Chapter 49

Su Zhong's idea was good, but upon closer thought, he realized that there weren't many sealing techniques in the Uchiha clan's secret archives.

Sealing techniques were a niche type of ninjutsu. While the Uchiha clan had a considerable amount of information, there weren't many that met Su Zhong's requirements.

Frowning, Su Zhong pondered to himself, "If only I had the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan."

However, this seemed like a pipe dream.

The Third Hokage and Danzo of the Root organization definitely had the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.

But it was impossible to obtain these from them.

Shaking his head, Su Zhong suddenly thought of Orochimaru. This ninjutsu fanatic must have the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.

"It seems dealing with Orochimaru is inevitable," Su Zhong muttered to himself.

Although the Uchiha clan's sealing techniques were few, they were sufficient for the current situation. He could wait until his strength increased and he had a better chance before approaching Orochimaru.

Su Zhong walked back to the corridor and sat down, letting Bai rest. He began to ponder his training direction, something he often did.

The Crane Hand and Great Dragon Fist were his primary offensive techniques. However, compared to powerful ninjutsu, his close combat methods had significant flaws.

Su Zhong thought of the Air Technique. In the past, his strength was insufficient. Now, with his body and mind integrated, his strength had greatly increased, and he should be able to try it.

Thinking of it, he acted. Su Zhong extended his right hand.

Starting from his shoulder, his skin rippled forward in waves.

It was as if something beneath his skin was gathering toward his right hand.

His right hand, now dark blue, suddenly slashed downward.

Swoosh!

A visible crescent-shaped air blade shot out.

It struck a target twenty meters away with great speed and force. This was a target Sasuke used to practice with kunai.

The crescent air blade hit the target dead center.

Crack!

The sturdy target immediately shattered into pieces.

Su Zhong was startled and continued to slash with his right hand. One after another, crescent blades flew out, and over twenty targets were instantly reduced to fragments.

The Air Technique was indeed feasible.

Its power was more than three times that of a thrown kunai, and this wasn't even Su Zhong's full strength.

"Autumn, your strength has increased again," Sasuke said, having watched for a while.

Smiling, Su Zhong gestured for Sasuke to sit down.

In this life, he had taken over the body of an Uchiha. With the Uchiha clan destroyed, he couldn't repay them as he had the Lin family in his previous life, but he could do his best to help Sasuke.

Su Zhong was also a novice in ninjutsu, but his knowledge of taijutsu was unparalleled. With his experience from his previous life and his understanding of the plot, he could make Sasuke's foundation more solid.

Sasuke mastering the Chidori earlier and faster than in the original story was proof of this.

"Looks like you're in a good mood. Have you completely mastered the Chidori?" Su Zhong asked.

A look of joy flashed in Sasuke's eyes. "Yes, I have. However, my chakra is limited, and I can only use it three times. After that, my chakra is depleted."

Su Zhong nodded. "That's normal. You're too young, and your body is still a limiting factor."

Sasuke nodded, but a look of frustration flashed in his eyes. He was very eager for power. Even with Su Zhong's constant guidance over the past two years, he was still somewhat impatient.

Thinking of Sasuke's path in the original story, Su Zhong's mind stirred. "There is a way to solve this."

Sasuke was startled. "What way?"

Shaking his head, Su Zhong didn't speak. The Curse Mark, while containing Orochimaru's secrets, could indeed boost power in the short term.

However, the process of Sasuke breaking free from Orochimaru's control in the original story was full of coincidences and very dangerous.

The key to dealing with Orochimaru's possession was the Sharingan.

Ignoring Sasuke's anxious gaze, Su Zhong asked, "What level is your Sharingan?"

Sasuke formed hand seals, and his eyes instantly turned blood red with two black tomoe spinning in them.

"Two tomoe? Not bad, you've made rapid progress," Su Zhong said approvingly. "But don't relax your efforts in developing the Sharingan. It's very important."

Sasuke closed his Sharingan and nodded seriously. "I understand. But what about the method to increase chakra?"

Shaking his head, Su Zhong said, "It's not the right time yet. You'll know when the time comes."

Orochimaru's desire for the Sharingan was almost pathological. Su Zhong believed that even with his interference, Orochimaru would not let Sasuke go.

Seeing that Su Zhong wouldn't speak, Sasuke knew he couldn't get the answer from him and didn't press further.

Instead, he became curious about Su Zhong's skill. "Autumn, what was that just now?"

"Air Technique. It uses muscle strength to compress and manipulate air. I call this type of attack Air Technique," Su Zhong explained.

"You've developed another skill suitable for yourself," Sasuke said, somewhat enviously.

Su Zhong said earnestly, "The best is what suits you. Don't envy me. Focus on developing your own ninjutsu. However, the Air Technique is not my original creation. I just borrowed a technique from another ninja."

Sasuke nodded, not asking who it was. Su Zhong always seemed to know some secrets about other ninjas, and he was used to it.

"By the way, Autumn, the Chunin Exams are starting," Sasuke suddenly said. "I met a few outsiders in the street today, and they were very strong."

Su Zhong nodded. "Very strong? Who?"

