Leaving Training Ground 35, Fugaku began walking slowly, with Aozora following closely behind.
Fugaku glanced back at Aozora and saw his pale neck, where the white scars had already vanished completely.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're delicate-looking?"
"There was a teammate who used to say I acted too feminine."
After answering, Aozora quickly shot back with a shrug. "It's not like I asked for it! I train my body every day under the sun, but my skin just won't get tan or rough!"
Fugaku almost agreed with Aozora's teammate at first, but after looking at Aozora's sharp eyebrows and deep-set eyes, he just shook his head.
"Delicate but not lacking masculinity—you definitely have some manly qualities!"
Then, with deliberate meaning, he added, "Others don't know your fair skin is harder than stone!"
Aozora gave an embarrassed smile, no longer resembling the fierce fighter from just moments ago who had fought recklessly with injuries.
Amused by Aozora's attempt to play innocent, Fugaku asked calmly, "Have you cultivated a Body-Forging Secret Jutsu?"
Aozora nodded. "Yes."
"Where did you get this technique?"
Though still speaking casually, Fugaku's voice carried slight weight, and Aozora could feel the air around them stiffen slightly.
Aozora looked at Fugaku in surprise. "Why is the Chief suddenly interested in what secret jutsus I'm practicing?"
Fugaku turned around, arms crossed over his chest, towering over him as he asked, "A twelve-year-old boy possesses a Foundation Building Secret Jutsu, a Body-Forging Secret Jutsu, and even one capable of manifesting Yakton. Tell me, doesn't that sound suspicious?"
Aozora nodded. "It does seem suspicious indeed."
Fugaku continued, "So do you have anything to explain?"
Aozora replied, "Why should I explain? These techniques are mine!"
Fugaku stared directly into Aozora's eyes, his voice growing heavier. "You're only twelve years old, yet you've created three extremely powerful secret techniques yourself?"
Aozora met his gaze without flinching. "So what if they did? They just popped into my mind!"
Standing very close, Aozora's slightest emotional shift wasn't missed by Fugaku.
Yet all Fugaku saw in Aozora's eyes was clear, pure water—calm and untainted.
Although suspicion still lingered in his heart, recalling Aozora's past contributions to the Clan, Fugaku chose to believe him.
Releasing his oppressive aura, Fugaku turned and resumed walking.
Watching Fugaku silently march forward, Aozora's anger started rising again.
He felt unfairly scolded for no reason earlier, so he pushed back on instinct.
But after calming down, Aozora realized that although Fugaku had chosen to trust him, there was still some lingering doubt hidden deep down.
If left unaddressed, when other incidents occurred, that seed might take root and grow.
"Sigh..."
Letting out a long sigh, Aozora called out to Fugaku, "Chief, if you have any doubts, just speak them out loud!"
He noticed that both Itachi and Fugaku were alike—they always kept their thoughts to themselves and let their minds spiral into guesses.
Surprised, Fugaku turned his head back, hesitated briefly, then said, "Since you put it that way, I'll ask then."
Aozora replied, "Go ahead! I'll answer whatever I can!"
Fugaku asked, "First, tell me about the technique you gave to Itachi—the one that enhances muscles and bones [Improves Physical Constitution], and boosts natural talent. How much effort would someone need to develop such a technique?"
"You don't need it? Back when I was in school, I had nothing better to do than circulate chakra inside my body for fun. This was something I worked out entirely on my own."
Aozora paused thoughtfully before saying, "This secret jutsu originates from the chakra refining method. I simply reversed its purpose, using refined chakra to nurture the body instead. Itachi has already learned the Foundation Building Secret Jutsu. You can confirm this with him!"
When Fugaku heard words like "reversed approach" and "nurture the body," he felt Aozora's words made sense. With Itachi as an example, he believed Aozora wasn't making things up.
He pressed on, "Then what about the Body-Forging Secret Jutsu?"
Aozora replied, "That one I developed using the Lightning Release Cell Stimulation Method combined with some body-forging techniques Guy taught me! The Lightning Release Cell Stimulation Method was a gift from Shisui. Want to see it?"
Shisui had killed many Hidden Cloud jonin at the front line, making it very probable he obtained the Lightning Release Cell Stimulation Method. Also, Aozora did spend some time with Guy.
There remained one last secret jutsu, but Fugaku felt no need to ask anymore.
"I'm sorry. I misunderstood you!"
Aozora was just turning his mind trying to figure out how to explain the origin of the secret jutsu for refining fire-natured chakra when unexpectedly he heard Fugaku apologizing.
Aozora quickly replied, "No problem, no problem! After all, someone as talented as me has never appeared in the Ninja World before!"
Fugaku's remorse instantly vanished as he mused inwardly: "The Ninja World indeed hasn't seen such an audacious genius before!"
Having successfully eased tensions, Aozora curiously asked, "Chief, what did you think was the source of my secret jutsus originally?"
Fugaku answered, "Two guesses. One was inheritance from Senior Kagami, and the other that they were taught by wandering clan members outside the village."
"Ridiculous! Just ridiculous!"
Aozora couldn't help rolling his eyes. "Clan Chief, if these secret jutsus were left behind by my grandfather, why wouldn't Shisui learn them?
And how many wandering clan members could there possibly be? Within the village, our clan alone consists of so many people yet only a few powerful secret jutsus have been created. Do you really believe those wandering outsiders could develop such techniques?"
Fugaku fell silent for a moment before replying, "Compared to those two guesses, isn't it even more absurd for a twelve-year-old boy to create three secret jutsus?"
Hearing this, Aozora faltered momentarily, then snorted and turned his head away with haughty pride.
Seeing this, Fugaku quickly offered further apologies. At this moment, Aozora had become a precious treasure of the Uchiha Clan in Fugaku's heart.
A gifted jonin at age twelve was already valuable enough, but a twelve-year-old who had developed three secret jutsus commanded even greater respect.
A powerful ninja might strengthen the Uchiha temporarily, but powerful secret techniques could secure their dominance for generations.
With his heart now clear of doubts, Fugaku turned and walked toward the Police Force headquarters.
He didn't intend to press Aozora for the secret jutsus. First, since they were still newly developed, they might not be suitable for others yet and needed refinement by Aozora himself. Second, he believed Aozora would eventually share these techniques at the appropriate time. He only needed to provide Aozora with opportunities.
Aozora had no intention of returning to the office to work overtime, so he said, "Chief, if there's nothing else, I'll go back first!"
Fugaku replied, "You really should head home. Itachi's probably waiting at your door already!"
Hearing this, Aozora smiled awkwardly. He had completely forgotten that he had invited Itachi to his house for lessons this weekend.
With a nod of farewell, Aozora and Fugaku went their separate ways, heading towards the Uchiha Compound.
On his way home, Aozora kept thinking about the technique that had finally defeated him, feeling somewhat frustrated.
He had believed that after this recent promotion, his strength would increase significantly, reaching the level of an Elite Jonin. However, he hadn't expected to be unable to withstand even a single glance from Fugaku.
Regarding that gaze, Aozora had his suspicions—he could think of no other genjutsu besides the Mangekyou capable of subduing him instantly!
Even so, Aozora was still deeply dissatisfied with his own performance.
He knew it was just a sparring match, so he only ended up with a white mark on his neck. If it had been a real life-or-death battle, he'd probably be dead by now.
Inwardly, Aozora made a silent resolution—to diligently train his Yin Yang Eye upon returning and strive to achieve the Mangekyou as soon as possible.
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