With a little loli for company, life had become a lot more interesting.
According to plan, Shiro Gen smoothly completed the upgrade of [Yin Release Mastery (Green)] within a month.
[Yin Release Mastery (Green)] -> [Yin Release Control (Blue)]
[Yin Release Control (Blue): You gain a deeper, more complete understanding and command of Yin Release chakra and genjutsu, and the effects of your genjutsu increase.]
The upgrade of [Yin Release Mastery (Green)] also advanced the Sharingan.
[Three Tomoe Sharingan (Blue): You can perceive chakra pathways, see through every minute motion and hand seal, directly hypnotize targets through eye contact, and copy as well as see through all non-kekkei-genkai ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. Your vision improves. Your chakra's quality and quantity are strengthened and increased. The effects of your genjutsu are amplified.]
His clear black-and-white gaze turned scarlet, three tomoe rotating slowly.
The world snapped into razor clarity, and he could even see dust motes in the sunlight drifting at a crawl.
"With just the three tomoe, it is already this strong."
"I might even track a bullet's path and dodge by sight alone."
"Not to mention the three basics: eye of insight, eye of hypnosis, and eye of copying."
"This is the Uchiha."
"Every pair of three tomoe Sharingan represents elite jonin combat power."
"I am still very young, but with my entries stacked, I should be very close to elite jonin level."
"I only lack real combat experience."
"In true battle, an elite jonin could still kill me."
"But I am young."
"And I believe absolute strength crushes everything."
"Once I graduate and reach Kage-level or even Super Kage-level, an elite jonin will fall in a single stroke."
"As for what I do next..."
Shiro Gen drew his ninja blade. The silver-white edge shone like a mirror, reflecting a pair of three tomoe eyes.
...
...
"Senior Maruboshi Kosuke, I heard you have a special Konoha-ryu sword art called Willow. I would like to witness it, if I may."
At Shiro Gen's direct approach, Maruboshi Kosuke blinked, then looked him over.
He recognized him quickly.
"So you are the Uchiha prodigy, Shiro Gen Uchiha."
"I do not know where you heard that rumor."
"But this technique cannot be shown lightly."
He was not angry at the blunt request, but he declined with gentle firmness.
"I know it fuses genjutsu and swordsmanship."
"No seals needed. In close quarters you lead with a sword feint while unleashing an illusion that makes the enemy see you dissolve into leaves swirling on the wind, binding their body so they cannot move, then you strike from the blind spot and pierce them clean through."
"It is a one-hit killing move, an unavoidable lightning thrust."
"So yes, it should not be displayed casually."
"But letting me see it once is not casual."
As he spoke, Shiro Gen opened his Sharingan.
Three tomoe turned in blood-red light, and Kosuke paused.
He might be listed as a humble shinobi of the village, but he was no ordinary one.
Both the Second and Third had acknowledged him.
For owning his mistakes and atoning, the Second had taught him Water Release personally, and the Third had offered him a jonin post and more techniques. He simply refused the rank.
A man like that knew what a pair of three tomoe at six years old meant.
A monster of a prodigy.
Would such a talent become the village's future guardian?
Kosuke could not say.
But he knew the Uchiha's situation in the village.
Which left him torn.
"Haah..."
"What a headache."
He sighed and could not help a wry comment.
Shiro Gen remained composed.
"Senior Maruboshi Kosuke."
"War is coming. The stronger the village, the better."
"We are comrades. Is it worth agonizing over helping a comrade grow stronger?"
"You are right."
At that, Kosuke stopped wavering.
Why overthink it? He would let a village genius witness his signature art.
"Very well."
"Watch closely. I will show it only once."
Shiro Gen smiled slightly.
"Much appreciated."
Kosuke said nothing more. He drew his blade and began a faint, swaying motion.
The three tomoe spun faster. Through them, Shiro Gen saw chakra flow, the genjutsu spark, every tiny movement and shift.
Leaves began to dance.
"So this is Konoha-ryu Sword Art: Willow."
"Exquisite indeed. Using motion to cast an illusion and hypnotize the foe."
"Then seize the instant to finish them."
"I understand."
Kosuke's figure vanished.
Steel flashed in a lightning cut.
"It is done."
"I will take my leave."
"Do not trouble me again, young Uchiha."
He slid his blade back into its sheath at an unhurried pace.
"Rest easy, Senior Maruboshi Kosuke. I will not disturb you again."
Shiro Gen turned and left.
Watching his back, Kosuke hesitated, shook his head, then walked away.
Shiro Gen, meanwhile, thought as he walked.
"Fire Release and swordsmanship combine as the Uchiha style. Genjutsu and Konoha-ryu combine as Willow."
"What would come from fusing genjutsu with the Uchiha sword style?"
"If I can create a technique that combines Fire Release, genjutsu, and swordsmanship, it will receive amplification from five entries: [Fire Release], [Yin Release], [Swordsmanship], [Sharingan], and [Uchiha]."
"Its power will be overwhelming."
"It might grant me Kage-level outright."
"Let me think this through..."
"Sharingan... eye light, blade light, firelight..."
"I have a path."