Chapter 7: The First Technique
Inside the clan head's residence, Uchiha Fugaku looked at Uchiha Ren, who was bowing ninety degrees, and showed an appreciative expression.
"Since you've made your request, I will temporarily instruct you for some time."
"Lord Clan Head, I, Uchiha Ren, swear to go through fire and water for the Uchiha!"
Inside Ren Arakawa's "Chat Group," three voices said in unison:
"Genius!"
"Genius!"
"Genius!"
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't hear the thoughts of the child in front of him at all. He nodded in satisfaction, "I don't have much free time. Occasionally, I will guide my youngest son, Uchiha Sasuke. Sasuke, come out."
Sasuke, who was hiding behind the screen, walked out, blinking his innocent eyes.
Uchiha Ren looked back at Sasuke and silently evaluated him.
'If it weren't for Itachi, Sasuke's personality would probably be just like that of any child growing up in a prominent clan.'
Fugaku patted Sasuke's head, "From today onwards, he will be your training partner."
Sasuke nodded weakly, carefully observing Uchiha Ren, who was dressed simply before him.
Uchiha Ren ignored Sasuke and bowed ninety degrees again to Uchiha Fugaku, "Teacher, may I receive a scroll for the Great Fireball Technique from the clan?"
Although the Great Fireball Technique is a C-rank jutsu and a secret family technique within the Uchiha clan, many ninja outside the clan also master it.
Now, a nine-year-old Sharingan genius requesting to learn the Great Fireball Technique—Fugaku, as the clan head, had no reason to refuse.
"Of course," he replied, "but it would be best if I demonstrated it for you once; that way, you'll learn it faster."
He glanced at his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, "Add an extra portion of food for lunch."
Mikoto was quite displeased, but she didn't say anything more and turned to go prepare.
Uchiha Ren quickly got up, "Thank you, Teacher, but I have to prepare for a test this afternoon, so... next time!"
Uchiha Mikoto breathed a sigh of relief, "Then hurry and prepare. You must be careful with the test."
"Understood, thank you, Lord Clan Head!"
Fugaku shook his head helplessly. He got up and walked outside, "You two, follow me."
The Uchiha clan is located at the edge of Konoha.
To put it in a way modern people would understand, this place isn't even what you'd call a 'Sixth Ring' district.
It should be considered "the suburbs."
Leaving Konoha was considerably simpler for the Uchiha than Jiraiya peeping into women's bathhouses. The three quickly left Konoha and arrived at a forested area.
"The Great Fireball Technique is a jutsu that every Uchiha ninja must learn," Uchiha Fugaku said with a proud expression, "It can be said to be the first technique every Uchiha ninja learns."
"Ren, activate your Sharingan!"
Following Fugaku's command, Uchiha Ren's eyes widened!
Activate!
"This guy!" Sasuke looked at Uchiha Ren with a face full of disbelief. It was the first time he had seen someone other than his older brother activate the Sharingan at such a young age.
Uchiha Ren's single tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated in his pupils. Fugaku nodded with great satisfaction, "Watch my hand movements carefully."
Ox!
Ram!
Monkey!
Uchiha Ren's eyes rapidly scanned, afraid of missing any single detail.
Boar!
Horse!
Tiger!
Uchiha Fugaku clasped his hands together and quickly formed hand seals. As the last seal was formed, the Chakra within his body began to surge rapidly, concentrating in his throat.
Suddenly, Uchiha Fugaku's mouth opened, and a scorching stream of Chakra fluid surged forth from deep within his throat.
This fluid rapidly condensed into a giant fireball that burned in the air, emitting dazzling orange-red light. The surrounding temperature rose sharply, and a wave of heat washed over them.
The fireball was like a small sun, radiating intense light and heat. Its surface continuously roiled as if liquid flames were constantly boiling.
The size and brightness of the fireball grew with the injection of Chakra until it became powerful enough.
Finally, Uchiha Fugaku let out a loud shout, pushing this condensed flame power forward.
