Chapter 226: Daily Training in Hell Valley
Arriving at Hell Valley was for a mission.
Accordingly, after the leisure time granted on the first day passed, everyone quickly began familiarizing themselves with their assigned tasks under the guidance of members of the Uchiha clan.
This included Uchiha Ci.
However, his task differed slightly from others.
"Senior Kagami, aren't we being a bit too conspicuous with this?"
In the early morning, within the dense forest training ground behind the cliffs of Hell Valley, Uchiha Ci followed closely behind the Uchiha clan member who had assigned him his task. Before long, he was brought to the training ground.
"There's no issue at all."
Uchiha Kagami maintained a calm expression as he grabbed two wooden swords from the weapon rack in the training ground and tossed one to Uchiha Ci.
"Unlike the others, you, who have fought against the Jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud, possess strength far beyond the average Jonin."
"Therefore, there's no need for you to waste time on such meaningless tasks."
"What you need to do is consolidate your foundation within the limited time and become stronger!"
"Starting today:
In the mornings, I will teach you the basics of the various sword techniques of the Uchiha style.
After lunch, the Grand Elder and other Uchiha members in Hell Valley will conduct combat training with you, refining your genjutsu, kenjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu.
In the evenings, you'll use a specially formulated medicinal bath prepared by the clan's pharmacist to help you master Orochimaru's curse mark."
"Additionally, according to news from the clan, the sealing techniques we acquired will soon be transported to Hell Valley. At that time, you'll also need to study the scrolls on sealing techniques each night to supplement your knowledge of ninja arts."
Uchiha Kagami paused, took a scroll from his waist, and tossed it to Uchiha Ci.
"Furthermore, during the entire training process, you'll need to wear this."
Uchiha Ci opened the scroll and saw a large "Iron" character in the center.
Following the unsealing hand signs in the order of "Boar-Dog-Bird-Monkey-Goat," he summoned a pair of wrist guards and ankle weights sealed within the scroll.
As soon as these items landed in his hands, their weight immediately pulled Uchiha Ci to the ground, exceeding a thousand pounds!
Uchiha Ci urgently infused his chakra to barely lift the wrist guards.
Uchiha Kagami smiled faintly and explained:
"These training tools are called 'Thousand-Pound Iron Rings,' used by taijutsu practitioners to enhance their physical capabilities. Though crude, they significantly improve a ninja's speed, strength, and stamina."
"These four pieces weigh a total of four thousand pounds!"
"Additionally, the sealing formula on them was crafted by the Uzumaki clan. It restricts your chakra to the level of a Genin."
"We'll adjust the number of iron rings based on your performance."
Looking at the gear in his hands, Uchiha Ci realized something.
These items had appeared in the original storyline. In the future, Might Guy used a similar set to train Rock Lee. These were specialized training tools made from unique materials, often worth a fortune, heavy enough to create craters in the ground, raising dust clouds upon impact, and even capable of serving as weapons. The words "Perseverance" were engraved on them.
However, the Uchiha clan's version of these training tools was evidently more advanced, capable of adjusting weight and restricting chakra flow.
At that moment, Uchiha Kagami, having finished his explanation, raised an eyebrow and assumed a stance with his wooden sword in a "Right Slash, Moon-Watching Leap" position. His gaze turned icy.
"Alright, stop standing there like an idiot. Put it on and start!"
Holding the wooden sword in one hand and the unbearably heavy training gear in the other, Uchiha Ci was at a loss.
"Wait, with this thing on, can I even move?"
"You better be able to move." Uchiha Kagami stared at Uchiha Ci indifferently.
"Carrying the hopes of the clan and being cultivated at such cost, to be honest, I've never seen anyone with conditions like yours."
"At this point, do you think you have any way out?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Ci fell silent for a moment.
Indeed, at this point, was there any way back?
The familiar plot had long been rewritten, and the predetermined future had become an unpredictable fog.
But Uchiha Ci understood.
Coming here—to this Hell Valley, a place that should have been buried in the dust of history, a wasteland slaughtered by the Hidden Cloud—was a chance granted to him.
This was an opportunity earned through battles fought to the brink of death.
In other words, this was his destined reward.
Should he abandon this fateful chance over a "minor" difficulty?
With this thought, Uchiha Ci took a deep breath, steadied his gaze, and painstakingly donned the training gear. Holding the wooden sword, he stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at the calm but imposing figure before him.
Uchiha Kagami, a man ranked among the strongest in Hell Valley before the arrival of the Grand Elder Uchiha Setsuna, was the son of Uchiha Hinokaku, a master second only to Madara and Izuna during the Warring States Era.
"Now that's more like it."
"One more thing, keep in mind: my teaching methods aren't normal."
Uchiha Kagami's faint smile vanished, replaced by an icy glare.
"You'd better train in this swordsmanship with the resolve to kill me."
"Otherwise, you'll die!"
"And Uchiha-style swordsmanship belongs to geniuses. Ordinary people, even if they comprehend it, won't go far."
"During this process, I'll assess your potential."
"If I determine that you lack the aptitude to master this swordsmanship, then I'm sorry."
"Uchiha Ci, even if you're the future clan leader, even if the Grand Elder personally requested this, even if your determination is unshakable,"
"I'll advise you to abandon swordsmanship and refuse to teach you any further techniques."
As his words fell, a sudden notification appeared before Uchiha Ci:
[Warning! Elite Uchiha Jonin Kagami has developed killing intent toward you!]
In the next moment, a bone-chilling killing intent emanated from the wooden sword Kagami wielded as he charged forward with an unfamiliar yet powerful stance.
Startled, Uchiha Ci immediately activated his Sharingan and clumsily swung his wooden sword to block the incoming attack.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
"Aargh!"
Amidst the verdant forest, the sound of wooden swords clashing echoed repeatedly, occasionally accompanied by a young man's cries of pain.
---
Perhaps due to some triggered mechanism, Uchiha Ci, who had always gained skills directly through combat, now found himself undergoing rigorous training to master a skill through hardship for the first time.
Surprisingly, he noticed some changes to his interface.
After a morning of relentless sparring from Uchiha Kagami, the swordsmanship section of his interface displayed a progress bar:
Uchiha Style: Dance of the Solar Halo (S+), Proficiency: (Novice, 85/100)
Basic Ninja World Swordsmanship (D), Proficiency: (Skilled, 22/500)
However, before Uchiha Ci could carefully study the changes, the afternoon brought another round of torment from Grand Elder Uchiha Setsuna after lunch.
While Kagami was superior in swordsmanship, the Grand Elder focused on practical combat training.