The next day, Aozora once again arrived at the Sleeping Dragon Squad's training base.
He quietly infiltrated the bandit camp and saw Shuichi and Ryuken sparring in a large open yard.
Shuichi wore the traditional Uchiha clan attire, while Ryuken and five other Uchiha members watching nearby were dressed in torn samurai robes, their skin partially exposed.
After several days under the blazing sun and harsh weather, their once-fair skin had grown coarser, though it hadn't fully darkened.
They no longer carried themselves with noble elegance; instead, they radiated a wild, rugged energy. Clearly, over these past two weeks, Shuichi had taken them beyond basic training and given them real-world missions.
[Clang! Clang! Clang!]
Blades crashed together repeatedly, each impact sending sparks flying into the air, every strike aimed directly at their opponent's vital points.
Fierce strikes filled the air with deadly intent!
Aozora silently activated his Sharingan, analyzing and deconstructing each move one by one.
Through the Sharingan's vision, he noticed that although Ryuken's techniques still bore traces of the Uchiha sword style, they also incorporated elements from other styles.
Seeing this, Aozora gave a slight nod. This was sufficient—after all, not everyone possessed the insight of a Three Tomoe Sharingan.
Besides, the Uchiha sword style itself had been developed from many different sword styles. Who but an Uchiha could truly grasp such depth?
Shuichi sensed Aozora's presence and no longer held back. First, he accelerated his blade speed, then suddenly unleashed his lightning-nature chakra.
When Ryuken clashed with him, a sudden electric shock dazed him — and by the time he regained focus, Shuichi's blade was already at his throat.
Sheathing his sword, Shuichi announced to the group, "Free practice!"
Watching the others spar, Aozora noted that they weren't far behind Ryuken—most of the Uchiha mannerisms had been largely erased.
Approaching Shuichi, Aozora praised, "You've taught them well!"
Shuichi calmly accepted the compliment and replied, "There are still some habits they haven't managed to break."
"That's unavoidable. After all, many habits are engraved deep in one's bones," Aozora comforted.
There's no such thing as perfect. Every person has their own flaws. For now, their performance had already met his expectations.
Glancing around, Aozora asked Shuichi, "Where are the others?"
Shuichi responded, "Kagenbi and the rest went with the remaining members to do some low-tier bounty jobs — getting firsthand experience as bounty hunters."
Aozora nodded and said, "Bring Kagenbi and the others back. I've got new orders for them."
"Yes!"
Shuichi acknowledged and immediately vanished like a shadow down the mountain.
Since the Sleeping Dragon Squad was still newly established, communication remained primitive.
After a long while, Shuichi returned with three others, leading twelve Sleeping Dragon Squad members into the Bandit Camp Hall.
Entering the hall, they found Aozora standing with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the Uchiha clan emblem posted on the wall.
"Back already?"
Hearing footsteps behind him, Aozora slowly turned around, scanning the group.
Their originally fair skin had become coarse, and their once clean faces now sported unkempt beards. They no longer resembled those refined young men of noble families.
"It seems you haven't wasted these past two weeks. You've trained well."
"Now that you've cleansed much of the Uchiha mark upon your bodies, you still need further refinement in the future. However, I hope you never erase the Uchiha mark within your hearts."
At this point, Aozora's expression turned solemn as he pointed toward the clan emblem behind him.
Being a spy or undercover agent is tough. If you don't hold onto your beliefs, you'll get swept away and end up corrupted. Aozora hoped these clansmen would never forget their mission.
Meeting Aozora's serious gaze and looking at the clan emblem behind him, everyone was filled with a sudden sense of duty.
From now on, these clansmen wouldn't just be completing missions — they would also be fighting for the future of the clan.
In terms of contributions to the clan, they were incomparably more valuable than those officers stuck patrolling streets in the Police Force.
After everyone deeply etched the image of the clan emblem into their hearts, Aozora took out a scroll and placed it on the table.
"You all probably already know about the Summoning Technique, so I won't go into detail."
"I've reached an agreement with the leaders of the Ninja Ravens Clan. From now on, they won't form contracts with anyone except those I personally approve. Therefore, all future intelligence exchanges must go through the Ninja Ravens."
"Also, after completing each mission, submit a short monthly report to the Ninja Ravens."
"Understood?"
Originally, Aozora had planned to use a codebook, but since the Ninja Ravens Clan was now under Keshin's control, such extra precautions were unnecessary.
The twelve people immediately nodded, listening carefully while eagerly eyeing the summoning scroll of the Ninja Ravens.
Although the Uchiha maintained good relations with the Ninja Cats Clan, the Ninja Cats lacked sufficient members and typically only accepted high-ranking Uchiha jonin as partners. Uchiha shinobi below jonin rank usually stood almost no chance unless they came from powerful backgrounds.
Though unsure of the Ninja Ravens Clan's actual strength, being offered a summoning contract with an entire clan of summoning beasts was already a rare opportunity most ninja could only dream of.
Without hesitation, everyone lined up and wrote their names in blood on the contract scroll, pressing their fingerprints beneath.
Aozora then turned to Shuichi and the other four: "You four can sign the contract too, if you want."
