After receiving the meteorite blade, excitement surged through Shigure like a fresh wind. The sword was no ordinary weapon; its sharpness felt almost otherworldly.
Without hesitation, he drew the blade and gave a light slash across a nearby tree. The thick trunk split neatly in two under the force, crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Birds scattered in alarm, their cries piercing the suddenly silent forest.
Shigure smiled faintly. The blade's unparalleled sharpness was undeniable. Paired with the right sword techniques, it could become a nightmare for any enemy—a killer weapon precise yet terrifying.
"Don't get carried away," he murmured, setting the thought aside. The priority was clear now: return to Konoha. He already felt a pull in his heart toward his "little sister," Hoshiko, waiting back home.
After heartfelt farewells with the bearded blacksmith Noguchi, Shigure and his teammates set off on the journey back.
Though uneventful compared to the perilous trip here, the return was far from lazy. Kusuo and Akane honed their chakra control steadily, pushing their limits. Walking on water no longer felt like a distant dream; after barely two weeks of intense practice, both moved freely across flowing streams, their figures gliding effortlessly on the surface.
That achievement filled them with pride—but they knew well their skills still paled beside Shigure's.
While they focused on mastering chakra control, Shigure utilized every spare moment. He practiced ninjutsu diligently and repeatedly swung the Meteor Blade among the trees, feeling the growing synergy between himself, the blade, and his chakra.
He envisioned how soon he could pinpoint vital points through the Byakugan, then strike swiftly and decisively. With the instantaneous body technique—preferably the swift Flying Thunder God—and his own unique sword style, plus the precision granted by the White Sharingan, he thought: the battlefield would be his stage.
It was a terrifying prospect even to his own mind.
Yet despite the tempting urge to refine his swordsmanship immediately, he reminded himself to be patient. His current focus had to be the third stage of the Rasengan—the elegant, deceptively simple yet devastating technique he had barely begun mastering.
Daily, Shigure and his shadow clones practiced forming the Rasengan together. He was already strong enough to break rubber balls with pure chakra now, but that was only the first step. The real challenge was forming a compact, spiraling miniature typhoon within his palm.
"Focus… Focus… Focus…" Shigure whispered to himself like a mantra, willing his chakra into perfect motion.
Finally, with a shout of "Start!" he poured all his concentration and chakra control into the rotation.
His chakra orbited his hand in tight spirals, spinning faster and faster, growing bigger and steadier with every second.
"Very good! That's it!" he encouraged himself, pushing his mind to keep the rhythm. "Rotate evenly… hold it steady…"
When the glowing sphere expanded to the size of his palm, Shigure's heart surged with elation. It was smaller than the giant Rasengan Naruto sometimes wielded—but the condensed energy radiated terrifying intensity.
"It worked!" he exclaimed, eyes shining.
He turned to the nearby tree and shouted forcefully, "Rasengan!" The glowing blue sphere slammed against the trunk with a powerful burst.
An immense spiral-shaped dent formed instantly, the tree shuddered as bark cracked and leaves flared to the ground like fireworks. The trembling branches almost seemed to echo the energy shaking the earth.
Breathing deeply, Shigure poured more power into the orb and struck again. With a loud snap, the tree snapped at its base and crashed.
Countless birds fled in startled flocks, chirping in the chaos.
Shigure's grin widened; he retreated a few steps and launched the Rasengan a dozen times more, each attempt better, finer, more complete.
By the last strike, he felt the signature Rasengan "feeling" etched deep within him—the perfect balance of power and control.
He exhaled sharply. "Success! I have basically mastered the Rasengan!" he said aloud, voice heavy with pride.
All that remained was smoothing the chakra output to use it fluidly in battle. Unlike slow, complex hand seals required for many jutsu, Rasengan's biggest advantage was its seal-free nature—instant, precise, devastating.
It was already a powerful A-rank ninjutsu capable of evolving into even higher forms.
He imagined the deadly possibilities: an S-rank Wind Style Rasenshuriken evolving naturally from this core technique.
"This is a good start…" Shigure said under his breath, excitement tinged with resolve.
As they hurried toward Konoha, Shigure continued his practice. By the time village walls came into view, he could form the Rasengan with ease and reliability—even one-handed.
"No need for both hands," he thought. "One hand frees everything else in a fight."
He smiled at his own audacity. Now I get it. Rasengan isn't so hard once you grasp its core.
Just as he prepared to magnify the ball into a larger sphere, Hizashi's steady voice intercepted him.
"Shigure… come here."
Obediently, Shigure approached.
"If I'm right," Hizashi said, eyes gentle but probing, "your bloodline limit means your eyes have awakened, haven't they?"
Shigure's awareness instantly sharpened like a blade slipping out. "Teacher, why do you say that?" he asked, suddenly alert.
Hizashi smiled kindly. "Relax. You've opened your eyes—there's no need to hide it anymore."
He leaned in slightly, whispering confidently. "Through my Byakugan, I can see your eyes glow with chakra. Are you trying to keep your strength hidden to surprise foes in battle?"
Shigure breathed a quiet sigh of relief—Hizashi thought he was simply seeing Sharingan—no hint that his Byakugan coexisted within as well.
"It's okay," Hizashi continued cheerfully. "Next time you use your Sharingan, just use it freely. No need to cloak yourself with Mist Hidden Technique. My Byakugan sees through it all."
Shigure's tension faded slightly.
"I don't know much about the Sharingan," Hizashi confessed, "but I know the three-tomoe Sharingan copies ninjutsu. It makes sense why you've mastered so many diverse jutsu."
"You rely on copied techniques, don't you? You probably kill enemies instantly with a single strike when you get close. Could you have also copied the Hyūga's gentle fist?" Hizashi's teasing words startled Shigure anew.
"Teacher…" he whispered, the shock evident.
But Hizashi laughed warmly. "Relax, I'm joking. The Hyūga's Gentle Fist is secret, and its true power requires teaming with the Byakugan. No one else can wield it fully."
"Don't be shy," he added. "You have the Sharingan, after all. I wish I knew it better myself—I'd gladly help."
"Bloodline limits and secret techniques are sensitive topics," Hizashi said thoughtfully, "but since you can copy techniques as you do, it's an advantage."
"In the future, I can teach you real Hyūga taijutsu—our physical techniques. But you must keep it secret. If the clan learns I've shared these with you, I'll be in trouble."
The honesty and kindness in Hizashi's words struck a deep chord within Shigure.
Teacher Hizashi… a fierce warmth surged in his chest. You are a hundred times better than Hiashi.
Clenching his fists tightly, Shigure thought bitterly. He knew the shadow the future held—Hizashi would be used as a scapegoat, forced to sacrifice himself for Hiashi.
That wouldn't stand.
I will change this fate. I will protect you, Teacher. No one will be allowed to hurt you again.
The Meteor Blade at his waist pulsed, as if affirming his vow.
For Uchiha Shigure, this was more than a journey home. It was the start of a fight against destiny itself.
--
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