Chapter 47: Examining Oneself
Host: Uchiha Akira
Age: 17
Ninja Rank: Jōnin+ (highest ninja rank, not an accurate reference for actual strength)
Ninjutsu —
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, Phoenix Fire Jutsu, Phoenix Sage Fire Crimson Claw, Dragon Fire Jutsu, Majestic Dragon Fire Jutsu, Majestic Fire Destruction, Majestic Fire Annihilation, Dragon Flame Song Jutsu
Water Style: Water Formation Wall, Water Wave, Water Dragon Bullet, Water Severing Wave, Water Continuous Bullets, Hard Whirlpool Water Blade, Exploding Water Colliding Wave
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough, Wind Cutter Jutsu, Vacuum Sword
Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet, Earth Flow Rampart, Earth Flow Wall, Swamp of the Underworld
Lightning Style: Chidori-series techniques
Bloodline:
Uchiha bloodline fused with Hashirama cells, forming a defective Sage Body, now evolved into a Primary Sage Body.
Soul Furnace (special ability, inheritable, traits: Ascension Stairway — capable of breaking life's limits).
Note: The Sage Body is only a benchmark for chakra cultivation. The host's physical strength is not static.
Mangekyō Sharingan ocular power: (988/1000).
Special Ability: Phoenix Force (sprouting state).
After carefully examining himself, Akira discovered that the system panel indeed had a simplified data-tracking function. Of course, that didn't mean his body itself had been turned into pure data.
If Akira dared to test that theory, reality would quickly remind him what cruelty really meant.
"The Phoenix Force is really playing coy. I've already gone deep into Jean's innermost heart, yet it's still only in its sprouting stage… is this going to be a lifelong wait?"
To say he wasn't excited would be a lie. This was the Phoenix Force—its potential even greater than the power of the Sage of Six Paths. In terms of Marvel's scale of power, it far outstripped the foundation of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
The Phoenix Force and the Chaos Force could be called artifacts capable of both creating and destroying worlds. The only problem was—what exactly did "sprouting state" mean?
It was like gazing upon the full thighs of a beautiful maiden—only to be told they could be admired but never touched. The itch in his heart was unbearable!
Right now, Akira couldn't feel the Phoenix Force at all, let alone wield it. For the time being, it was merely a jewel on his crown—the crown was his, but the jewel hadn't yet been set in place.
As he tossed and turned that night, Akira pondered everything that had happened. Clearly, his relationship with Jean had taken a major leap forward, and he also came to new realizations about this unstable, yandere girl.
In truth, the host of the Phoenix Force wasn't as lucky as people might think. Power always came with a price.
Unnoticed by him, Akira had already lowered his guard toward Jean.
The night sky dimmed, the moon hung low among willow branches.
The next morning, upon waking, Akira reached into his pocket and felt the hard Dragon Bone, only then remembering that he'd fallen asleep exhausted the night before.
The jagged fossil-like bone was rough, not unlike the dinosaur fossils displayed in museums. Fossils, by name, were no different from stones.
The moment he pulled it out, Akira felt a powerful attraction emanating from the Dragon Bone. It was as if every cell in his body could taste its fragrance, like an irresistible delicacy.
Deep within, he felt the Soul Furnace roaring, desperate to absorb the bone.
"Absorb!"
With a single thought, Akira unleashed the Soul Furnace. The Dragon Bone instantly crumbled into dust.
"Pff! Pff!" The powder sprayed all over his face as he lay there.
Soul Furnace: 2189/100000 Lv.3
"Just one small piece had such an effect? This is far better than farming in Hell's Kitchen. Extraordinary power births extraordinary souls…"
It seemed necessary to keep pursuing the Hand. One High Lady had been slain, but four fingers remained. Surely more Dragon Bones awaited. And the best part? Killing the Hand required no guilt at all—it was a righteous act of punishing evil and promoting good. His duty, beyond question!
When Akira got up, he found Inaho and the others already waiting outside his door, giving him odd looks.
"What? Haven't had breakfast yet?" Akira, in high spirits, didn't mind their strange gazes.
"Clan Leader, that young lady can join us too. After all, it's your personal choice, and we'll respect it no matter what…"
"What young lady?" Akira was still basking in the lingering thrill of absorbing the Dragon Bone. The Soul Furnace had a unique trait: its strengthening effect was gradual and continuous. Unlike sudden explosive boosts, this steady growth made it easier for the body to adapt.
Of course, to Akira, the progress of just one day was already terrifying.
Imagine training hard for an entire year with no results—only for the Soul Furnace to shatter your limits in a single day. The effect was, in a word, monstrous.
"We mean Miss Jean…"
Akira's face darkened—he had almost forgotten about her.
"She's in her own room. The new one. The old one was destroyed, remember? Why would she be in mine?"
He turned and left, leaving Inaho and the others confused.
"…Did we somehow offend the Clan Leader? We saw them both change clothes last night—don't tell me they had a fight?"
"I don't know!"
"Me neither…"
Soon after, they sat down to a breakfast carefully prepared by Mikoto.
"Akira, last night…"
Seeing Mikoto's curious expression, Akira explained Jean's situation in detail—though he left out the deeper interactions within their spiritual world.
"So that's what happened. No wonder I saw that girl wearing your clothes last night." Mikoto smiled, ruffling his hair. "If you truly like her, don't hesitate. Although I'd still prefer if you chose someone within the Uchiha, it's your decision. I won't interfere. You know, Izumi is a good choice too."
"Big Sis Mikoto, if I'm not mistaken, Izumi and Itachi are supposed to be childhood sweethearts, right?"
At the mention of Itachi, Mikoto froze, her expression chilling. "He's not worthy. Izumi deserves better."
"I'm sorry, Mikoto, I didn't mean to bring him up." Akira quickly apologized. After all, Itachi's name was practically taboo within the clan.
"It's fine. The name just ruins my mood. I've already come to terms with it—sometimes choices are our own, and we can't blame others." She shook her head. When it came to her son, her feelings were too complicated to put into words.
Akira lowered his head, eating his breakfast in silence, sipping a bowl of soup. Traditional Japanese broths were far too salty—miso soup as well. Though Mikoto usually cooked Chinese or Western food, sometimes she added Japanese flavors.
Akira couldn't be selfish and demand his own tastes alone.
"Don't worry, Mikoto. Once I grow stronger, I'll return and collect some interest."