Chapter 35: Time to Develop the Rasengan

What Yami meant was that he was going to explain the Uchiha connection to the age of the Six Paths.

"So, we're related to the Senju clan. What a strange fate we have…"

Those summoned to the meeting were clan members possessing three-tomoe Sharingan and above.

The speaker was an elder, and his words were somewhat self-deprecating about the history that Yami had just explained to them.

When they learned that the Uchiha and Senju clans were descendants of the two sons of the Sage of Six Paths, sharing the same forefather, many people found it difficult to believe.

"So, the current Uchiha bloodline is weakened… After awakening the Mangekyō, excessive use leads to blindness," Yami explained to everyone.

It brought tremendous power but also severe side effects.

"Perhaps by joining the bloodline through marriage with the Hyuga clan, there might be no side effects in future generations…" Fugaku suggested.

Regarding the relationship with the Hyuga clan, Yami had just finished explaining it.

He had started with the explanation of the sealing of Kaguya and briefly covered the situation.

No, they had a general understanding of their world.

"That might work, but that’s for the future, I want to change it now," Yami replied.

"In this world, there are people who focus on Lineage Factor research. I'm going to recruit one of them, and have him work for the Uchiha to study our bloodline."

"Then, we can see if we’ll find suitable methods to enhance the Uchiha clan's strength."

No one knew if such approaches would work, but there was no way to return and modify their genetics now.

So, what Yami said, made sense.

After warning some clan members to be careful about their safety and to prevent them from being targeted, they disbanded, leaving only the Mangekyō wielders and a few others for a separate meeting.

"I don't plan to bring many people this time, just two or three," Yami announced.

"The target is named Vinsmoke Judge. He's an overlord-level existence in the North Blue with strength sufficient to defeat minor ninja villages."

"This force also excels at weapon manufacturing, which will allow us to replenish our ninja tool consumption and even develop upgraded equipment."

"While I'm away, I’ll once again ask you, Fugaku-san, to take full responsibility of the Uchiha clan."

It would have been appropriate to also seek out Orochimaru, but Yami wasn't prepared to put all his eggs in one basket.

Having two researchers would provide better comparative results.

One would approach from the ninja world's perspective, while the other would work from this world's angle.

Perhaps they could make new discoveries.

"Don't worry, leave it to me," Fugaku nodded.

Everyone was working hard for their clan’s betterment, and he would do his utmost to fulfill his responsibility.

"Itachi, Izumi, you two will come with me," Yami decided.

"Shisui, you'll be responsible for the external operations. The main purpose is obtaining funds and eliminating pirates for bounties."

"Of course, don't hesitate to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. This is the power possessed by the Shichibukai."

"Also, safety comes first. Every clan member is important. If dangerous situations arise, retreat."

“Finally, though CP9 members are now working for us, don’t abuse that privilege, treat them curtly…”

Yami began making his arrangements.

Now he alone possessed sufficient strength to suppress Vinsmoke's forces.

His main purpose in bringing Itachi and Izumi was to expose the two young people to more of the world.

Moreover, Yami was preparing to guide Itachi toward research.

After all, this man was indeed the most capable individual in the Uchiha clan.

He reminded Yami of Gohan, too restricted by circumstances despite possessing such tremendous potential.

"Don't you need my help there?" Shisui wondered.

He had no objections to Yami's arrangements but felt curious about the decision.

"No… the purpose for bringing Itachi and Izumi is different. Right now, my strength has reached the top among the living in the ninja world…" Yami declared to ease their worries.

This didn’t include people brought back by Edo Tensei.

Hearing this, the three felt somewhat surprised and confused, wondering why Yami sounded so confident.

But since Yami didn't elaborate, they didn't press for details.

It seemed their new clan leader only acted when certain of success, which was demonstrated by his achievement of Shichibukai status.

They trusted him completely.

"We leave tomorrow," Yami concluded.

"Itachi, remember to leave copies of the medical knowledge you've learned for everyone to study."

Yami kept his explanation brief.

It would definitely be better if the Uchiha clan's bloodline weakness could be resolved without using the First Hokage cells.

For ordinary Uchiha clan members, Yami suspected they might not withstand the power of those cells, and they could suffer a painful backlash.

Awakening the Mangekyō might provide sufficient resistance to suppress such cellular power.

Shisui and Itachi in particular, with unlimited Mangekyō usage, could definitely advance much further in strength.

"Being a leader isn't easy," he sighed.

But Yami didn't feel burdened by responsibility.

His family had protected him as a child, and now he wanted to protect his family.

It was as simple as that.

****

"There really is a talking reindeer that can practice medicine?!" Sasuke's eyes widened, unable to believe what his brother had told him.

"Yes, he’s a very skilled teacher," Itachi replied, distracted while writing his medical notes.

"The medical techniques he taught will bring tremendous help to our family."

Itachi was documenting his experiences at sea these past days while talking with Sasuke.

This feeling of family warmth was exactly what Itachi cherished.

Sasuke had been practicing very diligently on the island recently.

He vaguely understood the family's situation and knew that only by becoming stronger could he help them.

“Itachi, Sasuke, how about you take a break and come eat some snacks?”

Their mother had prepared a few snacks and called them over.

“Yes,” Itachi grabbed Sasuke’s hand and brought him closer.

“You too Fugaku,” Mikoto called her husband too.

Fugaku, felt greatly relieved from this, and allowed himself to rest for a while.

He showed a rare smile and joined them.

Although their current housing couldn't compare to their home in Konoha, he felt truly at peace here.

****

Shisui was training not far from there.

His injuries from recent days hadn't fully healed.

He'd served as Itachi's experimental subject on the island, testing new herbal treatments that had accelerated his recovery significantly.

With the new available time, he had resumed practice.

Wielding Shusui, he slashed out sword energy repeatedly, a technique he'd developed based on [Rankyaku].

Shisui was currently optimizing the move to consume less physical energy while considering incorporating [Fire Release] or [Wind Release] to increase its power.

‘Sigh…’

He regretted trusting those people in Konoha.

Now he only hoped to gain greater strength, protect the Uchiha, and atone for his past mistakes.

‘It’s all for my true family…’

****

Meanwhile, with Yami.

"Now it's time to develop the nature transformations for the [Rasengan]…" Yami mused.

Originally, the [Rasengan] had been the only technique Yami could master due to its seal-less nature.

But it consumed too much chakra, and developing a [Rasengan] with elemental properties required enormous chakra reserves.

Even the Fourth Hokage hadn't successfully developed an elemental [Rasengan] before his death.

Yami had experimented several times but abandoned the effort after failing to integrate chakra natures.

He had then approached Kakashi and learned [Chidori] instead.

But, the development of shape transformation and nature transformation would provide far more benefits than the basic [Rasengan]'s effects.