UCAW: Ch. 02

The next day, at the Uchiha clan training grounds, a figure radiating a sinister aura stood in the training field. A faint black mist swirled around him from time to time. He held a long, strange-looking blade in his hand.

In an instant, he appeared behind a stone pillar created with Earth Release, and with a sharp crack, the pillar shattered into dozens of pieces.

The previous night, Takeo had used two enhancement cards. He spent the entire night digesting the abilities of Nocturne and his Mangekyō Sharingan, then arrived at the training grounds early the next morning.

---

[Name: Uchiha Takeo]
[Title: Eternal Nightmare (Compatibility: 40%)]
[Ability: Mangekyō Sharingan
(Left Eye: Tamashii Kyūshū
This ability allows the user to absorb portions of their opponent's spiritual energy through physical attacks. When landing successful strikes with weapons or taijutsu, the user can drain chakra and life force, strengthening themselves while weakening their target. Extended use against the same opponent gradually weakens their jutsu effectiveness and physical stamina. The distinctive visual effect manifests as faint wisps of bluish-purple energy flowing from the point of contact to the user's eye.)
(Right Eye: Kūmu Yurei
This technique creates a connection between the physical world and the Void, allowing the user to project their consciousness or entire body into this shadowy dimension. When fully activating this ability, the user's physical body appears to dissipate into dark mist before vanishing completely. While in the Void state, they can observe the physical world unseen, pass through solid objects, and travel rapidly between locations. The user can also bring others into the Void temporarily, though maintaining this connection requires significant chakra expenditure. Extended use causes severe strain, manifesting as bleeding from the right eye.)]
[Strength: Low Kage-level]
[Items: Senzu Beans x2, Multiverse Lottery Ticket x11] 
[Weapon: Blade of the Ruined King] 
[Points: 106,900] 
---

It seemed that due to his "Nocturne" change, his Mangekyō abilities had also become void-related.

He now possessed a personal space, the Void, which could carry items and even living beings. However, the environment was dark and unsettling, filled with shadowy entities and floating nightmares.

Through experimentation, he found that while he couldn't become intangible, he could project his soul outside his body by placing his body in the Void.

Although he couldn't use taijutsu or ninjutsu in that form, he could still use the left eye's soul-related abilities and shadowy attacks from the League universe.

When he first entered the Void, the shadowy entities tried to attack him. But once he unleashed his aura, a massive host of nightmare apparitions appeared behind him, letting out bone-chilling laughter. The lesser shadows fled in terror.

As expected of one who bore the Eternal Nightmare title, it wasn't just for show. He felt that in the Void, his League abilities were empowered to the fullest. He could absorb shadows to enhance his umbral energy.

After practicing some skills at the Uchiha training grounds, he had now mastered all abilities besides Paranoia up to Level 2, though not proficient yet, more practice would help.

He decided to use all of his Multiverse Lottery Tickets, prioritizing power at this point.

He sheathed his blade, washed his hands, and said eagerly,
in his mind, System, use all tickets!

---

[Obtained:
- 10 Senzu Beans
- Hulk's Underwear
- 10 Boxes of Doraemon's Glowing Chocolate
- 10 Senzu Beans
- 5 Assassin's Creed Hidden Blades
- 10 kg Gold Bars
- 1 Bottle of Kalaxian Crystal liqueur
- Pokémon — Gastly (Level 13)
- 1 kg Silver Ingot
- Master Roshi's Collector's Edition Adult Magazine
- 10 Boxes of Umaru-chan's Cola]

---

Seeing the pile of loot on the ground, he stared blankly at the chocolate and drinks. Might as well save those for later.

As for Hulk's Underwear... it was apparently a legendary item. Hulk transformed countless times, yet that one pair of undies remained intact.

He casually wrapped it up with Master Roshi's magazine.

Finally, he found the Gastly Summoning Card.

---

[Gastly (Shiny)]
[Gender: Unknown]
[Type: Ghost / Poison]
[Level: 13]
[Ability: Levitate (Immunity to Ground-type attacks)
Skills: Night Shade, Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Hex, Venoshock, Confuse Ray, Hypnosis, Spite, Will-O-Wisp, Poltergeist...]

---

Not bad at all!

He was extremely satisfied.

Level 13 could be equivalent to genin strength. With those Ghost-type moves, particularly Poltergeist and Shadow Ball, it could deal significant damage even to stronger opponents. The status-inflicting moves like Confuse Ray and Will-O-Wisp would be perfect for disabling enemies.

The variety of skills is impressive for its level! It aligns perfectly with my Void abilities!

Takeo looked at the skill panel and counted, there were 15 skills, all quite useful in their own way.

Though Gastly wasn't the strongest Pokémon, its ghostly nature and status-inflicting moves would make it an excellent scout and support in battle.

"Come out, Gastly!"

