CHAPTER 56

Uchiha Kiyo resisted the temptation to delve into Bloodline Limits and instead focused on refining his chakra nature transformation.

Sharpening the knife before cutting the wood—no matter how powerful Bloodline Limits were, they were ultimately derived from chakra nature transformations. By first perfecting his understanding of elemental changes, he would lay the foundation for merging them later, maximizing his efficiency and potential.

Thus, in addition to his rigorous physical training, Uchiha Kiyo dedicated time to honing his chakra nature transformation and improving his chakra control.

During missions, he gradually integrated his refined chakra nature changes into his combat tactics, adapting to his growing strength.

Just like that, two years passed. The year was now Konoha Year 35, and Uchiha Kiyo had turned thirteen.

Three years after graduating from the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Kiyo had grown tremendously. Especially in the last year, as his body entered its developmental phase, his physical prowess surged, accelerating his overall growth. Even his teammates, Nawaki Senju and Sarutobi Shuo, struggled to gauge the full extent of his abilities.

Current Status: Uchiha Kiyo

Chakra Reserves: 1850 cal / 1850 cal

Nature Transformations:

Fire Release (Burning—Primary)

Earth Release (Hardening—Intermediate; Thickening—Primary)

Ninjutsu Mastery:

Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall, Earth Dragon Bullet, Earth Spear, Hiding Like a Mole

Body Techniques: Body Flicker, Shadow Clone, Substitution

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire, Dragon Fire, Fire Dragon Bullet

Secret Techniques: Self-Cultivation, Instant Body Replacement, Body Refinement, Spiritual Perception

Other Skills:

Sealing Techniques: Enhanced Gravity Barrier, Five Elements Seal, Fire Sealing Method

His chakra reserves had reached an elite-chūnin level, bordering on that of a tokubetsu jōnin. Given his refined taijutsu and exceptional ninjutsu mastery, his combat strength was undeniably on the higher end of the chūnin spectrum.

Over the past two years, Uchiha Kiyo had systematically analyzed the progression of chakra nature transformations, breaking them into distinct proficiency levels.

Currently, his most refined nature transformation was the "Hardening" property of Earth Release, which had reached an intermediate level. However, he sensed that there was still room for further improvement.

Using the effectiveness of chakra nature transformations in enhancing ninjutsu as a metric, he categorized them as:

Basic: Slightly alters chakra properties, affecting small objects (e.g., burning or shattering a leaf).

Primary: Provides a notable boost to ninjutsu power and efficiency, typically where elite genin or chūnin stand.

Intermediate: Causes a significant power-up in jutsu, allowing a C-rank technique to perform at B-rank effectiveness.

Advanced: A level he had yet to reach, where nature transformation becomes instinctual and shapes combat style fundamentally.

Mastery: The highest possible level, refining elemental manipulation to its peak.

Uchiha Kiyo's methodical approach, influenced by his analytical mind and past experiences, allowed him to progress swiftly.

Additionally, he had realized that each element possessed multiple sub-transformations. Fire, for example, had variations such as heat, combustion, and explosion. Similarly, Earth Release contained "Hardening," "Thickening," and potentially more. His ability to train multiple variations of a single element helped him progress in parallel, making his Earth Release exceptionally versatile.

In these two years, Uchiha Kiyo also adjusted his combat approach. Initially, his fighting style was primarily defensive. However, as his abilities expanded, he integrated control and offensive maneuvers, moving beyond pure defense. That said, defense remained his greatest strength.

Since the team's intensive training ended after two months, Orochimaru had kept them constantly engaged in missions. Avoiding prolonged assignments, their team specialized in assassinations and intelligence gathering. They completed at least two missions per month, occasionally tackling four in rapid succession.

By now, Uchiha Kiyo had completed 52 C-rank and 13 B-rank missions.

Using the merit earned from these missions, he exchanged for an advanced version of the Five Elements Seal and had spent the last three months deciphering its intricacies.

Physical Training Progress

Uchiha Kiyo never neglected his body training. As his strength grew, he surpassed the limits of his 1.3x gravity barrier, leading him to enhance it.

By refining the gravity core system, stacking multiple layers in an integrated manner, he successfully developed an Enhanced Gravity Barrier v3.0. This version allowed for up to 3x gravity manipulation.

Currently, Uchiha Kiyo could comfortably operate under 2.6x gravity, only experiencing strain at the 3x threshold.

As a result, his physical attributes had developed beyond normal human limits.

This wasn't a temporary enhancement via chakra reinforcement—his base physical strength alone had reached jōnin levels. Even if his chakra were entirely depleted, he retained formidable combat ability.

This was a significant accomplishment. Unlike most shinobi who relied heavily on chakra, Kiyo had cultivated an independent physical foundation. In a prolonged battle, if an opponent ran out of chakra, their combat ability would plummet. But for Kiyo, he could continue fighting on raw physical prowess alone.

He kept this hidden from others. Broadcasting his true capabilities would only invite unwanted attention and competition. Strength should be displayed only when necessary—drawing unnecessary curiosity or envy was counterproductive.

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The War Looms Closer

Over the past two years, tensions in the ninja world had escalated. The Demi-God of the Hidden Rain was amassing power, and Amegakure's growing militarization hinted at impending conflict.

Half a year ago, Uchiha Kiyo had sensed an ominous, tyrannical chakra—brief yet overwhelming. Though fleeting, it left a chilling impression on him.

Even though he had overestimated the Nine-Tails' presence in the past, feeling it firsthand had shaken him to his core.

That oppressive chakra had only lasted a moment, yet it was enough to make his instincts scream in warning.

Konoha had deliberately concealed the event, but Kiyo's heightened soul perception had detected it nonetheless. After extensive analysis, he deduced that this occurrence coincided with the transfer of the Nine-Tails to a new jinchūriki.

For the first time, Uchiha Kiyo truly comprehended the monstrous power of a Tailed Beast.

His encounter with that chakra made him realize his current insignificance. It also solidified his understanding of why Tailed Beasts were coveted and why jinchūriki were so closely guarded.

Even if Konoha had the means to suppress a rampaging Tailed Beast, the sheer devastation such a force could unleash in mere moments was terrifying.

This experience reinforced his belief—he had to grow stronger, and fast.

The clock was ticking, and the ninja world was on the verge of another great war.