Chapter 26: Swear Allegiance Until Death, Team Loyalty 100%
The night was as dark as ink. Inside Uchiha Akira's room within the Uchiha Clan Territory, Uchiha Akira sat cross-legged, slowly circulating his Chakra and guiding the medicinal power to repair his damaged meridians and muscles.
"Huu…"
After a long while, Akira let out a deep breath and opened his eyes. A cold killing intent was revealed deep within them.
"Danzō…"
If he hadn't burst forth in the nick of time and forcefully activated the incomplete Lightning Release Chakra Mode: Prototype during this assassination attempt, he would likely be a cold corpse by now. That feeling of being on the brink of death made Uchiha Akira's desire for power and his obsession with controlling his own destiny reach an unprecedented peak.
After about a week of recuperation, Uchiha Akira's injuries had mostly healed. He immediately summoned Rin, Tetsu, and Uchiha Kai.
"Sit down." Uchiha Akira motioned for the three to sit. "It's time I explained the details of this ambush to you all."
The three nodded with solemn expressions.
"The ones who attacked us this time were from Root, under the command of Konoha Elder Danzō Shimura. The Root attack is just the beginning. Our Uchiha Clan's situation in Konoha is far more difficult than you imagine."
Uchiha Akira paused, then briefly recounted to the three the Village's higher-ups' suspicion and suppression of the Uchiha after the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Incident, as well as the potential future crisis of clan annihilation (though Akira didn't explicitly mention annihilation, only hinting at the clan facing a threat of life and death).
After listening, Rin, Tetsu, and Uchiha Kai felt as if struck by lightning, their faces instantly turning pale. Although they were within the Uchiha and had heard of some unfair treatment the clan received, they never expected the clan's predicament to have reached such a severe point.
"How… how could this be?" Uchiha Rin's voice trembled slightly. She had always believed the Uchiha was the strongest clan in Konoha. "Those high-level officials, how could they treat us Uchiha like this? During the Third Great Ninja War, how much blood did we shed for the Village, how many clan members sacrificed!"
Uchiha Kai's eyes were bloodshot. "Captain! Is what you're saying true? We… our Uchiha, will we really…" He dared not utter that terrible word.
"What I've said is only a light understatement compared to reality. Therefore, we have no retreat. To survive, to let the Uchiha Clan stand at the pinnacle of the Ninja World once again, we must become stronger! Strong enough to crush all enemies, strong enough to establish new rules!"
[Ding! Uchiha Kai's loyalty to the host has reached 100% (Fanatical Adoration)!]
[Ding! Uchiha Tetsu's loyalty to the host has increased to 100% (Life and Death Companionship)!]
[Detected Uchiha Kai's loyalty reaching 100%, fulfilling the "Potential Activation" special condition!]
[Detected Uchiha Tetsu's loyalty reaching 100%, fulfilling the "Potential Activation" special condition!]
Uchiha Akira's heart stirred upon hearing this. Kai and Tetsu actually reached full loyalty at the same time.
"Captain! From now on, my life is yours! Whatever you tell me to do, I will do!" Uchiha Kai abruptly knelt on one knee, swearing allegiance to Uchiha Akira.
"Captain, me too." Tetsu and Rin also knelt down.
"Very good, Uchiha Kai and Tetsu, I acknowledge your loyalty. Next, I will activate your potential, allowing you to increase your strength just like Rin."
Uchiha Akira did not hesitate and directly selected "Potential Activation" for Uchiha Kai in the system interface.
[Confirm to consume 500 Clan Honor Points to perform "Potential Activation" on Uchiha Kai?]
"Confirm!"
Om—!
An invisible wave instantly spread from Uchiha Akira's body, enveloping Uchiha Kai!
Crack, crack, crack!
The bones within Uchiha Kai's body emitted a series of fine popping sounds. Muscle fibers became tougher and thicker at a speed visible to the naked eye. His already robust physique was now filled with an explosive sense of power.
[Ding! Uchiha Kai's potential activation successful!]
[Physical talent greatly increased!]
[Strength and defense significantly enhanced!]
[Chakra volume slightly increased!]
Uchiha Kai was already skilled in taijutsu, and now with his physique, strength, and defense comprehensively improved, his strength immediately elevated him to a veteran Chūnin. With a little more training, he could reach the level of an Elite Chūnin.
"Haah!" Uchiha Kai let out a low roar, clenching his fists, and a powerful aura erupted from him. "So… such powerful strength! Captain… I…" Uchiha Kai was so excited he was incoherent.
"Do you feel it?" Uchiha Akira smiled slightly. "This is just the beginning."
He turned to Uchiha Tetsu. "Tetsu, it's your turn."
With Uchiha Kai's successful case, Uchiha Tetsu's eyes were also filled with anticipation.
Akira again consumed 500 Clan Honor Points to perform "Potential Activation" on Uchiha Tetsu. The same invisible wave enveloped Tetsu.
Unlike Kai, Tetsu's body did not undergo significant external changes. But his brow subtly emitted a strange spiritual energy fluctuation.
[Ding! Uchiha Tetsu's potential activation successful!]
[Genjutsu talent greatly increased!]
[Spiritual power moderately increased!]
[Chakra control precision improved!]
Uchiha Tetsu's understanding of genjutsu reached a whole new level in that instant.
"Captain…" Tetsu's voice carried a hint of imperceptible excitement. "I feel… my understanding of genjutsu is completely different."
"Very good." Uchiha Akira nodded with satisfaction. "Uchiha Kai, Tetsu, your transformations are just the beginning. In the future, you will become even stronger!"