survival practice
"Cultivation is cultivation, why do we have to eat and live together? I only come back one day a week, and I have to go see my older brother. This Ming is unreliable. I've known how to hold a kunai since I was a child and even slept with it under my pillow.
I heard Sister Qingzi say he even held a kunai on his wedding night! Can you believe that's what some people do?
Crazy! Why don't you change the instructor? I think his uncle is better. Don't worry, my brother-in-law will make sure the kid doesn't suffer." Xiao Yangminger, let's not go. I'll tell your uncle later.
Uchiha Yang's mother pampered his head, glaring fiercely at the talkative, handsome uncle.
"Don't joke around. The whole clan knows what's going on. You don't even know that?
Ming is one of the top shinobi in the clan. The First Elder and the Third Elder's families haven't said anything about it, so stop complaining. If it doesn't work, I'll make an old face and let him have an extra rest day." The handsome uncle looked helpless.
"A master of nothing, he's been beaten by his wife since he was a kid. Sister Qingzi has been at home for the past few years, and he's still a grown man! No, I'm going to complain to him!" After finishing her words, she stood up, ready to leave.
"Mom, don't. Teacher Ming said that in about half a month, normal training will resume, and his cultivation method is very effective. Don't worry, I'll come home to accompany you as soon as I finish."
After Uchiha Yang and the handsome uncle's persuasion, Yang's mother temporarily suppressed her anger, and the family had dinner together happily.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"You're all here, let's begin! The next part of your training is to survive in the wild for half a month in the forest behind us. You can only bring three shurikens, two military food pills, and one explosive tag."
After this training, we'll resume regular practice, and I'll give targeted reinforcement training based on your performance. Let's go, kids!" Uchiha Mei, with a kind expression, spoke in a deceptively calm manner.
The three of them exchanged glances, steeled themselves, and entered the forest. They found a cave by a stream and fought off a bear inside.
Yan began preparing food, Lie set traps around the cave, and Yang went to fetch water from the stream. A peaceful scene, but Mei was secretly plotting, "The kid really thinks this is a game. He'll learn soon enough."
As night fell, the three extinguished their torches and took turns standing watch. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, Lie's trap went off, waking Yang and the others.
A wolf howled in the distance, and they knew what was coming next—the pack of wolves was closing in.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" "Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!" "Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
The three of them launched their jutsus together. Lie used the Fireball Jutsu to ignite the traps above the cave, Yan built an earth wall to the left, and Uchiha Yang released the Phoenix Fire Jutsu to the front and right.
Then the hand-to-hand combat started, and the fierce battle lasted until dawn. The three of them were covered in bruises and cuts.
"I really didn't expect the first night to be this difficult," Yan panted.
"Yeah, and it's only the beginning…" Yang replied weakly.
. . . . . . . . .
On the first day, they faced wolves; on the second, ninja bees and wild boars; and on the third, a series of deadly traps. At the end of each ambush, all their supplies were stolen, leaving them with only three shurikens each. They trained like this for 15 days.
When they emerged from the forest, the three felt like they had been through a lifetime of struggles. They had never faced such a perilous existence before—traps everywhere, constantly at risk of attack, with no one to help them.
"Rest for three days, then we meet again at the usual spot," Uchiha Mei said before disappearing in an instant.
"Let's go home, brother."
"It feels so unreal."
"I have to hurry home. My mom's probably gone crazy. Look at me; I won't be able to make it past uncle at the door."
The three of them laughed and walked toward the Uchiha clan together.
A special training like this can unite a team more than a bell test, a fire will of determination, or even a big feast.
After they left, Ming appeared from the shadows of the forest, accompanied by seven ninjas wearing Uchiha clan symbols.
"Three waves, nine people. Three high-ranking ninjas, six low-ranking, six Root agents, and the rest are ANBU. Once the ANBU saw us, they withdrew, but after the Root agents were wiped out, they watched us from a distance." One of the Uchiha ninjas reported.
"The village really values this, huh? Danzo's always been obsessed with the Uchiha clan!" Another remarked.
"I think the Third Hokage still holds the Uchiha clan in high regard. It's rare to see him take such an interest," a third ninja teased.
"I'm exhausted. I have to go home or that kid won't see me when he returns." The handsome uncle sighed as he walked away.
"Ieyasu still has high hopes for those higher-ups, doesn't he? It's pretty clear what's going on." An Uchiha carrying two swords on his back remarked.
"Lord Nobunaga sent Ieyasu out in person just to show him how the village views the Uchiha clan's talents, so he'll give up," said another Uchiha as he looked after Ieyasu's retreating figure.
"Alright, let's go back. Want a drink?"
"Your treat? Sure, let's go. You're generous once in a while!"
"Hey, I'm feeling a bit homesick too. Let's go home then."
The group dispersed in twos and threes, vanishing into the forest.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Back already? You look like you've been through a battle. Did you accept the coming-of-age gift Hokage-sama gave his son?" Uchiha Polan said calmly as she gazed at her husband.
"It's not what you think. It's just that Danzo is being cautious, and ANBU seems to have only been monitoring us," Ieyasu defended.
"Oh, I see. Concerned much? You even brought a few bodyguards with you. It's almost like the people from Danzo are treating the Uchiha training ground as a picnic spot." Polan got up and walked out the door.
"Where are you going?"
Ieyasu looked confused as he watched his wife leave.
Turning her back to her husband, Polan activated her Sharingan and said, "I'm meeting a few friends to buy some vegetables and have a drink. The kid has grown up, so I'll let him have a drink today." She quickly walked out.
"What? I didn't even know how to prepare for this…" Ieyasu mumbled, realizing too late.
Listening to her husband's complaints, Polan slammed the door shut, muttering a curse under her breath.
"Why is she so slow?" A beautiful woman in a combat uniform complained.
"Where are my clothes? Is everyone ready?"
"They've been packed. Toona and Sora are ready," another dark-faced woman replied.
"Good. Get the vegetables for me in ten minutes and leave them at Keiko's house. I'll pick them up on the way back." Polan quickly changed into military gear.
Ten minutes later, "My son's back! Mom misses you so much. Look how thin you've become. I bought you lots of food. It'll be ready soon. Wait a moment." Polan entered the room, grumbling about the vegetable market prices.
Uchiha Yang looked at his mother's back, deep in thought. There was a distinct scent of blood in the air—not the smell of vegetables from the market, but the unmistakable scent of human blood.