"Then, please, Father," said Itachi as he swiftly pulled eight shuriken from his pouch and hurled them toward Yoichi.
Itachi knew from the start that the difference in strength between him and Yoichi was vast. No matter how much stronger he got, even if his strength increased tenfold, he couldn't match Yoichi. That's why he decided to give it his all right from the beginning.
The shuriken collided mid-air, altering their trajectory.
An inattentive genin would likely be caught off guard by the strange flight pattern of the shuriken.
But for Yoichi, this was child's play. He wasn't here to determine who was stronger; he simply wanted to assess Itachi's current abilities.
Yoichi clearly sensed the flight paths of the four redirected shuriken as they blocked off the front, back, left, and right. With one finger, he effortlessly caught a shuriken by its hole, then calmly remarked:
"Well done. Any genin without defensive techniques wouldn't stand a chance against you."
Just this one move—expertly manipulating the shuriken—would be more than most genin could handle. Without the Sharingan or excellent dynamic vision, most shinobi wouldn't even be able to track the shuriken's movements.
After throwing the shuriken, Itachi didn't pause. He immediately tossed a smoke bomb to the ground.
Bang!
Smoke filled the air, obscuring vision. Itachi planned to use this moment to retreat.
Bang, bang, bang!
Several fireballs shot out from the smoke, aimed at Yoichi. At a glance, Yoichi recognized this as the Phoenix Flower Jutsu, a challenging Fire Style technique from their clan.
The fireballs' trajectory was cleverly controlled with shuriken, increasing both their speed and power while launching from tricky angles.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Simultaneously, Itachi appeared at Yoichi's side, quickly forming hand seals and unleashing a large fireball from his mouth toward him.
After throwing the smoke bomb, Itachi had used a shadow clone to hide in the smoke. The clone unleashed the Phoenix Flower Jutsu to distract Yoichi while the real Itachi prepared the Great Fireball Jutsu to block any escape.
Itachi even had three kunai ready in his hand, poised for a final strike.
Yoichi quickly understood Itachi's tactics. He now had a good grasp of Itachi's abilities.
He had used two B-rank jutsu and one C-rank jutsu. Itachi's mastery of the clan's Fire Style techniques was excellent, and his shuriken throwing was top-notch. Although they hadn't tested genjutsu, once an Uchiha awakens the Sharingan, they become natural masters of genjutsu.
The saying, "Never face an Uchiha alone," wasn't Uchiha boasting—it was a hard-earned lesson from countless ninja who had lost their lives underestimating them.
Clap!
Yoichi suddenly appeared beside Itachi, grabbing his arm and saying, "That's enough, Itachi. I've seen enough to gauge your abilities."
On the other side, a wave of water appeared around Yoichi's clone, extinguishing both Fire Style jutsu before quickly vanishing into the ground.
Itachi was stunned. His gaze had been fixed on Yoichi the entire time, even while using his jutsu, yet he hadn't noticed Yoichi's clone using any techniques.
"I see you already have the two-tomoe Sharingan. No wonder you're so eager for power."
Yoichi noticed the tomoe in Itachi's eyes, which confirmed his suspicion. Without changing his expression, he released Itachi's arm and continued:
"Your mastery of ninjutsu and ninja tools is excellent, and you've learned the Six Forms of taijutsu. From here on, focus on honing Armament Haki and Observation Haki. Taijutsu isn't your weak point, and with the Sharingan, genjutsu will naturally come to you. Your strength already rivals that of a chūnin, and once you graduate, you might even reach jōnin level. So why are you so desperate for power?"
"You're about as skilled as Kakashi was at your age, and he didn't have the environment you do. He was already out killing on the battlefield when he was six or seven, fighting alongside me."
Itachi lowered his head, thinking for a moment before lifting it and asking, "Father, may I learn forbidden techniques?"
"Forbidden techniques?"
Yoichi's eyes flickered for a moment before he smiled. "Who put this idea in your head? But fine, let me explain what forbidden techniques are."
