"What's wrong?"
"…Nothing."
The words nearly slipped out, but Samui stopped herself—her brother's face flashed through her mind.
In the end, she said nothing more and left the hidden chamber.
She informed Samoto and the higher-ups. They immediately saw through the real issue—it wasn't what she said that mattered, but the fact that Yagetsu Keiji was using the situation as leverage.
Even if she hadn't said anything, Yagetsu Keiji would have found another excuse.
At its core, this wasn't about principle—it was about dissatisfaction with the benefits currently offered. He simply wanted more.
And as long as it remained within certain boundaries, the higher-ups were willing to accommodate him—bit by bit—in order to obtain the Uchiha clan's kekkei genkai.
Given enough time, if Keiji really returned to Kumogakure...
She would be politically tainted for having made remarks that could be interpreted as divisive.
It might even affect her younger brother's future. He had only just become a genin, and his future was full of promise.
A wave of irritation and helplessness suddenly surged through Samui.
Why did it have to be her handling Yagetsu Keiji's affairs? And why did Yagetsu Keiji have to fixate on her of all people?
Uchiha District – Keiji's Home
Moonlight spilled across the courtyard. Keiji returned home and slid open the paper door.
In his hand were two ninjutsu scrolls.
Thanks to the system traits [Reading Absorption (White)] and [Basic Memorization (White)], Keiji quickly grasped the content of the scrolls and committed them to memory.
He had already memorized the "Lightning Release: Lightning Finger" technique from before.
But he hadn't yet begun training. Tonight would mark the beginning of his first real practice in Lightning Release techniques.
For the past six days, Keiji had been learning E-rank ninjutsu from scratch.
By climbing trees repeatedly to build a solid foundation—and with the help of [Muscle Memory (White)]—Keiji had already mastered the minimum chakra control required for E-rank jutsu.
The next step would be walking on water, evolving from tree-climbing to chakra control on fluid surfaces.
Keiji began refining the chakra within his body.
Threads of chakra were extracted from his cells and circulated through his chakra pathways.
Every jutsu—no matter how basic, relied on chakra to activate.
Even a purely physical technique like the "Eight Gates Information" still required chakra to be used.
According to the first official data book The Book of Information, the body's energy is a mix of physical stamina and mental strength generated by 130 trillion cells. This energy, when combined, is what's referred to as chakra.
To perform jutsu, one must first convert stamina into usable chakra.
That's why running out of chakra can be fatal—it's essentially dying of exhaustion.
In the ninja world, all living things—humans, animals, even plants—possess chakra.
Starting from Boruto, the concept of "planetary chakra" was introduced. For example, Boruto's original technique, "Rasengan: Uzuhiko," used that concept.
By injecting chakra into an opponent's body, the chakra would begin to rotate in sync with the planet's rotation. As long as the planet kept spinning, the "Rasengan: Uzuhiko" would never stop.
So far, it's one of the most powerful expressions of the Rasengan to date.
Of course, that was still a long way off for Keiji.
He extended his right hand, pressing his index and middle fingers together, transforming his neutral chakra into Lightning Release chakra.
Among Keiji's chakra natures were: Lightning, Fire, Yin, and Yang—giving him a natural advantage in learning Lightning techniques.
Tiny arcs of current began to crackle faintly beneath his skin, tingling his muscles. His fingers went numb.
Keiji endured the sensation and cautiously continued controlling the chakra.
Time passed quietly. Outside, tree shadows swayed under the moonlight, rustling softly in the night breeze.
[You have unlocked the trait: Novice Lightning Release Ninja (White)]
[Trait: Novice Lightning Release Ninja (White)]
[Requirement: Successfully perform a Lightning Release technique.]
[Status: Completed]
[Effect: Increases your talent for Lightning Release nature transInformation by 10%.]
[Note: This trait can be further upgraded.]
[Upgrade Path 1: Combine with "Muscle Memory (White)" and "Robust Physique (White)" to evolve into "Genin of Lightning Release (Green)"]
Keiji quietly listened to the system's voice in his mind, finally gaining insight into how trait advancement worked.
It seemed that once most conditions were met, the system would reveal a possible upgrade path.
"Novice" likely referred to his current level.
In the ninja academy system, student ranks are sometimes unofficially referred to as "pre-genin" or "apprentice ninja."
"'Robust Physique'... That probably means I need to improve my physical condition."
Looking at his now noticeably stronger body, Keiji nodded to himself.
A single white-tier trait had already increased his Lightning Release potential by 10%. If he reached green-tier, the boost would likely be even more substantial.
After a moment, Keiji unrolled another scroll—time to begin training his second ninjutsu.
The "Lightning Release: Lightning Finger" was an offensive jutsu—it only needed to be unleashed effectively.
His plan was to focus first on the second Lightning Release technique, while continuing to strengthen his body.
The deeper a ninja understands a jutsu, and the more proficient they become, the greater the power they can unleash.
For example, Sasuke's "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu" was much smaller when he first learned it compared to later on, when he had mastered it.
"Alright. Let's begin training: Lightning Release – Iron Skin."
Hokage Tower
"Hiruzen, Uchiha Keiji must be placed under full-time surveillance."
Shimura Danzo spoke coldly.
Over a month ago, the Uchiha clan had discovered Uchiha Keiji and brought him into Konoha.
Since then, he had been under constant investigation to determine whether he was a spy.
"Danzo, didn't you already send your best Root spies to monitor him?" asked Hiruzen Sarutobi as he gently tapped his smoking pipe and exhaled a puff of smoke.
The Hokage's office gradually filled with a hazy fog of tobacco.
Danzo frowned slightly.
According to the intel from Yakushi Nonō, Keiji showed no signs of being a spy. Microexpression analysis indicated no betrayal of Konoha.
And yet, Danzo remained uneasy.
Not being a spy doesn't mean he carries the Will of Fire.
Born of the naturally sinister Uchiha lineage—and mixed with the blood of Kumogakure's "bandits"—what kind of twisted personality would emerge?
Such an unstable element must be taken into Root, where he could be branded with the Tongue-Curse Seal to eliminate future threats.
"Hiruzen, hand over Uchiha Keiji to me. I'll erase his past and remake him into a true Leaf ninja."
"No." Hiruzen rejected the proposal without hesitation. "Right now, the Uchiha clan is in a delicate balance with the village. Doing this would only provoke them."
As someone who had lived through both the First and Second Ninja Wars, Hiruzen could sense the coming storm.
Kumogakure was amassing military power. There was a looming risk of expansion.
Konoha had only just recovered in recent years. If war broke out again, he suspected it would be even more intense than the last one.
Now was not the time to alienate the Uchiha.
The clan's fighting power was a critical asset to the village.
"Hiruzen!"
Danzo's voice rose sharply.
"Enough, Danzo. I am the Hokage."
Hiruzen put down his pipe.
In his view, Danzo simply lacked true foresight.