Inside the Hokage's office, Hatake Kakashi was reporting to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Shadow Clone Technique that the Sharingan can't detect."
"A Water Release ninjutsu that counters Fire Release."
"There's even a requirement to seal off the enemy's vision."
Kakashi clicked his tongue. "Is this kid really an Uchiha? Why would he want to learn techniques that counter his own clan's abilities?"
Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe. "Pfft."
Smoke rings floated in the air as the wrinkles on Sarutobi's face twisted like wriggling worms. He spoke:
"If he adds one more thing—Flying Thunder God Technique—I might start to wonder if Tobirama-sensei has come back to life."
He took two more sharp drags. "Why would this kid want to learn these techniques? He…"
Thinking it over, Hiruzen waved his left hand lightly, and suddenly a masked ANBU ninja appeared in the room.
"Third Hokage, sir!"
Hiruzen nodded gently. "That Uchiha boy… Has he had any conflicts with others in the clan?"
The ANBU responded immediately, "Yes, sir. He had a dispute with Uchiha Nobuo from the Police Force Squad at the ninja tools shop. The exact details of the argument are still under investigation."
At the same time, high atop a watchtower overlooking Konoha, the eyebrowless scapegoat ninja sneezed violently.
"Ah-choo!"
Uchiha Nobuo rubbed his nose. "What a miserable job. I caught a cold again!"
Hearing this, the Third Hokage nodded. "No wonder, then. Kids…"
Perhaps the matter with Naruto had dulled his judgment about precocious children. He continued, "Forget it. No need to investigate further."
He frowned slightly and instructed Kakashi Hatake, "Since this kid wants to learn Water Release techniques, then teach him."
"Water Release?" Kakashi hesitated a little. After all, his expertise in Lightning Release far surpassed Water Release, and Uchiha Yujin's chakra nature clearly included lightning.
Not practicing lightning but choosing water seemed like a waste.
"Water Release isn't that easy to learn. He might want to learn something else in a few days," the Third Hokage waved his hand. "Step back for now. We'll see if anything comes up. Oh, and one more thing!"
Suddenly, he interrupted Kakashi's teleportation, his expression firm. "The ninja academy teacher mentioned this kid's character issues. You need to pay special attention to that, Kakashi."
Kakashi, unusually serious, straightened up. "Understood. Leave it to me."
Sunlight shimmered on the sparkling lake surface as Uchiha Yujin followed Kakashi to this peaceful lakeside.
Kakashi stood by the water's edge, his figure faintly reflected in the clear lake. His gaze was calm and focused, as if contemplating how to teach this complex ninjutsu to his student.
"Water Release isn't just about controlling chakra; it's a conversation with nature itself."
Kakashi's voice was steady and strong as he began explaining the basics of Water Release. "First, you need to feel and understand the flow of water. Only then can you truly control it."
Uchiha Yujin stared at the lake's surface, his Sharingan slowly rotating, trying to catch the movement of every drop of water.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, sharpening his senses, attempting to connect with the water in the lake.
"Now, try gathering your chakra in your palm. Imagine it as part of the water, feel its flow and changes," Kakashi guided, his voice tinged with expectation.
Following Kakashi's instructions, Uchiha Yujin began to mobilize his chakra. He slowly gathered it in his palm, sensing the energy's movement.
A faint blue light appeared on his palm as the bond between chakra and water gradually formed.
"Good. Now, release your chakra into the lake water. Don't try to control it—let it merge naturally with the water," Kakashi continued.
Uchiha Yujin slowly stretched his palm toward the lake's surface. His chakra passed through his skin and touched the cold, flowing water.
He could feel the chill and movement of the lake. His chakra gradually merged with the water, creating a subtle balance.
Suddenly, ripples appeared on the lake. Circles spread out from Uchiha Yujin's palm. He had successfully fused his chakra with the water, influencing the flow of the lake.
Kakashi's lips curled into a slight smile as he saw Uchiha Yujin's potential.
"Not bad. You've taken your first step. Learning Water Release techniques is a long journey that requires constant practice and insight."
"Can't I learn it in one day?"
Kakashi held his forehead and said, "You're dreaming."
A day later, the "Yujins," who had synced their memories, held a meeting.
Marvel Yujin asked, "Kakashi as a teacher? Is he reliable?"
Lord God Yujin replied, "Following Kakashi on missions might actually be an opportunity."
After careful thought, Pirate Yujin thanked Uchiha Yujin, "Learning Water Release must be for my sake, right?"
Uchiha Yujin did not deny it. "Whether it's the power system of the pirate world or Devil Fruits, freeing you will be a qualitative leap for us all."
"Besides, my main enemies are Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito, who specialize in Fire Release. Water Release is a good choice."
Pirate Yujin nodded, "Alright then."
He casually synced his memories to the others as well.
Last time, after Pirate Yujin escaped from jailer Hannyabal using his Substitution jutsu, he fled to Impel Down Level 2 — Beast Hell.
Beast Hell housed many ferocious beasts. Prisoners there faced constant danger of beast attacks.
There were no safe shelters; prisoners could be attacked by monsters at any moment.
Surviving here was much harder than staying in the Crimson Hell.
The prisoners' strength was far beyond what he had faced there.
Bounties of a million wasn't even a thing, but tens of millions were everywhere.
As the only pirate among them without a bounty, Yujin stood out awkwardly in the crowd.
Fortunately, when you're out in this world, your identity is what you make of it.
He gave himself a name — "The Multiples · Infinite Yujin."
It sounded a bit tongue-twisting, but the fake bounty of 35 million berries he claimed kept other prisoners from attacking him lightly.
After all, who would expect some fool in this advancing city to run from higher levels down to lower ones?
Wasn't that just begging for trouble?
As for the navy's wanted list —
Pirate Yujin's own understanding of Hannyabal was that the guy loved to shirk responsibility whenever things went wrong, hoping his teammates would take the fall while he stayed clean.
If a prisoner escaped on his watch, there was no way he would report it himself.
So after a few days, aside from dodging the "Great Animal Migration" twice a day, Yujin's life was somewhat better than in the Crimson Hell.
The other Yujins, after hearing about the pirate's experience, all breathed a sigh of relief.
They shared a single soul and couldn't bear to see any one of them suffer or face life-threatening danger.
Unfortunately, the most dangerous one among them, who was about to face a serious crisis, was someone the other three Yujins couldn't help much.
"Sorry, Water Release techniques are harder than I expected. Even with 1st level gene locks unlocked and the Sharingan, I still can't learn even the simplest Water Release," muttered Uchiha Yujin in the space.
The Lord God Yujin immediately waved his hand, "Don't worry. I won't die this time."
After ten days of training, the Lord God Yujin's combat experience had reached the level of a battle-hardened warrior.
Once he synced his practical skills to the others, he relaxed.
"Until the next horror movie cycle appears, contact will be temporarily cut off."
"Killing a member costs one thousand reward points. For now, I don't have any."
"So, depending on the situation, if conditions allow, I will save some points to exchange for chakra."
"Before that, you all should quickly improve yourselves."
After saying this, a voice appeared in Lord Yujin's mind.
[Enter the light pillar within one minute. Target transfer locked. Alien: Covenant]
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