Chapter 25

A couple of days after the altercation in the class, a fight broke out between the Hokage faction kids, led by Sarutobi Hiro, and the Uchiha faction kids, led by Uchiha Yukito. The fight quickly escalated, drawing in more students from both factions. Even some of the students in their third year got roped into the fight. As an unspoken rule, no elemental or destructive jutsu were used.

As the fight went on, Toshiro was observing it from a tree far from the fight. He felt that the fight was balanced. Even with the larger numbers from the other side, the Uchihas were keeping them at bay. Mamoru was fighting two kids at the same time. He was holding his own, but Toshiro knew he needed to end this quick, or else the teachers would get involved anytime from now and all his friends would get punishments.

So, he quickly used a Shunshin to arrive at the back of a third year student from the Sarutobi clan and knock him out with a swift blow to the head. But at the time of the blow, he felt a strange sensation in his hand, like what he hit wasn't human skin but a hard wooden object.

In a split second, he understood that his opponent used a substitution jutsu, and I too substituted with a wooden log, swiftly avoiding the attack from Sarutobi. He seems to have not anticipated my move, as he stood there confused for a moment before realizing what had happened.

This time my Shadow clone, which I had prepared prior to entering the fight, took the opportunity and knocked him out for real this time. All this happened in the span of two seconds.

After that, me and other uchiha fought together, but in the end, we were outnumbered, and some were getting exhausted. At this point in time, I had defeated Sarutobu Hiro and a couple of other third year students from the Akimichi clan, using substitution jutsu and shunshin to surprise and quickly deal with them.

While I was in a taijutsu bout with another third year student, I got the memories of my shadow clone keeping watch for any of the sensei coming towards us, that a couple of our Chunin-senseis were coming towards us fast.

I immediately stopped the fight and signaled for my friends to retreat. Initially, they were confused but followed my order and ran off into the bushes and towards our clan compound before the Chunin-senseis arrived.

Later, we got to know that all the kids found in the fighting area got disciplined and punished accordingly.

The next morning, on the banks of the Naka River on the outskirts of Konoha Village, A section of the cliff wall jutted out more than ten meters above the ground. An oak tree, as thick as an adult's waist, stood upright like a spike protruding from the cliff face, pointing straight to the sky.

The wind at the cliff's edge was very strong, causing even the sturdy oak to sway occasionally in the morning breeze.

Near the top of the tree, level with the horizon, a young man sat on a stone slab balanced on the tip of the tree, his figure fluttering in the air as the oak swayed. He resembled a leaf detached from its branch, dancing with the wind as if yearning to merge with the heavens and the earth.

"It's not that straight forward!" he thought, standing up from the stone slab beneath him. Despite the large movement, he maintained his balance firmly on the stone slab. Occasionally, a small bird passing by in the morning would rest on him, undisturbed by his presence, as if he posed no threat.

With a flick of his fingers, he startled the bird on his shoulder. Leaping up, he jumped from his seated position, landing five or six meters away from the cliff's edge. He maintained his balance despite the precarious position and avoided falling off the cliff.

"Without the toad oil and the special environment of Mount Myoboku, mastering Sage Mode is truly difficult." Toshiro sighed helplessly, feeling a sense of frustration.

Over time, he shifted his meditation practice to the cliffs on the banks of the Naka River. It took considerable effort to erect an oak tree nearly 20 meters long from a raised rock 20 meters below the cliff wall, extending straight up to the sky at cliff level.

"Should I find a way to obtain the summoning scrolls from either Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, or the Shikkotsu Forest?" he pondered. "Forget it. Although relations between the village and my family have improved over the past two years, I'm still an Uchiha, and those three sages are all disciples of the Hokage!"

After nearly four years of meditation practice, his results were gratifying. His chakra control had improved rapidly, he had awakened his sensing abilities, and his spiritual energy had grown increasingly full and abundant.

