The correct way for the Uchiha to rise

"Yes, it's not easy, which is why we should be even more grateful to the village. We should cultivate diligently and become stronger as soon as possible so that we can better protect the village."

Saku Sarutobi also sighed.

Caught off guard by Sarutobi Saku's sudden brainwashing with the Will of Fire, Uchiha Kiyoshi secretly muttered to himself.

"How exactly did Hiruzen Sarutobi educate Saku Sarutobi? His Will of Fire is so profound! I have to say something about that."

However, if the Third Hokage was so good at raising children, how did he raise Konohamaru's personality as depicted in the original work?

After venting his frustrations, Uchiha Kiyoshi stopped thinking about it; these were not things he should worry about.

Back in the caravan, the group resumed their journey, heading towards Giantwood City in the Land of Earth.

They encountered several more robbers along the way, but none of them were ninjas. When the robbers saw the Konoha headbands on the heads of Uchiha Kiyoshi and the other two, they wisely chose not to fight them head-on and instead retreated.

The lethality of a ninja is no joke. Don't underestimate them just because they are physically weak and fragile, even when they are under the influence of medicine. Once attacked, they can be seriously injured or even killed. However, this is only true if the opponent is also a ninja.

Ninjas possess chakra, which allows them to significantly enhance their physical attributes for a short period, making them far superior to ordinary people in terms of strength, speed, and defense. Even samurai techniques may not be able to hit them, and even if they do, the effect may be minimal.

This is also why ninjas were able to replace the samurai system. In addition to the quick training, the strengthening effect of chakra energy on the body and various magical ninjutsu were also key factors.

"Unfortunately, chakra is always an unstable factor."

The chakra originating from the Otsutsuki clan can be 'reclaimed' at any time; if possible, we must find ways to counter this method.

This is another reason why Uchiha Kiyoshi is wary of chakra. Besides the potential harm to his body, the very source of chakra is a problem.

The divine tree from the Otsutsuki clan is truly countered when encountered by a real Otsutsuki. As long as the Otsutsuki can make contact with it, they can absorb its chakra, which is simply too overpowered.

Uchiha Kiyoya has been searching for preventative measures, but unfortunately, he hasn't yet become powerful enough to explore this area. For now, Uchiha Kiyoya can only continue using chakra. Fortunately, there's still a long time before Kaguya Otsutsuki appears, giving Uchiha Kiyoya plenty of time.

"Besides, I'm an Uchiha, and I naturally have the bloodline of the Otsutsuki. If all else fails, I can continuously purify my bloodline and revert to my ancestral form?"

Shaking his head, Uchiha Kiyoshi rejected his earlier thought. Unless absolutely necessary, Uchiha Kiyoshi still did not want to use special methods, such as bloodline purification or cell transplantation, which required technology and involved various modifications to his body.

Uchiha Kiyoshi wasn't against science, but he didn't want to use too many modifying methods in his training. He preferred a more natural training process. Only what he cultivated entirely on his own was easy to control.

Otherwise, Uchiha Kiyoshi would definitely feel uncomfortable about transplanting someone else's cells or organs.

Unlike the Land of Fire, which has fertile land, the Land of Earth is mostly rocky terrain, and the soil quality is relatively poor. However, the trees here, growing in such a harsh environment, are relatively better.

Otherwise, why would the Land of Fire, with its vast forests, need to come here to buy timber?

While harsher growing environments may produce trees with better wood quality, there's a limit. Otherwise, malnutrition will prevent them from growing tall and healthy. Even if trees grow well in a poor environment, their numbers will certainly be insufficient.

Therefore, most of the timber comes from a relatively better area of ​​the Land of Earth near the Land of Fire, and Giant Wood City was also built here.

The Land of Earth, one of the Five Great Nations, is home to the powerful Iwagakure village, making it a formidable nation overall.

Iwagakure is also known for its abundance of talented individuals, with a continuous stream of powerful ninjas. Both the Four-Tails and Five-Tails reside in this village, each with its corresponding Jinchuriki. Throughout the anime, they have consistently demonstrated combat prowess, unlike Kushina or Naruto, who were unable to control their tailed beasts for periods of time.

Besides the two Jinchūriki, Iwagakure also possesses what is likely the only Kekkei Tota in the entire ninja world: Dust Release. It is a ninjutsu formed by the fusion of three chakra natures, with power far exceeding that of Kekkei Genkai.

In short, Iwagakure is very strong. When you're on their territory, even if you're a Konoha ninja, it's best to keep a low profile.

However, Team 3's target this time is Giantwood Castle, which is only on the edge of the Land of Earth, not in the heartland. They shouldn't provoke the ninjas of Iwagakure, right?

Three more days passed, and Uchiha Kiyoshi and the others finally arrived at Giantwood Castle.