As Yoichi and Itachi talked, Sasuke, Karin, Haku, and Kimimaro gathered around. Sasuke ran up to Itachi and clung to his leg, exclaiming, "Nii-san is amazing! Father is amazing too!"
Karin jumped onto Yoichi, claiming her usual spot on his back. Sasuke had once tried to climb onto Yoichi's back as well, but Karin had quickly pulled him off and given him a good sparring session.
"You all can listen too. Sasuke and Karin will be starting their training soon, so I'll explain forbidden techniques to everyone."
With his two disciples and three children gathered around, Yoichi sat down and began, "As the name suggests, forbidden techniques are ninjutsu that are forbidden. They meet two key criteria: first, they are either too difficult for the average ninja to master or carry a heavy price for their use. That's why forbidden techniques are often incredibly powerful.
"Second, using forbidden techniques goes against the ninja code. For instance, Edo Tensei requires a living sacrifice to bring back the dead, and the resurrection isn't even permanent."
Yoichi went on to explain much more about forbidden techniques. Among the five, Sasuke was the most confused, but seeing that Karin was listening attentively, he pretended to pay close attention as well.
He didn't understand much, but it wasn't entirely his fault. Sasuke hadn't yet learned all the basics of being a ninja, whereas Karin, being a year older, had already started studying ninjutsu.
"Summoning Jutsu."
Yoichi then performed the Summoning Jutsu, but instead of a summoned creature, two scrolls appeared in front of him.
"Itachi, you wanted to learn forbidden techniques, didn't you? One of these scrolls is Konoha's Scroll of Seals, containing forbidden techniques collected by the village over the years. The other is a collection I've compiled, which includes Uchiha techniques, but most are my own forbidden techniques. Take a look."
Yoichi paused before adding, "However, these scrolls only contain the names and effects of the techniques. The actual training methods are sealed. If you want to train in them, I can unlock them for you, but only if you're suitable. Otherwise, you won't be able to."
"Can I look too, Father?"
"What kind of question is that? Do you think I'd play favorites?"
Yoichi smiled as he spread the scrolls out for them. Karin, who could no longer contain her excitement, immediately chimed in, "Itachi-niisan, you look at the village scroll, and I'll take Father's scroll. We can switch after."
Itachi smiled back at Karin, feeling touched, and began reading the Scroll of Seals. The scroll was as tall as half a person, so Haku and Kimimaro shuffled aside to give him room and followed along.
Flying Thunder God Jutsu, Eight Gates Jutsu, Edo Tensei, Dead Demon Consuming Seal...
One forbidden technique after another appeared before Itachi's eyes. Each had a description beneath it, such as the fact that opening all Eight Gates would result in certain death, or that the Dead Demon Consuming Seal involved trading one's soul with the Shinigami.
Each technique was either incredibly difficult to master or required a life-threatening price to use. Just from reading about them, Itachi quickly decided not to pursue them; he was well aware of his own limitations and didn't want to use techniques that didn't suit him.
For instance, in terms of Water Style and Earth Style, Itachi had only learned Water Formation Wall and Earth Release: Hiding in Head Technique.
After Itachi finished reading, Karin frowned and complained, "Father, your forbidden techniques are so hard!"
"Haha, you still want to train in them? Trust me, even in the entire shinobi world, there are very few people suited for my techniques. But once you've mastered Armament Haki, you'll have a good chance."
Yoichi laughed, which made Itachi even more curious. He moved over to Karin's side to see what the scroll contained.
The first thing that caught his eye was Izanagi, a forbidden Uchiha technique that allowed the user to alter reality at the cost of losing the light in one eye.
Next were other techniques: Five Hearts Technique, Mental Master Technique, World-Ending Execution, World-Ending Strength, and Lightning Flash.
The sheer number of forbidden techniques made Itachi's head spin, and unlike the Scroll of Seals, Yoichi's scroll included detailed training methods.
"Father, why aren't these techniques sealed?"
