Chapter 6: "Release"
"Your chakra nature affinities are fire, lightning, and earth. Including the Yin Release from your Sharingan, you naturally have four chakra types," Jinhi said, taking the chakra test paper. "Not bad. These attributes are well-suited to learning our clan's techniques."
…
"This guy is about as strong as a special-grade sorcerer," Sukuna's voice echoed in Kagami's mind.
In his mental space, Sukuna had finally gained two hours of perception of the outside world each day.
"Just like you," Kagami replied.
"Kid… I'm only rated special grade because that's the highest level!"
"I know. So, how would you compare him to your fingers?" Kagami only granted Sukuna a view of the outside as a way to measure his strength.
Sukuna felt a bit disrespected by Kagami's remark… but after years of this, he was somewhat used to it.
"Three fingers, maybe. But kid, I'm way beyond just twenty fingers now—I've already…"
Ignoring Sukuna's rambling, Kagami focused on Jinhi.
Jinhi wasn't an ordinary three-tomoe user. He was likely the strongest Uchiha under the Mangekyou level.
Kagami used to hate comparing power across universes, but now, deeply entrenched in it, he had no choice.
Sukuna could now be considered at his peak, capable of spatial slashing. Compared to Kurama, with both Yin and Yang…
That was unrealistic to test. Konoha would never allow a Uchiha near Kurama after past experiences.
"Fire Release and the Sharingan are the foundations of the Uchiha's survival during the Warring States era. I don't know any Lightning Release jutsu, and I'll teach you some simple Earth Release later."
"You've already learned the Great Fireball Technique, so now I'll teach you…"
"The Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
"While the Great Fireball mainly obscures the enemy's vision and locks down their position, the Great Dragon Fire is a high-speed flame attack meant to finish the opponent in one hit. Watch carefully."
Jinhi slowed his movements, glancing at Kagami and noticing that he had already activated his Sharingan. He nodded in approval.
No need to remind him to activate the Sharingan to observe chakra flow. Good.
Serpent—Dragon—Hare—Tiger.
Upon completing the seals, a flame in the shape of a dragon shot forward at high speed, creating a massive explosion in the lake's center.
"It's best to use this technique with the Sharingan, as it increases the chance of hitting the enemy."
After a few attempts, Kagami performed the seals and gathered his chakra.
Boom!
A rapid flame shot out, creating a dragon fire slightly smaller than Jinhi's but still impressive.
"Excellent! That's the spirit!"
Even the usually stern Jinhi couldn't help but smile.
"I'll teach you the next Fire technique…"
"No need for now," Kagami shook his head. "I still need to practice this one. Rushing won't get me anywhere. Once I've fully mastered this, I'll learn the next."
Jinhi thought for a moment and laughed. "Patience, not something you'd expect from someone your age."
"Practice is indeed important. Go on and practice, and if you have questions, ask me."
"It's just a matter of getting familiar. I can practice it during the day, too." Kagami then pulled out the short sword Jinhi had given him, Shirayuki.
"Elder Jinhi, may I ask you to guide me in swordsmanship?"
In the ninja world, there was no clear distinction between swords and blades. Even if one used a blade, it was referred to as swordsmanship.
"Almost forgot. Your swordsmanship talent surpasses even your Fire Release skills."
Jinhi took out his long sword and nodded.
"Go ahead; you can attack whenever you're ready."
Swish!
The moment he spoke, Kagami lunged forward, drawing Shirayuki in a flash of cold light.
Clang!
Blocking Kagami's strike, Jinhi commented, "Your speed and timing are good, and your strength is comparable to the chunin in our clan."
"Kagami, you're truly a genius, comparable to our ancestors!"
Kagami knew who Jinhi was comparing him to—Uchiha Izuna.
But Izuna's most memorable identity was merely being Madara's brother.
Kagami's Sharingan flashed red.
I don't want to just match my ancestors; I'm going to surpass them!
With a thrust, Kagami aimed Shirayuki straight at Jinhi's throat.
Though Kagami was no match for Jinhi, he fought with full effort, using one lethal strike after another.
Jinhi remained calm, sidestepping to avoid the fierce blow. With a smooth counter, he swung his long sword toward Kagami's arm.
Kagami turned to block, their blades clashing with a loud clang and sparks flying.
The training ground by the lake was filled with constant flashes of steel.
Kagami's attacks grew faster, while Jinhi defended seamlessly, occasionally countering.
Just as Jinhi began to relax, Kagami, who had been holding the sword with both hands, suddenly freed one hand.
He aimed his left hand at Jinhi's face, fingers extended.
Not good!
Years of battle experience told Jinhi he was in danger. His eyes flashed with the three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Release."
Shing—
An invisible slash swept past, and Jinhi narrowly avoided a terrifying cut that could have taken half his face.
But a clear line of blood appeared on his face, crimson droplets trickling down.
…
"What… was that?"
It was an invisible blade, almost like a wind blade he'd encountered before.
But that was an A-rank Wind Release jutsu. Where had Kagami learned it?
And there was no sound of wind. If it were a wind blade, the three-tomoe Sharingan could have easily avoided it.
After the attack, Kagami was exhausted and collapsed on the ground.
His body was still too weak. Without accounting for his previous jutsu, he estimated he could only perform three to four "Release" slashes with full effort.
Sukuna's basic ability, when pushed to its limits, involved slashes that could cut through space itself.
"This is my secret technique slash that I developed."
"Hmph, it's just stolen from my power!" Sukuna scoffed.
Sure, but the point is, I'm the one using it.
After a moment's thought, Jinhi sighed, "Kagami, using such a dangerous jutsu without warning me?"
Kagami laughed sheepishly. "I trusted that Elder Jinhi could handle it!"
"Honestly, if I didn't have the Sharingan, stopping this invisible slash would be extremely difficult."
"I won't ask how you learned this ability, but I suggest you keep it as a hidden trump card. Don't use it lightly."
"This jutsu, if unexpected, could kill even an elite jonin!"
Ninjas are notorious for high offense and low defense. Even a kunai could kill a top-tier ninja like Hashirama Senju.
Sukuna's slash was like a Kienzan—a slicing attack highly effective against physically vulnerable ninjas.
Barring the exceptional and a few Mangekyou users, Sukuna could likely wipe out the entire ninja world.
"Elder Jinhi, my body is too weak. I'd like to undergo medicinal baths."
Alongside regular training, medicinal baths were essential for improving physical fitness.
However, such treatments took years to show significant effects, and even the Uchiha had limited resources for them.
They had to exchange with other clans for medicinal herbs, a tedious process.
The most recent person to undergo such treatment was Fugaku when he was young.
This was also why Kagami revealed "Release."
By demonstrating his value, he could prompt Jinhi to invest more in him.
Even in a close-knit clan, they wouldn't invest limitlessly without seeing one's value.
Jinhi pondered, touching the cut on his face.
"Fine. But the medicinal bath will take at least two years, and you'll need it daily without interruption."
"This means you won't be able to graduate early or take on missions."
…
"Huh? When did I ever say I wanted to graduate early?"
Kagami laughed, "Having three years of valuable training time—only a fool would waste it working for those old geezers."
"…You're right."
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