Chapter 70: Choice

Uchiha Fugaku wasn't surprised that Tōshirō knew about Yin-Yang Release so early. As the grandson of a renowned Uchiha, it wasn't odd for him to gain some knowledge from the notes left by his predecessors. 

His curiosity was piqued by what could have driven him to make such a choice. Moreover, he wondered how much Tōshirō truly understood the rare Yin-Yang Release techniques.

"Tōshirō! Yin Release and Yang Release are unlike the other five nature transformations; achieving anything in them is extremely difficult!"

"I suggest you pick something else, like the Fire Release scroll beside you."

Seeing the boy in front of him remain unmoved, Fugaku wasn't angry and continued his advisement.

"I've heard that you have exceptional talent in Fire Release ninjutsu, and the power of your techniques far surpasses that of an average Chūnin!"

"Training with this Fire Release scroll will surely bring you twice the result with half the effort, maximizing your advantage in Fire Release!"

Hearing Fugaku's words, Tōshirō was a bit surprised. He didn't expect the other party to say so much to him.

Even after listening to Fugaku's lengthy speech, Tōshirō remained unshaken. While the Fire Release scroll was indeed impressive, containing the experiences and insights of many family predecessors, and training with it would undoubtedly rapidly improve his Fire Release ninjutsu power, its drawbacks were just too obvious, making him vulnerable to enemy countermeasures. He had already planned that if he had another chance to choose from the secret room, he might select that Fire Release scroll.

"Fugaku-senpai, from the experience notes left by my family predecessors, I've learned that the Yin-Yang Release aims directly at the source of chakra, which is the spiritual and physical energies."

"My predecessors speculated that training in Yin-Yang Release would significantly advance not only genjutsu and Sharingan but also physical energy, and I want to give it a try!"

The "predecessors" he mentioned were none other than the author of "Naruto," Masashi Kishimoto. To deal with Uchiha Fugaku, he could only make up something on the spot, but his expression remained serious because this was indeed his plan.

[Does Yin-Yang Release really improve genjutsu, Sharingan, and physical energy?]

[I've never heard of such a hypothesis before!]

Listening to Tōshirō's response, Fugaku furrowed his brow slightly. The idea of Yin-Yang Release directly affecting spiritual and physical energy to enhance genjutsu, Sharingan, and physical energy was something he had never heard before.

[It might just be a theory left by the predecessors!]

In the ninja world, there are myriad views on chakra and training, with countless hypotheses surfacing. Tōshirō's words weren't extraordinary, though it was regrettable there was no way to confirm their veracity.

"If that's the case, there are blank scrolls in the side room. Copy the Yin-Yang Release techniques there."

"But let me remind you seriously, any copied scrolls must not be disclosed without authorization. Violators will face severe punishment from the clan!"

For the clan's secret techniques, once copies are made and the training is completed, they must be destroyed in the presence of the clan to prevent any leakage. This was simply a necessary measure.

He was just somewhat puzzled why there were no existing copies and why he had to manually transcribe them himself.

He didn't know this was because quite a few Uchiha clan members had chosen either genjutsu or Fire Release as their training direction over the years, prompting the clan to designate personnel to copy these popular techniques. However, the Yin-Yang Release scrolls were seldom sought after; he was the first in many years to choose to transcribe them.

In the small, cramped side room of the basement, there was only a simple cushion, a low table, and an oil lamp. 

Tōshirō was engrossed in copying the Yin-Yang Release scrolls onto a blank scroll. 

He hadn't anticipated the process to go so smoothly. Originally, he thought the Yin and Yang Releases would be stored in two separate scrolls. He believed that obtaining either the Yin or Yang Release in one day would be fortunate enough, and he had no idea how long it would take to collect both techniques. Unexpectedly, the family had combined both techniques into a single scroll, making it much more convenient for him.

As time passed, the blank sections of the scroll, over a meter wide and nearly five meters long, were filled with densely packed writing.

After almost an hour, Tōshirō finally exhaled deeply, having completed the transcription.

[Finally done!]

[Seriously, the clan should be more considerate and just provide direct copies!]

He complained internally. Tōshirō gently closed the two scrolls and headed back to the central hall of the basement.

"Thanks for your help, Fugaku-senpai. I've finished copying."

Returning the massive Yin-Yang Release scroll to its original place on the stone platform, Tōshirō bowed in gratitude to the still-seated Fugaku.

Nodding, Fugaku glanced at the copied scroll in Tōshirō's arms but said nothing more, knowing it was simply his duty. Whenever the clan leader had a favored candidate come to select scrolls, Uchiha Juusan would arrange for him to lead the candidate. Fugaku understood the implications clearly.

As he stood up, he spoke to Tōshirō, "The difficulty of training in Yin-Yang Release is much greater than that of ordinary ninjutsu or chakra nature transformation."

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I do have some insights into Yin Release."

As he spoke, Fugaku headed towards the exit, simultaneously performing a hand sign for a technique unbeknownst to Tōshirō. The candles in the four corners extinguished, while faint black sealing patterns appeared in the basement.

The basement likely had some sort of sealing trap that, if not accessed correctly, could have grim consequences.