"The Storm Release bloodline limit… I didn't expect you to have such a trick up your sleeve," Uchiha Kai said, his face twitching slightly as Renzou approached. I thought he was going all out when we fought before. Guess not.
Renzou chuckled. It was, after all, the first time he'd truly unleashed Storm Release. His previous spars with Kai had been more restrained. This time had given him a clearer gauge of his current strength. Ordinary Chūnin were no longer a challenge, and he was nearing the level of a Special Jōnin. Shisui's strong, too. To briefly contend with Chūnin-level skill and chakra at such a young age… the Uchiha are indeed talented. I can't afford to slack off just because I'm ahead. Steady progress is key. Though using Storm Release so openly might have been a bit impulsive.
"Renzou? Renzou? What's wrong?" Kai patted Renzou's shoulder, looking at him quizzically.
"Ah, huh?" Renzou blinked, snapping back to the present. "It's nothing. Just thinking. What's up, Kai?"
"Oh!" Uchiha Kai nodded, unconcerned. "After they finish talking, let's head home for dinner."
Uchiha Yusuke was still engaged in conversation with Uchiha Fugaku. Uchiha Nishitsuki had already bid farewell to Uchiha Mikoto. Yusuke gestured for the children to follow him home.
Midway, Shisui, walking beside Renzou, suddenly turned, his gaze intense. "Brother Renzou, you're incredibly strong! Could I train with you?"
"Um?" Renzou was taken aback. Shisui wants to train with me? What's going on? After a brief pause, he nodded. "Alright, come along. But my training is quite rigorous. If you can't keep up, don't hesitate to stop." This wasn't meant to intimidate Shisui. Renzou's daily routine was demanding: early morning physical training with Might Dai and Guy, knot seal practice at school, noon runs with Guy, and practical application with Kai in the afternoons, followed by evening chakra refinement. He knew dedication yielded results, and years of consistent effort had shaped his current strength.
"Yes! I'll definitely stick with it!" Uchiha Shisui exclaimed happily, pumping a fist in the air.
"Then, starting next Monday, you and Kai can join my training sessions. As for the rest of the time, you're free to do as you wish," Renzou replied smoothly.
Back at Kai's house, Uchiha Kai led Shisui and Renzou to the courtyard to chat, while Uchiha Nishitsuki donned an apron and headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner for her family and their two guests. Soon, she announced that the meal was ready, and the four of them sat neatly at the table, picking up their bowls and chopsticks.
"いただきます!" (itadakimasu), they all said in unison. Renzou scooped up a piece of braised pork and ate it with a mouthful of rice. So satisfying! This was infinitely better than those bland ration pills. Often losing track of time during training, Renzou would resort to buying Bingliang Pills for convenience when other eateries were closed. They served their purpose, but prolonged consumption wasn't healthy. He'd have to make more of an effort to cook for himself in the future. He used to be quite adept at home-style cooking – sweet and sour pork, pickled fish, braised ribs… He'd need to practice again; his skills were likely rusty after so many years.
Lost in thought, Renzou's hand moved quickly, and before he knew it, he had devoured four bowls of rice. Realizing he was already starting on his fifth, he blinked, looking around at his companions, feeling like a famished ghost. He quickly finished the bowl and set down his chopsticks. "Thank you for the meal."
"Ah, Renzou has quite the appetite," Uchiha Nishitsuki said, covering her mouth with a smile after a moment of surprise.
"Ha, ha, ha, not bad," Renzou replied awkwardly, feeling a blush creep up his neck. So embarrassing, eating so much. While he wasn't quite on par with the Akimichi clan, his intake was certainly above average.
After dinner, Renzou bid them farewell. It was Friday, and after arranging to meet Uchiha Kai and Uchiha Shisui at their training spot on Monday afternoon, he walked home alone. He quickly left the Uchiha compound and ran towards his own house.
Back home, Renzou closed the door, slipped off his shoes and socks, put on slippers, and headed straight for his study. Today's battle had sparked new ideas. The Storm Release's Thunder Sea Realm was a potent attack, combining the adhesive properties of water with the destructive force of lightning, covering a wide area. However, it left the user immobile and vulnerable to surprise attacks. While a signature move had its merits, Renzou, aiming for the pinnacle of the ninja world, couldn't afford to limit himself.
His chakra affinities were water, wind, thunder, and fire. Water and thunder formed Storm Release. And water and wind… Ice Release! That's right. Renzou intended to develop his second elemental bloodline limit, Ice Release, building upon his experience with Storm Release.
Ice Release was a kekkei genkai combining water and wind chakra. The most prominent user was Zabuza's young companion, Haku Yuki. Haku's mother possessed the Ice Release of the Yuki clan. When Haku's father discovered this, he tragically chose to murder his wife and son. In desperation, Haku had used ice shards to kill everyone present. Ice Release was incredibly versatile, effective in both offense and defense. Haku wielded it skillfully, but Renzou believed it could be even more potent with greater chakra reserves. And with the knowledge from his past life, he was confident he could master it.
Dual bloodline limits weren't unheard of. Kirigakure's Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, for example. Despite being a woman, her strength was barely comparable to any previous Mizukage. She had ended the "Bloody Mist Village" era and ushered in an era of peace and openness, revitalizing Kirigakure. She excelled in Water Style and possessed both Lava Release and Boil Release. Her Water Style: Water Formation Pillar had even managed to briefly block Uchiha Madara's Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame. She lived up to her title.
Thinking of Terumi Mei, Renzou couldn't help but picture her alluring and intelligent demeanor. Wait, isn't she roughly my age right now? No… I must focus.
Back to the task at hand, Renzou channeled his chakra, slowly transforming it into water and wind attributes. Drawing upon his experience with fusing Storm Release, he carefully began to combine the two energies.
Boom.
Failure, as expected. Undeterred, Renzou recentered his chakra and tried again.
Late into the night… the path to Ice Release was long and arduous…
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End of Chapter 11