"No need for that. These are my personal techniques, not the village's. Besides, as you can see, the training methods are incredibly strict. If you want to try learning one, feel free, but don't attempt any S-rank techniques. Those are deadly."
Yoichi explained that his techniques weren't easy to master. Without multiple strong genetic abilities, these techniques were even harder to train in than Sage Mode, meaning most wouldn't even be able to start.
However, Itachi had the potential to train in them, and Yoichi thought he might be able to give it a try.
"Thank you, Father!"
Itachi said this with genuine sincerity, the doubts in his heart completely gone. He could tell that Yoichi had not hidden anything from him, and as for the Mangekyō Sharingan, it was probably just a misunderstanding by the other father.
Konoha had become such a peaceful and prosperous place. People were eager to become citizens of the village. Itachi had seen all of this for himself. Shisui had even returned recently, and Itachi often trained with him.
Shisui's admiration for Yoichi was genuine, and he often spoke of how only the Fifth Hokage could bring peace and stability to the shinobi world.
The village had developed into such a peaceful place, and Itachi liked this environment.
"I like this village just the way it is!" Itachi thought to himself, thinking about his siblings and how much he wanted to protect them.
"Father, is this forbidden technique really that powerful?"
Sasuke pointed to Lightning Flash, the only technique marked with three S-rank indicators, and it came with a lot of prerequisites for training.
"Of course. Do you want to see it?"
As soon as Yoichi said this, Karin immediately hugged his neck and said, "I want to see it! Show us, Father!"
"Well… alright, but I can't do it here in the village. One punch could wipe out all of Konoha. Let's go outside."
After saying that, Yoichi had them all hold hands, and he used the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to bring the five kids to the coast of the Land of Fire.
Just a bit farther out was Turtle Island. Practicing over the ocean wouldn't hurt anyone—at worst, a few fish might die.
Yoichi created a clone and said to them, "Stay close to my clone. It will protect you; otherwise, you won't even be able to stay on your feet."
The clone formed a small Four Red Yang Formation to keep Sasuke, Karin, and the others safely inside.
Since reaching the level of the Sage of Six Paths, Yoichi hadn't had the chance to show his full power. He hadn't fought anyone since the war ended. It had been so long that he felt like he was getting rusty.
Second Level of Thunder Annihilation Mode.
Boom!
Violent chakra and lightning chakra erupted, sending shockwaves strong enough to shatter the nearby ground.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three consecutive loud bangs reverberated as the ground under Yoichi's feet caved in, forming spherical craters, each deeper than the last. The final impact created a pit tens of meters deep, blasted out by the sheer force of his aura.
The lightning surging from Yoichi's body crackled as it struck the ground, leaving charred scars across the earth.
The clone reminded the children, "Watch closely; this only lasts for an instant."
Whoosh!
In a flash of lightning, Yoichi's figure vanished, and a moment later, a massive explosion resounded from the coastline.
The force of Yoichi's punch caused the seafloor to rise, revealing it, and the immense shockwaves cracked the seabed, creating a gigantic fissure.
Two towering tsunamis, each several dozen meters high, roared toward the shore, engulfing everything in their path. The only thing left untouched was the barrier created by Yoichi's clone, which kept the children safe, though their surroundings now resembled a high cliff, as the ground around them had been blasted away.
Even the distant sea erupted in explosions, sending shockwaves that dispersed the clouds in the sky. Despite it being dusk, the bright flashes were clearly visible.
Yoichi flew up and surveyed the area. Seeing no nearby islands, he knew the tsunamis would calm down after traveling a few dozen kilometers, so there was nothing to worry about.
Once everything settled, Yoichi returned to his children and disciples. Even Kimimaro, usually the calmest, stood there with wide, blank eyes, staring at the distant ocean.
Yoichi snapped his fingers, snapping them out of their daze, and said with a smile, "Alright, you've seen enough.
Let's head back. Don't get too excited, though. Each of you can reach my level one day—just keep working hard!"
(End of Chapter)
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