Uchiha: Strongest Shura

"What's going on?" Naoki Inuzuka asked, scratching his head in confusion.

Renji's face was tense as he replied, "The one we've been fighting all afternoon was just a shadow clone!"

At the same time, on the other side of the village, Uchiha Kagami was seated across from a chubby man with a flushed face. Kagami let out a sigh, glancing at the plate of untouched barbecue in front of him. "I messed up this time. I shouldn't have come to eat with you!"

"How dare you say that when you haven't even taken a bite?" the man, Akimichi Torifu, retorted, stuffing more roasted pork into his mouth. He wiped his greasy fingers on his sleeve and added with a smirk, "What's with that look on your face? Constipated? Maybe eat more bananas next time!"

Kagami rolled his eyes. "I told you I already ate lunch. Forget it—I have to go. I'll catch up with you another day." He stood abruptly, ignoring Torifu's protests, and hurried out. Torifu quickly shoved the remaining barbecue into his mouth before trailing after him.

---

Back at the training ground, Marina picked up one of the bells left on the ground and asked, "Renji, what now?"

While gathering scattered shuriken and kunai, Renji replied, "A shadow clone has a limited range of activity. Kagami must be nearby, and he'll know the moment it dissipates. He'll show up soon enough. As for the bell, just hold onto it for now."

Naoki clenched his fists, frustration clear on his face. "So unfair! He's just messing with us at this point!"

---

True to Renji's prediction, Kagami reappeared moments later, a smile of admiration on his face. "I'm impressed. You three did better than I expected. I'll grant each of you a wish—within reason, of course. Just tell me anytime!"

Marina and Naoki instantly lit up, their irritation forgotten as they excitedly discussed potential wishes. Renji, however, crossed his arms, frowning. He opened his mouth to decline, but his attention was drawn to a large figure approaching the training ground.

It was Akimichi Torifu, his presence larger than life. He surveyed the scene with a knowing smile. "Don't blame your teacher for being late—I dragged him to eat barbecue. Honestly, I didn't expect today's kids to be this talented!" He winked at Kagami, who looked slightly embarrassed. Torifu grabbed another piece of roasted pork from a pouch he had brought along, waved a goodbye, and strolled off.

---

Once Torifu was gone, Kagami turned his attention back to his students. "Alright, let's focus. Tell me what ninjutsu you're familiar with and whether you know your chakra nature."

Naoki scratched his head. "Uh… I know the basic jutsu, the Shadow Clone Technique, and the Inuzuka clan's beast mimicry techniques. My chakra nature is wind."

Marina chimed in next, her voice quiet but clear. "I only know one Water Release technique so far."

Renji crossed his arms, speaking confidently. "In addition to the techniques I used earlier, I can perform Fire Release: Dragon Fire Jutsu, the Shadow Clone Technique, and basic taijutsu. My chakra natures are fire and lightning."

---

Kagami nodded, listening carefully before posing a question. "How do you determine how strong a ninja is? Is it by the number of techniques they know? Or the sheer power of their jutsu?"

Naoki was quick to respond. "Obviously, if your techniques aren't strong enough, you'll just get overpowered. So you need bigger, stronger jutsu to crush your enemies!"

Renji smirked faintly. "A weapon is only a true weapon if no one lives to tell the tale. Strength is important, but the real key is constant growth—always mastering stronger techniques and improving yourself."

Marina hesitated for a moment before adding softly, "I think strength comes from working with your team. Relying on your comrades makes you stronger."

Kagami's expression softened, clearly impressed by Marina's answer. "You're all correct to some extent, but Marina's perspective is the most practical. Talent and training are limited by time and individual capacity. However, teamwork allows you to maximize your combat effectiveness quickly. In the coming days, I'll focus on building your skills so that your strengths complement each other."

---

The "nice guy" demeanor Kagami had shown earlier quickly faded as he transitioned into his role as a strict instructor. His training regimen was relentless, pushing the team to their limits with high-intensity drills every day. To ensure they could handle the strain, Kagami occasionally used Lightning Release to stimulate their cells, enhancing their physical recovery. However, this did little to alleviate the mental and emotional exhaustion.

Physical training was the most grueling part. Kagami's methods were unconventional, incorporating elements from various martial arts, including taekwondo, judo. The emphasis wasn't on the moves themselves but on the instincts they developed—how to minimize risks while maximizing effectiveness. The goal was to create fluid, adaptable fighters capable of responding to any situation with precision and confidence.

However, mastering such skills required endless repetition and sparring, and Kagami wasn't afraid to dish out harsh lessons. He tailored his attacks to each student's tolerance, ensuring they were always pushed to their breaking point. Renji, being the strongest in physical combat, often bore the brunt of Kagami's relentless blows.

End of the Chapter.