The days blurred into a steady rhythm, and the frantic whispers surrounding Uchiha Yao slowly began to lose their edge.
While a few skeptics still harbored doubts, the majority of the clan had begun to begrudgingly accept the reality of his "awakening." In the long, blood-stained history of the Uchiha, it wasn't unheard of for a "late bloomer" to experience a sudden, violent surge in ocular power and physical strength after a moment of extreme psychological stimulus.
Yao used this temporary lull to systematically devour every scrap of knowledge from the original owner's Academy memories, while simultaneously refining his Chakra pathways and ocular endurance.
He knew that being a newly minted Chunin was a death sentence in the grand scheme of things.
System, check the status promotion rewards, Yao commanded silently.
[Host: Uchiha Yao] [Current Status: Ordinary Genin] [Target Status: Uchiha Military Police Force Member (Apprentice/Official)] [Promotion Reward: Complete Mastery of Fire Release Ninjutsu; Chakra Volume and Physicality upgraded to Elite Chunin Level.]
Yao's pulse quickened as he stared at the glowing text.
Complete Fire Release Mastery. Elite Chunin-level reserves. This was the cornerstone he needed. The Uchiha were the undisputed masters of the flame; to reach the peak of Fire Release was to reclaim the clan's birthright. With the strength of an Elite Chunin, he wouldn't just be another face in the Military Police—he would be a force to be reckoned with.
How do I accelerate this? According to clan law, a graduate could either join the village's general mission pool or enlist in the Military Police Force. The previous Yao wouldn't have dared dream of the latter, but for the current Yao, it was the only path that led to the heart of power.
I need to be proactive, Yao's eyes flashed with a cold light.
He decided to gamble. If the System recognized the "Guard Team Member" as his next milestone, perhaps he could "advance" a portion of the reward based on his current trajectory. Like a loan on his future potential.
I am committing to joining the Guard Team. Claiming phased strength enhancement!
[Ding!] [Detecting Host's iron resolve and urgent necessity.] [Based on demonstrated potential and current Clan Honor (75 points), the probability of successful induction is analyzed as: High.] [Issuing 'Guard Team Reserve' Strength Enhancement Package...]
Yao let out a sharp gasp as a torrent of knowledge—vaster and purer than the awakening of his Sharingan—crashed into his consciousness like a broken levee.
It was the totality of Katon (Fire Release).
The extraction of fire-natured energy, the intricate geometry of the hand seals, the subtle environmental requirements, and the counters for every water-natured defense.
Great Fireball, Dragon Fire, Phoenix Flower, Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, Ash Pile Burning... The secrets of a dozen high-level techniques were seared into his soul. Simultaneously, his internal meridians groaned as they were forcibly widened. His Chakra reserves surged, the quality of the energy becoming more dense and volatile, bubbling with the heat of a dormant volcano.
The sensation was intoxicating—a raw, predatory rush of ascending power.
[Ding!] [Congratulations: Host has acquired 'Fire Release Ninjutsu Mastery (Elementary).'] [Congratulations: Chakra Volume and Physicality have reached 'Elite Chunin' level.]
"Elite Chunin," Yao whispered, clenching a fist that felt as though it could crush stone. He could feel the sheer volume of power humming beneath his skin. At this level, he could stand his ground against a standard Jonin. He wouldn't just survive; he would fight back.
He glanced at the "Elementary" suffix on his mastery. Even this level of "elementary" felt god-like compared to his previous state.
He moved his hands, testing the speed. His fingers were a blur.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Whoosh—!
A titanic sphere of flame, over three meters in diameter and nearly solid in its density, roared from his lungs. The heat was white-hot, instantly turning the air into a shimmering haze. It struck a massive boulder at the edge of the training grounds with the force of a falling star.
Boom!
The rock didn't just break; it melted. Piercing cracks spiderwebbed through the stone as it groaned under the thermal shock. When the smoke cleared, the once-solid obstacle was a charred, liquid-edged ruin.
"So this is the true power of the Uchiha," Yao muttered, a confident, predatory smile tugging at his lips.
The decision was made. Tomorrow, he would walk into the Military Police Force headquarters and claim his seat. But he knew he had to be careful. A tree that stands too tall in the forest is the first to be split by the wind.
He needed to impress the Uchiha elders without alerting the "old schemer" Danzo. A twelve-year-old Elite Chunin was a "genius." Anything more might be seen as a "threat."
That night, Yao prepared his gear. He donned a sharp, black combat suit, the Uchiha fan embroidered on his back like a brand of intent.
Tomorrow, the stage would be set.
Uchiha Yao's Attribute Panel
Strength: Elite Chunin
Skills: Three-Body Technique (Mastery), Fire Release Mastery (Elementary), Sharingan (One-Tomoe)
Clan Status: Regular Genin (Guard Team Reserve)
Family Honor: 75
Overall Clan Strength: Genin Level (Initial)