It was already late.
Uchiha Yoru personally escorted Uchiha Shisui home, just in case anything unexpected happened.
On the way, he reminded him,
"You can tell the Clan Head about the Cat Sage's training method. You can also tell a few elders. But don't spread it further—let them decide what to do."
"Yes."
"Also, this method is extremely effective, but it can't completely replace physical training. You still need to train your body. Only by progressing together can you achieve the best results."
"So that's how it is… I understand. I'll keep up my physical training."
Talking about cultivation like this, they soon arrived at Shisui's home.
A large estate.
Three courtyards deep.
Even guards stood watch at the entrance.
"Wow, not bad," Yoru said with a light smile. "Don't be late tomorrow."
Shisui suddenly smiled.
Yoru really was different.
Seeing his home—
He simply made a casual remark.
Unlike the others he had befriended before.
The moment they learned his background—
They became cautious.
Distant.
No longer able to remain friends.
Knowledgeable.
Experienced.
Gentle in temperament.
Well-liked.
Strong.
Worthy of being the only contractor chosen by a Cat Sage.
An outstanding individual.
"Big Brother Yoru!"
"Mm? What is it?"
"Thank you very much for your hospitality… and your guidance. I gained so much today."
"We're both Uchiha. Since we've met, we're family."
"Family doesn't stand on ceremony."
"Yes!"
"I won't be late tomorrow!"
"Good. See you then."
…
When everything falls into rhythm—
Time always passes quickly.
In the blink of an eye—
Two days went by.
During that time—
Rin and Shinichi both completed water-walking training.
Aside from weighted exercises, Uchiha Yoru began teaching them combat techniques—
Correcting several fatal unnecessary movements.
As for real battlefield survival techniques—
He didn't teach those.
What he knew—
Wasn't suitable for the coming large-scale war.
Even though he had seen many records in the archive—
Most were from the Warring States era.
They might not apply to modern warfare.
Teaching unverified techniques to three genin—
That would be irresponsible.
Splash.
Amid Obito's wailing, Uchiha Yoru turned his head helplessly toward the river.
"…What number is this?"
Shisui covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
"…Fourteenth."
"We started at 8:30. It's not even nine yet…"
"This kid… he's not struggling with discipline—he's a monkey sent to torture me!"
Yoru stood up abruptly.
In a flash—
He appeared above the water.
He grabbed Obito and pulled him out.
Before Obito could flash his usual foolish grin—
Yoru threw him onto the shore.
"Ahhh! Next time I'll succeed! I don't want—"
"No. You do."
"Weighted physical training."
Without hesitation, Yoru strapped forty kilograms onto him.
Then, in a softer voice—
"If you don't listen, I'll punish the whole squad."
"Obito… you wouldn't want Rin to run with weights too, would you? Her body is so delicate…"
"…Are you a demon?"
"No. I'm just choosing between going insane because of you… or making you suffer a bit more."
Obito shut his mouth.
Anger burned in his eyes—
But he didn't dare speak.
Afraid Yoru would drag Rin into punishment again.
Seeing him like that—
Yoru felt much better.
"A full lap around Konoha's outer wall. Go."
Watching Obito storm off, Shisui couldn't help but worry.
"Big Brother Obito looks really angry… running like that, won't he get hurt?"
Yoru glanced once, then looked away.
"No need to worry. That speed is still within his limits."
"…Huh?"
"Shisui, don't underestimate him. From a certain perspective—his talent might even surpass yours."
"…Really?"
Shisui was stunned.
He looked at Obito.
Watched him stumble into the forest—
Until he disappeared.
But no matter how he looked—
He couldn't see any sign of talent in that clumsy figure.
"Stop staring. Run through the movements I taught you again. Let me see what needs adjustment."
"Yes."
"Focus. Don't think about Obito. When he comes back—if you pay attention, you'll understand immediately."
"Yes!"
It had to be said—
Shisui's talent was visible to the naked eye.
This repetition—
Was already smoother than the last.
The improvement was obvious.
Yoru nodded.
"Not perfect. But at your current level… there's nothing more to adjust."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Next, I need to see how you perform in chakra extraction and retention."
"Yes!"
This—
Was where Uchiha Yoru differed from other shinobi.
Most shinobi—
Extracted chakra only when needed.
They squeezed it from their cells on the spot.
Mixed it with mental energy—
Then used it in battle.
But Yoru believed—
That was too slow.
And too damaging.
That kind of sudden extraction—
Placed heavy strain on the body.
Shinobi constantly fighting on the front lines—
Even with proper care—
Accumulated injuries.
Take the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
But those who stayed in the rear—
Even with unhealthy habits—
Lived long, stable lives.
Like the Third Hokage.
In Yoru's view—
Chakra should be:
Extracted in an orderly way.
Stored over time.
Used to nourish the body in daily life.
Then—
Explosively released in battle.
That—
Was a complete system.
Relying only on sudden bursts—
Was short-sighted.
The shinobi world—
Was full of that kind of thinking.
Even the name "shinobi" said it all—
To endure.
To endure everything.
Even the pain of chakra flow within the body.
Train from childhood—
And eventually—
The body adapts.
The pain fades.
Until it becomes natural.
Until its absence feels strange.
But—
Uchiha Yoru couldn't accept that.
Even if the pain—
Was far less than what spicy food once did to him.
Why did he risk absorbing natural energy—
Knowing how dangerous it was?
Partly—
Because of his past life.
Cultivation—
Was the highest path.
If he had the chance and didn't try—
Could he still call himself who he was?
But the real reason he persisted—
Was simple.
Even a small amount of natural energy—
Reduced the pain.
That deep, lingering ache—
Like inflammation in every joint.
The techniques Yoru taught Shisui—
All targeted key points.
Reducing pain.
Eliminating harmful side effects.
Allowing chakra to remain in the body long-term.
Helping the body adapt.
Improving output.
Improving control.
In the shinobi world—
Chakra was seen as a weapon.
Even medical ninjutsu—
Was believed to trade lifespan for healing.
But Yoru didn't believe that.
Because—
The origin of chakra—
Kaguya Otsutsuki—
Was truly immortal.
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