"This is how you distinguish between an ally and an enemy!"
Shisui's eyes lit up with realization.
He finally understood.
Allies aren't something you're born with they're forged through action and intention.
Hadn't he and Obito helped the elderly together not long ago? Turning suspicion into trust wasn't that the beginning of changing hearts?
This was the same idea.
If he wanted to change the Uchiha clan and lead them on a better path, he needed allies. And for that, he needed strength.
To put it simply...
This was what his teacher meant someone had to be willing to listen to him.
"Good," Jingyi said with a nod, offering no further words.
There was no need.
Shisui had understood. Telling him more would only confuse him at this point. It was better to let him walk his own path and gather his own people.
Still...
What Shisui wanted to do was a lofty goal. Jingyi knew that. Could a five-year-old, barely recognized beyond his peers, really accomplish it?
When Shisui left the room, a chime from the system echoed in Jingyi's mind.
Another wave of rewards had arrived.
And this time...
Genjutsu – Reverse Mirror Illusion.
Jingyi raised a brow. He expected a Sharingan-based illusion, but this wasn't that it was an anti-illusion technique. The Sharingan enhanced it, yes, thanks to its clarity and chakra perception, but the technique itself was independent.
It focused on disruption and inversion of enemy genjutsu. If cast well, he could not only dispel incoming illusions but even reflect or reverse them under the right conditions.
Without a Sharingan, it wasn't perfect, but it was a good tool to balance out a weakness.
Blood well spent!
Jingyi grinned. He had enough direct combat power; what he needed were flexible tools like this.
Of course...
Right now, his focus was on the Yin Seal. If he could replicate a version of Tsunade's Byakugō no In, it would be an immense boost.
It was a difficult road.
Sealing arts were notoriously complex. A single mistake could collapse the structure.
However...
Jingyi had theoretical knowledge of the Yin Seal its mechanisms, the chakra compression technique, and the storage principle. And more importantly, he had mastered the Four Symbols Seal, a top-tier fūinjutsu.
Although it wasn't originally designed for chakra storage, the underlying logic could be adapted.
He drew up a modified seal array.
The concept was simple: create a smaller reservoir. It wouldn't store as much chakra as Tsunade's, but it would be stable and usable for chakra burst release or support techniques.
He sent his proposed design to Tsunade through Katsuyu.
During this period, Katsuyu was his main communication tool reliable, patient, and not nearly as prideful as the toads from Mount Myōboku.
Soon, Tsunade replied:
> "Removing those inscription lines won't cause direct harm, but it'll demand higher chakra control. Proceed if you're confident."
"Thank you very much!" Jingyi smiled.
If it wasn't dangerous, he could experiment freely.
He completed the seal and began storing chakra.
Hours passed...
At first, everything seemed fine but then a slow leak emerged. One of the altered segments affected structural integrity.
After many trials and shadow clone support, he found a workaround: layering a simplified Four Symbols Seal atop the Yin Seal. It would plug the leak and could be undone when needed.
Was it elegant? No.
But it worked.
Even better it concealed the Yin Seal's existence. Only when the outer layer was removed would anyone detect the chakra reservoir.
As he finished stabilizing it, his stomach growled. He decided to eat, then check in on Shisui and Kurenai.
---
Kurenai was practicing Chakra Scalpel a difficult medical ninjutsu that required chakra precision, but also had offensive utility.
Shisui was training his swordsmanship.
From the form and chakra infusion, Jingyi could tell it was Uchiha-style kenjutsu. He was blending fire and wind chakra into his strikes. A dangerous combination.
Jingyi observed for a moment and left quietly.
He didn't need to guide either of them today.
---
He'd already heard the Third Exam was coming. The Third Hokage had even invited the Fire Daimyō.
Clearly, this wasn't just a test. It was a political showcase.
The future of Konoha would be on display, and the daimyo's opinion would carry weight against pressure from other great nations.
Jingyi didn't plan to interfere in the exam itself.
His focus was elsewhere: refining his own abilities, perfecting his swordplay, and having his clones study Hidden Mist techniques, medical ninjutsu, and genjutsu countermeasures.
Still...
The Hokage had other plans.
> "The Daimyō has agreed to visit. You and Minato will escort him ensure his safety."
"Just the two of us?" Jingyi asked.
> "The genin in the exam can't be involved. I'm forming a temporary team: Asuma, Obito, and Yamashiro Aoba."
Truthfully, Minato and Jingyi alone would've sufficed but appearances mattered. A team looked better for diplomacy.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Minato answered without hesitation. Jingyi sighed, but nodded.
At the gate, their temporary team assembled.
Asuma looked excited.
Obito looked... dejected.
He hadn't made it to the third round neither had Aoba. Knowing now that they could've been part of this escort mission, he felt regret gnawing at him.
"If I'd just played it smarter..." he muttered.
As they prepared to depart, Asuma turned to his teacher.
"Sensei, what's our mission?"
"We're escorting the Daimyō."
"What?!"