Ever since Senju Tobirama reconstructed the ninja ranks and mission classifications, the Uchiha clan began reforming its own internal systems, especially those tied to the evolution of the Sharingan.
Previously, the clan's hierarchy was centered almost entirely around dojutsu progression. Access to the Uchiha clan library was gated by both technique mastery and Sharingan development:
1. All Uchiha shinobi were granted access to D-rank techniques by default.
2. Unlocking the Sharingan or successfully casting Gokakyu Jutsu (Great Fireball Technique) granted access to C-rank Techniques.
3. Evolving to two tomoe or mastering Gōryūka no Jutsu(Great dragon fire technique) granted access to B-rank techniques.
4. Achieving three tomoe Sharingan granted access to all techniques in the library – excluding S-rank ninjutsu, kinjutsu, and hijutsu. At this stage, clansmen were also gifted personalized weapons, often forged from high-grade iron or chakra conductive metals.
But with Tobirama's reforms, the Uchiha clan adapted.
Now, access to techniques is aligned with ninja rank, not dojutsu:
1. All clansmen may learn D-rank techniques and Gokakyu no jutsu.
2. Upon reaching Genin, they gain access to C-rank jutsu.
3. As Chunin, they unlock B-rank jutsu.
4. Jonin are granted full access to the clan's library, but excluding S-rank, kinjutsu, and hijutsu.
To preserve the sanctity of Shriangan-specific knowledge, the clan created a separate library, sealed with Sharingan dojutsu. Scrolls within this archive are encoded to respond only to the Sharingan, ensuring that only those who awaken the eye can access its contents. This includes advanced genjutsu, dojutsu-based taijutsu, and specialized chakra manipulation technqiues.
***
Uchiha Shinichi, having awakened his three tomoe Sharingan, has already read and compiled every technique available in the clan's main library.
But he hasn't tested them all.
Not yet.
He knew that mastering it isn't just about memorization – it's about application, timing and adaptation. And so, he waited. Not out of hesitation, but out of strategy.
'Knowledge is power. But power without control is noise.'
Shinichi is building something deeper that a skillset.
He's building a foundation.
***
Since achieving the rank of Chunin, Uchiha Shinichi hadn't rushed into B-rank missions or sought glory. Instead, he turned inward, focusing on refining his control over earth, wind, and water elemental chakra transformation and shape manipulation.
His mastery over fire and lightning was already exceptional, far beyond his peers. He could cast and manipulate those elements at will, even shaping them with precision.
He could, for example, cloak himself in fire without burning his clothes or skin – selectively igniting his surroundings while remaining untouched. The heat was unavoidable, of course, but Shinichi scoffed at the idea that a proper shinobi couldn't handle a little atmospheric discomfort.
For earth and wind, Shinichi had reached a level where he could cast high-level ninjutsu with reduced hand seals, though not yet with a single seal.
Water, however, remained elusive.
He could perform water-based technqiues with full hand seals, but couldn't shorten them. His chakra-to-water transformation ratio was inefficient. While he could convert 1 unit of chakra into 1 unit of fire or lightning, and 1.2 units for earth and wind, water still required 2 units of chakra for every 1 unit of water chakra.
It was an improvement from the 5-to-1 ratio he started with – but still far from mastery.
***
Today, Shinichi was focused on his "weaker" elements.
He knew that fastest path to mastery was through conceptual understanding – grasping the essence of each element. But that required rare moments of enlightenment, often sparked by observing nature. And nature, unfortunately, didn't always cooperate.
So he turned to repetition.
He created shadow clones and began with simple tasks: slicing leaves, then branches, pebbles, rocks, tree stems, and boulders, just like Sakumo has done.
At the end, one clone worked on splitting the waterfall in half and sustaining it – his record was 47 minutes.
Another clone gathered dirt, compressing it into pebbles, then rocks. He broke down a boulder twice his size into fine grains, then recompressed it into a dense sphere the size of a soccer ball. The mass and hardness were staggering – proof of his growing control.
His goal was to alter terrain at will.
But water was different.
He repeated the same method he used when first grasping the element – condensing chakra just enough to liquefy it, without solidifying or dispersing it. Mimicking the flow of water. It worked, but the efficiency was poor.
He asked around.
Uchiha Jonin, including Fukashi and Minami, had no answers – none specialized in water release.
Even Sarutobi Satoru, his former instructor, could only offer vague advice. Most water-affinity jonin were only marginally better than Shinichi in conversion efficiency.
He learned something surprising.
Senju Tobirama, the Hokage himself, was considered the greatest water release user in the world.
Shinichi blinked.
'The Hokage is the best water release user? Did we name the village leader wrong? Shouldn't he be Mizukage?"
He digressed.
But the thought lingered.
Shinichi seriously considered approaching Tobirama for guidance.
He hesitated.
Not out of pride – but out of caution.
He had spent days gathering advice, testing methods, refining his control. But the gap remained.
Now, standing at the edge of his plateau, he pondered the question again.
'Should I ask the Hokage?'
It wasn't just about water release anymore.
It was about growth.
And Shinichi was never one to stay still.
He sent a request to Hokage Office right away.
