Chapter 24: Demonstrating Strength
"Earth Release — Earth Flow Rampart!"
A massive structure of rock and soil rose like towering city walls in the middle of the training ground. Uchiha Akira's Earth Flow Rampart practically filled the entire training ground, standing over ten meters tall.
"Water Release — Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
A surging torrent flooded the earthen rampart, and in an instant, the training ground transformed into a vast lake.
Their clan leader then sat cross-legged atop the rampart to meditate, while the rest of the clansmen — led by Inaho, Tekka, and Honoka — began their Fire Release training.
Yes, by now everyone had slowly grown used to their clan leader's techniques: large in scale, terrifyingly powerful, requiring astonishingly few hand seals — sometimes just one or two to complete a jutsu.
What had started as simple training soon bore fruit. Within a month, the number of mastered techniques multiplied.
But the most shocking part wasn't the number — it was the scale of Akira's ninjutsu. The Uchiha finally realized that as long as one had enough chakra and mastery, even "ordinary" techniques could unleash destructive power on the level of A-rank — even approaching S-rank.
"Tekka, what do you think the clan leader's current strength really is?"
"How should I know? I've never fought him myself. But at the very least, when it comes to ninjutsu and chakra reserves, we don't stand a chance. Just look at how much chakra he has. Add to that the fact that he's trained in multiple Water Release techniques… we Uchiha specialize in Fire Release, so against him, we're completely countered!" Tekka sighed.
"Why don't we ask the clan leader for some guidance?" Honoka's eyes lit up. He had always been one of the more restless ones. Back in the Uchiha Police Force, he was notorious for stirring up trouble every now and then.
Now that the clan had been stable for a while, Honoka was itching again. To put it bluntly — his hands were restless.
"Let's go ask him! I bet even the clan leader is itching for a fight. He's been casting ninjutsu day after day without a worthy opponent. Come on!"
Without hesitation, Honoka, Tekka, and Inaho went to find Uchiha Akira.
"What's this? The three of you coming to me together?" Akira opened his eyes from meditation. His chakra surged inside him like a balloon inflating endlessly. He was completely absorbed in it.
It was just like watching your game level skyrocket nonstop — in one word, exhilarating!
"Clan leader, we'd like to ask for your guidance," Honoka said bravely.
Akira glanced at them and smirked. "What's this? Your hands are itching?"
Scratching his head sheepishly, Honoka admitted, "Yes, clan leader. Things aren't like they were in Konoha. Life here is peaceful, and honestly, there isn't much to do."
"Very well then, let's have some fun. Anyone who's free can come watch."
The news that Honoka's group would challenge the clan leader spread quickly through the clan.
Most of the clansmen gathered to watch. After all, everyone wanted to witness their clan leader's true abilities. To be honest, many weren't very familiar with Akira — he used to be just a background figure among them.
They were sincerely grateful to him, yes, but familiarity was another matter. This was the perfect chance to see his power firsthand and deepen their understanding of their leader.
As Akira stood before a crowd of clansmen and ninja cats gathered atop the earthen rampart, he remained calm. Over the past weeks, he had grown used to his role as clan leader.
For the still-young Akira, it was both a small honor and a great responsibility.
"Alright, everyone stay quiet. We're about to begin. Protect yourselves. Elder Shōen, you and the others put up a temporary barrier to shield the spectators."
Uchiha Shōen, one of the elders, immediately complied. Back when Fugaku had been in charge, the elders wielded considerable influence. While they couldn't depose the clan leader outright, their combined voices could sway decisions.
But in the new Uchiha clan, elders were more symbolic — a position reserved for those with virtue and contributions to the clan. Their descendants enjoyed benefits such as priority in learning ninjutsu and direct training from elite jōnin. Akira had no objection to keeping such policies. Wherever one lived, competition was necessary for progress.
Even though Akira was now unquestionably the strongest fighter in the clan, he knew full well he lacked experience. Without battlefield cunning, he couldn't yet stand above all others. That was why he hadn't rushed to take disciples — he himself still had much room to grow.
"Yes, clan leader." Shōen and several other elders quickly raised a protective barrier around the crowd.
"Well then, will you come at me one by one, or all together?" Akira asked with confidence. Ah, the joy of having so much chakra — pure confidence!
"Clan leader, we'll come at you together. Be careful not to lose!"
"You three should be the ones careful. Come — begin!"
The instant the words fell, Tekka used Body Flicker to appear behind Akira and thrust a kunai toward his abdomen.
But Tekka wasn't foolish — such a simple strike could never land so easily.
Sure enough, Akira's body exploded into a torrent of water, which surged outward to entrap Tekka.
Fortunately, Tekka had been wary and leapt away — otherwise, he'd have been caught.
"Clan leader, that Water Prison Jutsu of yours almost got me!" Tekka exclaimed. Indeed, if he'd hesitated even a moment, he'd have been trapped.
From the distant water, Akira's form rose again. "Yes, but my timing was off — still lacking in battle experience. Don't think you can bully your young clan leader so easily! Hahaha!"
At that, Tekka, Inaho, and Honoka unleashed their full strength.
"Fire Release — Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Fire Release — Dragon Flame Song Jutsu!"
"Wind Release — Great Breakthrough!"
Their Fire Release attacks, empowered by Wind Release, became a massive inferno, blazing with unstoppable might.
"Not bad — a combination jutsu!" Akira praised. "Watch closely, everyone! Coordination is crucial on the battlefield. Normally, a jutsu like this would force even a jōnin to retreat—"
"But— Water Release — Water Formation Wall!"
With just three hand seals, Akira summoned a towering wall of water that blocked the inferno.
The watching clansmen were thrilled.
"The clan leader's Water Release is incredible — he already shows the style of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama." Elder Shōen's eyes gleamed with recognition. He had truly seen Tobirama's water techniques in action — after all, age often meant experience.
"Elder, you actually witnessed the Second's Water Release?"
"Of course. How do you think I became an elder at my age? I even crossed blades with him once. I was just a child then, powerless to change the tide of battle. But make no mistake — the Second was a true genius of his era."
"Elder, aren't you praising outsiders while belittling our own clan leader?"
"Shut it, brat! What do you know? This is called respect for a strong man — do you understand?"