With a flash of purple light, a spherical creature appeared.

A round, gaseous body, surrounded by purple mist, two large, mischievous eyes and a wide grin... It was a perfect companion for someone wielding void powers!

"Gaaaastly!" The Pokémon circled around Takeo excitedly, leaving trails of ghostly mist.

He was surprised when he actually understood the meaning behind the cry. It wasn't exactly words, but more like impressions and emotions he could interpret. It seemed his connection to the Void had given him the ability to understand Ghost-type Pokémon without needing high-level telepathy.

"Hello there," Takeo said, reaching out his hand only for it to pass through Gastly's gaseous body. The Pokémon laughed mischievously.

"Gaaaaas! Gastly!" It bounced around playfully, projecting feelings of excitement and eagerness to explore.

He chuckled. The Pokémon's childlike enthusiasm was infectious, such a big contrast to his own serious demeanor. He could sense that despite its playful nature, Gastly possessed a loyal spirit and was eager to please its new trainer.

A purple Poké Ball had appeared in his hand.

"Gastly, is this your Poké Ball?"

The ghostly Pokémon nodded enthusiastically, projecting understanding.

"When you're tired or need to rest, I can store you inside. When I need your help, I'll call you out."

"Gastly! Gas!" It spun around happily, projecting pride at being useful.

He quickly realized that although Gastly couldn't speak human language, its emotional projections were clear enough. The Pokémon had a mischievous yet kind personality, constantly curious about its surroundings.

"I'll take you outside in a bit. Pay attention to your surroundings and get familiar with the environment."

"These are unusual times, I'll be needing your abilities soon."

The Pokémon nodded with surprising seriousness, seeming to understand the gravity in his voice.

Takeo quickly packed away the rest of the loot. He stored the Senzu Beans and gold in the system space, leaving the rest at home for potential future use or to give to others.

He brought Gastly with him to the Police Force Headquarters, entering his office.

Along the way, many people glanced curiously at Gastly, but no one found it too strange. In this world, there were many kinds of summoning beasts. Everyone just assumed this was his new summoning beast.

---

"Hiro, Takeshi, come here."

Takeo called from the doorway.

Immediately, two Uchiha clan members leapt in and knelt on one knee. They were his direct subordinates, usually helping him with industrial and administrative affairs.

"Takeo-sama."

"Gastly, create a misty barrier in this room. I don't want anything we say in here to be heard outside."

Takeo nodded at the two of them and gave Gastly a brief command.

Gastly nodded enthusiastically, its body expanding as it released a thick purple mist that coated the walls of the room. While not as powerful as a high-level psychic barrier, the ghostly mist would absorb and distort sounds, preventing eavesdropping.

"Takeshi, when is our next Uchiha Girl Group charity performance, and where will it be?"

"It's on the 21st of next month, in the forest just outside Konoha. The stage and lighting have all been set up."

Takeo thought for a moment. Two months' time seemed about right.

"Hiro, in my name, invite the leaders and vice-leaders of all Konoha clans, as well as well-known jonin, to attend an Uchiha auction. Tell them the clan is planning to auction off all their Land of Fire assets at a low price. Be sure to get them to attend. And they're welcome to bring family, clan members, and friends to enjoy the concert. There'll be surprise gifts from me as well."

"What!! Takeo-sama, you're going to sell off all those assets at a low price? Do the elders know? These assets were originally funded by them, selling them suddenly might not go over well."

Takeshi and Hiro looked at each other in shock and turned to Takeo.

"Even if we don't sell, the clan can't keep running these assets for much longer. Konoha is already trying everything to suppress our growth. We might as well convert the assets into gold early. Don't worry, just do it. I'll handle the elders. They'll agree."

"Oh, and Takeshi, find some time to hire top blacksmiths from the clan. Use half of the gold to create invitation cards, and the other half to make small gifts. When the time comes, distribute them to all auction attendees. We can't let people think we are stingy."

Takeo waved his hand and gave Takeshi the gold he'd just drawn from the system space.

"Make sure you go to every clan in Konoha. Even those small ones like the Kurama clan, no matter how few people they have, they get invitations. If a clan has even one member left in Konoha, they get one."

He worried that these two might look down on smaller families and skip them. The Uchiha had always been proud and tended to dismiss the weak.

"Yes, Takeo-sama."

With a wave of his hand, Gastly withdrew the misty barrier, which dissipated into thin air. The Pokémon looked slightly tired from maintaining the barrier but still smiled playfully. The two subordinates took their leave to carry out the orders.

Takeo turned and looked out the window at the peaceful scene of Konoha. He had been here for over a decade.

"Gastly?" The Pokémon floated beside him, sensing his melancholy.

"Sigh... this village... was never really a place for me to belong."

Gastly nudged against his shoulder. Takeo smiled faintly.