Giantwood City, as its name suggests, is entirely based on the trade of timber. Apart from a few essential inns, almost all other shops deal in timber.

This was the first time that Kiyoshi and his two companions had ever seen such a unique city. The entire city was a timber-producing area, which was quite unusual for them, as they had only left the village once before.

During the two days the caravan was away buying goods, Nawaki also took Uchiha Kiyoshi and Sarutobi Saku to explore Giantwood City. Although there wasn't much to see, it was still a novelty.

Chapter 47 Clash of the Iwagakure Ninja

Giantwood City wasn't particularly remarkable; it was basically just a place to buy and sell timber. But that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of a group of naive children. Rope Tree had thoroughly explored the entire Giantwood City over the past two days, and was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Yes, they are still children. Although they already possess great strength and have even killed many people, they are still just ten-year-old children.

It's fair to say that many things in the ninja world are somewhat distorted. Things are better now; during the Warring States period, sending four-year-olds to the battlefield was practically the norm. Now, at least the major ninja villages wouldn't do that anymore, even in times of emergency, they wouldn't send four-year-olds to the battlefield. At least six years old, having attended ninja academy for a year.

These twisted practices led to one tragedy after another, creating one twisted and abnormal person after another.

However, none of this has anything to do with Uchiha Kiyoshi anymore. As a young man who had undergone socialist education, Uchiha Kiyoshi's thinking was very healthy.

In two days, the caravan completed loading its goods. Compared to when they arrived, the caravan was now traveling much slower; they would be lucky to reach Konoha in fifteen days.

Escorted by the third team, the caravan embarked on its journey back to the Land of Fire.

"In another two weeks, we will arrive in Konoha safely. The goods we brought in this time will be enough for us to use for a year. We will have to trouble you all for the next two weeks."

On the way, Ishimura Yukito exchanged pleasantries with the three members of Team 3. He knew that the convoy hadn't been far from the battlefield when Yagi Nobuto and his three companions attacked last time; it was a ninja attack. He dared not underestimate these three ten-year-old ninjas who possessed such strength. In Ishimura Yukito's view, these three would definitely achieve great things in the future, barring any unforeseen circumstances, and cultivating a good relationship with them would be beneficial to him.

"You're too kind. Since we've accepted your task, this is simply our duty."

Although Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't know what Ishimura Yukito's purpose was, he didn't drive him away and politely talked to him.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, Uchiha Kiyoshi stopped talking to Ishimura Yukito and told him to find a place to hide.

"You should move away a bit; something seems off."

Yukito Ishimura realized the seriousness of the situation and ordered the parking lot to stop, telling ordinary people to find a place to hide to avoid being accidentally injured. He then found a cargo truck and hid behind it.

At this moment, not only were the three members of Team 3 on guard, but Orochimaru, who was hiding in the shadows, also appeared directly in front of Uchiha Kiyoshi and the other two.

"We don't know which side is ahead, but since we've already appeared, let's not hide anymore."

Orochimaru squinted, surveying the dense forest on both sides, trying to find any hidden enemies.

Orochimaru, as expected of a qualified Jonin, scanned the area and roughly pinpointed the enemy's location, looking towards a certain spot in the dense forest on the left.

It seemed they had been discovered, so they stopped hiding and showed themselves.

Four ninjas arrived, and the guards were likely from Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village).

"Damn, this is really bad luck. We've run into Iwa ninja already?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi roughly judged the other party's origins and cursed under his breath.

"Hopefully there won't be any conflict. After all, this is the Land of Earth, so we don't have the home advantage."

The opposing team also had a similar setup to Team 3: a middle-aged ninja in Jonin attire leading three Genin who looked to be around eleven or twelve years old. Wait, is that big guy really eleven or twelve?

A strong young man, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a large nose, wore a red ninja hat and a red, tight-fitting combat suit, his right arm exposed. Judging by his physique and clothing, if he weren't standing next to two companions who were clearly eleven or twelve, Uchiha Kiyoshi would have thought he was fifteen or sixteen. Upon closer inspection, his still somewhat childish face revealed that he wasn't very old, just physically developed quickly.

"This outfit, plus a beard, could it be Huang Tu who appeared in the Fourth World War in the original work?"

However, looking at it this way, it does resemble it quite a bit.

The Jonin opposite him also narrowed his eyes upon seeing Orochimaru. Although the Sannin weren't yet famous, as disciples of the Third Hokage, they were still quite well-known, and various ninja villages had basic information about them. Clearly, this Jonin from Iwagakure recognized Orochimaru.

"Hehe, this is our Land of Earth. What are you Konoha ninjas doing here?"

