Chapter 203: A Prophetic Word, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!
What is strength?
When Sarutobi Hiruzen painted the grand prospect of becoming the Fifth Hokage and posed this question to Uchiha Ci, the latter remained silent for a moment.
His strength came so effortlessly.
It felt as though, with each step he took, the entire world would follow, lifting him high and crowning him king.
This was the confidence bestowed upon Uchiha Ci by his Steel Will.
To him, strength, loaded with the "hacked" program of the ninja world, was nothing more than a predictable phenomenon—an inevitability as long as he followed the rules.
If he had to ascribe meaning to this strength, Uchiha Ci thought his opportunistic ancestor Uchiha Madara put it best:
"Strength is not willpower; it is merely the physical phenomenon that makes things happen."
Uchiha Ci reached this conclusion because he possessed a perspective even superior to Madara's. Armed from the start with immense intelligence and a godlike vantage point, he stood at the pinnacle of understanding.
After pondering briefly, he decisively raised his head. Gazing calmly at this peak-form ninja, who Orochimaru once claimed could obliterate him ten years later, he said solemnly:
"Third Hokage, in my eyes, strength is merely a tool for battle. It is neither noble nor base.
But regardless of the situation—"
"I will fight with everything I have."
Pausing, Uchiha Ci raised his head in silence, his gaze resolute as he declared:
"Because it is a mission I cannot escape!"
The strength he had gained through battle gave him the confidence to make such declarations without pretense, compromise, or pandering to the so-called "Will of Fire."
Thus, he could fearlessly express his stance to the Third Hokage, even if the latter decided to act against him—imprisoning him within the village.
Even so, Uchiha Ci was determined to visit Hell Valley. Not even Jesus could stop him!
---
"I see,"
Hearing Ci's response, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but shake his head slightly. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:
"Indeed, you are still young, just a child."
Staring at Ci, Sarutobi recalled the boy's past actions and achievements. Inevitably, his thoughts turned to Uchiha Kagami, a former comrade.
The same innocence.
The same willingness to sacrifice everything for companions.
But Uchiha Ci and Uchiha Kagami were fundamentally different.
Firstly, Ci, as a clan ninja rather than a Konoha ninja, could never fully gain his trust.
Secondly, Ci was the unfortunate disciple of Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.
Ever since Orochimaru ransacked the Forbidden Jutsu Library under his leniency, obtaining everything he desired, the bond between Orochimaru and Konoha had frayed. If not for Orochimaru's sudden return during the war and subsequent significant contributions...
Sarutobi paused, placing his pipe down in silence.
Fixing his gaze on Ci, he sighed deeply and said in earnest:
"Uchiha Ci, I can see it in your eyes—the same thirst for strength as Orochimaru's, a pure pursuit of power.
But such a pursuit can cloud your heart, blinding you to what truly matters.
You have not yet experienced soul-crushing despair, truly lost something you cherish, or found answers to your inner questions.
Yet some truths are already inevitable. Someday, you will realize—"
"When you seek to protect those you hold dear, a ninja's true strength emerges."
Hearing this, Ci frowned.
The Third Hokage's ambiguous words left him unsure whether he was being encouraged to fight or to remain in the village.
His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, as though ready to counter an ambush from countless ANBU operatives should the Hokage give the order.
At that moment, Aburame Ryoma, standing nearby, suddenly spoke up:
"Third Hokage, what is your decision?"
After a moment of contemplation, Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his eyes decisively.
"In that case," he declared, "I will employ you as Konoha's heroes to continue protecting this village!"
---
Sunset.
Strolling through Konoha's bustling streets, Uchiha Ci held a scroll with a red cover in his hand.
Before leaving the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage had offered him a heartfelt piece of advice:
"You only live once. There's no need to force yourself onto an unwanted path. Live or die as you wish, but never forget to protect those you treasure."
With that, he handed Ci the scroll.
The scroll contained the A-rank jutsu Shuriken: Shadow Clone Technique, a high-level jutsu developed by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.
This technique multiplied a single shuriken into thousands, creating an inescapable web of blades. Since the duplicates were tangible, evading them was nearly impossible—a flawless encirclement!
For someone like Ci, who excelled in shuriken techniques, the value of this jutsu was immeasurable.
Moreover, understanding its principles allowed Ci to glimpse the foundation of the Forbidden Jutsu Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. It seemed this technique was derived from the latter.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, developed by Tobirama Senju, was classified as forbidden due to its extreme chakra consumption. Those without massive reserves risked harming or even killing themselves.
In contrast, Sarutobi's variation bypassed these limitations by substituting lifeless tools for clones, making it accessible to ordinary ninja—a testament to his title as the "Professor of Ninjutsu."
Whether this was a gift from his teacher's teacher or a reward for past missions, Ci couldn't help but smile at his luck.
After acquiring Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear for free, Ci had now obtained the Shuriken: Shadow Clone Technique.
This would save him a fortune in tools, and it breathed new life into his Uchiha-style Manipulated Shuriken Technique.
As the sun sank, shadows stretched long over the streets.
Lost in thought about shuriken techniques, Ci couldn't help but chuckle at the flamboyant potential. After all, what Uchiha could resist such flair?
At that moment, a small hand tugged at his sleeve.
"Senpai, wait a moment!"
The speaker was Yamato, his new subordinate. After Aburame Ryoma had dismissed him for the day, the boy had clung to Ci like a shadow.
"Hm?" Ci stopped, snapping out of his thoughts.
Unknowingly, he had wandered past the Hokage Tower, Yamanaka's flower shop, and toward the south side of Konoha—stopping near Ichiraku Ramen.
"Oh!" Ci realized.
After wandering all day, Ryoma hadn't treated them to a meal. While Ci didn't mind, the seven-year-old Yamato, still growing, must have been starving but was too shy to ask directly.
Patting his pocket, Ci's expression darkened.
He wasn't wearing his usual outfit and had no money on him. Outside the Uchiha compound, he couldn't rely on his clan connections either.
Clearing his throat, Ci awkwardly said:
"Well, Yamato, ninjas are beings who endure everything."
"Endure a little longer, and let's head home. I'll make you some fried eggs. Also, as your senior, let me advise you—street food is unsanitary."
"Senpai, what are you even talking about?"
Sighing, Yamato covered his face and pointed toward Ichiraku Ramen.
"Someone is calling you over there!"
Startled, Ci looked up and saw Kushina sitting at the counter, waving energetically.
Forming a megaphone with her hands, she shouted:
"Hey! Yeah, you, you Uchiha brat! Get over here now!"