It took him two full days to bring Earth Skin to the same level as his other techniques.
According to the scroll, that was considered fast.
There was a reason this jutsu was difficult to master.
Learning it wasn't the real problem.
The issue was application.
Unlike most techniques, which were released from the mouth, hands, or feet, Earth Skin demanded something else entirely. To be considered complete, chakra had to be released from every tenketsu at once.
After all, if an attack targeted the neck while chakra was released only from the palms, the head would be severed long before the chakra could reach its destination.
Not to mention the waste.
In that sense, the technique resembled the Hyūga clan's Revolving Heaven—at least in principle. As far as Ken knew, it was the only other jutsu that required near-simultaneous chakra output from every tenketsu.
Obviously, he hadn't reached that level.
Not even close.
Instead, he had focused on critical areas:
Neck.Chest.Upper spine.
He could now harden those regions instantly.
It wasn't true mastery.
But it wasn't incomplete either.
Calling it pseudo-mastery felt accurate enough.
With that, his preparations were finished.
Ken cracked his knuckles, then rolled his neck once.
"It's time," he muttered.
Time to find that Uchiha.
For a rematch.
Ken made his way toward the Uchiha district.
He was confident he could defeat her now.
Halfway there, he stopped.
"…Wait. How would I even find her?"
Ken frowned.
He didn't remember her name.
All he could recall was that she was strong.
And—unhelpfully—good-looking.
Ken sighed.
That narrowed nothing down.
Every Uchiha was good-looking.
Asking around would only make things worse.
Excuse me, I'm looking for a strong, good-looking Uchiha girl.
He grimaced.
They'd probably beat him to death before he finished the sentence.
Ken rubbed his temples.
This was a mistake.
He planned for everything but missed something this basic
"…I'll figure something out," he muttered.
With that, he continued forward.
Ken stopped near the outer edge of the Uchiha district.
For a moment, he considered leaving.
Then he sighed and approached the first shinobi he saw.
An Uchiha. Older. Chūnin, judging by posture.
"I'm looking for someone," Ken said evenly.
The man glanced at him. "Who?"
Ken hesitated for half a second.
"…An Uchiha genin," he said. "Female. Strong. Good at combat."
The man stared.
Ken realized too late how that sounded.
Silence stretched.
"You just described half the clan," the Uchiha replied.
Ken nodded. "I figured."
Then he added, grimacing slightly, "The one who defeated the strongest genin."
The man froze.
Then laughed.
"Oh—that fool?" He took a few breaths, still chuckling. "Let me tell you something. Half the Uchiha could defeat that 'strongest genin.'"
Ken's mouth twitched.
Still, he asked calmly, "Do you know where she is?"
The man's gaze sharpened. "Why?"
"Sparring," Ken replied. "We fought before."
Another pause.
Then the man asked, barely suppressing his laughter, "You mean the strongest genin?"
"Yes," Ken answered helplessly. It was the fastest—and only—way he could think of.
The man finally controlled his expression.
"At least you're not a coward," he said with a grin. "I don't know where she is. But word spreads fast here."
He gestured lazily. "Go to the training grounds. If nothing else, she'll find you."
Ken thanked him and moved on.
As he walked toward the training grounds the Uchiha used, he felt several gazes on him.
Not hostile.
Curious.
Like spectators watching a story unfold.
Some older women whispered while glancing at him, expressions filled with interest.
Do they not get gossip from outside the district? he thought dryly.
…Honestly, they weren't that bad.
If anything, the Fugaku line felt like the real monsters of the clan.
Before long, someone stepped into his path.
Black hair.Calm posture.Familiar chakra.
"You're looking for me," she said.
It wasn't a question.
Ken blinked once.
"…That was fast."
She stepped closer, then gestured subtly toward the onlookers nearby.
Ken exhaled. "Well, the result was effective."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"So," she said, "why are you asking around my clan for a strong and beautiful Uchiha girl?"
Ken's mouth twitched.
I didn't say beautiful, he thought internally.
Then he met her gaze.
"You beat me last time," he said simply. "I want a rematch."
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she smiled.
Showing teeth.
"Took you long enough," she said. "Follow me."
"Where?" Ken asked.
She turned without answering.
Ken sighed—
and followed.