"What is this?!"
Uchiha Setsuna frowned, staring intently at the mark on Uchiha Rokuro's forehead for a long while, yet unable to discern its nature.
Beside him, Uchiha Meika also studied it closely. Though she didn't recognize the exact seal either, she quickly deduced its function.
"This seal... it stores unused chakra, doesn't it?"
Uchiha Rokuro smiled faintly. "You've got sharp eyes, Aunt Meika. That's exactly right. I've named it the Qi Sea Seal. It can store excess chakra and release it during combat. With it, our clan members will always have enough chakra to fight—and maybe even defeat evenly matched opponents."
As he spoke, Uchiha Rokuro pulled out a small scroll and unrolled it, revealing the complex sealing pattern within.
"I've calculated its capacity," he continued. "The Qi Sea Seal can hold the equivalent of ten Jōnin's worth of chakra. When activated, the stored energy can either be released all at once or gradually, depending on the user's needs. Whether for long battles of attrition or powerful area-of-effect jutsu—it's perfectly suited."
Setsuna took the scroll carefully and examined it with deep interest. Uchiha Rokuro, meanwhile, continued to present his case like a salesman.
"The only limitation," he explained, "is that the Qi Sea Seal can't be applied uniformly. It must be fine-tuned for each individual's body. What do you think, Elder?"
Setsuna nodded approvingly. "Excellent. For our more seasoned clan members, this seal could truly serve as a deadly trump card."
Although Setsuna was long past his prime, his sharp perception and experience remained. He could immediately tell that this Qi Sea Seal was best suited for mature shinobi—especially those whose potential had plateaued but still possessed strong battle instincts and signature techniques.
Younger ninjas, still in their growth phase, needed their chakra reserves for training. Sealing part of it away would hinder development. However, for veterans with little room left to grow, this was ideal.
Of course, the Uzumaki clan—those "chakra monsters"—would be a different story entirely.
Compared to them, even the Uchiha's chakra was finite. Thus, the Qi Sea Seal was best reserved for elite or aging shinobi whose combat experience far outweighed their raw energy.
Setsuna smiled. "Uchiha Rokuro, your previous chakra tool helped the younger generation awaken their Sharingan. Now, this Qi Sea Seal strengthens our veterans. You're truly dedicated to the Uchiha cause."
Uchiha Rokuro chuckled. "You flatter me, Elder. I'm simply doing my part as one of the clan. The stronger the Uchiha, the better my own prospects. Nothing so noble as you make it sound."
The pitch worked. Setsuna agreed to have the clan's elite voluntarily receive the Qi Sea Seal—and even promised Uchiha Rokuro a generous reward in return. Uchiha Rokuro didn't refuse; to do so would only invite suspicion.
When their business was done, Setsuna's tone turned grave.
"Uchiha Rokuro, there's something I must apologize for. The matter of the eye-opening chakra tool—it won't stay hidden much longer."
"I've already heard rumors," Uchiha Rokuro said calmly. "It can't be helped. The clan may be full of fools, but their Sharingan are real. With everyone living together, the surge of chakra from those who awakened can't go unnoticed. What will you do, Elder?"
Setsuna sighed deeply. "If Fugaku questions me directly, I'll have no choice but to tell the truth."
"In that case," Uchiha Rokuro replied, setting down his teacup, "we can still buy some time. Our dear clan head isn't exactly known for swift decision-making."
Setsuna blinked—then chuckled bitterly. "You're right. I just don't know whether that's a blessing or a curse anymore. Well… let things take their course."
While Uchiha Rokuro was meeting with Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Fugaku had already received troubling reports.
"So, this really was Uchiha Uchiha Rokuro's doing," he said darkly. "I knew it—those new Sharingan awakenings must be connected to his cursed seals. Doesn't he understand the situation we're in? Actions like these only put the whole clan at risk!"
Two other elders sat below him, faces tense. Recently, all three had noticed that within the Hawk Faction, an unusual number of young Uchiha had awakened their Sharingan—and many of them had progressed frighteningly fast.
Some were even on par with Fugaku's own son.
The Third Elder, a neutral party, hesitated before speaking. "Clan Head, while Uchiha Rokuro may have kept secrets, he's still contributed greatly to the clan's power. Perhaps you're being too harsh."
Before Fugaku could respond, the Second Elder—the Dove Faction's voice—snapped back.
"We're already under suspicion from the Hokage for the Nine-Tails incident. And now, just when Konoha is watching us closely, our clan suddenly becomes stronger overnight? That's not courage—that's recklessness!"
The Third Elder, usually quiet, suddenly grew firm.
"You're wrong, Second Elder! We were never the ones who controlled the Nine-Tails. We've already proven our innocence! But you'd have us cower forever? Should we stop training too, just to avoid suspicion?"
"I—! That's not what I meant!" the Second Elder stammered, turning to Fugaku. "Clan Head, please—surely you agree the timing is terrible?"
Fugaku folded his arms, frowning. "This is a delicate period. We must avoid provoking the Hokage further. Uchiha Rokuro's involvement in the Hyūga clan's internal strife was already a grave mistake—it only deepened the village's mistrust."
Two votes against one. The Third Elder fell silent.
But the moment the meeting ended, he went straight to Setsuna's home.
Later that night, when Fugaku received confirmation of what he feared, his fury boiled over—he crushed his teacup in his bare hand, shards cutting into his palm.
And within a week, even the neutral faction's children began awakening their eyes—some reaching double tomoe, rivaling his son's progress.
Though tomoe count alone didn't determine strength, it was undeniable—these children were prodigies.
Worse yet, all of them had recently visited Uchiha Rokuro and Setsuna. The implication was clear.
It made Fugaku look powerless. As if the clan could thrive—with or without him.
While Fugaku seethed, Uchiha Rokuro continued his research undisturbed. After collecting genetic samples from over fifty Uchiha, the experiments were ready to proceed.
By day, he trained. By night, he toiled underground.
For Uchiha Rokuro, Ashikaga, and Izumi, life had become a cycle of labor and purpose—but also fulfillment.
And so, amidst their tireless work and secret progress, time moved forward—To the year Konoha 54.
END OF CHAPTER
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