THE UCHIHA ASCENSION

After making up his mind, Uchiha Kiyo immediately began implementing his plan.

After studying medical theory for so long, Kiyo Uchiha was eager to put medical ninjutsu into practice.

His interest in medicine wasn't new; even in his previous life, he had chosen it as his major. However, back then, he was only a third-year college student—strong in theory but lacking clinical experience. In this life, the situation was the same. He had accumulated theoretical knowledge for years but had yet to perform any practical applications. If possible, Uchiha Kiyo wanted to execute the Hemostasis Technique immediately.

Unfortunately, theory alone wasn't enough. Practical application required continuous training and experience. Ninjutsu wasn't just about understanding the release process—it demanded repeated practice to form muscle memory, particularly for mastering the rhythm of hand seals. Medical ninjutsu was no exception; it required constant refinement.

Why was Uchiha Itachi's talent for ninjutsu considered top-tier? He mastered the Great Fireball Technique on his first attempt. It wasn't just a matter of comprehension—it was also a result of his innate physical aptitude. Itachi had an extraordinary natural sense for forming seals, allowing him to complete the sequence flawlessly on his first try and immediately grasp the correct rhythm.

Most shinobi weren't as gifted. They needed extensive practice to reach proficiency, ensuring they wouldn't falter in battle due to nervousness or mistakes, which could lead to a jutsu failing mid-combat.

Kiyo Uchiha took a deep breath, carefully recalling every detail of the Hemostasis Technique. Closing his eyes, he adjusted his mindset, ensuring he was in optimal condition.

Half a minute later, he slowly opened his eyes, his expression turning serious. He began weaving the seals for the Hemostasis Technique, his hands moving with the fluid precision of a seasoned shinobi. Each motion was swift and controlled, his fingers dancing through the sequence like a butterfly in flight.

Though Uchiha Kiyo lagged behind in certain subjects, he had never neglected hand seal training. This was one aspect of ninja training that could be practiced without chakra, and he had honed his speed diligently. As a result, he could now form five seals per second without even focusing on rhythm.

With his hands sealed, Kiyo Uchiha simultaneously channeled chakra, directing its flow along the precise pathways required for medical ninjutsu.

Medical ninjutsu was incredibly detailed in its execution. Mastery demanded an exceptional level of chakra control—not just to stimulate healing, but also to manipulate chakra with surgical precision.

For his first attempt, Kiyo Uchiha focused on accuracy rather than speed.

The Hemostasis Technique required eight hand seals, meant to be completed within four seconds. Instead of rushing, Kiyo Kiyo took just over three seconds to finish the sequence.

He spread his hands, and a soft green glow flickered to life, illuminating his fingertips—only to sputter out after a few moments.

Kiyo Uchiha wasn't disappointed. He hadn't expected to succeed on the first try.

Thus, his journey of mastering the Hemostasis Technique began.

Aside from his medical ninjutsu training, Uchiha Kiyo also spent time refining his understanding of sealing techniques, reviewing them to reinforce his comprehension.

Half a Month Later

One day, Nawaki Senju invited Kiyo Uchiha to join him for a gathering in the forests behind Konoha.

When Kiyo arrived at the entrance of the back mountain, he spotted Nawaki from afar. The boy was engaged in an exaggerated mock battle, pretending to be struck down and flopping dramatically onto the ground. His antics were so ridiculous that Kiyo couldn't help but laugh.

As Kiyo approached, Nawaki finally noticed him. Embarrassed, he scratched his head.

"Ah, Kiyo! When did you get here? You scared me!"

He patted his chest as if recovering from a fright, conveniently ignoring his own foolish behavior.

Kiyo chose not to expose him and simply changed the subject.

"So, what's the occasion for this gathering?"

"Well, we're on a half-month break, so a few classmates decided to have a cookout in the back mountain. I heard you hunt wild animals often and figured you'd be useful!" Nawaki grinned.

Kiyo smirked. "Come on, I know you. You just got bored and wanted an excuse to throw a party."

Nawaki, caught red-handed, laughed sheepishly, scratching his head in embarrassment.

Shaking his head, Kiyo sighed. Truly the grandson of the First Hokage—he inherited that carefree personality completely.

When they arrived at the meeting point, Kiyo was surprised to see how many students had shown up. As long as someone wasn't a loner, they had been invited. The group included civilian-born students from ninja families, members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and, of course, Nawaki and Uchiha Kiyo.

Most of them weren't just here for the social gathering; they were excited at the prospect of hunting wild animals.

As the group enthusiastically discussed their plans, Kiyo quickly brought them back to reality.

"Don't get ahead of yourselves. At our level, we can't even perform a single ninjutsu properly. How do you expect to hunt wild animals?"

"Huh? But we've heard you hunt beasts all the time!" someone protested.

"It's not what you think," Kiyo explained. "Yes, I've hunted plenty of animals, but I rely on traps. My direct attacks barely do anything. If you think we can take them on in a straight fight, you're dreaming."

He proceeded to explain his hunting methods, emphasizing the importance of setting traps. He also warned them about the strength of wild animals, which surpassed their own despite the creatures' lack of intelligence.

Disappointed, Nawaki sulked. "I wanted to fight them head-on…"

The other students also looked dejected. While the Uchiha clan trained their children intensely from a young age, most other ninja families weren't as rigorous. Even the Senju, Ino-Shika-Cho, and other clans focused more on general physical conditioning rather than combat skills. Compared to Uchiha training regimens, their progress in taijutsu was slow.

Despite their newfound realization, Nawaki remained reluctant to give up. Eventually, he made a proposal.

"How about this? We'll still have the cookout, but you do the hunting. We'll handle the barbecue."

Kiyo sighed. He could tell Nawaki still wanted to see a hunt firsthand. But as long as they weren't in direct danger, he didn't mind. After considering it, he agreed—as long as they only targeted weaker prey.

The students cheered, excited to witness the hunt.

Just then, Kiyo felt an eerie sensation, as if someone were watching him from the shadows.

He turned his gaze toward a distant tree but saw nothing. Was someone observing us?

Kiyo dismissed his concerns for now and refocused on preparing the hunt.

Meanwhile, hidden behind a tree, an ANBU operative wearing a cat mask watched silently. Beneath the mask, his expression was puzzled.

Did that Uchiha just sense me?

After seeing no further reaction from Kiyo, the ANBU ninja relaxed.

Preparing for the Hunt

Nawaki quickly took charge, distributing tasks among their classmates. Despite his carefree attitude, he had been trained as a Senju heir and demonstrated natural leadership skills.

Kiyo was satisfied with the arrangements—he would only need to guide the trap setup and handle the hunt itself, while the others took care of the rest.

As they worked, another ANBU ninja observing from a distance silently took note.

His trap-setting skills are impressive. Slow, but effective. If he ambushes an opponent in advance, it could be quite useful.

After setting up the traps, Kiyo and Nawaki scouted for prey.

Finding a large rabbit-like creature, Kiyo engaged in battle, drawing it into a trap. However, just as he finished, Nawaki foolishly leaped into the pit—only to get swiped by the wounded beast, suffering a severe gash on his arm.

Sighing, Kiyo quickly realigned Nawaki's broken arm and used the Hemostasis Technique, his hands glowing green.

Under the stunned gazes of his friends and the hidden ANBU, the bleeding stopped.

Kiyo collapsed, exhausted.

He had done it.