Although he recognized Orochimaru, Tsuchishi had no intention of backing down. He'd only know their true strength after a fight. A group of Konoha ninja had come to the Land of Earth, and he'd encountered them; letting them go like that wouldn't be right. Besides, the current situation was already dire, and there was no need to consider friendly relations between the two countries. In fact, capturing these few might even give Iwagakure an advantage in their future relations with Konoha.

Hearing the undisguised hostility in the other party's tone, the third squad immediately tensed up and stared at the other party.

Orochimaru had guessed what the other party was thinking, and without any hesitation, he immediately formed hand seals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough"

Compared to Saku Sarutobi's Wind Release Great Breakthrough, Orochimaru's Great Breakthrough was far more powerful.

A huge storm arose and blew towards the four Iwa ninja, even snapping the large trees on both sides of the area.

With just this one move, demonstrating such power from a C-rank ninjutsu, Tsuchishi on the other side instantly became serious.

Perhaps out of tacit agreement, after using the Earth Flow Wall to block the storm, Tu Shi and Orochimaru headed towards the dense forest beside them.

This was also because the two of them considered that Uchiha Kiyoshi and the others were still there, and to avoid accidental injury, they separated on the battlefield.

The fact that Tsuchishi was sent by Onoki of the Two Scales to mentor his son, Koto, shows that his strength is not to be underestimated; he even fought Orochimaru to a standstill.

But the more they fought, the more alarmed Tsuchishi became. Although he was not at a disadvantage and neither side had any advantage or disadvantage, he was already over forty years old and had reached the peak of his strength. On the other hand, Orochimaru, who was not even twenty years old, was already able to fight him, a veteran Jonin, without being at a disadvantage.

"No, such a genius, if he continues to grow, will definitely be a major obstacle for Iwagakure."

Having made up his mind, Tsuchishi's attacks became increasingly ruthless, each move deadly. Unfortunately for him, his opponent was Orochimaru. Although Orochimaru was still young and only at the Jonin level, his greatest strength lay in his ability to survive.

Earth and Stone's attacks rarely caused Orochimaru any real harm. On the few occasions when Earth and Stone risked injury to severely wound Orochimaru, making him think the battle was over.

Orochimaru opened his mouth and spat out a "new" Orochimaru. The "new" Orochimaru crawled out from the original "skin". Apart from being a little pale, he had no injuries.

This left Tu Shi dumbfounded. How could they possibly fight like this? Were you sore loser?

On the other side, after Orochimaru and Tsuchishi left, without the oppressive aura of the two Jonin, Team 3 and the Iwa ninja squad also relaxed.

"Finally, I can move. Jonin are truly something else; their mere presence alone is enough to make one feel suffocated. Nawaki, Sarutobi Saku, I'll deal with that big guy, and you two take care of the rest."

Following Uchiha Kiyoshi's order, the opposing team was equally determined. Soon, Team 3 clashed with the Iwa ninja squad.

Chapter Forty-Eight: Battle Against the Yellow Earth

Unlike Orochimaru and his group, who had ample chakra, the group of genin did not immediately unleash ninjutsu upon approaching, but instead threw ninja tools to test the waters.

The six people from both sides scattered and tacitly divided into three battlefields, with Uchiha Kiyoshi facing off against Huang Tu.

The Uchiha clan is the most proficient in throwing techniques. Although Uchiha Kiyoshi did not have the Sharingan, his throwing skills were still quite good.

Instead of striking first, Uchiha Kiyoshi waited for the moment when Huang Tu's ninja tools were released before releasing five kunai.

Five kunai drew graceful arcs in the air, two of them knocking down Huang Tu's kunai, while the remaining three surrounded Huang Tu from three different directions.

"What an amazing kunai throwing technique."

Huang Tu's pupils contracted as he faced Uchiha Kiyoshi's three kunai.

However, the loess soil is not to be trifled with.

Hands form hand seals, "Earth Release: Earth Wall Technique"

An earthen wall appeared around the loess, which was not thick, but it was not a problem to block the kunai.

"A defensive ninjutsu with three seals? And it doesn't seem to consume much chakra. Its defensive power is stronger than my Earth Shield."

Upon seeing Huang Tu's earthen wall technique, Uchiha Kiyoshi's eyes lit up. He compared it to his own earth shield and found it to be significantly better. He silently memorized Huang Tu's hand seals, intending to try and replicate them later. However, Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't hold out much hope.

As expected of Huang Tu, who is hailed as "the iron fist that shakes the world and controls the earth to defeat enemies," his mastery of Earth Release ninjutsu is also quite comprehensive. Uchiha Kiyoshi even believes that his opponent has more than just this one defensive ninjutsu; he probably also has a simplified version of Earth Release: Wall, although it may not be the same as the simplified version Orochimaru gave him.

Just as Huang Tu used ninjutsu to block Uchiha Kiyoshi's kunai, Uchiha Kiyoshi also began to form hand seals.