"Your chakra attributes are fire, lightning, and earth. Including the Yin Release from your Sharingan, you naturally possess four chakra attributes."
Shenhuo took the chakra test paper and said, "Not bad. These attributes are well-suited for cultivating the techniques of our clan."
"This guy is probably at the level of a Special Grade Sorcerer," Sukuna's voice echoed.
In the mental space, Sukuna had finally secured two hours of external perception per day.
"Just like you."
"Brat... The reason I'm rated as Special Grade is because Special Grade is the highest rank there is!"
"I know. So, how many of your fingers do you think he's equivalent to?" Uchiha Kagami had given Sukuna this chance to roam freely simply to use him as a measuring unit.
Sukuna felt the brat's words were a bit disrespectful... but after all these years, he had somewhat gotten used to it.
"About three fingers. But brat, my current strength can't be described by just twenty fingers anymore. I've already..."
Ignoring Sukuna's following words, Uchiha Kagami turned his attention to Shenhuo.
Shenhuo was no ordinary Three Tomoe user. His strength was among the highest tier, just below the Mangekyō level.
Originally, Uchiha Kagami hated cross-world power comparisons, but now that he was deeply involved, he couldn't help but consider the question.
The current Sukuna could be said to be at his peak, having mastered the Spatial Cleave. So, how would he compare to the Nine-Tails, with its perfect balance of Yin and Yang?
For now, it was unrealistic to find out. Konoha would never allow the Nine-Tails to come into contact with the Uchiha, especially after the painful lessons of the past.
"Fire Release and the Sharingan are the foundations of the Uchiha's strength during the Warring States period. I don't know Lightning Release techniques, but I'll teach you some basic Earth Release later."
"You've already mastered the Great Fireball Technique, so next, I'll teach you…"
"The Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
"The main purpose of the Great Fireball is to obscure the enemy's vision and lock down their position."
"The Great Dragon Fire, on the other hand, is a high-speed flame attack designed to defeat the enemy in one strike. Watch closely."
Shenhuo slowed his movements, glancing out of the corner of his eye to see that Uchiha Kagami had already activated his Sharingan. He nodded slightly to himself.
Good. He didn't need to be reminded to activate his Sharingan to observe the flow of chakra.
Snake—Dragon—Rabbit—Tiger.
After completing the hand seals, a burst of flames, resembling a fire dragon's breath, shot forward at incredible speed and exploded into a massive fireball at the center of the lake!
"This technique works best with the assistance of the Sharingan, as it increases the chances of hitting the enemy."
After a few attempts, Uchiha Kagami formed the hand seals and channeled his chakra.
Boom!!
A high-speed flame erupted, slightly smaller than the previous one, and exploded into a dragon-shaped fire.
"Excellent! As expected of you!"
Even the usually stoic Uchiha Shenhuo couldn't help but smile.
"Then, I'll teach you the next fire technique…"
"Not for now," Uchiha Kagami shook his head. "I still need to master this technique. Haste makes waste. Once I've fully mastered it, I'll move on to the next one."
Shenhuo thought for a moment and smiled. "'Haste makes waste'—that's quite a mature realization for a child like you."
"Precision and refinement are indeed important. Practice on your own, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
"It's just a matter of practice. I can train during the day as well." As he spoke, Uchiha Kagami drew the kodachi Shenhuo had given him—Sode no Shirayuki (Sleeve of White Snow).
"Elder Shenhuo, could you please guide me in swordsmanship?"
In the ninja world, there was no clear distinction between swords and knives. Even those who used blades were said to practice swordsmanship.
"I almost forgot. Compared to Fire Release, your talent in swordsmanship is even more remarkable."
Shenhuo drew the long sword he carried with him and nodded.
"Come on, you can attack whenever you're ready."
Swish!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Uchiha Kagami's small figure darted forward. Sode no Shirayuki left its sheath, and a brilliant flash of blade light gleamed.
Clang!!
Blocking Kagami's strike, Shenhuo commented, "Your speed and timing are good, and your strength is on par with a Chunin in the clan."
"Kagami, you're truly a genius comparable to our ancestors!"
Uchiha Kagami knew exactly who Shenhuo was comparing him to—Uchiha Izuna.
