A New Uchiha

At that moment, Madara tapped the tabletop.

"The source of taijutsu's power is Physical Energy, while the source of illusion techniques is Mental Energy. But whether it's taijutsu or illusion techniques, neither can do without Chakra. You should understand that deeply by now, right?"

Shin'yu understood. Ninjutsu, taijutsu, and illusion techniques were fundamentally different systems of power and could not be lumped together.

In the Original Timeline, why had Kisame's Great Shark Bullet Technique, which specialized in absorbing Chakra, lost to Might Guy's Seventh Gate of Wonder, the "Morning Peacock"? That was the reason.

Madara took a sip of tea. "As for that Eight Gates Release Formation, it is an extremely powerful taijutsu secret art. The stronger your physique, the greater its power. But it requires years of relentless training."

Shin'yu nodded. Naturally, he understood that.

The prerequisite for training in the Eight Gates Release Formation was building up one's strength, tempering one's muscles and bones, and undergoing extraordinary, overloaded, limit-breaking training over long periods of time.

Only then could every part of the body be trained, allowing the muscles, bones, flesh, blood, and organs to adapt to the burden endured after opening the gates, minimizing the damage that immense energy would inflict on the body.

The food was served, and the two began eating.

Only when the tea had gradually gone cold did a staggering figure emerge from the End of Vision.

Uchiha Hikari had actually followed them all the way.

Her breathing was slightly labored, and an unhealthy flush had appeared on her pale face. She looked like someone recovering from a serious illness and was clearly close to her limit.

Supporting herself against the doorframe, she entered the shop and weakly made her way over.

"Where did this beggar come from?"

The moment he saw her, the Shop Assistant revealed an impatient look.

Her tattered clothes, messy Long Hair, and especially her bare feet—anyone would associate her with the word "beggar."

"Go, go, go! There's no food for you here. What bad luck. If the boss sees you, he'll dock my pay again!" he snapped, driving her away without a shred of politeness.

Madara raised his eyes and was just about to stand when Shin'yu, who had been reading the room for some time, rose before him.

"She's with us." Shin'yu pressed a hand on the Shop Assistant's shoulder, revealing a harmless smile.

And so, Uchiha Hikari took a seat at the table as well. She stared fixedly at Madara, her almond-shaped eyes shining with anticipation as she occasionally glanced at the food on the table.

"Growl..."

Her stomach protested.

"Eat." Madara spoke indifferently.

She immediately began wolfing down food, grabbing sushi with her left hand and a chicken leg with her right, stuffing them into her mouth like a whirlwind as bowls and chopsticks clattered noisily.

Her manner of eating made the surrounding diners frown slightly, and they all picked up their stools and moved farther away.

Poor kid. How long had she been starving?

Shin'yu sighed and pushed the tea toward her. Uchiha Hikari did not hesitate either, picking up the teapot and pouring it straight into her mouth.

"Gulp, gulp..."

"Have you decided to travel with us?" Madara asked softly, lifting his teacup.

Uchiha Hikari paused. Her cheeks were stuffed full, but she nodded heavily before continuing to devour her food.

"That easily!??"

Shin'yu looked impressed, an absurd thought spinning through his mind. Sure enough, a handsome, aloof older man is always the ultimate weapon for winning over little girls...

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Uchiha Madara stood up, his gaze landing directly on Shin'yu.

Shin'yu felt his skin crawl under that stare.

"Did you bring money?" Lord Madara's deep voice reached him.

Shin'yu swallowed, suddenly realizing something. "Uh, Lord Madara doesn't have any money on him?"

"You're the one who dragged me in here. I never intended to come here to eat and drink."

The surrounding diners all turned to look at them. Feeling awkward, Shin'yu raised his head and asked in a low voice, "Um, do we still have to... pay for our meal?"

"Do I look like some street thug?" Madara tilted his head and gave him a strange look.

Uchiha Hikari wiped her mouth and looked over curiously. Her bright eyes blinked as she tilted her head as well.

"Well..." Shin'yu looked at the two people, whose faces and hairstyles were strikingly similar, and several Black Lines slid down his forehead.

"Lord Madara, may I ask something?"

"Speak."

"You two... don't happen to be related by blood, do you?"

"Of course not. Why would you ask that?" Madara frowned.

"It's because you look way too alike!" Shin'yu gestured in Mid-air. "That hairstyle, that demeanor, and... those clothes. Even your fashion sense is almost the same!"

"Do we?" At his words, one large and one small pair of eyes looked eagerly at him, their gazes mixed with a trace of confusion.

"Absolutely!" Shin'yu nodded fiercely.

"Just a coincidence." Madara said nonchalantly, "Oh, right. Find time to get her a new set of clothes. She's drawing too much attention like this."

"One more thing. Remember to settle the bill."

"From today onward, the three of us are the new Uchiha Clan." Madara looked at the two children before him and declared.

"Where are we going next?" Uchiha Hikari asked softly.

Madara looked up at the sky, his expression unfathomable. "To the ends of the earth, across the world."

Clutching his shriveled wallet, Shin'yu looked up at the sky with a melancholy expression.

Two days later, within the Land of Waterfall.

Boom!

Two enormous arms collided fiercely, sending gusts of wind sweeping outward.

One was deep blue like the sea, the other Pitch Black like ink. Their profound and violent power was unleashed without restraint, as though it would destroy everything.

Madara and Shin'yu faced each other from afar, their two massive Susanoo locked in a standoff. Both had opened the first stage. Broken wood lay scattered everywhere, and the earth was gouged with ravines, leaving the area in utter ruin.

"Not bad. Your speed truly is impressive." Madara crossed his arms and controlled his Susanoo as it threw a punch. "When I was your age, I couldn't do this."

Bang!

The black Susanoo raised an arm and blocked the heavy blow. Wild winds howled as Black Qi spread forth, swiftly forming a second pair of arms that coiled around Madara's Susanoo and held it firmly in place.

Rather than looking pleased by the praise, Shin'yu's expression became solemn. His confrontation with Madara left him unable to divide his attention, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead.

"You flatter me. I still have much to learn, Lord Madara."

Within the lush Dense Forest stood a massive waterfall. Rushing river water cascaded down from the cliff into the downstream riverbed, spreading into a curtain of water and sending countless droplets flying.

Beneath the waterfall, a small figure soaked naked in the pool.

A brand-new set of clothes was neatly piled on the shore.

The river water was cool as it flowed inch by inch over her snow-white body. Beneath the dappled shadows of the trees, her skin was smooth and delicate, glowing with the luster of warm jade.

Uchiha Hikari raised her slender wrist and scooped up a handful of water, pouring it over her head. Feeling the refreshing coolness seep into her scalp, she let out a satisfied breath.

After being sealed away for so many years, even she despised that heavy, unshakable stench of earth. Today, she had finally washed it all away.

Boom, boom, boom...

Dull impacts sounded from beyond the pool from time to time, and Hikari felt as though her heart trembled along with them.

She did not pay much attention to it. After two days together, she had already grown accustomed to the way she interacted with her new Companions.

Those two were fighting almost every day. Calling it a fight was not quite right—it was more like sparring practice. The man controlled the force of his attacks, training the Youth and allowing him to improve continuously.

"That technique is called... Susanoo?"

She tilted her head. Her beautiful eyes shone with curiosity, carrying a faint hint of eagerness to try it herself.

"Splaaash—"

She cupped the Crystal Clear pool water in her hands and watched it flow through the gaps between her fingers. The cool sensation crept inch by inch across her skin. Under the dappled sunlight, her Lotus Root Arms were slender and jade-like.

"A new life... has begun."