"Sand ninja, called Gaara."

Su Zhong realized. "Him. He's very powerful."

Sasuke turned curiously. "You know? How powerful is he?"

"He's a Jinchuriki," Su Zhong said casually.

"Jinchuriki? What's a Jinchuriki?" Sasuke was even more curious. Today, Su Zhong had mentioned things he didn't know.

Su Zhong didn't hide it. It was better to know these things early.

"Know the Nine-Tailed Fox?" Su Zhong asked.

"Of course. A few years ago, the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha, causing severe damage. It seems to have involved our Uchiha clan," Sasuke said. He was born during the time of the Nine-Tails' appearance, and its impact had accompanied his growth.

"The Nine-Tails is related to Naruto," Sasuke suddenly said thoughtfully.

Su Zhong nodded. "Indeed, it's related to Naruto. The Nine-Tails is called a Tailed Beast, and there are nine Tailed Beasts in this world. A person with a Tailed Beast sealed inside them is called a Jinchuriki. Naruto is the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Through special sealing techniques and training, they can harness the Tailed Beast's vast chakra and gain great power. The Gaara you met today is the Jinchuriki of the One-Tail."

"Naruto is the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails?" Sasuke was shocked. "No wonder he's called the Nine-Tailed Fox."

"Can Jinchuriki really gain great power?" Sasuke's eyes sparkled.

Su Zhong saw through his thoughts. "Don't think too much. The Tailed Beasts are controlled by the major ninja villages. It's impossible for you."

A look of disappointment flashed in Sasuke's eyes. With his strength alone, it was impossible to seize a Tailed Beast from the major ninja villages.

Su Zhong suddenly smiled slyly. "Do you know why many people blamed the Uchiha clan after the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha?"

Sasuke turned, puzzled. "I don't know. Is it really related to our Uchiha clan?"

Su Zhong thought to himself, "Of course it is, and it was done by someone from the Uchiha clan. But I can't tell you that."

"Indeed, there is a connection. Long ago, the Nine-Tails was controlled by Uchiha Madara and became his summoning beast!" Su Zhong watched Sasuke with interest.

Seeing Sasuke's shocked face, Su Zhong was satisfied.

"So, don't think about being a Jinchuriki. Focus on developing your Sharingan. No one has fully developed the Sharingan since Madara. You need to work hard," Su Zhong urged.

Since Sasuke would eventually walk that path, Su Zhong didn't mind giving him a push. As for the outcome, that was beyond his control.

Sasuke was indeed encouraged, his eyes burning with enthusiasm.

Su Zhong waved him off to rest and prepare for the Chunin Exams the next day.

After Sasuke left, Su Zhong's warm smile turned cold.

His eyes coldly stared at a nearby tree. "Come out on your own, or I'll drag you out."

There was no response. Su Zhong sneered. "You won't cry until you see the coffin!"

His right hand suddenly slashed forward, and a transparent crescent air blade shot out.

It whistled toward the nearby tree.

Swoosh!

The crescent blade moved quickly, piercing the tree trunk and exiting from the other side.

Crack!

A cloud of white smoke appeared, and a figure stumbled out of the tree, looking at Su Zhong with shock.

White hair, round glasses—it was Kabuto, who had come to observe Sasuke.

Su Zhong coldly watched Kabuto. He knew Kabuto was a spy sent by Orochimaru. But appearing so brazenly in front of him was too arrogant!

"Since you dared to come, you must pay a price."

Su Zhong leaped up, his foot touching the ground.

Boom!

A mud pit exploded beneath his feet, and the grass instantly turned to shreds. Su Zhong's figure flashed, and he appeared in front of Kabuto.

"Great Dragon Fist!"

A black fist struck Kabuto heavily.

Boom!

A cloud of white smoke appeared, and only a few broken pieces of wood remained. Kabuto had used a substitution technique to escape.

Su Zhong's Insight Eye was fully activated, and the situation within ten meters was instantly clear in his mind.

Su Zhong was pleased. This was the first time he had used his Insight Eye at full strength after his breakthrough.

To his surprise, this breakthrough had doubled his sensory abilities. He immediately noticed the difference in the ground nearby.

Su Zhong sneered. "Where do you think you're running?"

In an instant, he appeared at the spot. Sensing carefully, he realized Kabuto had burrowed underground and was moving quickly, trying to escape.

"Coming and going as you please. Not so easy. If you don't leave something behind, do you think I'm easy to fool?" Su Zhong shouted.

His body began to change, muscles rippling upward from his feet.

With a thud, his upper body formed an inverted triangle.

Su Zhong roared, and his hands turned pitch black.

The two black fists, like giant hammers, slammed into the ground.

Boom!

The ground beneath his fists barely moved, but a loud rumble came from underground. The entire area shook as if an earthquake were happening.

Su Zhong stopped attacking. His muscles quickly returned to normal, and he became a lean youth again.

Sensing carefully, he realized Kabuto had escaped his range.

He sneered. "You run fast, but with this, you're either dead or severely injured. Hmph!"

Su Zhong turned and walked back to his room, completely unconcerned about what had just happened.