Chapter 23 – The Uchiha's Rooting
"Big Sister Mikoto, is this the entire collection of Uchiha ninjutsu?"
"Yes, almost all of our clan's ninjutsu are here." Mikoto opened the sealing scroll, which contained records of nearly all Uchiha techniques—even Izanagi and Izanami.
"Ming, what ninjutsu are you looking for?" Mikoto noticed that as Uchiha Ming browsed through, he skimmed past most of the signature Uchiha techniques, focusing instead on other types.
"I want to take a look at Water Release, Earth Release, and if there are any Lightning Release techniques, those too." Since he had already taken his first step toward the Ōtsutsuki path, Ming had no intention of abandoning other jutsu that could broaden his arsenal.
Although ninjutsu wasn't omnipotent, the power of Kekkei Tōta was terrifying, not to mention Kekkei Mōra, which had already reached the level of creation and destruction.
Most of Ming's arsenal was Fire Release. It wasn't that Fire was weak, but relying on only one nature was far too limiting. Other releases could not only increase his combat strength but also give him more versatile means.
Especially now, Ming found something strange: his Mangekyō Sharingan only manifested a dōjutsu in one eye.
Yes—after crossing into the Marvel universe, his other Mangekyō had awakened. Ming had avoided the tragedy of needing to lose loved ones to open it. But only his left eye had manifested a special ability, while the right eye, though clearly Mangekyō, had none.
Even after careful study, he confirmed it was brimming with the same Mangekyō power, just without any ability. Over time, Ming stopped dwelling on it.
Ming had a simple dream: to become a true Uchiha.
A false Uchiha: uses Fire Release to open battles, genjutsu, Sharingan copying, shurikenjutsu, with enough chakra, and loves to show off.
A real Uchiha: opens with Susanoo's map-wide blast, follows with Perfect Susanoo to clear paths, strikes mountains in half, every basic attack is an area-of-effect bombardment, wields Buddha-like might, spends chakra like it's free—utterly overwhelming.
The repressed Ming was gone; in his place, ambition was slowly taking root.
The biggest mistake a person can make is failing to recognize their place. The old Ming was just an ordinary man. After crossing over, he became a slightly talented ordinary Uchiha. But now, his fate had shifted from a "disastrous starting hand" to the ultimate winning hand.
By his side was a united Uchiha clan, and behind him were the resources of two worlds.
The first small goal: strengthen the Uchiha clan.
Ming wanted a strong Uchiha. Madara had been a monster, yet still died alone. His own clansmen even chose to betray their ancestor and stay in Konoha.
Though those who stayed were fools, Madara, in leaving, was no less so.
Ming's political skills were far superior to Madara's. If Madara's emotional intelligence had been just a little higher, Tobirama wouldn't have become the Second Hokage.
Ming's true advantage lay in foresight. He knew the real enemies of the shinobi world were the Ōtsutsuki. He knew Kaguya on the moon was watching and waiting.
That was his true edge—one that rivaled Madara's genius. Madara had been a qualified villain: diligent, ambitious, myth-making… but ultimately deceived and led astray.
Effort mattered, but effort in the wrong direction was worse than none at all.
"Water and Earth Release are fairly complete, but Lightning Release is scarce. After all, most Lightning specialists in Konoha belonged to the Hatake clan. Our relations weren't great, and White Fang died early."
Mikoto quickly pulled out the Water and Earth scrolls. Ming scanned through them—good heavens! Water Release: Severing Wave, Heavenly Weeping, Water Trumpet Technique, Hard Whirlpool Water Blade… weren't these all Tobirama Senju's techniques?
"Big Sister Mikoto, are these the Second Hokage's Water techniques?" Ming never bottled up his doubts.
"Yes. Why? Strange? Tobirama knew everything about the Uchiha, so of course we collected his jutsu too. Naturally, not Flying Thunder God or Edo Tensei. Lord Madara never valued those techniques anyway."
Ming smirked—sure, Edo Tensei was understandable, but Flying Thunder God? More likely Madara couldn't learn it! After all, his brother Izuna had died to it. There's no way Madara didn't at least try.
Sure enough, the Earth Release techniques were also comprehensive. That was the heritage of a great clan—depth that ordinary families simply couldn't compare with.
"Big Sister Mikoto, do we have Wood Release scrolls?" Ming suddenly asked.
"Yes, but incomplete. Most were gifts from Hashirama to Madara. But no one's ever opened them. Only Hashirama could use Wood Release. With no one able to learn it, those scrolls were basically useless. Probably why he gave them away so freely."
Mikoto found it odd Ming was so interested in Wood Release. Sure, it was strong—but since only Hashirama could use it, the scrolls were practically meaningless.
"Keep them safe for me, Big Sister Mikoto. I have a feeling they'll be useful someday." Ming knew better than to rush. It wasn't time yet. First, he had to master Water and Earth.
"Ming, do you really want to study Water and Earth Release? Our clan has little affinity with those—it may be difficult."
"It's fine. Look." Ming pulled out a chakra testing strip. The small paper revealed all five natures: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning.
"All five attributes?! Ming, that's truly unexpected! Thankfully we're not in Konoha anymore—now our geniuses can grow safely. If you've got the talent, I won't stop you."
"But don't spend all your time buried in training. Show your face now and then—the clansmen want to see you." Mikoto had been handling daily affairs so Ming could devote himself to cultivation.
In the end, whether ambition or vengeance, power was the foundation. And Ming was already hopelessly addicted.
Ninjutsu was just too fun! Far more interesting than linear algebra, calculus, organic chemistry, or classical literature! One breath, and he could spit a lake. One hand wave, and a stone wall would rise. Damn, this was way too fun!
Within a few days, the clan noticed a change. Their usually reclusive clan head now appeared at the new training grounds daily. At first, he only practiced Water and Earth Release. Nothing strange. Geniuses always studied more.
But soon it became clear something was off. Their clan head trained from morning till night without pause. Outside of meals, he never stopped.
Luckily the Uchiha compound was now covered by a barrier. Otherwise, with all that commotion, the FBI would've already come knocking.
The most shocking part: the sheer chakra reserves! Was chakra free for him? Was he Uchiha—or an Uzumaki?!