***
The sun hung low over Konoha, casting long shadow across the tiled rooftops. The Hokage Office was quiet, its usual bustle subdues. Senju Tobirama sat at his desk, reviewing mission reports and clan correspondence. His expression was unreadable, eyes sharp beneath the weight of leadership.
A knock echoed through the chamber.
"Enter," Tobirama said without looking up.
The door slid open.
Uchiha Shinichi stepped inside.
Tobirama glanced up.
"Shinichi."
"Hokage-sama," Shinichi bowed slightly. "I've come to ask for guidance."
Tobirama set down his brush.
"On what matter?"
"Water release," Shinichi said. "I've refined my chakra control across all elements. Fire and lightning are second nature. Earth and wind are progressing. But water… remains inefficient."
Tobirama studied him.
"You've asked others?"
"Yes. However most jonin and instructors are only marginally better than I am. I've improved my conversion ratio from 5-to-1 to 2-to-1. But I've hit a wall."
Tobirama nodded slowly.
"So you've come to me."
Shinichi hesitated.
"I debated it. I didn't want to waste your time."
Tobirama stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the village.
"You're not wasting it."
Shinichi blinked.
"I am the best water releasee in Konoha," Tobirama said plainly. "But mastery isn't just technique. It's philosophy."
He turned back.
"Tell me – how do you conceptualize water chakra?"
Shinichi answered without pause.
"A balance between cohesion and dispersion. Neither solid nor gaseous. It must flow like a liquid, but with weight."
Tobirama nodded.
"Good. But its incomplete. Water is not just a state – it's a response. It adapts. It yields. It carves stone without force. You're trying to control it like fire. You must learn to guide it."
Shinichi absorbed the words.
"Come to the training grounds tomorrow morning," Tobirama said. "I'll show you what water truly is."
Shinichi bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Tobirama Silently watched Shinichi depart.
'2-to-1 conversion ratio…. When did I reach that level?'
He was both impressed and wary. Shinichi wasn't like Madara, or any other Uchiha genius. His curiosity, his discipline, his obsession with chakra theory… it resembled Tobirama's own.
'What does this mean for Uchiha, for Konoha, and for my plans.'
Tobirama was certain that with Shinichi, Uchiha's rise was inevitable.
The only comfort was that Shinichi's genius wasn't exclusive to his clan. He contributed to Konoha. he believed in the village.
And yet, deep down, Tobirama felt the tug of old prejudice – buried, but not gone. A quiet instinct to keep Shinichi away from the center of power.
***
Next day.
The air was cool and damp, the training grounds shrouded in a thin veil of morning mist. Shinichi arrived early, as expected. He stood alone, eyes closed, listening to the rhythm of the nearby stream. He had tried to mimic water's low for weeks, but it always felt like imitation, something was missing.
In a blur of motion, Senju Tobirama appeared.
"Good," Tobirama said. "You're early."
Shinichi bowed.
"I'm ready."
Tobirama walked past him, toward the stream. He knelt, placing one hand gently on the surface.
"Water is not summoned," he said. "It is invited."
Shinichi watched as Tobirama's chakra extended. It seeped into the stream like a whisper. The water responded, rising in a perfect arc, hovering in the air like a ribbon of silk.
Tobirama stood up.
"Fire and lightning are violent and aggressive, requiring control. Wind is whimsical and free, requiring a balance between control and freedom. While earth and water are calm and obedient. As long as you listen and will it, they will follow."
He flicked his wrist.
The ribbon split into dozens of threads, weaving through the air, wrapping around nearby trees without cutting them, then retracting into a single droplet that hovered above his palm.
Shincihi's eyes widened.
'No hand seals. And he used almost no chakra….'
Tobirama turned to him.
"You're trying to control water like fire. But water doesn't require control. It wants purpose."
He stepped back.
"Show me your water release."
Shinichi nodded. He formed the hand seals, condensing his chakra, and released a jet of water toward a boulder. It struck with force slightly cracking it. But it quickly scattered.
Tobirama watched silently.
"Again. But this time, don't command it. Guide it."
Shinichi hesitated, then tried again; this time slower and gentler. The water moved more smoothly, but still lacked the grace Tobirama demonstrated.
Tobirama approached.
"Close your eyes."
Shinichi obeyed.
"Feel the stream. Not its shape. Its intent."
Shinichi focused. He let his chakra flow – not to dominate, but to follow. He imagined the water not as a weapon, but as a companion.
He formed the seals again.
This time, the jet curved. It didin't scatter. It flowed.
Tobirama nodded.
"Better. You're beginning to listen."
***
They trained for hours.
Tobirama didn't correct Shinichi's technique – he corrected his mindset.
He spoke of water as memory, as patience, as quiet and gradual strength. He demonstrated techniques that didn't just move water – but made it dance, shield, heal, and deceive.
By midday, Shinichi's conversion ratio that did not budge had slightly improved. But more importantly, his approach has changed.
He wasn't fighting water anymore.
He was listening and learning from it.
As they finished, Tobirama turned to him.
"You have talent. But talent without humility is bound to fall. You listened today. That's why you improved."
Shinichi bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Tobirama nodded Once.
"Keep listening to others and do not fall into arroagance."
And with that, Tobirama vanished, leaving behind only ripples in the stream and a young Uchiha who had just begun to understand a new approach to chakra.