A month ago, as he began practicing, birds would occasionally land on him to rest. This was a testament to his progress in meditation, indicating he had reached the threshold of Sage Mode practice.

However, the most crucial step—perceiving natural energy—eluded him. Without the toad oil from Mount Myoboku as a medium or an environment rich in natural energy, he couldn't succeed in perceiving natural energy.

"I remember there being a island in the original story, filled with gigantic beasts and natural energy. I wonder if that could help me perceive natural energy?" he mused.

In the original story, this island is called "The Forgotten Island." The psychic beasts on the island are enormous. As the war intensified, the need for stronger summoning beasts grew, leading researchers to innovate and create the strongest beasts through cross-breeding, called "Ultimate summoning beast."

However, this plan backfired, and "Ultimate" went on a rampage, devouring all the researchers, including a descendant of the Uzumaki named Uzumaki Honoka. In the end, with the help of Naruto's protagonist's power and the chakra left by Uzumaki Honoka, they managed to drag "Ultimate" into the magma and seal it away.

During the past year, whenever Toshiro had a moment, he read books on "Strange Stories of the Elemental Nations," which provided clues about the island.

There are many islands with enormous beasts on them, and even if powerful forces try to keep them secret, some clues will inevitably be revealed.

He also contemplated the process of Sage Mode training and how to expel out-of-control sage chakra from the body. Should he attempt to find the family heirloom, the Uchiha Gunbai? He speculated that the Gunbai, passed down through generations of the Uchiha clan, might be made from branches of the sacred tree. The sacred tree has the ability to absorb natural energy, which could potentially help manage the out-of-control sage chakra.

If his conjecture were correct, it would mean the ancestors of the Uchiha clan were unaware of the true potential of their treasured heirloom.

"If that's the case, then I need to plan carefully. I'll have to wait until after the Third Great Ninja War when Nohara Rin dies, then sneak into Madara's base behind Obito."

"This is very risky! If the timing is off and Madara hasn't died, I'll have to confront him directly. That's a tough fight! My only option might be to pull out the tube on the back of his body."

"Damn! The ninja world is really unforgiving! You can't take it easy, even if you want to! This is even harder for an Uchiha..."

Grumbling and complaining for some time and later forgetting about them for now, Toshiro, in a cheerful mood, hummed a little tune as he slowly disappeared from this beautiful, seldom-visited place.

"Toshiro, wait a minute! Come to the house for dinner this evening! Your sister is preparing a special meal for us tonight!"

As he entered the clan compound and passed the gate, a hearty voice called out to him. He looked up at the sound and saw a figure slowly approaching under the morning sun.

"Akihiro-neesan. Are you heading to the garrison for duty? Why didn't I see Neechan with you?"

The person approaching was Uchiha Akihiro, an ordinary member of the Konoha garrison. He had the usual handsome features of the Uchiha family, with a slender figure, black hair, and black eyes, giving off a sunny and easy-going vibe.

Unfortunately, Akihiro hasn't awakened his Sharingan and is only an average chunin. Aside from his decent Fire Release Ninjutsu, his other skills are lackluster. However, he has a great personality and gets along with everyone.

Although I initially thought he was a bit unworthy of his sister, after getting to know him, I came to accept this 'brother-in-law.' It's more important for two people to get along well; strength doesn't greatly impact marriage. After all, everyone has their preferences.

"Ah, today the R&D room received a new batch of research equipment that needs to be installed, so your sister is taking two days off!"

At Mei Uchiha's strong request, Toshiro called Uchiha Akihiro 'Neesan'. Fortunately, Akihiro, being a war orphan with no direct elders in his family, didn't mind the title.

As for Toshiro's other 'uncle,' he rarely appears in his life. This 'uncle' and 'aunt' are a perfect match and are inseparable. Even the mature Toshiro found it hard to endure their constant public romance after a few interactions, so he stopped meeting or looking for them.

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