Grind is My Ninja Way

Seimei withdrew his gaze, closed the panel, took out a Soldier Pill, and popped it into his mouth.

Crunch~

He bit down slightly, crushing it.

Instantly, a bitter taste exploded, making Seimei's eyes twitch involuntarily.

"No wonder no one likes eating this thing, this taste..."

Seimei shook his head, enduring the discomfort, and swallowed the crumbs in his mouth.

Soon, a warm current emerged from his stomach and quickly spread throughout his limbs and bones.

Seimei didn't waste any time, immediately sitting down cross-legged, focusing his mind, and starting to refine chakra.

More than two hours later, his chakra was fully restored. Seimei stopped the 'Chakra Refinement Technique' and began practicing the 'Transformation Technique' and 'Substitution Technique'.

The 'Transformation Technique' was relatively straightforward. He just needed to systematically gather chakra and change his appearance to gain proficiency.

However, the 'Substitution Technique' was different. Practicing this technique required preparing props in advance, such as wooden planks for substitution.

The so-called Substitution Technique didn't involve spatial transfer; it was more like a deceptive trick.

In other words, at the moment of being attacked, one quickly replaced their body with a pre-prepared substitute, causing the opponent to misjudge.

At this point, the caster could take the opportunity to counterattack or escape.

Therefore, this technique greatly tested a ninja's grasp of timing. Used well, it was a divine skill, but used poorly, it could even expose more flaws.

However, no matter how skillfully the Substitution Technique was used, it still had its limits.

As long as there was a substitution process, it would inevitably reveal flaws.

These flaws might not matter in battles between Genin and Chunin, but at the Jonin level, basically everyone could seize such opportunities.

Therefore, in battles between Jonin, the Substitution Technique was rarely used to deceive opponents.

However, this was a bit far off for Seimei.

At this stage, the 'Substitution Technique' was indeed an invaluable life-saving skill for him.

Therefore, even though practicing it was troublesome, he didn't show any impatience.

More than ten minutes later, his chakra was exhausted. Seimei swallowed another Soldier Pill and started refining chakra again.

Two hours later, his chakra was almost fully recovered, and he resumed practicing the 'Transformation Technique' and 'Substitution Technique'.

Just like that, as it neared midnight, Seimei finally completed his last round of training.

Compared to before, he had practiced the 'Chakra Refinement Technique' for an additional two hours today, increasing his chakra limit by two points and gaining three more proficiency points.

At the same time, the extra hundred points of recovered chakra also contributed to over a dozen proficiency points for his 'Transformation Technique' and 'Substitution Technique'.

This seemingly small change shouldn't be underestimated. As the saying goes, many a little makes a mickle. With such an increase every day, how much would it accumulate in a month, or even a year?

Well, a year was a bit too far off...

But Seimei could still look forward to a month's progress.

If refining chakra and practicing ninjutsu weren't so mentally exhausting, and if eating too many Soldier Pills didn't cause indigestion, Seimei would have loved to grind all night.

"Ha~"

Stretching and yawning, Seimei quickly washed up and returned to his bedroom.

Soon, familiar snoring sounds could be heard.

Time ticked by.

At some point, a figure appeared on the telephone pole outside the window. A pair of crimson three-tomoe Sharingan stared at Seimei, seemingly observing something.

A moment later, the figure vanished.

...

Deep within the Uchiha compound, at the residence of the Great Elder.

Knock, knock, knock~

A gentle knock sounded.

"Come in!"

An aged voice came from inside the room.

Uchiha Haruto pushed the door open and bowed to the old man behind the desk, "Great Elder!"

"Oh, it's Haruto!"

The old man looked up at Uchiha Haruto and said, "What's the matter?"

"Reporting to the Great Elder, it's about the observation results of Seimei."

Uchiha Haruto replied respectfully.

Hearing this, a glint flashed in the old man's eyes, and he asked slowly, "So, has he awakened the Sharingan?"

"No."

Uchiha Haruto shook his head and said, "After these days of observation, there hasn't been an explosive increase in his chakra, and his mental state is also quite stable. It can basically be confirmed that he doesn't have the potential to awaken the Sharingan."

"Is that so..."

Hearing Uchiha Haruto's answer, even though he had expected it, the old man couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Generally speaking, if a clan member had the potential to awaken the Sharingan, they would immediately awaken it upon receiving a stimulus as strong as the death of their parents.

Even if they didn't awaken it right away, there would be some changes in their body and mind. With a little more stimulation, they could successfully awaken it.

However, after learning of his parents' sacrifice, Seimei neither awakened immediately nor showed any corresponding changes in his body afterward.

From this, it could basically be concluded that he didn't have the potential to awaken the Sharingan.

"Great Elder, should we continue observing?"

Seeing that the old man remained silent for a long time, Uchiha Haruto asked.

"No need."

The old man waved his hand and said, "You may leave!"

"Yes, Great Elder!"

After responding, Uchiha Haruto left the room.

Seimei didn't know that today was his last chance to be valued by the clan.

If he could awaken the Sharingan today under the stimulation of the compensation, he wouldn't necessarily skyrocket, but his future path would definitely be much smoother.

He might even get a bodyguard during the Genin stage.

That's right, this was the Uchiha clan. Although they were difficult to deal with externally, they were quite united internally.

Well...

Except for a certain traitor!

However, Seimei didn't awaken the Sharingan, so he was destined not to enjoy the treatment of a genius.

But even if Seimei knew, he wouldn't care.

He never relied on the Uchiha clan. With the proficiency panel, he would eventually grow stronger.

...

Five days later.

Near the end of school.

Clap, clap, clap~

Sugiki Kazuto clapped his hands and shouted, "Students, everyone gather around!"

"Sensei, what's the matter? It's almost time to leave school!"

"Yeah! Yeah!"

"..."

Hearing Sugiki Kazuto's call, the thirty-odd students crowded around him, chattering excitedly.

Seimei stood on the outskirts of the crowd, silent. He sensed something amiss from Sugiki Kazuto's serious expression.

Sure enough, Sugiki Kazuto's next words confirmed his guess.

"Silence!"

Sugiki Kazuto shouted loudly. After everyone quieted down, he said, "The village has decided to change your annual assessment half a month later into a graduation exam.

Those who pass the assessment will be granted the status of Konoha Genin and become true ninjas."

Although he had anticipated it, when Seimei actually heard the news, he felt a greater sense of urgency.

However, unlike his seriousness...

Many students in the crowd cheered excitedly upon hearing the news.

"Sugiki-sensei, is that true?"

"Yeah, sensei, can we really become ninjas early?"

"..."

Hearing these somewhat naive words, Seimei shook his head and thought, "These people are too sheltered. They don't know the dangers of being a ninja, especially in this era."

If possible, Seimei would want to stay in school forever.

But that was impossible.

Now, he could only hope that they wouldn't be sent to the battlefield immediately after graduation. Otherwise...

(End of Chapter)