A semi-transparent status panel appeared before Seiji.
Not long after he began practicing water-walking, he had obtained this trait.
The progress bar had already reached 25%.
At this rate, in about four more days he should be able to obtain [Water Stepper (White)].
"Maybe even sooner."
Seiji closed the panel and continued pushing his body, extracting chakra again and again.
As a hybrid of the Yotsuki and Uchiha clans, he possessed far more chakra than ordinary people.
The Uchiha clan itself was already known for having abundant chakra.
The only clans capable of surpassing them were the Senju and Uzumaki, both described in the official records as clans with enormous chakra reserves.
However, Seiji possessed an advantage other Uchiha didn't.
The blood of the Yotsuki clan.
A clan famous for its taijutsu and its ability to withstand the electrical currents of Lightning Release.
Naturally, their physical energy was exceptional.
Because of that, Seiji could train for far longer than most people.
Chakra was the combination of mental energy and physical energy.
Through constant physical training, chakra could gradually increase.
During this process, the body grew stronger and the will was tempered.
Sometimes it wasn't that others didn't want to continue training.
It was simply that their chakra ran out too quickly.
That was their limit.
For civilian ninjas, even if they exhausted themselves completely, the peak they could reach was visible at a glance.
The strongest among them was Might Guy, who opened the Eighth Gate.
But even he had to burn all of his chakra to achieve a brief moment of brilliance—only then could he temporarily catch up to those born at the very top.
Those whose bodies carried the bloodline of the Ōtsutsuki.
Seiji was fortunate enough to belong to that group.
Tracing back his lineage, it ultimately led to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki herself.
The night wind blew gently.
On the surface of the river, only a single figure continued walking.
The flowing water carried away the sweat dripping from Seiji's body.
Land of Lightning — Kumogakure
Within a canyon, a massive waterfall crashed down endlessly, its thunderous roar echoing through the valley.
Below the waterfall, a dark-skinned man rose from the water.
His upper body was bare, revealing a tattoo of the character "Lightning" on his right shoulder.
"Any news, Dodai?"
The Third Raikage looked at the man approaching him.
Dodai wore a black hat, and his right eye was covered with an eyepatch.
He was the Raikage's most trusted subordinate.
"Yes. A few days ago, Yotsuki Seiji made contact with the ninja we planted inside Konoha. Samodo's report is very detailed."
"Good. This matter must not fail."
The Third Raikage patted Dodai's shoulder.
His hand was enormous—larger than Dodai's entire head.
"Yes, sir."
Dodai nodded respectfully to the towering man whose muscular body looked as though it had been forged from steel.
"Have you confirmed his lineage?"
the Third Raikage asked again, his deep voice rumbling.
"Yes."
Dodai handed him a scroll.
After opening it and reading for a moment, the Raikage frowned slightly.
"He's related to the Second Raikage?"
Yotsuki Seiji had been born in a small place called Shuiyun Gorge.
He inherited the talent of the Yotsuki clan.
His branch of the family had weak ninja abilities, so they had been assigned to manage the clan's businesses outside the village.
But after careful investigation, it turned out that Seiji was actually related to the Second Raikage.
A rather distant nephew.
The Second Raikage himself had also been from the Yotsuki clan.
Among the recent generations of Raikage, he was the only one from that clan.
The First Raikage—and even the current Third Raikage—had dark upper lips.
But the Second Raikage did not.
However, they were all dark-skinned and powerfully built, so most people assumed they looked similar anyway.
"He's an Uchiha. It won't affect the succession of the next Raikage."
Dodai said.
The Third Raikage already had a son who was being prepared as the next Raikage.
The boy had already begun calling himself "A."
The waterfall crashed violently against the pool below, sending mist into the air.
Through the haze, Dodai couldn't clearly see the Raikage's expression.
"His bloodline limit is important to the village."
"Bring him back as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lord Third Raikage."
Several days passed.
Autumn rain fell gently from the gray sky, bringing with it a hint of coolness.
"Sorry to disturb you, Seiji."
"Mikoto-nee, is something wrong?"
Holding an umbrella, Seiji opened the gate to the courtyard.
This was Mikoto's third visit since she had previously brought Yakushi Nono.
The first time she led him back to the Uchiha district, the sky had been just as gloomy as it was today.
"Today isn't a school day, right? Fugaku asked me to invite you over. Since we're all clansmen, we should gather more often."
Under the umbrella appeared a gentle and delicate face.
Today, Mikoto wasn't wearing her ninja combat outfit.
Instead, she wore ordinary clothes.
After all, being a ninja was just a job.
There were missions to complete—but also days off.
On those days, there was no need to wear a combat uniform.
Even in simple clothing, Mikoto's graceful figure couldn't be hidden.
Her long black hair rested against a white outfit.
Even under the dim gray light of the rainy sky, her fair skin still looked radiant.
Seiji appeared touched and agreed to go.
The two walked through the streets of the Uchiha district, each holding an umbrella.
Almost everywhere, the Uchiha fan crest could be seen.
The door to Fugaku's house was open.
Mikoto led Seiji to the backyard, where there was a fairly large open space.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
Fugaku exhaled, releasing a blazing fireball into the air.
The fireball was more than three meters wide.
Raindrops that touched it instantly turned into steam.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
Seiji's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was practically the signature jutsu of the Uchiha clan.
Almost every Uchiha ninja could use it.
"You're here."
Fugaku looked toward the two figures.
"Why are you still training outside in such heavy rain? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"
Mikoto scolded lightly.
"Hahaha! I'm Fierce-Eye Fugaku. How could I catch a cold so easily?"
Fugaku felt warmth in his heart at her concern.
The fireball quickly dissipated, leaving only a faint warmth in the air.
"Come inside."
He had only been practicing the technique briefly, so he hadn't gotten very wet.
Turning around, he headed into the house.
"Seiji, have you been adjusting well to life at the Ninja Academy?"
Standing on the veranda, Fugaku looked at the young boy behind Mikoto.
"I've adapted well."
Seiji replied.
He closed his umbrella and leaned it against the veranda.
"You'll find shoes over there."
Fugaku pointed in a direction.
"Alright."
After changing his shoes, Seiji stepped onto the wooden floor.
Mikoto had already changed hers and waited for him.
Then the three of them entered together.
"These dishes were all made by Mikoto at my request. Seiji, give them a try."
As soon as he entered the house, Seiji saw a table filled with food.
The aroma drifted through the air.
"Mikoto-nee's cooking is excellent."
Seiji said with admiration.
At the same time, he wondered to himself—
Had their relationship already progressed this far?
Something like more than friends, but not quite lovers yet?
"Yes. Fugaku kept asking me, so I finally came."
Mikoto said with a smile.
This was actually the first time she had visited Fugaku's home.
The Uchiha clan was large.
Their rules weren't as strict as the Hyuga clan's, but they were still far more formal than those of ordinary families.
Since their relationship hadn't been officially confirmed yet, they couldn't behave improperly.
If Seiji hadn't been the reason for today's visit, Mikoto would never have come here.
Unless their relationship had already been made official.
(End of Chapter)