Chapter 23: Chapter: 23 Thirty Lightning-Style Ninja
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Southern Fire Country, Uchiha Army Camp.
Upon hearing the news, Uchiha Rei personally led his people to the entrance to welcome the heroes' return.
"He really succeeded."
The commander's emotions surged, his hands trembling slightly in excitement.
He had fought against the three clans for many years but had never been able to completely defeat them.
Now, with the newly obtained intelligence, they could quickly gain a comprehensive advantage.
By uprooting the enemy's scattered bases, the three clans would be driven into a corner.
They would have no choice but to engage in a decisive battle or flee to the Land of Lightning.
As for seeking refuge with the Senju? That wasn't even an option to consider.
"Once this battle is over, the southern border will completely belong to the Uchiha."
"Tajima, let's see how you plan to compete with me then."
Lost in his thoughts, Uchiha Rei seemed to envision the moment he ascended as clan leader.
"Sir, they're here."
The voice of his subordinate pulled him back to reality.
Looking around, a large number of ninjas had already gathered at the entrance, all waiting for the return of Kyosuke's squad.
Before long, three figures appeared on the horizon.
Leading them was Uchiha Kyosuke, who was showing his true face for the first time.
Since officially reaching Jonin strength, he no longer needed to wear a mask.
Among ninjas, strength determined everything. His young age only emphasized his extraordinary talent.
Previously mentioned, Chidori was the most suitable jutsu for the Uchiha.
If he could teach it to his subordinates, he could teach it to any clansman who met the requirements.
The prerequisite? They had to be his subordinates.
Ninja speed was unparalleled. One moment, they were mere silhouettes on the horizon; the next, the squad was standing before the commander.
Tossing the unconscious Yamanaka Rumiko to the ground, Kyosuke calmly said, "Mission accomplished. The captive has been brought back."
"Good, Good, Good!"
Uchiha Rei exclaimed three times in a row, instantly recognizing the captive's identity.
Ordering his subordinates to take the prisoner away for strict confinement, he patted Kyosuke's shoulder, choosing not to leave immediately.
A hero's return deserved more than a simple ending.
Let Kyosuke enjoy the admiration of his clansmen first.
As a long-time enemy, Yamanaka Rumiko's appearance was no secret.
Soon, someone recognized her.
"It's her! That vile woman, Yamanaka Rumiko!"
"With her in our hands, we can destroy the enemy's bases one by one!"
"Damn it, your end is near!"
"Haha, the war is finally coming to an end!"
"Long live Lord Kyosuke!"
"Long live! Long live!"
Surrounded by countless enthusiastic faces, Kyosuke didn't shy away.
With a sharp sound, he unsheathed his short sword, holding it high in the air as he let out a triumphant roar.
The next moment, the cheers were loud enough to shake the entire camp.
---
Inside the commander's tent, Kyosuke and Uchiha Rei sat opposite each other.
No matter the place, there were always dirty dealings in the shadows. Yet sometimes, relationships between ninjas were surprisingly straightforward.
Changes in strength naturally led to changes in status.
For Kyosuke, this was his first equal conversation with the commander.
"The time has come for a full-scale assault on the enemy," Uchiha Rei said with some emotion.
"For years, I've dreamed of this day."
"Securing victory in the southern border will elevate your prestige to rival Uchiha Tajima," Kyosuke replied bluntly, showing no effort to hide his disdain for the clan leader.
Over the past year, Tajima's loyalists had frequently sabotaged Kyosuke's plans.
While the harm was minimal, it was annoying enough.
Even so, Kyosuke endured.
For now, he lacked the power to confront Tajima directly.
But when the time was right, he had already decided Tajima's head would be his.
Madara.
Kyosuke thought, relationships aside, Tajima's survival was a separate matter.
As long as Tajima lived, Kyosuke could never truly gain power in the Uchiha clan.
"You've now been promoted to Jonin," Uchiha Rei said, fully aware of Kyosuke's abilities. "It's time for you to assemble a team. Don't worry about manpower."
A unit commander was allowed to form a team of up to thirty members.
Considering the casualty rate among ninjas, the actual number was usually lower.
Previously, Kyosuke had preferred a three-man team to avoid being dragged down by others.
But with direct combat against large forces on the horizon, even three Jonin couldn't achieve much alone.
A single large-scale jutsu from the enemy could force them to retreat.
Even a group of mediocre Mist ninjas could resist Madara's Edo Tensei Great Fire Annihilation together.
At times, numbers could compensate for gaps in strength.
"Thank you, sir," Kyosuke said with a nod, accepting Uchiha Rei's goodwill.
He now needed to build his own forces. Only by having subordinates could he gain influence within the clan.
When the time came, even Tajima would think twice before moving against him.
---
While the two talked, the selection of team members had already begun.
Uchiha Izumi acted as the examiner, testing the applicants' skills, while Uchiha Maya used genjutsu to screen for potential risks.
Initially, there were complaints.
Many wanted to serve under Kyosuke but resented being subjected to genjutsu interrogation.
It felt insulting.
However, when Uchiha Izumi demonstrated Chidori and explained that those who passed would be taught the jutsu, the entire camp was stirred.
Experienced ninjas understood the significance of Chidori.
Previously, many had wondered how Kyosuke's squad managed to defeat a perfectly coordinated Ino-Shika-Cho team.
Now it was clear—Kyosuke had developed such a terrifying Lightning Style jutsu.
"Chidori is such an appropriate name," someone remarked in awe.
Due to limited slots, only qualified applicants were accepted.
What were the qualifications?
Applicants couldn't belong to Tajima's faction, had to specialize in Lightning Style jutsu, and must lack existing loyalties to other factions.
These three conditions immediately disqualified most of the camp, leaving a small number ecstatic at the chance to learn Chidori.
After a full day and night of assessments, Izumi and Maya finally selected thirty suitable ninjas.
None of them were Jonin; all were Chunin from within the clan.
Jonin were strategic assets and had long since joined various factions.
It wasn't that they didn't want to join; Kyosuke had intentionally excluded them from the start.
"Welcome"
Kyosuke said as he activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Amid gasps of amazement, he continued, "If you're going to follow me, you must have the ambition and will to establish great achievements."
"Remember, the enemy's heartland will be the front line for our unit."
"Approach this with determination. Do everything you can to grow stronger."
[Chapter End's]
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