Lotm Rogue-like across worlds.

I tried to focus the chakra on my forehead to start practicing the Seal of the Hundred. However, the attempt proved futile. There were two reasons for this: insufficient control and lack of a catalyst. Sakura and Tsunade used Katsuya's dimension as a storehouse of chakra and a catalyst. By channeling the chakra into the forehead, they sent it into the dimension, which made it easier to maintain the technique. The same connection enhanced their healing abilities.

Despite the fact that I have not seen the technique in action, I was able to decipher its principles thanks to the abilities of a cryptologist and knowledge of fuinjutsu. The technique was not complicated; it was based on creating a seal on the forehead to store the chakra. As long as I don't have enough control, I decided to focus on developing basic printing.

The scheme was simple: the central rune "Storage", a triangle of runes "Retention", "Stabilization" and "Holding time" connected by lines, and the outer circle as a stabilizing frame.

The first step was to transfer the outline of the diagram onto the scroll, avoiding using the chakra. The lines must be accurate, and the runes must be free from distortion. Any mistake could lead to an energy leak or a complete failure. When I was satisfied with the drawing, I began to slowly feed the chakra, controlling the flow with my finger.

I focused on the central rune "Storage", which is responsible for energy storage. The chakra spread evenly along the lines, filling the triangle. "Retention" stabilized the flow, and "Holding time" was responsible for the duration of storage. It was like setting up a complex mechanism: too much chakra — failure, too little — lack of effect.

The bluish light coming from the seal confirmed its operability. To check the storage, I applied more chakra — the energy was absorbed without leaving a trace. This stage required maximum concentration.

This stage was just the beginning. I knew that the real difficulty would begin later, when I would have to maintain a stable chakra store on my forehead every day. But it was a foundation from which I could build.

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The other day, I was showing the former neighbors from the orphanage different tricks. I did not reveal their essence to them, claiming that these were tricks that I had learned. In some tricks, I really used simple illusions, but sometimes I connected spirituality or chakra. Fortunately, I didn't reveal it directly. If the caretaker found out that I was showing off my abilities to those who couldn't or didn't want to study them, I would definitely be kicked out.

When I stopped doing tricks and headed home, the evening sun was casting long shadows. On the way, I suddenly noticed familiar silhouettes. It was Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha. Their appearance surprised me, but I didn't show it, just nodded briefly at them. Quite enough for a greeting.

However, to my surprise, they did not pass by. Instead, they both walked towards me. Sasuke greeted me first:

—Hey, Seiji.

His voice sounded confident, but at the same time, there was a note of expectation in it. Itachi, who was standing a little behind, added softly:

— Good evening.

I nodded briefly again, lifting the corners of my lips slightly in response.

—Hi,— I replied. "What are you doing here?"

Sasuke looked at his older brother, as if giving him the right to explain. Itachi tilted his head slightly, as if debating whether to share the reason.

"I was handing over the report," he explained calmly. — I took Sasuke with me, he wanted to go for a walk.

Sasuke frowned at Itachi.:

— It's not like that! I just wanted to see how you work.

A smile flashed across Itachi's face, but he didn't pursue the subject. I just shrugged my shoulders slightly.

—I see,— I said. — Well, good luck with the reports.

But Itachi wasn't going to end the conversation so quickly. His gaze slid over me a little more intently than usual.

— Sasuke said that you already know all the basic techniques of the Academy. It's true?

His tone was calm, but his interest was obvious. I glanced at Sasuke, who immediately turned away, as if he didn't want to admit that he had said it himself. Then I looked at Itachi and nodded.:

— Yes, that's right.

Itachi narrowed his eyes slightly, as if considering what he had just heard.

— Why did you decide to learn them so early? "What is it?" he asked after a short pause.

I hesitated for a second, deliberately lowering my gaze in embarrassment.

—I..." I blushed on purpose, as if I'd been caught playing a prank. — When I was younger, I overheard someone practicing. Well, I tried to repeat it.

Sasuke frowned, but didn't say anything, just stared at me intently. Itachi continued:

"And you had no particular reason?"

I looked up at him, trying to look slightly perplexed.:

"I can't understand what you're trying to say."

Itachi thought for a moment, as if choosing his words.

— Do you have any purpose? Do you want to become the Fourth Hokage, or do you want to become Hokage yourself?

I tilted my head slightly to the side, as if trying to comprehend the question, then nodded as if I understood.:

—Uh... no, I'm sorry, Itachi-san. I think I understand what you're asking. No, I'm just training for now.

Itachi looked at me with mild interest, but didn't say anything. My answer seemed to satisfy him, although he was silent for a while, as if he was considering what he had heard. Sasuke didn't say anything either, but his face expressed a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. Perhaps he didn't quite understand why his older brother was paying so much attention to this conversation.

His annoyance dispelled the seriousness of the atmosphere a bit. Itachi looked at me again, then nodded curtly.:

— Okay. See you later, Seiji.

—See you later,— I replied. Sasuke muttered something, but it seemed like it was some kind of goodbye.

I was pleased with the strange dialogue, I didn't know what the results would lead to, but I was able to attract Itachi's attention, which is extremely important. I hoped that Itachi would try to "share" his ideology. If he actually tries to recruit me after seeing at least some semblance of himself in me, then this will accelerate the rapprochement. If he does the opposite and does not contact me so that I do not follow his path, I will raise this issue later and ask why he is doing this. Either way, Itachi's trust in me will grow.