Konoha: Uchiha's Two-Way Travel in One Piece

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"Wait! I need to secure the things in the Merit Hall and the family's stock of potions, pills and techniques. Can't let Black Zetsu or Madara know about them!"

With that thought, Uchiha Jiri swiftly activated the teleportation ability, moving at top speed to the clan's Merit Hall, her family's storage, and Kaito's pharmaceutical lab.

She gathered all the sensitive items and secured them before silently returning home.

Lying on her futon, she pretended to sleep while keeping an eye on Black Zetsu using her Observation Haki.

As long as Black Zetsu didn't cross any boundaries, she wouldn't make a move. But if he dared target any of the Uchiha clan members, she wouldn't hesitate to act.

Other methods might not work on him, but genjutsu... now that might just do the trick.

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu roamed the area.

"This is strange. Since when did the Uchiha clan set up such intricate and powerful barriers around their territory?"

"If I didn't know better, I'd think I wandered into Uzumaki clan territory."

"Last time I was here, these barriers didn't exist... Something's definitely changed within the Uchiha clan."

"Guess I'll just have to dig a little deeper!"

He effortlessly phased through the barriers, avoiding any triggers, as if they weren't even there.

After circling the area, Black Zetsu noticed that, apart from the Uchiha clan's generally improved physical and life force, there wasn't much else to find.

He then headed to Konoha to investigate further.

In Konoha, Black Zetsu found the Uchiha-run pharmacy. Unfortunately for him, its stock was completely sold out for the day.

He managed to steal a few samples of nutrient pills, body-strengthening potions, and vitality tonics from a few ninja households, intending to deliver them to Madara.

"These nutrient pills do contain small amounts of life force, which could replenish some vitality."

"But it's not enough to explain the dramatic improvements in the Uchiha clan's physical and life force."

"They must have access to better pills!"

Determined, he returned to the Uchiha compound to search again, but he came up empty-handed. Even the high-grade nutrient pills were nowhere to be found.

"How odd. No formulas, no production sites? Could they be stored outside the Uchiha compound?"

What he didn't realize was that the high-grade nutrient pills were rationed daily among the clan members, just enough for one dose per person, and always consumed immediately. Even the elderly and children used them daily, ensuring no leftovers.

Through Observation Haki, Uchiha Jiri watched Black Zetsu scuttle around like a headless fly, unable to find what he wanted. She couldn't help but smirk.

Unable to locate the high-grade pills, Black Zetsu finally left the Uchiha compound.

As for Madara's orders to find a suitable vessel, the timing wasn't right.

By now, the children were asleep, and most of Konoha had settled for the night. Observation would have to wait.

---

Back at the mountain cemetery, Black Zetsu delivered his findings to Madara, along with the stolen potions and pills.

"Oh?" Madara inspected the items, confirming they were safe for consumption. He tried a dose of each, carefully analyzing their effects.

"These are quite good. Such pills didn't exist in the past."

"It seems the Uchiha clan has undergone changes I'm unaware of."

"This nutrient pill even restores a small amount of life force… pity it's useless for me."

Madara sighed. His condition wasn't due to a lack of vitality; the Gedo Statue behind him provided an endless supply of life force. His issue was cellular exhaustion—his cells had reached their limit due to overuse in his younger years, compounded by his old age.

"Yes, it's a pity," Black Zetsu echoed, though insincerely.

In truth, Black Zetsu needed Madara to die first to set his perfect plan in motion. If Madara extended his life now, tricking him after gathering the tailed beasts and reviving the Ten-Tails would become much harder.

Better to wait until Madara's death before planting the necessary seeds for his manipulation.

For the next few days, Black Zetsu lurked in Konoha, observing by day. He confirmed that the Uchiha clan did have better nutrient pills, but Uchiha Jiri's strict rules prevented him from obtaining them. Clan members were required to consume the pills on the spot, leaving him no opportunity to steal them.

After observing the effects from a distance, Black Zetsu lost interest. The pills, while potent, didn't hold much value to him personally.

Instead, he focused on watching the younger generation of the Uchiha clan.

---

"Damn Black Zetsu! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have to tiptoe around Konoha, unable to train in sensitive techniques or even venture to the One Piece world!" Kaito fumed internally.

On the surface, he continued practicing basic taijutsu, ninjutsu, and chakra control. His work on sealing techniques also remained consistent, with shadow clones studying tirelessly.

Despite the setbacks, Kaito had made significant progress, particularly in refining his chakra.

Finally, his chakra refinement technique had reached its peak.

[Uchiha Chakra Refinement Technique (100,000/100,000, Mastery Achieved)]

"One more time!"

Sitting cross-legged on his futon, Kaito activated the chakra refinement technique once more.

The next moment, the experience points for this panel ability broke through its limit.

Kaito entered a sudden state of enlightenment.

In that instant, his mind cleared, and he entered a profound meditative state. Memories and experiences from his past training in chakra refinement surged into his mind, interwoven with countless new insights and inspirations.

Before long, the prototype of a new chakra cultivation method, far surpassing the traditional Uchiha Chakra Refinement Technique, began to take shape in his consciousness.

As time passed, this method evolved, becoming increasingly refined and complete.

Eventually, it coalesced into a fully-formed, revolutionary chakra cultivation technique.

