Chapter 4

Chakra, the essence of life within all beings, originated from the combination of yin, spiritual energy, and yang, physical energy. While humans initially lacked chakra, they acquired it over time, making it an indispensable life force. In the case of the Uchiha, descendants of the Sage of Six Paths' eldest son, they inherited a potent reserve of spiritual energy, granting them the remarkable ocular powers of the Sharingan. This inherent talent in yin release empowered them to weave intricate genjutsu capable of manipulating the minds of their adversaries. As Fugaku took the life of the chunin, he felt his chakra surge, his spiritual energy growing more potent. It became apparent that for every opponent he slew, he absorbed their chakra, assimilating their spiritual energies and fortifying his own. A realization struck him—by killing his adversaries, he acquired not only their physical life force but also their spiritual essence. One might question how this affected his Sharingan. To comprehend, one must delve deeper into the nature of the doujutsu. The Sharingan is awakened within an Uchiha when they experience intense emotions triggered by exceptional circumstances—such as the loss of a loved one or a fierce determination to protect their comrades. These intense emotions unleash a unique form of chakra from the brain, coursing through the ocular nerves and awakening the Sharingan. This chakra is intertwined with their spiritual energies. To mature the Sharingan from its initial form to the three-tomoe stage, Uchiha must continually employ it in battle or training, honing their mastery through practical experience. In essence, their usage of the Sharingan amplifies their spiritual energies. Thus, if an Uchiha possesses proficiency in yin release and possesses an ample reserve of spiritual energy, they can swiftly awaken a three-tomoe Sharingan. Fugaku discovered that the amount of spiritual energy he gained varied, contingent upon the quality and quantity of his fallen opponent's chakra. Dispatching a genin would yield a meager amount, whereas more experienced shinobi, like the chunin he had just killed, would provide a more substantial boost. "It's akin to playing an RPG game—defeating stronger foes yields greater experience points," he mused, a chuckle escaping his lips. Examining the contents of the chunin's ninja pouches that he had taken earlier, he discovered an array of tools, including kunai and shuriken laced with paralyzing poisons, as well as smoke bombs containing sleeping agents. "These will prove invaluable for my next targets," he surmised, acknowledging their potential usefulness. Venturing deeper into enemy territory meant approaching Sunagakure's borders—a treacherous and potentially suicidal endeavor. The concentration of Suna shinobi near their borders presented a greater risk, guarded by hidden bases and lethal traps. Additionally, this time he had to target the jonin, as genin and chunin were often furnished with incomplete or misleading information deliberately, a ploy to confound their captors if ever taken prisoner.

Under the cover of darkness and the veil of fog, Fugaku maneuvered swiftly toward the Suna border, maintaining a heightened state of vigilance to evade ambushes and patrols. He understood all too well the danger that awaited him should he encounter Suna shinobi adept in puppetry and lethal poisons. Thanks to his Sharingan, however, he skillfully navigated the treacherous terrain, deftly sidestepping numerous traps that would have otherwise spelled his doom. As he drew nearer to the Suna border, his scarlet Sharingan served as an invaluable ally, enabling him to perceive and evade the ever-present dangers. The network of supply routes and bases established by the Suna shinobi within the land of rain was his primary focus. With no time constraints on his mission, Fugaku meticulously observed and surveilled the weaker Suna teams comprising chunin and genin, meticulously gathering information on their supply routes and the intervals of their patrols. Perched atop a towering rock, his scarlet eyes, brimming with the ocular power of the Sharingan, honed in on another Suna team—a formidable trio consisting of Jonin accompanied by two chunin. The land was enveloped in a thick fog, a consequence of the perpetual rainfall, while the cover of night aided his stealth. Cloaked in dark attire, Fugaku seamlessly blended into the shadows. Having thoroughly assessed the terrain, he anticipated that the Suna team would seek refuge from the incessant rain within a nearby cave. As expected, the shinobi reached the cave, seeking shelter and a respite from their drenched surroundings. Fugaku, perched atop his vantage point, meticulously observed their every movement. Moments of indecision preceded their entry into the cave, their guard lowered by the presumption that an attack so close to their border was unlikely. Fugaku seized this opportunity, waiting until they settled within the cave and kindled a small fire, their defenses momentarily relaxed. This encounter held greater peril than the previous ones, as he now faced Jonin-level opponents. The Suna shinobi would respond swiftly at the slightest hint of battle. However, Fugaku remained undeterred. Armed with the element of surprise and bolstered by his strategic advantage, he exuded confidence in his ability to prevail. Channeling his chakra, he created two shadow clones, aligning their movements with his own. In an instant, the trio materialized within the entrance of the cave, his clones springing into action. One clone unleashed a barrage of three kunai, each adorned with explosive tags and accompanied by smoke bombs. Simultaneously, the other clone swiftly executed the hand seals for Gokakyu no Jutsu, unleashing a devastating fireball. The Suna shinobi had scant time to react as they were engulfed in a fiery inferno. As the flames subsided, Fugaku could feel the surge of his spiritual energy, a testament to his success in eliminating one of his adversaries. Moments later, two scorched figures emerged from the flames, their movements sluggish and pain-ridden. The anesthetic smoke bombs employed by one of his clones had taken effect. Wasting no time, Fugaku propelled himself toward the jonin, while his clone engaged the remaining chunin. The clone that had executed the Gokakyu no Jutsu had expended its chakra and dissipated. The jonin leaped toward Fugaku, hurling a barrage of shuriken followed by a slicing wind blade. In perfect synchronization, Fugaku mirrored the jonin's motions, skillfully deflecting the incoming projectiles with his shuriken. Swiftly maneuvering through a series of hand seals, Fugaku unleashed five fireballs, employing the Hosenka no Jutsu—a technique that overwhelmed the wind blade, exploiting fire's inherent advantage over the wind. The jonin, attempting to outmaneuver the attack, utilized a shunshin, reappearing several meters to Fugaku's right. "An Uchiha, it seems Konoha has finally joined the war but ..."

The jonin's voice trailed off as Fugaku swiftly silenced him with a calculated strike from behind, shurikens finding their mark in his blindspots. In an instant, kunais plunged deep into the jonin's shoulder blades, rendering his arms useless. Fugaku's Sharingan spun rapidly, imposing an immobilizing genjutsu upon his hapless opponent. A fleeting thought raced through Fugaku's mind, deriding the jonin for his carelessness in speaking during combat and neglecting to safeguard his vulnerable areas. The shurikens concealed within the fireballs, manipulated by ninja wires, had caught the jonin off guard, their trajectory altered to strike from an unexpected angle. Meanwhile, his clone had swiftly dispatched the injured chunin, extracting valuable yin chakra in the process. As the clone dispersed, its memories and experiences merged seamlessly with Fugaku's consciousness. Aware that the battle and subsequent explosion would have attracted attention, Fugaku knew time was of the essence. He embarked on an urgent interrogation, capitalizing on the precious few minutes before a response team arrived at the scene. "Who is your commander, and how many shinobi have been dispatched to infiltrate the land of rain?" he pressed, seeking crucial intelligence. The jonin, ensnared by the formidable power of Fugaku's Sharingan, initially resisted, his glassy expression betraying a fading sense of defiance.