"You... you awakened the Sharingan!"
"Incredible... truly incredible..."
Awakening earlier did not always mean greater talent.
Madara Uchiha had awakened at fifteen, yet his strength towered over ordinary clan members and even most prodigies.
Still, an early awakening did point to formidable gifts.
Six years old was outrageous.
Perhaps Shiro Gen could become a force on par with Madara, even surpass him.
That thought alone left Setsuna Uchiha shaken.
"It seems I still underestimated your talent."
He drew a steady breath, resolve hardening in his eyes.
"Since you possess such power, I should not hold back any longer."
"From today, I will stake everything and support you with all I have."
"A medicinal bath every day, a secret tonic every week, and free access to all knowledge in the clan's archives."
Shiro Gen blinked.
He had expected greater investment once he revealed the Sharingan and his genius, but not this.
Setsuna was treating him as the clan's final hope.
Very well.
If Setsuna had such courage, he would not let him down.
"Elder Setsuna, rest easy."
"I will not disappoint you."
"I will become the strongest, with power that breaks all limits, and change everything."
Confidence colored his voice, and Setsuna's expression warmed with approval.
"I would not wager everything unless I believed completely."
"Shiro Gen Uchiha, you are the last hope of our clan."
"Do your utmost."
"I will."
With Setsuna's full backing, Shiro Gen finished his day's training and experienced his first medicinal bath.
The heat was searing, the liquid a deep brown.
Immersed to the neck, he felt his entire body loosen and unwind.
The medicine seeped through his pores, subtly nourishing everything within.
It was blissfully relaxing.
When he emerged, he felt light as air, comfortable beyond words.
"The bath works beautifully."
"A daily soak, plus a weekly tonic."
"Even an ordinary person could be shaped into a prodigy."
"With my cheat on top of that, I will advance into a powerhouse even faster."
"With resources like these, reaching Kage-level before graduation should be easy."
"Super Kage-level might not be out of reach."
He had a clear plan for the road ahead.
If he upgraded [Yin Release Mastery (Green)] to the purple entry [Yin Release Dominion (Purple)], the Mangekyo Sharingan would open.
If he raised it to the gold entry [Yin Release Sovereign (Gold)], Mangekyo could evolve into the Eternal Mangekyo.
He would also push [Fire Release Control (Blue)] to [Fire Release Sovereign (Gold)], and [Swordsmanship Mastery (Green)] to [Swordsmanship Sovereign (Gold)].
With those two gold entries, the Uchiha sword style would become terrifying.
Combined with a perfected Fire Release Chakra Mode: Armor of Fire, he would reach Kage-level combat power.
Perhaps even the top tier of Kage-level.
If
he could fuse Fire Release and Yin Release based on [Fire Release Sovereign (Gold)] and [Yin Release Sovereign (Gold)] to create a new kekkei genkai,
and then fully develop it, he would likely achieve Super Kage-level.
If not, he would pursue Sage Arts.
With Sage power, he would surely reach Super Kage-level.
Graduating with Super Kage-level strength,
why would he fear war?
Such might would let him dictate the Third Great Ninja War.
Then he would gain many, many...
...
...
One month later,
Fire Release Chakra Mode: Armor of Fire!
HOO!!!
A surge of searing flame burst from within.
In an instant, roaring fire sheathed his body, forming a full suit of blazing heavy armor.
His temperature spiked, his heart hammered, and blood raced through his veins.
Shiro Gen felt power flood him like a tide.
"Armor of Fire not only defends, it reinforces the body and even heightens the degree of Fire nature transformation."
"A fine secret art. Instant activation, no hand seals."
"Worthy of S rank."
"And also,"
"creating Armor of Fire pushed [Fire Release Control (Blue)] forward by at least one third."
"In other words, after I create two more secrets of similar level, [Fire Release Control (Blue)] will upgrade to [Fire Release Dominion (Purple)]."
"Excellent news."
Smiling, Shiro Gen drew his ninja blade.
Armor of Fire heightened Fire nature transformation.
Which meant it amplified the Uchiha sword style as well.
He had to test it.
With a thought, there was no need to transform chakra again. He simply stirred Fire chakra.
HOO!!!
Scorching flame poured over the blade, cloaking the steel.
Uchiha Sword Style: Gale Blade!
He cut once. A ten meter arc of fire tore free from the edge and howled forward.
The flaming blade ripped the air, raced ahead, and hurled a rolling heatwave behind it.
In a blink it crossed fifty meters and struck a towering tree.
Six meters thick and lush with leaves, the trunk vanished under fire in an instant.
Within a breath it turned to ash.
Even the ground became a patch of blackened earth.
Watching the scene, Shiro Gen felt a solemn thrill and murmured:
"Frightening destructive power."
"On a battlefield, this would be a killing trump."
"With Armor of Fire and the Uchiha sword style, I now fight at jonin level."
"Add the Sharingan and genjutsu, and I can go even with an elite jonin."
"An astonishing rate of growth."
"I am very satisfied."