Chapter 23

"Do any other settlements exist on the island?" I asked the elder, just to pass the time as we made our way to the training grounds.

"A few small seasonal settlements for farmers and a couple of miner towns," replied Grandpa. "We grow all our food thanks to the fertile soil. We only have to import spices and some herbs that prefer a different climate."

"Do you sell food?"

"We could, but it would require expanding our fields, which would negatively impact the island's environment."

"Then what do you sell if the Uzumaki clan is considered one of the richest in the world?" I was surprised.

"Our island is very rich in various metals, including precious ones. We are one of the main suppliers of chakra-conducting metal to the Fire Country, as well as excellent weapons."

"Weapons?"

"Our blacksmiths are almost as renowned for their craftsmanship as those from the Iron Country. But considering that each blade is considered a true work of art due to the seals on them, not many can afford to buy them," Ryugi enlightened me. "Some of the weapons of the famous Kirigakure's Seven Swordsmen are made here. And let's not forget about our main source of income—fuinjutsu. Konoha pays Uzushio considerable sums for the opportunity to use our defensive seals on their walls, and it's not the only one."

Wow, my relatives have quite the setup! No wonder they're considered very wealthy—with such earning opportunities, it's hard to stay poor!

As we chatted, Grandpa led me to the Academy buildings and a huge field behind them, divided into uniform squares. Most of them were free, but some were occupied by small groups of future shinobi.

And not just those aged six or seven, when they enter the local assassin school, but even younger. It was to the latter that we headed. And here awaited me a shock! And I bet it would shock anyone in my place—right before my eyes, a little squirt under the guidance of a teacher, dressed in a cute green jumpsuit, about my age and half a head shorter, effortlessly unleashed five Kage Bunshins and started training chakra!

And this despite the fact that women generally have a naturally lower chakra volume than men! How on earth? Watching my dropped jaw, Grandpa just smirked and began to explain the obvious truths to them.

"At a young age, the body's chakra coils are not yet fully formed and are easily subject to change and growth. Plus, each Uzumaki has several more coils than ordinary people, which is why all our children start learning control at the age of three or four, and at the same time, their chakra volume rapidly increases. It's a constant race of size and control in the young years. Even I devote one day a week entirely to this matter. At the moment, this little girl has twice the reserves you do, which allows her to create such a number of Kage Bunshins and jutsus. Essentially, for any Uzumaki, this technique is akin to the standard Shadow Clone Technique taught at your Shinobi Academy."

Unbelievable! And I thought I was increasing my chakra volume at a rapid pace compared to all the other kids... What a disgrace! A crushing blow to my pride! This way I'll earn an inferiority complex!

And this is not even considering that this little tyke, just like all the other red-haired shinobi of both genders and different ages surrounding me, concealed their true chakra volumes much better than I could even dream of at the moment. Damn, over a year of training wasted, and already such a difference!