Selling an Uchiha

Crossing out my sketch, I start sketching below it. Blowing a strand of hair away, I frown as it slides back into place. Sighing, I close my notebook, pen inside, and tuck the strand of hair behind my ear. Leaning back on the lush green grass, I hug the notebook to my chest. Enjoying the summer sun, I listen to an awkward Uchiha trying to make conversation.

"So... Great weather we have right?"

"Yea... it's always like this in the summer."

"For sure! So how's your day going on today?"

"Well, since dawn was two hours ago, I'd say it's swell so far."

Chuckling, I pulse my chakra out in every direction. Closing my eyes, I focus on my chakra as it spreads in the form of interconnecting filaments. I plan to make the filaments take the form of radar, but I have them interact like a knit fabric for now. It's simpler and easier to control and understand. As the strands get farther, they split to keep the distance between each filament less than 5 cm.

At first, splitting the filaments consistently was the difficult part, but then I learned how intent works with chakra. It's a bit harder than long-distance manipulation, but it shouldn't be more advanced. Going back to the very basics, chakra is made of physical and spiritual energy. Physical energy is what I've been focusing on, but everyone unconsciously uses the spiritual aspect. In those moments when everything is on the line and you just have to succeed, the spiritual component can bring surprising effects. On the other hand, doubt and insecurities can create a dampening effect.

Normally the spiritual aspect is overlooked since the physical aspect is much easier to use and has fewer requirements to be useful. In a way, jutsu that depend on the spiritual aspect like genjutsu are situational. It's up to the user to pick the right tool at the right time and most of the time you still need a hard hitting ninjutsu to complement it. The caveat is that you can do more with your chakra. Genjutsu is basically a series of signals sent to the target's senses to confuse them. Sometimes you can create a whole detailed scene to trap the target in. It just depends on your skill in the spiritual aspect, the amount of chakra available, and the medium. In my case, I want my filaments to form a lattice while spreading out. I haven't figured out how to make a perfect lattice, but having my filaments check the distance between each other with small branches Is a start. If the distance is farther than specified, the left filament splits in two. Why left? Simply because I flipped a coin and it landed on tails.

Why is this so important? In fuinjutsu, the intent is what is written down on the seal. The seal itself manipulates the chakra according to the written intent. I simply applied that to chakra manipulation in real-time. So far, I've only made explosive tags successfully, but that doesn't mean that no progress has been made. For starters, I've pieced together a tentative fuinjutsu language. Using basic calculations with simple words, I can get the same results as other fuinjutsu. The only thing I have to do differently is defining a unit for chakra each time. Using a "CU" without the space in between, I equate it to just enough chakra to keep a leaf stuck to my palm for a minute. Nothing fancy, but that is a start. With this unit, I can accurately specify or limit how much chakra the seal can use. Obviously, more chakra means a bigger explosion, but after a certain magnitude, the effect on one target barely increases. Instead of adding more power, focusing that power gives better results.

"So how's the wife doing?"

"I'm not married..."

"Oh? Neither am I!"

"You're a kid, and I'm in my thirties. There's a big difference."

"I mean, there are plenty of advantages."

"Before you say anything else, can I help you? I'm really getting tired of this conversation."

Normally, explosive tags combust before exploding. The problem is that the sound of burning paper and the flash of fire before the explosion can give it away. In the first place, the seal follows a standard setup. A weak containment seal with an explosion inside. Premature leaks in the containment are what set the seal on fire. Trying to make the containment seal break instantly isn't possible. I could've created a stronger containment seal with a timer so the fiery explosion manifests without warning, but that requires much more chakra for almost the same performance. Normally, a decent explosive seal has two circles. One for the creation of fire from chakra and one for the containment seal.

What happens without the containment seal? It generates fire the moment you provide chakra. You could use a timer instead of containment in the second circle, but that would remove the kinetic force that makes an explosion. Imagine a ball of flame compared to a grenade. Just not as useful without pressure. What I've made is something that requires a bigger circle for the containment seal. One parameter is the amount of chakra used in the containment seal and its shape. The second parameter is a vent, like in a pressure cooker. Containment seals can be made without a definite shape, but that makes it harder to manipulate what's inside. At least that's what I think. How do you work with something abstract? You don't, just close your eyes and hope things will work out. With a basic shape, you can add small details to change how it functions. The best thing is that the shape is condensed into two dimensions. In this case, I use a sphere that's completely within the page. The vent is a portion of the sphere that has lower resistance so when the pressure is high enough, it gives before the rest of the containment seal.

Simple right? Unfortunately, the addition makes it larger than what can be put on a kunai. In addition, the position matters in this seal. The vent has to be in the target's direction otherwise it's useless. So there are some flaws and complications; it more than makes up for it with targetted destruction. Imagine throwing a thin slab of wood or stone. The opponent dodges only to find themselves midair with an explosive jet of fire roasting them. A blink of an eye is all it takes to travel 10 meters. Instant victory. Slap it on some equipment and I can shoot fire faster than an Uchiha can pucker his lips. The only major problem is the chakra cost. I myself can't use fire jutsu yet, I haven't practiced elemental jutsu at all actually. The use of seals to do it is four to five times as costly at this point.

"You may not be handsome, but I'm sure you still have a chance, sir!"

"Please, just tell me what you want?"