Kaito emerged from his enlightenment, his eyes slowly opening as he contemplated the new technique. He marveled inwardly, "So this is what enlightenment feels like? Truly miraculous!"

"This feeling... it's addictive," he thought, a satisfied smile on his face.

"And this new method—it's leagues beyond the old Chakra Refinement Technique! It's a fundamental breakthrough in essence."

This new technique delves directly into the nature of chakra itself:

With practice, not only does it allow one to extract chakra more easily, but it also dramatically enhances the efficiency, speed, quality, and quantity of chakra extraction, far beyond the capabilities of the original method.

More importantly, this refined chakra is no longer fleeting or ephemeral.

It can be compressed, condensed, and elevated during the refinement process.

Once the chakra's quality reaches the standard of an elite jōnin, it becomes possible to develop a Middle Dantian and open chakra nodes to store even more refined chakra.

At this stage, one can begin to accumulate chakra over time, increasing its quality and quantity.

With enough accumulation, breaking through yet another limit becomes possible, leading to a genuine elevation of one's life essence and even extending one's lifespan.

"This... this feels like a cultivation technique straight out of a fantasy world!" Kaito's mind raced with excitement.

"To think it allows the creation of a Middle Dantian and chakra nodes, raising the level of life itself and extending longevity... This is true transcendent cultivation!"

"Since it delves into the essence of chakra itself, I'll name it the Primal Essence Chakra Refinement Technique!" Kaito decided with excitement.

Turning to his personal attribute panel, he examined it carefully.

[Uchiha Kaito]

[Talents]: Space-Time Gate, Heaven Rewards Diligence

[Lifespan]: 106 years, 4 months, 3 days (Life Force Essence: 16.2)

[Chakra Level]: Genin (Chakra Reserve: 2.1 cards)

[Chakra Attributes]: Water, Wind, Fire, Earth, Yin, Yang

[Skills]:

•→Primal Essence Chakra Refinement Technique (1/1000, Beginner)

•→Medical Ninjutsu (27,568/50,000, Minor Mastery)

•→Vitality Enhancement Technique (54,145/100,000, Mastery)

•→Uchiha Meditation Method (1,456/10,000, Proficient)

•→Basic Taijutsu (5,423/10,000, Proficient)

•→Chakra Control (3,462/10,000, Proficient)

•→Hand Seals (5/5,000, Proficient—capable of single-hand seals)

•→Observation Haki (2,351/10,000, Skilled)

---

Aside from the newly created Primal Essence Chakra Refinement Technique, Kaito noted significant progress in his other skills and ninjutsu.

Many of them were approaching the mastery level, and his Observation Haki had reached a proficient stage.

This progress had notably enhanced his mental faculties, extending the range of his sensory perception to a kilometer in diameter and improving the precision of his awareness.

"I need to teach Mom and Mikoto this Primal Essence Chakra Refinement Technique as soon as possible," Kaito resolved.

Not only because this new technique was vastly superior to the old refinement methods, but also because it had a hidden benefit:

It could completely refine the Chakra Seed of Origin present in every ninja, allowing total control over their chakra.

This would free the user from the manipulative influence of figures like Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo (the Sage of Six Paths) and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, ensuring complete sovereignty over their chakra.

Kaito had only discovered this truth after achieving enlightenment and using the new refinement technique to reforge his own chakra.

Previously, his suspicions about chakra containing hidden dangers were based on vague knowledge from his past life, but now he had confirmed it.

With the Primal Essence Chakra Refinement Technique, he could easily sense and fully integrate the Chakra Seed within himself, securing his chakra's independence.

Without delay, Kaito used the communication space to contact his mother and Mikoto.

He then went to the living room, using Observation Haki to ensure Black Zetsu wasn't nearby before patiently waiting for them to arrive.

"Creak!"

The sound of doors opening filled the quiet night as Uchiha Jiri and Mikoto stepped out of their rooms, concern evident on their faces.

"What's the matter, calling us at this hour? Did something happen?" Jiri asked, her voice laced with worry.

Mikoto, too, looked at Kaito, her eyes full of care and curiosity.

"It's important, yes," Kaito nodded seriously.

"Earlier, while refining chakra, I entered a state of enlightenment and created a new chakra refinement technique!"

"I call it the Primal Essence Chakra Refinement Technique. This method..."

He proceeded to explain its numerous benefits and functions in detail to both of them.

"What? There's an uncontrollable Chakra Seed within us?" Jiri and Mikoto exclaimed in shock.

Jiri, aware of more future events, frowned and said grimly, "So, Hagoromo's spread of chakra across the ninja world wasn't as altruistic as it seemed, huh? There's a conspiracy behind it."

Mikoto, on the other hand, looked intrigued and startled. "Wait, Hagoromo—the Sage of Six Paths—was a real person?"

"Yes, very real," Kaito confirmed with a nod. "And not only that, he's still alive—or at least not fully dead. He's hiding in the Pure Land and meddling in worldly affairs."

"However," he added, "this information isn't to be shared with anyone else. Keep it to yourselves."

Fortunately, the space-time mark Kaito had placed ensured that sensitive information wouldn't leak without his consent.

This real-time security feature adapted automatically to Kaito's intentions and experiences.

Someday, if Hagoromo ceased to be a threat, or was entirely dealt with, the confidentiality surrounding his existence would naturally dissolve.

Kaito wouldn't need to do anything manually to enforce it.

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