Chapter 72: Sharigan Meditation & Kushina’s Graduation Scheme

Koshiro took a calming breath, his expression serious as he addressed the young swordsman.

"Gin… remember this well. Never use that teleportation ability in front of strangers. Even if you trust someone, wait until you're strong enough to protect yourself. Spatial-type Devil Fruits are rare and dangerous. The less people know, the safer you are."

"Understood, sensei! Thank you," Gin bowed deeply, the others following suit. They could sense how genuinely Koshiro cared for their safety.

Of course, they didn't necessarily need the warning. Gin had already set up automatic emergency teleportation to a secure dimension through his spatial gates—ready to activate in case of deadly threat.

From then on, their training was restructured: mornings dedicated to swordsmanship under Koshiro, while Shadow Clones handled their academic studies and other training in the background.

They all progressed fast—but Gin was in a league of his own. Within just three days, he had reached grandmaster level in basic kenjutsu. In two weeks, he refined it. In two months, he achieved deep mastery.

It wasn't just his swordsmanship. His meditation skill transcended the limits of perfection, becoming his third skill at that level. Gin had unlocked a true Uchiha-exclusive method of Sharingan meditation—a technique more than ten times more effective than the conventional version. It massively boosted his spiritual awareness, chakra control, and sea of consciousness.

And that's when it happened.

Gin's Sharingan awakened. Just one tomoe—yet it pulsed with strength equal to two, thanks to his unique ability to suppress and regulate power. He wasn't rushing to evolve it. Instead, he focused on perfecting the Uchiha bloodline itself—purifying his chakra and strengthening his mental core.

"The regular Mangekyō Sharingan is flawed," he mused. "A product of an incomplete evolution of the Uchiha genome. That's why it's so self-destructive. If I refine the lineage, I can awaken the Eternal Mangekyō from the start—pure and without drawbacks. Just like Indra or the Sage of Six Paths."

He passed the improved meditation method to Mikoto—tailored to amplify her Sharingan safely—and created an adapted version for Minato and Kushina.

"This meditation is amazing! My mental strength's soaring!" Kushina exclaimed, eyes glowing with excitement. "Even my Observation Haki got sharper!"

"Same here," Mikoto nodded. "Gin really is incredible…"

Months of practice paid off. Minato and Kushina had now fully awakened their Observation Haki, and Mikoto's Sharingan grew steadier by the day—preparing her for the Eternal Mangekyō.

One afternoon, Kushina's thoughts drifted elsewhere.

"Hey… when does the semester at the Academy end?" she asked suddenly.

Mikoto gave her a long look. "You send a clone there every day. You should know."

Kushina laughed sheepishly. "Can't help it! I don't like the Academy. My clone just naps or reads books like Itachi. Honestly, I've already learned more than they teach. My grades suck just because I'm bored!"

"No excuse," Mikoto said flatly. "You don't want Lady Mito to be disappointed, do you?"

Mikoto had no such issues. She excelled in every class—even the ideologically loaded "Will of Fire" course. Though, like most Uchiha, she only followed the rules outwardly.

Since the clan reforms, ideological studies had become strict. Without proper adherence, students risked failing—even being barred from mission certification. The Uchihas had to change just enough to pass, but true change… that would take more.

Gin's long-term vision included sharing the Sharingan meditation technique with the entire clan. It stabilized emotions, improved clarity, and cleansed the negative energy feeding into their dojutsu.

His own mother was proof. Her Sharingan lacked the usual coldness and rage—it was calm, focused, and powerful. Years of spiritual training had shaped it that way.

"Too bad Gin's still young," Mikoto sighed. "And our clan doesn't have enough leverage yet to openly teach that technique…"

The meditation remained a closely guarded secret, hidden even from the Third Hokage. Especially after the explosive success of the Uchiha's pharmacy and reform projects—Hiruzen's suspicion had only grown.

"I really don't want to go back to the Academy after break," Kushina groaned, flopping dramatically against a tree trunk.

But then her eyes lit up. "Wait… I awakened Observation Haki and Kagura's Third Eye! I can cheat my way through those boring courses! Hehehe, I'm so smart!"

Mikoto smirked. "Honestly… not a bad plan."

Later that evening…

"Hey Gin, any plans for the break?" Kushina grinned. "Let's go travel around the East Blue! Kuro already mapped a ton of locations."

"Where'd you want to go?"

"We can hit random islands on normal days, but during break I can just tell Grandma Mito I'm training with you guys… then we can go explore and have fun! No rules!"

"If you convince Mito-sama, I'm fine with it."

"Not a problem!" Kushina beamed. "If it comes to it, I'll just ask Aunt Hikari to help. She likes me!"

Mikoto gave her a side glance and muttered under her breath, "Likes you too much… She's already calling you her future daughter-in-law…"

Her face flushed.

She had accepted reality. With Gin's talent, there was no way he would belong to just one person. She wouldn't try to monopolize him—her pride and her family wouldn't allow it.

"We'll figure it out after break," Gin said simply.

As for Minato, no one even asked. As an orphan, he naturally followed them wherever they went.

That night, back at their home in the Ninja World, Gin found himself face-to-face with a very irritated Tsunade.

"Uh-oh… I know that look," Gin winced. "What did I do this time…?"