Unfortunately, even Uchiha Izuna is most remembered not for his own achievements, but as Madara's younger brother.
A flash of red light flickered in Uchiha Kagami's eyes.
I don't want to be compared to my ancestors—I want to surpass them!
Sode no Shirayuki thrust forward, aiming straight for Uchiha Shenhuo's throat.
At this moment, Uchiha Kagami was no match for Shenhuo, so he naturally went all out, unleashing deadly techniques one after another.
Uchiha Shenhuo remained calm and composed. With a slight sidestep, he effortlessly dodged the fierce strike, while his long sword swung in a smooth arc toward Kagami's arm.
Kagami twisted his body to block, and with a loud clang, the two blades collided fiercely, sending a shower of sparks flying.
The lakeside training ground was soon filled with the flashes and clashing sounds of blades.
Kagami's attacks grew faster and more intense, but Shenhuo's defense was impenetrable, and he even managed to counterattack a few times.
Just as Shenhuo began to relax slightly, Kagami, who had been holding his sword with both hands, suddenly freed one hand.
His left hand shot toward Shenhuo's face, fingers extended.
Danger!!
Years of combat experience allowed Shenhuo to sense the threat instantly. The three tomoe of his Sharingan flashed in his pupils.
"Release."
Sizzle—
An invisible slash cut through the air. Shenhuo barely managed to dodge at the last moment, narrowly avoiding what would have been a horrifying cut that could have taken off half his face.
However, a clear blood mark still appeared on his cheek, and crimson blood slowly trickled down.
"What... is this?"
It was like an invisible blade, somewhat similar to the Wind Cutter he had encountered before.
But that was an A-rank Wind Release ninjutsu. Where did Kagami learn this?!
Moreover, there was no sound of wind. If it were the Wind Cutter, his Three Tomoe Sharingan's perception would have allowed him to dodge it completely.
After the attack, Uchiha Kagami's stamina was completely drained, and he collapsed to the ground.
This body was still too weak. He estimated that, excluding the chakra consumed by previous ninjutsu, he could only use the "Release" slash three or four times at full strength.
Sukuna's basic ability, when developed to its extreme, became a spatial cleaving slash.
"This is a secret slashing technique I comprehended on my own."
"Hmph, it's just power stolen from me!" Sukuna sneered disdainfully.
A joke. No matter where it came from, the fact is, I'm the one using it now.
After a moment of contemplation, Shenhuo forced a bitter smile. "Kagami, such a dangerous technique, and you didn't even warn me before using it?"
Uchiha Kagami let out an awkward, carefree laugh. "Haha, I believed Elder Shenhuo would definitely be able to handle it!"
"To be honest, if I didn't have the Sharingan, it would have been very difficult to block such an invisible slash."
"I won't ask how you learned this ability, but I suggest you keep it as a hidden trump card and avoid using it recklessly."
"If caught off guard, this technique could instantly kill a Special Jonin!"
Ninjas are notoriously high in offense but low in defense. It's said that even a ninja of Hashirama Senju's caliber could be killed by a kunai.
Sukuna's slashes are like the Kienzan (Destructo Disk)—cutting attacks are extremely effective against the fragile bodies of ninjas.
Excluding the overpowered freaks and those few Mangekyō users, Sukuna absolutely has the strength to slaughter the entire ninja world.
"Elder Shenhuo, my body is too weak. I want to undergo medicinal baths."
Aside from regular training, medicinal baths are an important method for improving physical constitution.
However, the effects are gradual and take at least a few years to show significant results. Even the Uchiha clan can only prepare a limited number of them.
They also have to exchange resources with other clans to obtain the necessary herbs, which is quite troublesome.
Recently, only Fugaku enjoyed such treatment during his youth.
This was also the reason Uchiha Kagami revealed the "Release" technique—to demonstrate his value and encourage Shenhuo to invest more in him.
Even the most loving clan won't endlessly invest in you if they don't see your worth.
After a moment of thought, Shenhuo touched the wound on his cheek.
"Very well. However, the medicinal baths will require at least two years, with no interruptions."
"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?"
Uchiha Kagami smiled. "Having three precious years to train—only a fool would graduate early to work tirelessly for those old geezers."
"...You have a point."