Chapter 5: Reaching the Elite Chunin Level
Days passed, and discussions about Uchiha Akira gradually subsided. Although some still harbored doubts, most had accepted the fact of his "awakening and counterattack." After all, in the history of the Uchiha Clan, while not numerous, there were instances of individuals suddenly activating their Sharingan and greatly increasing their strength due to some stimulation.
Akira used this time to frantically absorb knowledge about the Ninja School from the original owner's memories, while also continuously honing his Chakra and ocular power. Just being a newly advanced Chunin was far from enough.
"System, check the status promotion rewards," Akira silently thought.
[Host: Uchiha Akira]
[Clan Status: Ordinary Genin]
[Next Stage Status: Konoha Police Force Member (Apprentice/Official)]
[Promotion Reward (Guard Team Member): Fire Release Ninjutsu complete mastery, Chakra volume and physical fitness upgraded to Elite Chunin level.]
Looking at the promotion rewards displayed on the system panel, Akira's breathing quickened slightly. Fire Release Ninjutsu complete mastery! Elite Chunin level Chakra volume and physical fitness! This reward was simply a godsend.
The Uchiha Clan was renowned in the Ninja World for its Fire Release Ninjutsu; if he could cultivate Fire Release to its peak, his combat power would undergo a qualitative leap. The strength of an Elite Chunin was enough for him to gain a firm foothold in the Guard Team and even become one of its top members.
"How can I join the Guard Team as soon as possible?" Akira fell into deep thought. According to the Uchiha Clan's rules, after graduating from the Ninja School, clan members could choose to join the Guard Team or become ordinary Ninja of Konoha and undertake missions.
The original owner, due to his poor strength, had never considered joining the Guard Team. But the current Akira now regarded this as an essential path.
"It seems I need to be more proactive," a glint flashed in Akira's eyes. He decided to first "activate the potential" of the "Guard Team Member" status. Although he hadn't officially joined yet, since the system set this as the next goal, perhaps he could "pre-draw" a portion of his strength. Just like a beginner's gift package, providing help when he needed it most.
Akira focused his mind and issued a command to the system: "I choose to aim for 'joining the Guard Team' and claim the phased strength enhancement!" He wasn't entirely sure if this was feasible, but it was worth a try.
[Ding!]
[Detecting host's strong desire and urgent need for strength improvement.]
[Based on the potential the host has already shown and his initial contribution to the clan (75 points of Honor), the system determines that the host has a high probability of successfully joining the Konoha Police Force.]
['Guard Team Member' reserve strength enhancement package being issued...]
Akira's heart filled with joy. It really worked!
The next moment, a torrent of knowledge, even vaster and purer than when he first awakened, surged into his mind like a breaking dam. That was everything about Fire Release Ninjutsu. From the most basic extraction of fire-attribute Chakra, to various complex hand seal techniques, to the principles, advantages, disadvantages, and counter relationships of different Fire Release Ninjutsu, and countless practical applications.
Great Fireball Technique, Dragon Fire Technique, Phoenix Flower Technique, Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, Ash Pile Burning, Exploding Fire Wild Dance…
The mysteries of countless Fire Release Ninjutsu were forcibly inscribed deep into Akira's soul. At this moment, he felt his understanding of Fire Release instantly reach an unprecedented height.
At the same time, the Chakra within his body surged like an opened floodgate. His meridians were widened and strengthened, and both the quality and quantity of his Chakra rapidly increased at an astonishing rate. This feeling of rapidly increasing strength was incredibly exhilarating.
After an unknown period, this enhancement slowly subsided. Akira could clearly sense that the amount of Chakra in his body was at least double what it was before. His physical fitness had also improved in all aspects.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for acquiring 'Fire Release Ninjutsu Complete Mastery (Elementary)!']
[Congratulations to the host for the increase in Chakra volume and physical fitness; overall strength has reached 'Elite Chunin' level!]
"Elite Chunin!" Akira clenched his fists tightly, feeling the surging power within him, his heart filled with a heroic spirit. Now, even facing an ordinary Jonin, he had the strength to fight. At least he wouldn't be instantly killed.
"Fire Release Mastery (Elementary)… it seems it can continue to improve in the future," Akira noticed the suffix.
He tried to channel Chakra and quickly formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Whoosh—!
A massive fireball, over three meters in diameter, so solid it seemed tangible, spewed from his mouth. It carried terrifying high temperatures and instantly engulfed a large rock in the corner of the training ground.
"Boom!"
The rock rapidly melted and cracked under the high temperature, emitting a piercing roar. When the smoke and dust cleared, the once-hard rock had mostly disappeared, and the remaining parts were charred black, with traces of melting still lingering at the edges.
"So strong!" Akira himself was astonished by the power of this Great Fireball Technique. The same Ninjutsu, when performed by him, an Elite Chunin with "Fire Release Mastery," was more than ten times stronger than before. This was the true power that the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release Ninjutsu should possess.
"With this strength, I'll be able to thrive after joining the Guard Team," a confident smile played on Akira's lips. It was decided. Tomorrow, he would go to the Konoha Police Force headquarters to submit his application to join the team.
He wanted to enter the Uchiha's core power structure in the shortest possible time.
Of course, Akira also knew that a prominent tree in the forest would be destroyed by the wind. In the Guard Team's entry examination, he needed to carefully consider and display strength sufficient to pass and impress, but not be too exaggerated, so as to avoid attracting the attention of Konoha's higher-ups too early, especially that old schemer Danzō.
Akira began to deliberate in his mind. He wanted to make a splash in the examination, but the degree of this "splash" had to be controlled within the realm of "genius," not "monster." A twelve-year-old Elite Chunin proficient in Fire Release could certainly be called a genius. If he also displayed combat intelligence and calmness beyond his age, it would be enough to make the Guard Team's higher-ups look at him in a new light.
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Akira changed into a clean and sharp black combat suit, with the small Uchiha fan crest embroidered on his back, looking refreshed and spirited. He walked directly toward the Konoha Police Force headquarters building.
That would be his first step onto the Uchiha's stage of power.
[Uchiha Akira Attribute Panel]
Strength: Elite Chunin
Skills Mastered: Three Body Technique (Mastery), Fire Release Ninjutsu Complete Mastery (Elementary), Sharingan (One Tomoe)
Clan Status: Ordinary Genin (Guard Team Reserve)
Clan Honor Points: 75 points
Overall Clan Strength Assessment: Genin Level (Initial)