THE UCHIHA ASCENSION

Uchiha Kiyo dragged his exhausted body home, each step heavier than the last, the aftermath of relentless training weighing on him.

After struggling to prepare a bucket of hot water, he carefully soaked the clan-provided medicinal bath pouch in it. Stripping off his sweat-drenched clothes, he climbed into the bucket, his sore muscles finally finding relief.

"Just like how the Uchiha police force unwinds after missions, nothing beats a hot bath after training," Kiyo muttered, sinking deeper into the water.

As he relaxed, the medicinal bath began accelerating his recovery, replenishing the microscopic muscle tears from his intense physical regimen. His chakra pathways, though still underdeveloped, absorbed the subtle energy-enhancing herbs in the mixture.

Unconsciously, he drifted into a deep slumber.

---

Kiyo awoke two hours later, still submerged. The once-warm water had cooled, but his body felt noticeably stronger. However, hunger gnawed at his stomach, a reminder of the calories he had burned.

With effort, he dragged himself out of the tub, dried off, and changed into fresh clothes before heading to his meal.

"If this pace keeps up, I'll need to double my food portions," he noted. "Might as well prepare extra in the morning and store it in an insulated container like some Uchiha patrol officers do when on duty."

The medicinal bath pouch could be reused overnight, so after eating, he refilled the tub and soaked again.

---

The next morning, Kiyo woke up still immersed in the tub, his body aching but undeniably stronger.

"The effects of the medicinal bath are remarkable, but at this rate, I'll need to find a way to earn money if I want to sustain this training."

Yesterday's intensity had been unprecedented for him, pushing his limits like Might Guy's infamous "youthful" regimens. Unlike the Leaf's renowned taijutsu users, however, the Uchiha generally prioritized a balance of ninjutsu and genjutsu over raw physicality. But Kiyo knew that a solid foundation in taijutsu would only complement his future growth.

He recalled the legendary endurance of the clan's elite, such as Shisui Uchiha, who was said to have mastered the Body Flicker Technique partly due to his superior conditioning. To reach that level, Kiyo would need unwavering perseverance.

He understood the harsh reality of training—early improvements came fast, but progress would slow over time. It was why so few ninjas specialized in taijutsu; the diminishing returns made the path grueling. Even within the Uchiha, kunai and shuriken techniques were favored over hand-to-hand combat.

The only true exception was Might Dai and his son, Might Guy. Their unwavering dedication to taijutsu allowed them to defy limitations, making even Uchiha warriors acknowledge their prowess. Kiyo respected that persistence.

Yet, unlike the Gutsy Duo, Kiyo also had the Uchiha's famed shurikenjutsu and katon ninjutsu at his disposal. If he combined them effectively, he could develop a unique fighting style.

---

After a light warm-up, he rinsed off the herbal scent, changed into a fresh outfit, and prepared breakfast. Over four years of living alone had refined his cooking skills, and in twenty minutes, he had prepared and stored his meals for the day.

Taking a deep breath, he savored the aroma of his food.

"Hmm~ This is the kind of routine even Itachi likely followed as a child," he mused. "Except, he was probably training at twice this intensity."

Once breakfast was finished, he packed his gear, bracing himself for another grueling day.

Yesterday had merely been an adaptation phase. Today, the real training began.

---

At the training ground, Kiyo joined his peers, all six-year-old Uchiha heirs undergoing their clan's special training. Despite yesterday's fatigue, they arrived eager and energized, their young bodies recovering quickly.

Given the high physical demands of their daily schedule, chakra training was integrated into the mornings. Their instructor, Uchiha Takashi, a mid-level Chūnin known for his precision, ensured they maximized their training efficiency.

"Before refining chakra," Takashi began, "a strong body and willpower are crucial. That's why, for the first week, we will focus on kunai throwing alongside physical training."

He paused, surveying the attentive group.

"Mastering our clan's legendary throwing techniques will set you apart as Uchiha warriors. Even the most skilled ninja struggle against our precision."

Rather than diving straight into technique, Takashi unfurled a scroll and performed a single-handed seal.

Boom!

A puff of smoke revealed a cache of pristine kunai, neatly arranged in stacks.

"Each of you, take ten."

Kiyo's eyes widened slightly.

"So this is what it means to be born into a great clan. Just like that, they're handing out ten kunai per person. Even basic kunai cost 1,000 ryō each—that's 10,000 ryō in my hands!"

Still, he quickly reminded himself that this was nothing compared to the 450,000 ryō worth of medicinal baths provided by the clan. The Uchiha took care of their own.

Once equipped, Takashi held up a kunai.

"Kunai, shuriken, and senbon are among the most versatile weapons a ninja can use. The standard kunai, like this one, is mass-produced, but elite ninja often commission customized versions for better handling and unique combat advantages."

Kiyo immediately thought of Minato Namikaze's iconic three-pronged kunai, designed specifically for the Flying Thunder God Technique.

As Takashi continued, Kiyo noticed the subtle details in his grip, angle, and wrist movement. While kunai throwing seemed straightforward, there were hidden mechanics—momentum, rotation, and trajectory control—all affecting accuracy.

Despite his past-life education, which gave him a theoretical understanding of projectile motion, Kiyo knew that true mastery required hands-on experience.

Judging by the confused faces around him, he wasn't alone in struggling to absorb all the information.

Takashi smirked.

"Enough theory. Kunai throwing is best learned through practice. Follow me."

He led them to a designated training area.

"Kunai training has three primary stages: hitting stationary targets, hitting moving targets, and throwing multiple kunai at once. Over the next three months, you will focus on the first two."

Picking up a kunai, Takashi performed a textbook throw.

Whoosh!

The kunai struck dead center on the target board, splitting a previously embedded kunai in half.

Awe rippled through the group, even among those who prided themselves on their Uchiha heritage.

"This level of precision is what you will strive for," Takashi declared.

Excitement surged among the students, including Kiyo.

Each child took turns practicing. By midday, their wrists burned from the repeated motion, fatigue dulling their throws.

Takashi applied a soothing salve to their wrists before handing them over to Uchiha Shin, their afternoon taijutsu instructor.

If the morning had exhausted their arms, the afternoon shattered their legs. Frog jumps, sprints, and relentless endurance training left them utterly drained.

By the end of the day, Kiyo trudged home even more sluggishly than before.

"At least I had the foresight to prepare dinner early. If I hadn't, I might not have the strength to eat."

With a wry smile, he heated water, prepared another medicinal bath, and retrieved his stored meal.

Settling into the tub, he ate slowly, savoring the warmth and relief.

Tomorrow, the cycle would repeat.

And Kiyo couldn't wait.