The Great Fireball Technique's fireball flew out at an astonishing speed, rushing directly towards the target ahead.
The fireball streaked through the air, leaving a bright trail of flames. Its speed was so fast that it was hard to catch.
When the Great Fireball Technique hit the target, it made a deafening explosion sound. Flames splattered everywhere, forming a huge fireball explosion zone.
The flames devoured everything around, turning the target area into a sea of fire.
The shockwave generated by the explosion shook the surrounding trees and rocks, making them totter. The heat of the flames could even be felt from a distance.
A saying circulates in the ninja world.
Ninjutsu has no distinction of high or low, noble or humble; what matters most is the user.
Even a C-rank ninjutsu, in the hands of a Kage-level expert, can unleash world-destroying effects!
Fugaku was clearly not weak in strength. After unleashing this Great Fireball Technique, let alone Uchiha Ren, even Sasuke was utterly shocked, staring at the chaotic scene in the distance.
Pirate Ren Arakawa: "It seems that on the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, this guy held back. If he truly fought, the battle wouldn't have ended so quickly."
Stephen Fang: "I underestimated this clan head."
Sasuke was so shocked he couldn't speak.
He couldn't imagine that his usually stern and busy father actually possessed such powerful strength.
He looked at the wrinkles on Fugaku's face, but before he could utter much praise,
the flow of Chakra beside him caught his attention!
Uchiha Ren stood in the forested area, his single tomoe Sharingan eyes gleaming with a sharp glint.
He took a deep breath, mimicking Fugaku's movements. His hands quickly formed seals, and the Chakra within his body, under his control, gathered in his chest, then concentrated in his throat!
Could it be?!
Fugaku and Sasuke widened their eyes, waiting for a miracle to happen!
Uchiha Ren's mouth slightly opened, and a smaller stream of scorching Chakra fluid surged from deep within his throat, gradually condensing into a fireball ten times smaller than Fugaku's!
Although this fireball was smaller in size, it still emitted an orange-red glow, and the surrounding air was slightly distorted by the heat.
Although the surface of the fireball wasn't as roiling and boiling as Fugaku's, it still possessed the vitality and intensity of flames.
Uchiha Ren concentrated his mind, pushing the fireball forward.
The power and scale were not as great as Fugaku's, but the Great Fireball Technique's speed was still swift, cutting through the air, leaving a trail of flames, and directly hitting the large tree in front!
The fireball struck the target, causing a small explosion. Flames splattered, forming a smaller fireball explosion zone!
The surrounding grass was scorched, and some smaller trees and bushes were engulfed by the flames, turning into ash!
Although the destructive power was not even one-tenth of Fugaku's, for a nine-year-old child attempting the Great Fireball Technique for the first time, this was already an impressive achievement!
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the scene before him, and an expression of admiration appeared on his face.
"Amazing, Uchiha Ren," Fugaku's voice carried a hint of surprise and acknowledgment. "Even with the Sharingan activated for movement imitation, it's still very difficult to directly use the Great Fireball Technique after seeing it for the first time."
"Not only did you do it, but you also displayed quite good control. Very good."
Uchiha Ren, however, showed no trace of smugness.
Feeling the Chakra within his body, which was almost completely depleted, he bowed slightly to Fugaku, "As far as I know, Lord Itachi didn't even activate his Sharingan, yet he imitated the Great Fireball Technique the first time he saw it. He is the true genius."
Fugaku revealed a proud smile. Sasuke, at his side, was once again bewildered.
He looked at Fugaku, "Was big brother really that amazing?"
Fugaku nodded, "Of course."
Uchiha Ren, looking at this harmonious father-son scene, couldn't bear to break it.
He grumbled in the "Chat Group."
"If Sasuke knew that Itachi would soon slaughter his entire clan, would he still think his big brother was truly amazing?"
Pirate Ren Arakawa: "Still hell."
Stephen Fang: "Don't drag me to heaven with you."
(end of chapter)