Hokage's Office.
Jiraiya hesitated for a long time before speaking.
"Teacher, Uchiha Kin's talent in ninjutsu is exceptional."
After all, Uchiha Kin hadn't asked him to keep it a secret. Moreover, Jiraiya didn't think such a thing needed to be hidden. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen's recent actions, he hadn't yet reached the point of breaking ties with him.
So, he decided to share the information.
After all, a ninja with talent and one without were two entirely different matters.
"Hmm?!" Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "So, he's been hiding his ninjutsu talent all this time during the academy?"
To conceal his abilities from the village from the very beginning of his enrollment...
This child was truly terrifying. And he was an Uchiha. It seemed he couldn't be left unchecked. Otherwise, he might cause unforeseen damage to the village.
Unaware of Hiruzen's thoughts, Jiraiya scratched his head.
"Well, not exactly."
"Hmm?!" Hiruzen was confused by Jiraiya's contradictory statements.
"What exactly do you mean? First, you say he's talented, then you deny it. Is he the problem, or are you the problem?"
"He's a genius—one who might even rival the Second Hokage."
Jiraiya pulled out the small booklet Kin had given him. While washing dishes at the barbecue restaurant, he had flipped through it several times and was utterly astonished.
He could hardly believe it.
Was this really something created by a mere academy student?
This level of ninjutsu development...
Even Orochimaru couldn't compare. Only the Second Hokage could match it.
"The answer lies here."
Hiruzen glanced at Jiraiya.
He certainly knew how to pique curiosity—no wonder he was considering writing novels lately.
Casually flipping through a few pages, Hiruzen frowned.
"A sealing technique?"
The content intrigued him. Creating ordinary ninjutsu was difficult enough, but sealing techniques were even more complex.
After skimming a few more pages, the sealing technique described within made him frown deeper.
"This is just a haphazard patchwork."
The technique was a chaotic amalgamation of familiar sealing techniques, stitched together without any innovation. To him, it was utterly useless.
Not only was the activation speed slow, but the hand signs required exceeded a hundred due to the multiple sealing techniques combined.
The final effect was merely restricting the enemy's ability to use ninjutsu.
"A completely useless sealing technique."
Hiruzen's blunt assessment made Jiraiya scratch his head again. The first few pages did indeed give that impression, but the real content began later.
"Teacher, you should read further."
Hiruzen frowned but trusted his student enough to continue.
The technique described a method of circulating chakra through sealing techniques to accumulate and enhance it. The increased chakra would, in turn, strengthen the sealing technique's power and reinforce the user's body.
This was an effect Hiruzen hadn't anticipated.
"Truly ingenious."
He couldn't help but marvel.
Though rough around the edges, the conceptual framework was unprecedented.
"So, his inability to use ninjutsu was due to this."
If the first layer of the sealing technique was applied to oneself, it would prevent the use of ninjutsu.
This made Uchiha Kin a complicated case.
He couldn't be killed, but... he couldn't be left unchecked either.
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen looked up, his gaze profound. "If I ordered you to remove Uchiha Kin from Team 7, would you comply?"
Jiraiya's smile froze, and his expression turned deadly serious. He placed both hands on the desk, supporting his weight.
"Old man, Uchiha Kin is my student."
His stance was clear: no.
Hiruzen massaged his temples. This complicated matters. He had hoped to assign an untalented Uchiha to Jiraiya, not a genius.
His goal was to build a bridge with the Uchiha, not empower them.
The silver lining was that Uchiha Kin wasn't well-liked within the clan. Perhaps he could be swayed.
As for the sealing technique...
"Add the first two layers of this sealing technique to the ninjutsu rewards list. The final layer... place it in the Scroll of Seals. Inform Uchiha Kin not to spread it recklessly."
This technique could significantly bolster the village's foundation.
"Understood."
Ninjutsu Exchange.
A large, unfurled scroll displayed available techniques. By selecting one, ninjas could exchange merit points for it at the counter.
Katō Dan's attention was drawn to a newly added entry: "Basic Internal Energy."
"Sealing Technique: Basic Internal Energy—enhances overall physical strength but carries a short-term risk of disabling ninjutsu usage."
A brief demonstration of the technique was included.
"Tsunade!" Dan suddenly called out.
Tsunade, still somewhat downcast, walked over.
"What is it, Dan?"
"Look at this. It resembles your Yin Seal."
Dan pointed to the exchangeable technique.
After just a glance, Tsunade's brows furrowed.
"At first glance, it's similar, but the underlying principles are entirely different."
"My Yin Seal focuses on storage, while this technique revolves around sealing."
Given her expertise in sealing techniques, she could discern the technique's direction and logic.
"Combining the human body with sealing techniques... the creator of this technique is a genius."
