Chapter 33: The Grind and the Boost
"Alright, we should get moving," Uchiha Raizen said, rolling up the scrolls. "Even if I haven't fully mastered these, you two can still perform them, right?" Their mission to the Fūma clan couldn't wait. Operating in secret meant they had to maintain momentum; lingering too long in one place risked drawing unwanted attention.
"Oh, wait," he added, turning back. "Let me copy the ninjutsu you just performed." He walked over to the spots where Uchiha Ryoken and Uchiha Natsume had stood and mentally commanded his system to pick up the lingering chakra residues.
A surprising change occurred. Instead of the techniques appearing in his warehouse as one-time-use items, the progress bars for those specific ninjutsu on his status panel increased by 10 points each.
A wide grin spread across Uchiha Raizen's face. So that's how it works! If I'm already learning a technique, picking it up boosts my proficiency directly!
A brilliant, almost greedy idea sparked in his mind. He turned to his friends, his eyes gleaming.
"Second Brother, don't look at us like that," Uchiha Natsume said, shuddering theatrically. "It's creeping me out."
"I just had a thought," Uchiha Raizen said, his voice eager. "Can you two teach me the Phoenix Sage Fire and the Grand Fireball techniques? Properly, I mean."
These were the two jutsu he had the most copies of in his warehouse. If he could start learning them and then use his stockpile to instantly max out their proficiency...
"Sure, I can do Phoenix Sage Fire," Uchiha Ryoken agreed. "Watch closely. Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" He performed the hand seals slowly and deliberately so Uchiha Raizen could follow.
"Did you get the seal sequence?" Uchiha Ryoken asked after releasing the volley of small fireballs.
"I did. And the chakra flow follows the seal pattern, right?" Uchiha Raizen confirmed.
"Exactly. But the precise chakra modulation is something you'll have to feel out for yourself. It's different for everyone," Uchiha Ryoken explained.
Uchiha Raizen nodded and began practicing. It took him thirty attempts, draining his chakra each time, before he managed to produce a pathetic, sputtering wisp of flame that failed to even ignite a leaf. But it was enough. His panel now listed "Phoenix Sage Fire Technique" with a progress of 10/100.
System, he thought, his heart pounding with anticipation, can I use the one-time versions I've picked up to increase the proficiency of a technique I'm learning?
[Affirmative.]
"How?"
[Select the item and choose 'Apply to Proficiency.']
The system's explanation, framed in game-like terms he instantly understood, was a revelation. It was incredibly user-friendly.
"Apply nine Phoenix Sage Fire Technique pickups to my proficiency," he commanded silently.
Instantly, the progress bar on his panel jumped from 10/100 to 100/100. The knowledge of the jutsu solidified in his mind, becoming as natural as breathing.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" he declared, his hands flashing through the seals with newfound speed and confidence. A dense volley of fireballs shot from his lips, slamming into the tree line ahead and setting it ablaze.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" Uchiha Natsume shouted, quickly erecting a barrier of earth to contain and smother the flames. They were still in hostile territory; a forest fire was the last thing they needed.
Uchiha Raizen stood amidst the smoking earth, a triumphant smile on his face. He had found a way to cheat the grueling process of mastery. The path to power had just become significantly shorter.