Actually, anyone who can successfully refine Chakra is considered to have a certain level of talent. Even the most mediocre ninja, given enough time, can easily become a Chunin; with a bit more effort, becoming a specialized Jonin with a skewed skill set isn't too difficult; and with a bit of luck, surviving the crucible of war makes becoming a Jonin a certainty.
However, the ninja profession is extremely dangerous. In just a few decades, four Great Ninja Wars have erupted, with countless smaller skirmishes in between. Many talented ninjas die young before they even have a chance to mature. The average lifespan of a deceased ninja is estimated to be only in their early twenties, and in some ninja villages, it's even less than twenty.
In fact, Yuto could feel that sixteen is precisely when most people undergo their last growth spurt. Cellular metabolism in the body is vigorous at this time. Even without training, the volume of Chakra in his body would slowly increase, but doing so would mean squandering the golden period for increasing his strength.
Chakra during this period is highly active, malleable, and generated quickly. It is precisely because of these characteristics that many strange and imaginative ninjutsu have been developed. Some became laughingstocks and were slowly phased out, while others withstood the test of time and became unique secret techniques passed down within their families.
The Nara clan's Shadow Ninjutsu, the Aburame clan's Insect Manipulation Ninjutsu, the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu, and so on—these are not abilities that can only be mastered through Bloodline Limits. Instead, they can be learned simply by knowing the method of study. Unfortunately, family secret techniques are never taught to outsiders.
Once he reaches adulthood, it would be impossible for his strength to advance by leaps and bounds without external assistance.
During this time, Yuto would exhaust all the Chakra in his body every night before resting, then meditate through the night. Opening his eyes to that feeling of abundant energy and power throughout his body was addictive.
During this time, Yuto behaved very peacefully, not causing any trouble. Life should be this calm and normal. Where would there be all the conspiracies, schemes, and back-stabbing depicted in games?
However, the moment Yuto started thinking this way, trouble would actively come looking for him.
One evening, as Yuto left the city to return to his cave dwelling on Mt. Tianheng, a ghostly figure followed him under the cover of night.
It must be said that the infiltrator's technique was first-rate. The mountain path on Mt. Tianheng was very narrow and steep, but for the infiltrator, it was like walking on flat ground, and his steps were silent.
Once Yuto entered his hunting range, the infiltrator moved. The person instantly erupted with astonishing speed. Yuto only felt something swiftly brush past him, and before he could react, his body involuntarily fell forward.
Only then did he realize that his body had been tightly bound by fine threads at some unknown point. These threads were extremely tough and sharp. Yuto only struggled a little, and he felt the threads already cutting into his skin. A wave of pain instantly swept through his body, making his scalp tingle.
"Retrieve!"
The infiltrator appeared before him. Yuto, lying on the ground, struggled to lift his head and look up, but his field of vision was filled entirely with legs. A pair of long, fair legs, a meter in length, made Yuto momentarily forget to resist.
"Oh, I thought it would be a tricky one. Is this all the skill there is? Ningguang is making too much of a fuss."
A lazy voice sounded, even carrying a hint of disappointment in its tone.
Such a voice, tone, and these highly distinctive threads—even without seeing her face, Yuto had already guessed the identity of his attacker: Ningguang's special intelligence officer—Yelan.
"Sister Yelan, I wonder what crime I've committed that warrants you personally apprehending me?"
"Oh my? Such a sweet talker. You recognized my identity at a glance. It seems your background is indeed not simple, and you must have many secrets. Little brother, I hope you'll be honest, or else you'll suffer quite a bit."
"Uh, Sister Yelan, how about you release me first? Your threads are very sharp and are cutting me painfully. You can ask anything you want, and I, your junior, will tell you everything I know."
"Oh my, he seems quite cooperative. I, your big sister, like cooperative prisoners. However, I can't release you yet. As long as you don't struggle, the Lifeline will not harm you. Please bear with it for now."
Although Yelan said these words with a smile, Yuto didn't detect any genuine amusement on her face. This was what they called a forced smile.
"Name?"
"Uchiha Mikage."
"Origin?"
"A place called Konoha Village in Inazuma."
"Identity?"
"Ninja."
"Ninja? Then who is your master?"
"No one is my master now. I am completely free."
Seeing Yuto answer so cooperatively, Yelan frowned. This was a significant departure from her impression of a ninja. Based on Yelan's extensive interrogation experience, this kind of situation usually indicated either a spineless individual with no integrity or a tough nut who would provide false information.
Which one would the young man before her be?
Yelan couldn't be sure. As an intelligence officer, she actually detested spineless spies like Yuto the most. Information obtained without severe torture was, in her first reaction, untrustworthy.
Moreover, she always believed that an informant should possess their own backbone. Even if they were unfortunately captured, they should buy time for their superiors or subordinates to evacuate before revealing genuine information.
"Alright, little brother Uchiha Mikage from Inazuma, can you explain to me what you are doing in Liyue?"
"For no reason, just escaping Inazuma."
"Oh? That sounds like a legitimate reason. I heard you were severely injured when Qiqi from Bubu Pharmacy found you, which indeed sounds like you barely escaped Inazuma. But, can you explain to me why Qiqi found you on top of Mt. Aocang? That's quite far from the coast."
!!!
Although he had previously concocted a plausible excuse for his origins, the question Yelan asked completely exceeded Yuto's scope of consideration. He hadn't expected Yelan to even know where Qiqi had rescued him. She truly was Liyue's top intelligence officer.
Indeed, if Yuto's account was true, he could only have escaped Inazuma by sea. But in that case, even if he were rescued, he should have been found along the coastline. How could he possibly be in Mt. Aocang, deep in Liyue's interior?
Yelan understood from the micro-expressions on Yuto's face that her question had stumped him. This was his weakness. Now, she just needed to dig along this line.
"If I said I don't know why I appeared in Mt. Aocang, would you believe me?" Yuto tried to answer Yelan in a negotiating tone, attempting to gloss over the question.
"Mr. Uchiha, it seems you're being a little dishonest."
At this moment, the smile on Yelan's face sent shivers down Yuto's spine.
----------------------
-------------------------------------
Support me on Patreon — Unlock Advanced Chapters!
[[email protected]/TripleCrown07