Even Tsunade had to admit admiration. What made it even more remarkable was its relatively low difficulty.
Her eyes fell on the final signature.
"Uchiha Kin!"
Tsunade wasn't the only one who noticed "Basic Internal Energy."
A white-haired man, Hizure, clutched the scroll he had just exchanged.
His eyes rapidly scanned the contents.
"This technique should give my strength a significant boost."
"As expected of an Uchiha, I suppose."
The Uchiha were legendary for producing geniuses, especially with their formidable Sharingan.
"How enviable."
His gaze shifted to Tsunade and Dan, who had already left after exchanging their scroll.
His grip on the scroll tightened, veins bulging on his hand.
"Ignored again, Tsunade."
Border Between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
Hatake Sakumo studied the map marked with red dots—locations where Sand ninjas had been spotted.
"These Sand ninjas are scouting routes."
Their intentions were subtle, but he had noticed.
The Sand ninjas were gradually probing their way toward Konoha.
"A decapitation tactic?"
If they succeeded in finding a hidden route to Konoha, they could launch a surprise attack from the rear once war broke out.
Such a move would deal a severe blow to Konoha.
But now that Sakumo had discovered their plan, their objective was doomed to fail.
A puff of white smoke appeared beside him as a ninja in a green flak jacket materialized.
He carried a large scroll half his height on his back.
"Sir, these are the new supplies and the updated ninjutsu exchange list."
From his sleeve, he produced two technique scrolls.
To bolster the frontline ninjas' strength, standard exchangeable scrolls were delivered to the commanding officer.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Sakumo took the items and curiously unrolled the new technique scroll.
Konoha's ninjutsu roster hadn't been updated in a long time. Techniques from the Scroll of Seals required significant merit to exchange, and he was already familiar with the others.
His eyes landed on the new entry.
"Basic Internal Energy?"
"Uchiha Kin."
Konoha, Uchiha District.
Though advanced in age, Uchiha Hikaku's body remained agile.
Standing atop a roof, he surveyed much of the village.
"This was all secured by Clan Leader Madara."
Yet, the Uchiha had no place in it.
In the past, they had never imagined that the Second Hokage harbored such resentment toward them.
With age came clarity. The Second's policies had treated them as potential enemies from the outset.
But the clan had been blinded by the authority of the Military Police Force.
The upper echelons continued to ostracize the Uchiha.
Even if he could steer the clan's direction temporarily, he couldn't ignore the sentiments of others entirely.
"What if we had chosen to leave with Clan Leader Madara back then?"
But they had betrayed him for the sake of a stable life.
Poof! A burst of smoke suddenly appeared.
Uchiha Fugaku materialized beside Hikaku.
"Fugaku, you're here."
Hikaku suppressed his emotions.
"Elder, take a look at this."
Fugaku's expression was complicated as he handed over a scroll.
"Did the village assign a mission to the Uchiha?"
Puzzled, Hikaku slowly unrolled the scroll.
Inside was a single ninjutsu.
"This technique is quite unusual."
But he still didn't understand Fugaku's point—until he saw the signature at the end.
"Uchiha Kin!!"
Hikaku's eyes widened in shock.
"How is this possible?!"
Dark, Damp Underground.
Orochimaru entered the laboratory, where a shadow clone of Uchiha Kin was busy working.
"Kin-kun, you've become quite famous lately."
Kin, who had been observing Hashirama's cells, looked up at Orochimaru.
"Have I?"
He seemed genuinely puzzled.
Lately, he had been spending his days doing D-rank missions with Jiraiya and his nights here, learning ninjutsu and assisting Orochimaru's research.
He hadn't noticed any newfound fame.
"Your technique has begun spreading through the village. The third layer has even been added to the Scroll of Seals."
Hearing this, Kin nodded calmly.
"You don't seem surprised at all." Orochimaru licked his lips with his snake-like tongue, studying Kin with interest.
"Orochimaru-sensei, you've already told me my technique represents a revolution. No matter how shocking the impact, I can accept it."
"And I trust Orochimaru-sensei will protect me, won't you?"
Kin smiled at Orochimaru. Since people had started practicing "Basic Internal Energy," he had already known. There was no reason for surprise.
Orochimaru chuckled dryly.
"Of course."
After all, he was eager to see how far this Uchiha Kin could go.
"Good."
Kin nodded and returned to his experiments.
He had no interest in the repercussions of "Basic Internal Energy."
His focus was now entirely on developing a new technique—inspired by Hashirama's cells.
He silently entered his theories and experimental results into the input box of his "Golden Finger."
[Deduction successful.]
[Eight deductions completed. Newbie period has ended.]
[Please check the details promptly.]
Kin: "???"
(End of Chapter)