Tobirama immediately classified the Yang Seal as an S-rank Forbidden Technique and added it to the Scroll of Seals.
Most techniques were designated forbidden because they required extremely restrictive conditions to use or inflicted severe harm upon the user.
The Yang Seal, however, directly affected the soul.
Its long-term side effects were still completely unknown, and it would require years of observation and testing before its safety could be confirmed.
That alone was enough for it to earn the forbidden designation.
Still, Akira suspected Tobirama had another reason.
He probably didn’t want the technique spreading throughout the Uchiha clan.
If too many Uchiha awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, the balance of power inside Konoha could easily tip out of control and plunge the village into internal conflict.
Fortunately, Kagami understood his own clan better than anyone.
He was an exceptionally calm and rational man, remarkably similar to Tobirama himself.
That was precisely why Tobirama trusted him.
As the only Uchiha Tobirama truly acknowledged, Kagami knew exactly what should and shouldn’t be done.
Tobirama needed only a single glance.
Kagami immediately understood.
The other clans specializing in Yin Release techniques were even easier to handle.
Each participant simply received credit for completing an S-rank mission.
After all, they had only assisted Mito in researching the seal, contributing knowledge about the subtle relationship between Yin Release chakra and the soul.
None of them actually understood the sealing formulas themselves.
Even if the completed formulas were placed directly before them, without years of dedicated study they wouldn’t be able to decipher them, much less learn them.
Kagami was different.
As Tobirama’s personal disciple, he already possessed a foundation in sealing arts.
Combined with his Sharingan’s ability to observe chakra flow, along with guidance from both Mito and Tobirama, he had successfully mastered the Yang Seal.
Akira, meanwhile, had witnessed the entire development process firsthand.
He understood every critical breakthrough, every obstacle, and every dangerous pitfall encountered during its creation.
Unlike most people, he had no fear of forbidden techniques.
Besides, the Yang Seal had originated from his own idea.
There was no reason not to use something he’d helped create.
From his current perspective, the seal’s structure was already exceptionally refined.
He couldn’t find any obvious flaws.
So…
He began practicing it immediately.
Soon, a perfectly circular crimson mark appeared in the center of his forehead.
Bright red like fresh blood.
It gave him the appearance of a Buddha from ancient legend.
Mito was somewhat worried.
Only somewhat.
Akira spent nearly all his time under her supervision.
If anything went wrong, she could intervene immediately.
At worst, she could simply use a layered sealing technique to seal away the Yang Seal itself.
Besides, Akira had already inherited every sealing art of the Uzumaki clan.
Even if the technique remained imperfect, with another two or three years of experimentation he would almost certainly be capable of refining it on his own.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ While developing the Yang Seal, Akira had become fairly acquainted with Kagami.
Akira was naturally outgoing, and during their conversations he learned something interesting.
Kagami’s son had already entered the Ninja Academy.
His name was Uchiha Mitsuaki, currently a fourth-year student.
That also made him Akira’s upperclassman.
He was eight years old.
Akira immediately decided that whenever he had free time, he’d go meet this Uchiha Mitsuaki.
After all…
This was the father of Uchiha Shisui.
He was curious to see just how capable the man was.
Life at the Academy had become unbearably dull.
Sometimes you had to create your own entertainment.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ So at lunchtime one day, Akira tracked down several fourth-year students.
After a bit of friendly questioning, he finally found Mitsuaki at one of the training grounds.
His appearance was almost identical to Shisui’s.
The same hairstyle.
The same face.
Three generations of the family apparently shared the exact same character model.
Truly a bloodline worthy of admiration.
When Akira arrived, Mitsuaki was sparring with a boy from the Sarutobi clan.
By the age of eight, children from ninja clans had already begun mastering their family’s secret techniques or learning actual ninjutsu.
The gap between them and civilian-born students had become increasingly obvious.
Akira watched as the two exchanged punches and kicks, matching one another blow for blow.
Every so often, one of them unleashed a ninjutsu.
The fight reminded him of the battles between Kakashi and Obito during their Academy days.
Children their age still had limited chakra reserves.
After using a few techniques, both boys quickly exhausted themselves and ended the spar.
Only then did they notice Akira standing nearby.
“Hey, kid.” “Who are you?” “And who said you could come here?” Seeing that Akira wore no clan crest, the Sarutobi boy immediately assumed he was some civilian hoping to secretly observe ninjutsu or copy combat techniques.
His tone instantly became hostile.
Akira had never tolerated that kind of attitude.
He could take kindness.
He never tolerated arrogance.
“You’ve got it wrong.” “I’m here to see Uchiha Mitsuaki.” “This has nothing to do with you.” “So get lost.” “Hah!
You little brat!” The Sarutobi boy had quite the temper.
He rolled up his sleeves and strode forward, ready to fight.
Before he could take two steps, Mitsuaki grabbed him by the back of his shirt.
“Shinnosuke.” “We’ve both used a lot of chakra.” “Starting another fight now wouldn’t be wise.” After calming Sarutobi Shinnosuke down, Mitsuaki turned toward Akira.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” “What do you want from me?” “I’ve heard the Uchiha’s Sharingan is unrivaled.” “I came to see it for myself.” Akira casually invented an excuse.
He couldn’t exactly admit he’d come because he was bored and looking for trouble.
Hearing that someone admired the Sharingan’s reputation softened Mitsuaki’s expression.
As an Uchiha, he’d dealt with curious people seeking out the Sharingan since childhood.
He was used to it.
“I’m sorry, little brother.” “I’m only eight.” “I haven’t awakened my Sharingan yet.” “Come back after I do.” It was obviously just a polite refusal.
Akira had no intention of waiting years.
“No Sharingan?
Fine.” “You’re exhausted anyway, so I won’t take advantage of you.” “Tonight.” “Seven o’clock.” “Training Ground Thirteen.” “I’ll be waiting.” “Let’s see whether an Uchiha without the Sharingan is really anything special.” The veins on Mitsuaki’s forehead visibly twitched.
What an annoying little brat.
Throwing the Uchiha clan’s pride into the conversation like that…
If he failed to appear tonight, rumors would undoubtedly spread throughout the Academy tomorrow.
The Uchiha weren’t exactly known for having many friends.
There wouldn’t be many people willing to defend his reputation.
And if the other Uchiha heard about it…
He’d never hear the end of it.
“What an unlikeable kid.” “Fine.” “It’s a promise.” Seeing Mitsuaki accept, Akira nodded in satisfaction.
He turned and walked away.
Throughout the entire exchange, he never spared Shinnosuke a single glance.
His attitude couldn’t have been more arrogant.
Shinnosuke felt like he was about to explode.
Little brats really are the worst.
“I hate kids.” “Especially cocky little punks.” Mitsuaki awkwardly nodded in agreement.
After all…
He had to support his teammate somehow.