"Panel!"
After returning home, Qingming immediately opened the interface.
A familiar light-blue screen appeared before him:
---
[Name: Uchiha Qingming
Age: 10
Constitution: 5
Spirit: 7
Chakra: 21 (159 → 189)
Bloodline: Sharingan · Unawakened (51/100)
Skills:
Chakra Refining Technique: lv0 (53/100) → lv0 (98/100)
Clone Technique: lv1 (2/200) → lv1 (20/200)
Transformation Technique: lv0 (77/100) → lv1 (19/200)
Substitution Technique: lv0 (71/100) → lv1 (18/200)
Basic Taijutsu: lv1 (16/200) → lv1 (65/200)
Ninja Tool Throwing: lv2 (10/500) → lv2 (42/500)]**
---
It was clear that in just five days, his strength had improved significantly.
Among these changes, his chakra limit had increased by 30 points, reaching 189.
While this level might not stand out among true prodigies, it was already above average for someone his age.
After all, he was only ten years old.
For most ninjas, the golden growth period spans from twelve to sixteen. Before that, aside from exceptional geniuses, differences tend to be minimal.
Yet Qingming had already begun widening the gap between himself and his peers. By that standard, he could now be considered something of a minor genius.
Of course, judging by chakra alone would be insufficient.
But when factoring in his lv1 Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, and Substitution Technique, along with Basic Taijutsu and lv2 Ninja Tool Throwing, the label felt justified.
At this point, even compared to previous graduating classes, he would rank above average.
And with half a month still remaining before the graduation exam, he had ample time to grow stronger.
By then—even if he were sent to the battlefield—
"…Hmm. Still not safe enough."
Qingming frowned slightly.
Looking at the panel again, he suddenly realized something was missing.
A decisive technique.
Fortunately, his Chakra Refining Technique was already at lv0 (98/100), on the verge of leveling up.
Once it advanced, his chakra recovery would improve significantly.
That would give him the spare capacity to learn a higher-level ninjutsu.
As for where to obtain such a technique—there was no need to worry.
Several ninjutsu scrolls had been left behind in his parents' study. Once his refinement technique reached lv1, he could choose one to learn.
With the proficiency panel, failure wasn't a concern.
As long as the technique didn't conflict with his chakra nature, he could steadily raise it to proficiency—or beyond.
Deciding on the spot, Qingming closed the panel, retrieved a soldier's ration pill, swallowed it, and began circulating his chakra.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes…
Soon, two hours had passed.
Suddenly, Qingming opened his eyes.
A faint glimmer flashed within them as a wave of insight flooded his mind.
At that moment, his understanding of the Chakra Refining Technique had deepened.
If lv0 efficiency was "1," then lv1 was "2."
In other words, within the same time frame, he could now extract twice as much chakra.
This improvement affected not only recovery speed, but also his maximum chakra capacity.
Without hesitation, Qingming closed his eyes again and resumed cultivation using his new understanding.
Half an hour later, he opened them once more.
"Panel!"
---
[Name: Uchiha Qingming
Age: 10
Constitution: 5
Spirit: 7
Chakra: 171 (189 → 192)
Bloodline: Sharingan · Unawakened (51/100)
Skills:
Chakra Refining Technique: lv1 (1/200)
Clone Technique: lv1 (20/200)
Transformation Technique: lv1 (19/200)
Substitution Technique: lv1 (18/200)
Basic Taijutsu: lv1 (65/200)
Ninja Tool Throwing: lv2 (42/500)]**
---
Just as expected.
In only half an hour, the lv1 technique had achieved the same effect that previously required a full hour at lv0.
That meant restoring 50 chakra and increasing the maximum by one point.
The only drawback was that proficiency still increased at the same rate—one point per hour.
Still, Qingming was satisfied.
From this day forward, the amount of chakra he could utilize daily would effectively double.
Of course, that energy had to come from somewhere.
He would likely need to consume more ration pills moving forward.
But that was a minor issue.
He had already stockpiled enough, and if it meant surviving future battles, a little discomfort was a small price to pay.
With that settled, Qingming stood and headed toward his parents' study.
Until now, he had been too busy with school and training to properly examine their belongings.
He had only briefly noted the presence of several scrolls.
Today would be the first time he truly examined them.
"Let's see what's here…"
Muttering to himself, he opened the first scroll.
It contained a signature technique of the Uchiha clan:
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique.
A classic jutsu—expelling a massive fireball with explosive force and intense heat. Its power depended on the chakra infused into it, making it highly practical.
Difficulty: C-rank.
Strong enough to serve as a trump card for a Genin.
Still, Qingming didn't decide immediately.
He opened the remaining scrolls.
Two more contained ninjutsu:
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique
Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique
Both were also C-rank, but noticeably harder to master than the Great Fireball Technique.
Especially the Phoenix Fire Technique—it required prior mastery of the Great Fireball Technique as a foundation.
The remaining two scrolls contained genjutsu.
One was Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.
This genjutsu required the Sharingan to cast effectively. It trapped the opponent in a mental world, impaling them with illusionary stakes and immobilizing them through pain.
Clearly, Qingming's parents had high hopes for him when they left this behind.
Unfortunately, neither they nor the original Qingming had awakened the Sharingan.
The final scroll, however, was… different.
He had heard of the Shackling Stakes Technique before.
But this one—
He had never encountered it.
Its name:
Reflecting Heart Technique.
Qingming carefully unrolled the scroll and began reading.
As he progressed, his expression shifted again and again.
From indifference…
To curiosity…
To surprise…
And finally—anticipation.
When he finished, a look of relief spread across his face.
Then—
Joy.
Pure, unmistakable joy.
Because this technique…
Might be the key to breaking the stagnation in his Sharingan's awakening.
___________________________
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