Chapter 32: The Fūma and the Training
"That's the one," Uchiha Natsume confirmed, his face grim. "Their transformation ability is terrifying. In their base form, they aren't particularly strong. But once they transform... they become high-tier combatants, every single one of them. A single transformed Fūma can hold off several opponents of equal level."
Hearing this, Uchiha Raizen finally placed the clan. The Fūma—like that guy, Fūma Shigego, who followed Sasuke. They entered a berserker state, gaining immense power at the cost of their sanity. They were, as Uchiha Natsume said, a pack of lunatics. Unlike the Kamizuru, they weren't facing extinction. Both the Uchiha and Senju tended to avoid provoking them outright.
"We'll still try," Uchiha Raizen decided. "If it becomes impossible, we retreat. In the meantime, here are the five A-Rank ninjutsu Master Oki gave me. Study them. Once you've mastered one, perform it for me so I can add it to my collection." He unsealed the scrolls. Facing a clan like the Fūma required serious preparation. If negotiations failed, they needed enough firepower to cover their escape.
The three of them found a clearing and began to train.
The scrolls contained:
Fire Release: Annihilating Flame
Fire Release: Blasting Bird
Water Release: Thousand Rain Needles
Water Release: Grand Water Bomb
Lightning Release: Thunderclap
Some were Uchiha Oki's personal techniques; others, like the Lightning Release, were likely clan trophies or rewards, as Uchiha Oki himself only possessed Fire and Water natures.
"I only have Fire Release," Uchiha Ryoken stated. "I'll practice Annihilating Flame and Blasting Bird."
"I have Fire and Earth," Uchiha Natsume added. "So I'll take those two as well. By the way, Second Brother, what are your chakra natures?" It was a question they'd never had cause to ask before, when Uchiha Raizen was too weak to use ninjutsu.
"I have Fire, Lightning, and Water," Uchiha Raizen replied. In truth, he wasn't entirely sure, but these were the natures of the jutsu he'd been exposed to, so it was a safe assumption.
"Three natures!" Uchiha Natsume exclaimed. "Second Brother, if you become a Jonin, you could try to develop a new kekkei genkai for the clan! With three natures, it's possible!"
The idea was tempting, but Uchiha Raizen quickly dismissed it. His innate talent was still poor. Developing a new bloodline limit was a pipe dream; it was far more efficient to just pick one up with his system.
After a brief discussion, they began their training in earnest.
Five days later.
"Second Brother, I've got them!" Uchiha Ryoken announced. "Fire Release: Blasting Bird!" A concentrated blast of fire shot from his hands.
"Second Brother, I can manage it, though not as smoothly as him. Fire Release: Annihilating Flame!" Uchiha Natsume formed the seals, and a wave of destructive fire roared forth.
Seeing them succeed, Uchiha Raizen felt a familiar pang of frustration at his own slow progress. However, his system panel had updated during his training.
Host: Uchiha Raizen
Age: 15
Pickup Level: 2
Experience: 126/300
Daily Pickups: 6/6
Chakra: 680 / 700 | Evaluation: Chunin Level
Physical Skills: 680 / 750 | Evaluation: Chunin Level
Mastered Ninjutsu: Body Flicker Technique, Basic Shurikenjutsu, Feeble Shadow Clone, Fire Release: Little Fire Serpent
Ninjutsu in Progress: Fire Release: Annihilating Flame (20/100), Fire Release: Blasting Bird (20/100), Water Release: Thousand Rain Needles (20/100), Lightning Release: Thunderclap (20/100)
Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (Awakening Progress: 1/10)
Pickups Available Today: 0/6
Warehouse: Fire Release: Fire Dragon Projectile, Water Release: Vast Ocean, Water Release: Rain Tiger Murder Technique, Fire Release: Grand Fireball x16, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire x15, Fire Release: True Fire Extinguishment x2, Insect Technique: Eavesdropping Bug x1, Insect Technique: Parasitic Bug x2, Insect Technique: Explosive Bug x2...
He stared at the new "Ninjutsu in Progress" section. Do I have to grind each one to 100 before I can use it properly? he wondered, disheartened. At this rate, it's agonizingly slow. His path to true, self-sufficient power still seemed incredibly long.