In the sterile hospital room, the crisp white sheets lay over the quiet bed. Uzumaki Tong sat there, on the brink of tears and frustration. His voice quivered.
"Armament Haki… Shadow Clone Technique… what's the point?
Seriously… this f—ing luck!"
Tonight, two skill "gacha" rolls had triggered back-to-back. First, he'd "learned" armament—his body casually resisting Ida's blade. Not super strong, just enough to tank a knife with Haki-enhanced skin.
Then, after defeating Ida Saburō, another roll—and it gave him the Shadow Clone Technique. Useful… normally. He could boost his combat power with clones. But right now, all Tong wanted was a medical jutsu to heal his mother—he didn't care about clones, and certainly not summoning Pikachu!
He turned and stared at his mother's unconscious figure. His fist clenched tightly.
"The Uchiha clan must be watching me by now. Roots must be testing me, and Third Hokage's old geezer is probably alert too. Who should I ask for help? Danzo is too dangerous. Third's too… nice—hard to trust. And the Uchiha? They wouldn't trust me either!"
Tong sighed. I can't get Tsunade. I'm stuck.
Everyone else with medical talent—only Kabuto and some others. But getting to them was just as difficult as getting Tsunade.
At that moment, Yuantai's voice floated in:
"Kid, why the long face? You defeated a chūnin—stop sulking."
Tong rolled his eyes and stood.
"Alright, I know it's training time. But—can we speed this up?
That Iaido earlier—it wasn't enough."
Yuantai paused, then smiled:
"You only used a fraction of Iaido's true strength. Follow me—I'll show you real power."
He leaped out of the window. Tong swiftly dressed, glanced at his sleeping mother, and followed him outside.
In the forest, Tong nibbled a steamed bun as he watched the rough-looking Yuantai close his eyes.
"Iaido… also called Bačko Slash. It's the most basic skill for a samurai—but also the most powerful. Only those who master it truly deserve real swordsmanship. Its essence lies in 'seiki'—' spirit force'."
"'Seiki'... what's that?"
Tong paused mid-bite.
"'Seiki' is your inner courage—the unstoppable will. Resolve, bravery, sacrifice, fearlessness... mixed with your ideals when you swing a blade. Watch closely."
Yuantai roared and slashed. Even with Tong's Sharingan and Strongest Eye active, he barely caught the arc.
Thwacck! The blade sheathed—and still, the tree in front of them remained unmarked.
Tong blinked—but then noticed through the Sharingan that the strike had cleaved the tree into seven or eight segments in an instant, so fast the wood couldn't shatter outward, only from within.
Moments later, massive tree chunks came crashing down in a roar of splintering wood.
"If you'd had that power yesterday, Ida would've been finished! Not collapsed from weakness!" Yuantai said, studying Tong's face.
Tong smirked. He'd fainted not from exhaustion, but from the shock of two consecutive skill rolls. Hey—he deserved a break.
As Yuantai reined in the blade, Tong reflected in silence.
That was 'seiki'… spirit force mixed with raw emotion.
Tong closed his eyes, hand gently resting on his sheathed sword. He summoned the anger and the grief and channeled it all into his breathing.
Yuantai watched, stunned. If he picks this up by watching… what do I even do as a teacher?
Tong's inner energy swelled—cold sorrow clashing with explosive rage.
A single tear glistened in his eye.
Then, lightning-fast, you heard the snap of metal sheath as his blade withdrew and recounted the split-second strike.
The giant tree in front of him didn't move an inch.
Until Tong exhaled and returned the sword to his waist, then crack, crack, crack—the tree trunk shattered, its bark falling as dust billowed.
Yuantai stood gaping, half terrified. This kid… is a freak. A true prodigy.
He approached Tong with awe.
"That... you did that without breaking a sweat. 'Seiki'—when your spirit, your energy, your mind combine and drive chakra into the blade with determined courage—it's unbelievably powerful. But you can't keep fighting with that kind of emotional intensity every time—you'll collapse." Yuantai laughed and ruffled Tong's hair.
"Smart kid, but don't let your mind race ahead. A samurai must first steady his heart. Only with confidence and calm can you unleash those cuts."
Tong nodded, thoughtful, then straightened suddenly.
"Who's there? Come out."
Yuantai followed his gaze past the tree line, tension rising. Footsteps emerged, and someone quietly clapped as they walked forward.
When the figure appeared, even Tong froze.
It was Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader. His grin sent a chill through Tong—it reminded him of Kakashi's dad, Hatake Sakumo.
I'd rather not see that grin again. Tong thought with distaste.
Yuantai bowed low. "Lord Fugaku."
Fugaku smiled coldly.
"Your student is quite impressive. What's your name, boy?"
Tong's lips twitched, trying to keep cool. Can't they ever drop the pretentious courtesy?
He responded firmly:
"I'm Uzumaki Tong—a newly promoted genin from yesterday. I don't have my ninja ID yet."
And yes, you Uchiha must get news fast.
Fugaku smiled again.
"Ah, Uzumaki Tong—interested in joining the Konoha Security Squad? I'm offering this officially on behalf of the Uchiha. With your Fire Style, we'd benefit greatly."
Fire Style + Uchiha backing?
Tong's expression flickered. Too presumptuous.
Offering that in front of Roots? He thought.
He swallowed hard and looked at Yuantai.
Yuantai stared at his nose, pretending not to care—but Tong recognized that sparkle. He'd seen that glare before—it meant Yuantai understood the game: Tong needed to infiltrate the Uchiha clan for Danzo.
Fugaku continued.
"We won't meddle in your sword training. As for Fire Style—our clan's tradition can teach it systematically."
This guy thinks I'm still a kid... or he's recruiting.
Tong felt torn and took a breath.
Stay calm. Let them think I'm lured—while I make my real move.