The four naturally agreed. Even Shuichi, who had already signed with a Ninja Cat, stepped forward and signed the scroll.
Looking at the sixteen newly-contracted ninja before him, Aozora's eyes softened considerably. After all, these would be his personal summons from now on.
Summoning them for everyday tasks wouldn't be particularly useful, but if even one or two among them awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, he'd gain tremendous benefit.
Everyone's gazes toward Aozora also grew significantly more respectful. As for Shuichi and the others, that went without saying. Many among the original twelve had already forgotten who their real captain was.
But now that Aozora had given them such a valuable gift, following a generous leader like him suddenly felt like a really good decision.
"In the next few days, pay attention to notifications from the Ninja Ravens; each of you has an important mission to complete."
With that, Aozora waved off dismissively: "Shuichi, you four stay. The rest can go!"
"Yes, sir!"
The twelve squad members stood, saluted, and left without hesitation.
Aozora looked at the remaining four with a nostalgic air. "How long has it been since we first met?"
Others were about to get nostalgic when Genya rolled his eyes and said, "It's only been a few months. Captain, what are you reminiscing about?"
Aozora nearly choked and shook his head. "Even though we haven't known each other for long, we've become quite familiar..."
Shuichi interrupted, "Captain, if you have something to say, just say it."
Interrupted one after another by Shuichi and Genya, Aozora couldn't build up any emotion anymore and muttered in frustration, "You guys call me captain, so I can't betray this title. I want to teach you a few things."
Although Aozora had only known Shuichi and the others briefly, they had already completed missions together. After spending more time with them, he found them truly trustworthy.
Now that all four had become his summoners, Aozora wanted to cultivate them.
Hearing this, the four felt surprised at first but then thought it was quite normal.
Logically speaking, since Aozora was younger than them, it should have been them teaching him instead.
However, Aozora really did possess superior strength, and there was also a tradition in the Police Force where captains would instruct their subordinates, so Aozora's behavior was quite acceptable.
Thinking about Aozora's immense power, the four felt envious.
Aozora looked at Shuichi and asked, "Shuichi, what's your chakra nature? Are you Lightning and Fire?"
He remembered that Shuichi was skilled in Lightning Release, and most Uchiha possessed the talent for Fire Release chakra.
Shuichi nodded. "That's right!"
"Then that's quite fortunate," Aozora smiled. "I happen to have a Body-Forging Secret Jutsu that suits you well!"
As he spoke, Aozora produced a kunai in his right hand and swiftly dragged it across the back of his left hand.
Crrrshhh!
Hisss!
First came the sound of the kunai scraping stone within the hall, followed by the sound of the four drawing sharp breaths.
Ignoring their astonishment, Aozora continued explaining casually, "This secret technique of mine is called [Lightning-Fire Golden Body]. It requires someone who possesses both Lightning and Fire nature chakra. Once successfully cultivated, not only will physical strength be enhanced along with speed and reaction time, but one will also gain near invulnerability against blades and weapons.
Of course, I mean ordinary weapons and normal force."
Shuichi had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan, but because he disliked genjutsu, his overall power remained at the Jonin level.
Since he preferred focusing on swordsmanship, Aozora didn't interfere, simply giving him a method—[Lightning-Fire Golden Body]—to compensate for his weaknesses.
Boosting strength, speed, reflexes, and defense—this was a cherished technique especially beloved by close-combat fighters.
Shuichi softly said, "Thank you!"
His voice was as calm as usual, yet everyone could detect a slight tremble beneath its surface.
Aozora handed over the scroll containing the first layer instructions of [Lightning-Fire Golden Body] to Shuichi and said, "It's yours now. Feel free to ask me if you don't understand anything, and absolutely no sharing outside without my permission."
Receiving the scroll respectfully with both hands, Shuichi bowed deeply. "Understood!"
Shin'ya and Kagenbi reacted normally, but Genya eagerly chimed in, "Captain! Teach me too!"
He loved getting up close and personal too.
Aozora asked, "What is your chakra nature?"
Genya replied, "Primarily Earth with Fire as secondary."
"Then this doesn't concern you," Aozora said. "Still, I do have an advanced technique involving Earth Release chakra to improve speed. I'll pass it to you."
With that, Aozora tossed Genya the scroll documenting [Shrink Step].
Then Aozora handed Kagenbi the scroll inscribed with [Yan Dao], and gave Shin'ya the scroll detailing the Fire-natured Chakra Purification Technique.
After the four received the scrolls, Aozora warned sternly, "These four Secret Jutsu are my life's work. You must never share them without my permission — not even among yourselves. Is that understood?"
All four responded in unison, "Yes, Captain!"
Aozora continued, "Head back and train hard. I hope one day you'll master your techniques and bring honor to both the Sleeping Dragon Squad and our Clan!"
Exchanging brief glances, they then bowed in perfect unison to Aozora and said, "Thank you, Captain!"
Aozora gave a brief nod and said, "Dismissed!"
Watching their retreating figures, Aozora grew wistful.
Four nameless figures from the canon story—now that they've received my blessings, I wonder just how far they'll rise?
And as I finally enter the Ninja World, just how much will its path shift?
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