"You could probably lose some weight. Workout a little. Trim your beard. Maybe brush your dentures."

"These are real teeth! Just stop. Go away!"

"Will you sign this real quick? It really has nothing to do with you."

That's where the second seal in the beginner book comes in, the storage seal. Compressing three-dimensional objects into two dimensions might sound simple, but fuinjutsu really does something miraculous. The storage scroll basically shifts the object into a fourth dimension, possibly just millimeters or less away. What we may see if anything is the projection onto our three dimensions. What makes this easy to realize in fuinjutsu is that a few keywords in conjunction with the right intent are understood by chakra itself. Of course, it's nothing amazing, like being able to hide in said space or using it to travel. It literally shifts individual units deeper in an arbitrary direction through a fourth dimension. When taking the object out, the units are just shifting back over and reassemble with the relevant intermolecular forces. Again, the only problem is at the time of creation, quite a bit of chakra is required. If you ever wondered why seals aren't created on the battlefield, you should understand now. Most seals will deplete your chakra on creation and any lapse in the specifications may lead to disaster.

"What am I signing?"

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not selling anything."

"Then what's this about?"

"I just need your signature and if you could fill in your address on the line above, I'd be happy to leave you alone."

"But, why should I sign it? What is this 'Proof of conversation'?"

Sighing, I roll over and push myself up. It's too early for this. Squinting at the rising sun, I stroll over to the undercover Uchiha and the irritated peddler. Waving at the Uchiha, I walk closer to the peddler. Beckoning him to lean down I whisper into his ear, "Don't mind him, he's in a social rehab plan. Just keep walking and leave him to me." Straightening up, he throws the Uchiha a worried look before walking off. Noticing the Uchiha glaring at me, I sigh. He heard all of it.

Turning back to my spot on the grass, I wave at the menace to follow me. Picking my stuff up, I turn and face him, "What were you doing?" Blinking, he states, "I was conversing with the man." Walking past him, I motion at him to follow, "Right. Six in the morning is the perfect time to bother someone. At this point why don't you try convincing him you're his long-lost son as well?" Hearing his footsteps behind me, I start walking to one of the quieter commerce streets. Ignoring his grunts for attention, I stop in front of a bakery. Hearing him grunt again, I roll my eyes. Turning around, I fold my arms and raise an eyebrow. Clearing his throat, since he obviously needed to after all that grunting, he asks, "Why are we here?"

Pointing to his signature form I gesture at the bakery, "I'm going to show you how to get the form signed. You're right when you say you're not selling anything, but no one will believe you when you say it like that." Staring at me with his best squinty poker face, I open the door, "Socially inept ninja first!"

Entering behind him, I push him towards the counter. Leaning on my elbows, I peek behind a stack of trays. Finding a bell on the back counter, I reach into my trouser pocket and pull out a leaf. Pushing some chakra into it and making a string, I flick it towards the bell. Just missing it, I slowly reel the leaf back and carefully arrange it on top of the bell. Creating an anchor on the bell, I quickly pull both the leaf and bell back to me. Glancing at the stoic Uchiha, I pocket the leaf and ring the bell.

Hearing some grunting and swearing, I elbow my companion before smiling. Seeing his pained smile, I slouch my shoulders. How hard is it to smile? Even faking a smile should be something every ninja should know. Fixing my posture as the Baker comes into view, I take the initiative and start the conversation, "Hey sir, how are you this morning?" Grumbling something under his breath, he just frowns, "What do you want? I just started preparing, I'm not taking any customers right now." Beaming, I pull my tag along closer, "That's perfect sir. That's actually why we're here."

Grabbing the paper, I slide it in front of him, "My friend here needs your help. Just a signature here saying that he was friendly is all he needs. In exchange, he would love to help out for a bit." Feeling him tug my sleeve, I wave him off. Can't be losing my advantage here now can I? Pointing at the signature blank, I hand him the pen, "Just your name here and he'll be happy to help you." Grunting, he jabs the pen at the form, "And this form isn't any kind of scam or anything?" Chuckling, I joke, "Well... Just your confirmation that he wasn't rude and your first burnt loaf of bread. That's all he's after." Folding his arms, he says, "I don't burn loaves of bread. Haven't burnt one in years." "Really? That's amazing. Someone like you is probably super busy, right? I'm sure there are a few things that even you can't get around to every day. He can easily help you save some time on less important things" I persuade. Eyeing him over, the baker starts signing the paper before abruptly stopping, "What can he do? No offense but you look more capable than your mute friend."

Feeling my smile slowly slip, I stare at him before turning around. Slapping the Uchiha, I dispel the transformation. Holding his cheek with one hand, he hangs from the ceiling with the other, feet sticking to the wall. Ignoring his glare, I turn around with my trademark smile, "See? I'm sure you can find something for him to do. He's plenty strong as well, just make sure you occasionally talk to him." Sneakily glancing at bewildered Uchiha in a way only the baker could see, I whisper, "He needs rehab y'know. The doc said he needs to talk to people, but he just can't seem to talk normally."

++++++=====+++++

Leaning back in the comfy seat, I watch as he slowly flips through a stapled document. It's been what, a month since I was last here? Signing his name on a page, he sighs, "So you assaulted one of my clansmen?"

"He owes me a favor for it too!" I beam.