After sending the two ninja cats away, Uchiha Ren retrieved the bubble containing the Summoning Technique from his Sharingan space.
The space before him rippled like water.
As the bubble touched reality, it burst with a soft tremor—
A book dropped neatly into his palm.
The process felt oddly familiar.
Opening space.
Retrieving objects.
It resembled his "Spatial Jump"—
Both were movements through space, shifting from one coordinate to another.
Yet, as the master of this space—
Ren's perception was far more profound.
It felt less like simple movement—
And more like unfolding something from a higher dimension—
Layer by layer—
Until it anchored into reality.
But the deeper principles…
Remained elusive.
Like trying to understand every strand of one's own DNA—
One could use it, command it—
But not fully comprehend it.
"…When my grasp of space improves, perhaps I'll understand more."
He steadied his thoughts and opened the book.
Under the influence of the stone gate, the foreign script became instantly comprehensible.
Otherwise—
It would have been nothing more than an unreadable text.
Understanding was one thing.
Mastery—
Another entirely.
After several careful readings, Ren closed the book and pressed his temple lightly.
A faint frustration crossed his expression.
The text was dense.
Filled with obscure Daoist terminology.
Complex.
Abstract.
Far more difficult than magic—
Or sword techniques.
"…This isn't something brute force will solve."
He exhaled slowly.
"Tonight, I'll check the clan library."
"If there are any onmyoji or foundational texts, that should help."
Starting from zero—
And diving straight into such a system—
Would only lead to mistakes.
And in this field—
Mistakes were dangerous.
"If necessary… I'll have Kasumi send ninja cats to the Land of Demons."
The shrine maidens there—
Held powers distinct from chakra.
Sealing.
Prophecy.
Something closer to ancient spiritual arts.
Whether it was bloodline—
Or cultivated ability—
Remained to be seen.
"…And the noble archives across the great nations."
Ren glanced at the sky.
The sun was setting.
Golden light stretched across the horizon, soft and warm.
The Naka River shimmered with fading brilliance.
A breeze passed through the forest—
Lifting his dark hair slightly.
Revealing sharp brows and calm eyes.
He was in no hurry to return.
Unlike others—
He had no system guiding him.
No shortcuts.
In this world—
Power belonged to the individual.
Everything else—
Was merely a tool.
Over the years, he had steadily delegated authority.
Yashiro.
Tekka.
Inabi.
Each fulfilling their role.
Yashiro as his right hand.
Tekka controlling the Police Force.
Inabi embedded among clan shinobi.
Extensions of his will.
By relinquishing control—
He gained something far more valuable.
Time.
And when he defeated the strongest jonin among the hawks—
Stepping into Kage-level strength—
Their support followed naturally.
Strength was authority.
"Power defines position."
Ren stood quietly.
Watching the fading light.
"This peace…"
"…is likely the calm before the storm."
He knew it well.
The Uchiha would soon be drawn fully into the Third Great Ninja War.
Time was running out.
His fingers tightened slightly.
The custom chakra blade slid free from his waist.
Its surface gleamed coldly in the twilight—
Like a stream of frozen light.
He stepped forward.
And moved.
The Gale Blade forms flowed from him—
At first, gentle as a spring stream—
Then fierce as desert winds.
Each strike sharper than the last.
Until—
The final form.
Vaidharma Tempest.
The entire riverbank was engulfed.
Invisible blades carved the earth.
Grass bent.
The ground split.
When he sheathed the blade—
Night had fallen.
Only the sound of the river remained.
"My techniques…"
"Form transformation. Nature transformation. Breathing methods. Uchiha swordsmanship…"
"All integrated."
"…Enough to stand among the leaders of the great villages."
His voice was low.
Calm.
"I wonder…"
"…how I compare to the Third Mizukage… or Yagura."
At eighteen—
He stood by the river.
Clothes shifting in the rising wind.
Watching the last traces of light fade.
In this world—
There were no rigid rankings.
No "pseudo-Kage."
No "super-Kage."
Only one truth—
Victory.
Yet—
The classifications from his past life were useful.
They gave structure.
Perspective.
And one conclusion remained clear—
"I still need to grow stronger."
The next step…
Was evolution.
"The Gale Blade…"
"To advance further…"
"…either integrate Sage Techniques…"
"…or combine elements into a Kekkei Genkai."
The first required summoning contracts.
The Three Great Sage Lands.
But trusting them—
Was risky.
Better to rely on his own path.
The second—
Wind with Fire.
Wind with Lightning.
Still unresolved.
And if that failed—
A different option remained.
"…Pakura."
The wielder of Scorch Release.
The so-called "most beautiful back in the shinobi world."
If she were destined to die—
Better that he take her instead.
"…And then there are the adapted Sharingan techniques from other worlds."
Offense.
Defense.
Movement.
Support.
Everything combined—
Ren's lips curved slightly.
"…Can I truly dance?"
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