The days in the Uchiha estate flowed quietly, but beneath its surface, a silent revolution was unfolding. In the secret basement, Mali's group grew more disciplined with each passing session. The ten orphans, once uncertain, now sat with straight backs and focused eyes, following Mali's every instruction.
Mali's own progress was the fastest. After a month of practice, he had sensed the subtle warmth of Qi in his dantian—a sensation unlike chakra, gentler yet profound. When he shared this with his grandfather, Raigen's pride was boundless. Hope flickered in the old man's eyes, a hope that the Uchiha could reach beyond the limits of their bloodline.
Four months passed. The basement became a sanctuary of discipline and discovery. One by one, four orphans reported feeling Qi—a faint pulse, a warmth, a tingling in their core. Mali's journals filled with coded notes, every observation meticulously recorded. The group's faith in Mali's vision grew, and so did their resolve.
But Mali was not content. He remembered stories of warriors who drew power not just from within, but from the world itself. He adjusted their training: "Don't just look inward. Breathe in the energy of the earth and sky. Let your spirit reach out."
For hours, Mali sat in absolute stillness, searching for something beyond himself. Then, one evening, he felt it—a delicate thread of energy, invisible but real, connecting his own Qi to the world outside. With slow, deep breaths, he drew it in, guiding it to his dantian. The sensation was exhilarating, a hidden current flowing into him.
He leapt up, eyes shining. "It's real! The world's energy can be gathered, not just awakened within!"
Raigen, witnessing this breakthrough, felt his faith in Mali's path become unshakable. The orphans, inspired by Mali's joy, redoubled their efforts. The basement, once a place of secrecy, now pulsed with the promise of a new legacy.
Yet, outside these hidden walls, the Uchiha clan remained unaware. The village above continued its routines, ignorant of the quiet storm building below. Mali knew: this was only the beginning.