training when a knock came at the door.
He was puzzled. He had been in this world for over a month, and no one had ever come to visit him.
The only people he normally interacted with were his teacher and classmates. Who would come looking for him at this hour?
Though he didn't know who it was, he still got up to answer the door.
As for danger, that was unlikely. This was deep within Uchiha territory. Although he wasn't well liked, he was still a member of the Uchiha Clan. If someone tried to target him, the clan wouldn't ignore it, if only for the sake of its reputation.
He opened the door to find an Uchiha clansman dressed in a Jonin's uniform.
Upon seeing Yechen, the visitor spoke indifferently.
"Uchiha Ye Chen."
Yechen nodded. "That's me. And you are...?"
Yechen had no recollection of this man in his memories.
"I'm Uchiha Zhiye. I came today to give you the survivor's compensation issued by the village."
At those words, Yechen was instantly drawn into his predecessor's memories, and a trace of sorrow appeared on his face.
Seeing this, Uchiha Zhiye suspected nothing and continued.
"In addition, you can collect 100 silver coins from the clan every month until you graduate from school."
With that, he handed over an envelope.
"Thank you," Yechen said, while inwardly cursing. Motherfucker.
He was about to graduate. What good was this supposed monthly allowance?
But he couldn't let it show. In the eyes of the Uchiha leadership, a clansman without the Sharingan was worthless and could be sacrificed at any moment.
He forced a look of delight, thanked the man, and returned inside.
The instant he closed the door, the delight vanished from Yechen's face, replaced by cold indifference.
He had little attachment to the Uchiha Clan. He stayed only because it gave him a place to live. Once he had the strength to protect himself, he would definitely escape.
A large clan was too chaotic and unsuited to his growth. Besides, the Uchiha Clan faced annihilation. Why get dragged into that mess?
Looking at the envelope in his hand, Yechen sighed, put it in a drawer, and abandoned any lingering hopes.
Over the following days, Yechen threw himself back into rigorous training. During the day, he sparred with others at school to gain combat experience. At night, he practiced the Three Body Technique.
As he constantly depleted his energy and cultivated his technique, his combat power also rose little by little.
The day he would unlock the Sharingan drew steadily closer. Yechen eagerly anticipated what changes activating it would bring him.
Elsewhere.
Deep within Uchiha territory.
At an elder's residence.
Knock, knock, knock!
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," an aged voice called from inside.
Uchiha Zhiye pushed the door open, entered, and bowed respectfully.
"Third Elder."
"Oh... Zhiye. What is it?" the Third Elder asked gently.
"Third Elder, this is the investigation report on Uchiha Ye Chen."
Uchiha Zhiye handed over a document.
A sharp glint flashed in the Third Elder's eyes. "Well? Has he awakened the Sharingan?"
"No."
At that, the Third Elder immediately lost interest in reading the report. A clansman who hadn't awakened the Sharingan wasn't worth his attention.
"But..." Uchiha Zhiye said solemnly.
"Yechen's physical abilities have already reached the Genin level, and his chakra seems exceptionally abundant, far greater than an ordinary Genin's. Should we continue observing him?"
"Is that all...?" The Third Elder waved a hand.
"No need. A boy who hasn't awakened the Sharingan isn't worth the effort. You may leave."
The Third Elder paid no mind to his abundant chakra. What mattered to the Uchiha was whether someone had awakened the Sharingan.
Today had also been their final attempt to test Yechen. They had used the matter of the compensation to provoke him into awakening, but in the end, the Third Elder was disappointed.
Since he couldn't awaken the Sharingan, he was no longer worth watching.
Another three days of Yechen's life passed quietly.
That day, just before school ended, Sugiki Keitai called out.
"Class, I have an announcement. The village has decided that your annual assessment, scheduled for seven days from now, will become your graduation assessment.
"At that time, those who pass will be granted the rank of Konoha Genin and become true ninja."
Although he had anticipated this, hearing the news still left Yechen feeling a sense of urgency. He didn't have much time left.