Chapter 21: The Shadow in the Earth
The notification from his system was a stark reminder of his limitations. He had naively hoped to instantly rival the patriarch with a single pickup, but reality was a harsh teacher. True power would require relentless effort and a mountain of collected items. His own innate talent was abysmal; without the system, he would be nothing. The slight improvements in his chakra and physique were solely due to the fragments he had gathered.
"Patriarch," Uchiha Raizen said, breaking the silence. "That technique... I estimate it will take me a full year to fully master it." It was a safe lie, giving himself a plausible timeline for his system's growth.
"One year is acceptable," Uchiha Tajima replied, a glint of ambition in his eyes. "When you can wield SS-Rank ninjutsu, it will be time for the Uchiha to truly bare our fangs to the world. Go and prepare for your mission. Do not worry about your family here. I have officially taken your sisters as my goddaughters. Their safety and well-being are assured. I expect you to return with favorable tidings."
"Thank you, Patriarch. I will take my leave." Uchiha Raizen bowed and turned to go, his mind already on the journey ahead.
Just as he reached the door, the system's voice chimed in his mind.
[Advanced Yin-Affinity Bloodline detected. Upon pickup, it will enhance physique, accelerate chakra condensation, and grant the potential to learn Yin Release.]
An advanced Yin bloodline? Where? Uchiha Raizen was baffled. He saw nothing. Yin Release was an incredibly rare affinity; in this era, he could only think of Uchiha Madara possessing it. But Madara wasn't here, and he certainly hadn't died and dropped a loot fragment.
"The bloodline is located underground," the system stated flatly.
"Underground? You're telling me I have to dig for it?" Uchiha Raizen thought, exasperated.
[Affirmative.]
The confirmation was absurd. Then, a chilling possibility dawned on him. Hei. The only other being he could think of with a potent Yin nature was Black Zetsu. But why would that creature be dead here, beneath the patriarch's feet?
He glanced back at Uchiha Tajima. Had the patriarch done something when he released the White Dragon?
"Uchiha Raizen, is there something else?" Uchiha Tajima asked, noting his hesitation.
"Patriarch, I have a question," Uchiha Raizen said, choosing his words carefully. "When you performed the White Dragon technique just now... did you simultaneously execute another jutsu?"
Uchiha Tajima's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise and suspicion within them. His movements had been imperceptibly fast, designed to be undetectable. "I did. But how could you possibly know that?"
"I can replicate and store any ninjutsu I perceive," Uchiha Raizen explained, sticking to his cover story. "Therefore, I can sense the chakra of techniques as they are formed. I sensed something below us. In times like these, caution is never unwarranted."
"I see. And what did you 'sense'?" Uchiha Tajima's voice was low and dangerous.
"A dead intruder," Uchiha Raizen replied, his voice steady. "One whose stealth was so profound he infiltrated our very headquarters without alerting a single guard."
This was information he could never have known without his meta-knowledge and the system's prompt. He was gambling, revealing a sliver of his unique perception to uncover the truth.