READ NOVEL FREE Chapter 30: Chapter 30
Yuugao and I just talked for about two hours until Hitomi came to take me away, saying that everyone was worried while I was just wasting time here.
It seemed like there was some tension between those two. But before leaving, I promised Yuugao I'd stop by again.
I ignored the notifications about increasing affection percentages—it was just nice to talk to Uzuki. And, honestly, she seemed to enjoy it too.
Later, at the entrance to the clan grounds, Tsume gave me a scolding. But I couldn't take it negatively.
For three reasons, actually—first, when Hitomi brought me back, I gained +2% in her affection, which I interpreted as relief that I was safe. Second, at the end of her scolding, Tsume honestly admitted she was worried—another +2% accompanied that statement. A child might have been offended, and for a brief moment, something like that flickered in the back of my mind, but I wasn't affected enough by my soul fusion with Naruto to react like that. Instead, I just felt warmth from her clumsy way of showing care.
Later, inside the clan compound, Kiba rushed past me toward the gate—I had to call out to him. The look on his face at that moment was priceless. When he started asking how I managed to appear behind him when the road had been empty just moments ago, I replied with what had truly become my New Favorite Phrase. Oh yes, this was definitely going to be my go-to line from now on.
The next morning, I appreciated my ability even more. It no longer required chakra, concentration, or anything else—it simply turned on and off at will, or whenever I revealed myself (by speaking).
Hana and Kiba couldn't wake me up (interrupting the most important sleep of the day—my morning sleep!). They simply didn't notice me. But Hitomi completely ignored the technique.
Later, Iruka almost marked me absent in class—until I protested… Poor Choji, who had moved to the desk in front of us long ago, choked on his food. We barely managed to save him. When Iruka scolded me for "jumping out so suddenly," I just replied… yes, with that same Favorite Phrase.
The next two months were the most entertaining! I attended training and classes regularly, but I thoroughly enjoyed shocking, confusing, and annoying people with my ability. Even the Inuzuka's sharp noses couldn't help them. They could detect me, sure, but if their attention shifted to someone else during a conversation, they lost track of me entirely. In other words, they "misplaced" me.
Walking around unnoticed in a clan of trackers was amazing. Even Uchiha couldn't detect me without activating their Sharingan. Well, except for those who had naturally honed their perception without relying on their dojutsu. But that condition applied to any shinobi. That's why I was genuinely surprised by Hitomi's incredible perception.
When I directly asked her how she never lost sight of me, even for a second, her answer shocked me a little. I wasn't sure whether to be touched by such a display of affection or to start digging a bunker and locking my doors with chains.
"How could I possibly lose you?" she answered, in a tone that didn't allow for a "yes" as an option.
And so, back to my development. Despite having "Terrible Control," I was still better off than Naruto had ever been at his level. So, before long, I managed to learn the Water Shuriken technique.
Water Shuriken Technique
The user forms large shurikens out of water and throws them. This technique does not require accuracy skills. The control requirements are minimal. To deal significant damage to an enemy, a more advanced version of the technique must be used, or control over it must be improved.
Damage: 15-20 HP per shuriken (max 60 shurikens… at my current control level, I can only use one at a time).
Range: Up to 30 meters (more with better control).
Speed: Moderate, an average Chunin can easily dodge this technique.
Chakra Cost: 20 points.
With decent control, they'll probably cost me around five chakra points each. Okay, maybe not five, but around eight. And considering my affinity (which is currently locked until I graduate from the Academy—how unfair), it might be even cheaper. Not with my current control, but I'm confident I can raise it to "Above Average" by the end of the Academy—or at least by the Chunin Exams.
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Heavenly Cry Technique
I couldn't stop laughing at the margin notes in the scroll, but when I meet Itachi, I'll have to thank him—especially for the note at the end. Quoting:
"If anyone asks, lie all you want, but don't admit you learned this from a scroll. And definitely don't show anyone the scroll! I totally stol—uh, acquir—damn… confiscated it from the Hokage's vault. It's not particularly rare or unique, but people recognize it! The initial power isn't great, but if you train it properly, you'll be golden."
The user fires transformed water senbons from their mouth (even from saliva, which reduces chakra costs but also lowers the technique's power). The control requirements are minimal, but with proper refinement, it can deal significant damage to an enemy. Surprise bonus: 50% critical hit chance.
Damage: 10-25 HP per senbon (max 10 senbons).
Range: Up to 8 meters (more with better control).
Speed: Above average, only a well-trained Chunin or higher can avoid this technique.
Chakra Cost: 27 points.
I'm still struggling to master the Water Mirror Technique—an incredibly powerful jutsu. I have no idea where Itachi found it!
Then again, like Kakashi, he was sent on missions to the Mist Village a few times. And despite only being three to four years older than canon Naruto, Itachi was already a seasoned shinobi with countless missions under his belt. He had learned a lot from them—including scrolls he "found" on enemies. And of course, to the victor go the spoils, so no one could really claim rights to them.
If I understand correctly, Itachi played this masterfully. He didn't take on any of the Uchiha clan's debts himself. No, no one in the clan had even seen these scrolls. Instead, he passed them to me through his father… which, in hindsight, might've been a small act of rebellion against his old man. Like spitting in his face. That's why he made sure the clan knew about it—if he had handed them over personally, no one would have ever found out, and the Uchiha might have tried to claim ownership of the scrolls. Unlikely, but it seems like Itachi had a touch of paranoia. Honestly, after everything he went through, I'd probably be a bit "off" too.
So, aside from Itachi, I'm the only one who's ever seen these techniques. The Uchiha clan still owes their debts in full.
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I've also been gradually learning the Protective Bubble technique. Itachi actually stole this from the jinchuriki of the Six-Tails!
Hah, reading through the comments in the scrolls, I realized just how insane Itachi's life had been. Damn, I'd love to get a few personal lessons from him. People call Sasuke a genius? Ha! Honestly, Itachi seems far more impressive. Without the Indra buffs, Sasuke wouldn't even compare to him. Just think about it—Itachi never had any of those inherited advantages, yet he could wipe the floor with his little brother.
I'll check out Sasuke's skills when he's fourteen, but something tells me he won't catch up to his brother. Hell, even combined, my and Sasuke's achievements probably won't equal Itachi's progress at the same age.
Now imagine him fully recovered, with no illness or mental burdens, spending five years in a peaceful place with nothing but time for self-improvement. No politics, no mission reports, no distractions—just pure training. Yeah… if he still ends up joining Akatsuki, I'll surrender myself right then and there. And at the very least, I'll personally rename this world from "Naruto" to "Itachi." Because let's be honest—I haven't earned the honor of being the namesake of an entire fandom yet.
Just kidding. Or maybe being ironic. Anyway, back to struggling with these jutsus. Too bad I can't bypass the control requirements—otherwise, I'd have already mastered the last two techniques by now.