CHAPTER 39

Sarutobi Shuo's condition stabilized after the operation, and after spending over half a month in the hospital, he finally recovered.

During this period, Uchiha Kiyo and Nawaki visited him daily. After months of joint training and the experience of their recent mission, the three had grown significantly closer, forming the early bonds of camaraderie. This was precisely what the Third Hokage had hoped for—his nephew acting as a link, with Orochimaru guiding them. If Uchiha Kiyo grew under these conditions, he could become a bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha clan.

However, just as he recovered, Sarutobi Shuo was immediately subjected to brutal training under Orochimaru, making up for lost time.

Uchiha Kiyo and Nawaki, on the other hand, were finally free from Orochimaru's direct supervision for a couple of days, allowing them to breathe easier.

"Hah, Sarutobi Shuo is finally healed. Even though this ordeal is over, it served as an important wake-up call."

Kiyo reflected on how his presence had already begun altering events. Though major events might remain unchanged, the smaller details were shifting. The most critical thing, however, was to maintain a low profile.

Madara Uchiha was still alive, hidden in the shadows. He had been so frail when he saved Obito in the original timeline, meaning there was still time before his plans fully unfolded. But Madara still possessed the Rinnegan.

Keeping a low profile was essential. The Uchiha clan's Sharingan was already a cause for concern, but a potential Mangekyō-level prodigy? Madara would never allow such a threat to exist. Though the elder Uchiha could not act openly, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate promising individuals in secret.

"Madara can last for another fifteen or sixteen years… He hasn't even begun looking for a successor yet. That means he won't be interested in a 'fully matured' Uchiha like me."

Yes, staying in the shadows was the best choice.

Training—Still a Long Road Ahead

This B-rank mission had nearly cost Kiyo his life. If not for his mastery of the Substitution Jutsu, he would have perished. His current strength was insufficient. If he had been stronger, he could have dealt with the explosive tags before they became a problem.

Orochimaru had likely adjusted their mission ranking when reporting to the village, as their records now listed it as B-rank. It was probably out of respect for his reputation, but Kiyo wasn't complaining. Having a strong mentor certainly had its perks.

"This mission proved how vital survival skills are. Look at Sarutobi Shuo—he got hurt so badly because he lacked proper defensive abilities."

Kiyo realized that his defensive ninjutsu needed serious improvement. The Earth-Style Wall (Doton: Doryūheki) was useful, but its chakra consumption was too high for frequent use. He needed a new defensive jutsu, preferably one with fewer hand seals.

At the same time, he was becoming more proficient at reducing the necessary seals for the Earth-Style Wall technique, making it more practical in battle.

Tactical Adaptations

"The Substitution Jutsu is currently limited to ten meters, which is fine for now, but the replacement object is always a wooden log. That's too predictable."

Minato Namikaze's Flying Raijin Kunai provided a good example of a more versatile approach.

"Yes, that's it. I should refine the technique to swap places with something more flexible."

Kiyo imagined himself throwing a kunai, his opponent dodging it, only for him to instantly switch places with it—catching them off guard. The idea thrilled him.

"Once my survival abilities improve, I can finally develop more offensive tactics."

Who didn't dream of being a legendary ninja? Kiyo envisioned himself standing at the pinnacle of the world, wielding unmatched power. But reality was unforgiving. Madara lurked in the darkness, ever watchful.

So, first and foremost—survival.

What? Cowardice? Not at all! This was strategy. This was 忍 (shinobi)—the art of endurance.

"Isn't endurance the essence of a ninja? I understand it so well, yet you still call me timid?"

The Power of Self-Cultivation

After pushing himself to the limit during the mission, Kiyo's body required time to recover—nearly half a month, despite his regenerative training method.

His unique self-cultivation technique had proven invaluable. By nourishing his body daily, he could feel himself growing stronger—not just in terms of training, but on a fundamental level. It wasn't just a matter of muscle and stamina. This felt like evolution.

Of course, it wasn't a drastic transformation. The changes were slow but steady, an undeniable progression. Increased endurance, greater chakra reserves, faster recovery—each improvement built upon the last.

Among his peers, Kiyo's physical capabilities were now leagues ahead. No matter how skilled they were in jutsu, they couldn't match his raw stamina and taijutsu proficiency.

He estimated that he was now at the Chūnin level. Initially, he had barely qualified, but after this mission, he had killed an enemy for the first time, matured significantly, and refined his combat skills. His ninjutsu and taijutsu had improved, placing him near the peak of senior Chūnin, almost reaching elite Chūnin status.

His calculations suggested that reaching elite Chūnin required about 500 chakra units, along with proportional progress in other areas.

"This mission pushed my chakra reserves a lot higher—probably due to the stress and stimulation. My spiritual energy grew significantly too. Right now, I should be at around 240 units. 500 isn't that far off… right?"

The thought of reaching elite Chūnin thrilled him. At that level, he would no longer be mere cannon fodder. More importantly, that was when he could finally awaken the Sharingan.

Uchiha and the Inevitable Awakening

Kiyo wasn't worried about unlocking the Sharingan. It was a well-known fact—no Uchiha who reached Jōnin-level remained without the dōjutsu. The stronger he became, the easier it would be to awaken.

Besides, he had already felt it during the mission. When the explosive tags detonated, in that brief moment of life-threatening fear, his eyes had reacted. There had been a strange sensation—a flicker of something awakening—but he had suppressed it, unprepared for the consequences.

No rush.

The Sharingan was a powerful tool, but he needed to be ready. Unlocking it too soon could attract unwanted attention—from both allies and enemies.

Shaking off his thoughts, Kiyo focused on his next objective.

"Enough thinking. Time to train."

Clearing his mind, he began his daily regimen, pushing forward on his path to strength.