The dust from the battlefield cleared, providing a clear view of what had just transpired… Kyojiro Uchiha had just taken down a talented Jonin of the Land of Lightning.
However, the one who was shocked the most wasn't the army that watched it all, nor were they the Jonin of both sides who never expected such a variable.After all, scouts having the strength of Jonin is uncommon to begin with.
The one truly shocked was someone sitting on the highest tower in the camp — Jiraiya of the Sannin stood there, his eyes wide in disbelief as he processed what had happened in front of him.
He slapped himself once, misguidedly thinking he might be in a genjutsu. Seeing that the situation remained unchanged, he couldn't help but form hand seals.
Chaotic thoughts ran through his mind. It wasn't the combat ability of Kyojiro, nor his swordsmanship.It was something else. Something primal.
Something that had brought Jiraiya from the dead-last of the academy to one of the strongest men in the world.
'Natural energy… this brat just had natural energy.' Shivers ran down his back as he realized the reality of the situation. 'An Uchiha with natural energy—'
The implications were not just serious but near groundbreaking. Even without natural energy, Uchiha were extremely talented in jutsu and the ninja arts.
Thinking of an Uchiha who had mastered the Sharingan, accompanied by the infusion of natural energy, wasn't just groundbreaking—it was terrifying.
'At least, if someone else had witnessed it other than me, they might be shitting their pants.' Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, a warm smile crossing his face as he looked at Kyojiro.
'I've seen that boy… read his file. I know he isn't evil.' His gaze hardened. 'And that's enough for me.'
The next second, his lips curved upward. The hand seals he had stopped just a minute ago reignited, blurring together.
'Summoning Jutsu.'
Chakra left his body like broken vessels, funneling in a way Jiraiya was far too familiar with.
WHOOSH
A small explosion occurred in front of him. White smoke filled the area, forming a screen. From within it emerged two frogs.
Jiraiya couldn't help but smirk as he saw the familiar figures. "You guys… you have no idea what I just witnessed." His smirk widened.
The two frogs looked at him with confusion. "Jiraiya, it better be something good. My wife just prepared me tasty food."The elder frog's grumpy expression said it all.
Fukasaku sighed, letting Jiraiya speak.
Jiraiya simply smiled. "Turn there — that man… is an Uchiha with natural energy coursing through him." His voice was far too excited for an experienced shinobi.
Shima, the female elder, widened her frog eyes. "That's… oh my god," her voice nearly breaking.
Beside her, Fukasaku nearly lost his footing. Jiraiya couldn't help but steady both of them with his hands.
Moments passed, but both frog elders were still staring at the unique Uchiha.
Jiraiya, at first excited like a child waiting to surprise his parents, soon lost his energy. He deadpanned, "You old fossils, it isn't that odd for an Uchiha to have natural energy… you must've seen it at least once in a thousand years."
His voice snapped the frog elders out of their reverie. Their voices cracked, but they spoke in unison. "Brat… that isn't just normal natural energy."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, suspicion deepening. "What do you mean, old fossil?"
Fukasaku was the first to speak. "Normally, natural energy coexists with chakra — a tri-fusion of mental, physical, and natural energy." He looked at Jiraiya, his hyphen-like eyes darting between the boy and the white-haired sage.
"However, that boy isn't exactly doing that. Whatever he's doing, it's different — it's perfect." His voice trembled slightly.
Shima placed a comforting hand on her husband. "Don't worry, hubby. The day had to come when humans had their own sage." Turning toward the shocked Jiraiya, she continued, "You, Jiraiya boy, practice our sage arts. That's why you gain frog-like characteristics."
Pointing at the Uchiha boy, she went on, "However, that kid isn't like you. His sage art is suited specifically for him — like how frog arts are for us."
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "So that kid basically has the talent of the Toad Sage… like that old fossil who can't help but keep sleeping?" His voice almost panicked.
Fukasaku sighed. "Yes… and whatever that may mean, his art is suited toward fire. I can still feel the fiery energy radiating from him." The frog's eyes narrowed. "However, something is wrong — maybe his chakra isn't enough, or something in his body. He can't use his own art to its fullest."
Jiraiya couldn't help but look at the Uchiha boy with a newfound gaze. 'A human sage, huh…'...Meanwhile, Kyojiro lay beside the dead Jonin, his eyes locked onto the headless kids. 'Am I doing something wrong…'The thought haunted him like a melody.
Yet as if life itself refused to let him think, a group of chunin emerged behind him, their hands blurring through seals.
Kyojiro felt the presences behind him. His nerves trembled, yet he hoisted himself up. Turning back, he saw the chunin.
'Kids… again…' Sixteen years old — a year younger than his current body. Yet seeing their jutsu about to be completed, Kyojiro took in a deep breath.
'After this fight… I'll think about what I truly want to do.'
His eyes sharpened. 'Flame Breathing.' His torn muscles once again pulsed with strength — and the Uchiha disappeared.
Despite the pain and the countless injuries that had accumulated on Kyojiro, the man was still faster than the chunin in front of him.
SWISH
A chunin too busy focusing on his hand seals widened his eyes when Kyojiro disappeared.It didn't help when the man appeared right beside him — the Sharingan gleaming.
'Sharingan Genjutsu.'"Sleep."