Naruto: Zoro of Uchiha Chapter 3 3: One-Sword Style Iai: Lion’s Song!!

Within the Uchiha clan compound, inside the vast courtyard where Zoro lived alone, he sat quietly on a tatami mat, his posture steady and unmoving as he focused inward. In the depths of his mind, he could clearly sense the synchronization rate climbing, inch by inch, as if so unseen chanism was steadily locking into place.

9.98%… 9.99%… 10%.

Character Template: Zoro

Synchronization: 10% — One-Sword Style unlocked

The synchronization had finally reached 10%. Though it continued to rise ever so slightly, the increase was negligible, almost imperceptible. What truly captured Zoro's attention was not the percentage—but the line that appeared imdiately after.

He had unlocked One-Sword Style.

One-Sword Style referred to Zoro's combat techniques—the very foundation of his swordsmanship. Roronoa Zoro possessed no Devil Fruit ability, yet through sheer mastery of the blade, he had carved out a fearso reputation across the world of One Piece.

In an instant, countless sword techniques surged into Uchiha Zoro's mind like a flood breaking through a dam. Each movent, each stance, each subtle shift of muscle and breath—everything felt instinctively understood, as though he had practiced them thousands of tis. His body responded in kind. The muscles beneath his skin tightened and grew denser, more refined, while his gaze sharpened, becoming calr and more controlled.

There were still four years before the full outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War.

But to Zoro, that ti was already slipping away.

He could not afford complacency.

He could not waste even a single day.

At that thought, a faint glint of resolve flashed through Uchiha Zoro's eyes. Slowly, his gaze shifted to the ordinary katana resting beside him.

He had no intention of drawing Wado Ichimonji yet. For a swordsman, the quality of a blade could dramatically amplify one's strength. But before that—one needed the strength to wield it.

Reaching out, Uchiha Zoro picked up the ordinary katana at his side. The weight was familiar, but he could already tell—it would not be enough.

Still, it would suffice for now.

He rose slowly to his feet and turned his gaze toward the massive artificial mountain within the courtyard.

The rockery stood four to five ters tall, carefully constructed by a master artisan. The greenstone used in its creation was known for its exceptional toughness, far harder than ordinary rock.

Zoro's eyes narrowed slightly.

He adjusted his stance, lowering his center of gravity as his breathing gradually slowed and deepened. Every unnecessary thought was cast aside. His body entered a state of complete focus.

His hand moved almost instinctively, settling onto the hilt of the katana.

Draw stance.

Breath sinks to the core.

Power gathers—

Then—

Release.

"Clang!!"

The katana left its sheath in an instant, like a bolt of lightning tearing through the air.

There was no visible arc of light.

No exaggerated flash.

Only a single, decisive motion.

[One-Sword Style Iai: Lion's Song!!]

A sharp, tallic note rang out, crisp and fleeting.

In that sa instant, Uchiha Zoro's figure vanished from his original position. When he reappeared, he was already standing behind the artificial mountain.

His arm trembled faintly.

Fine cracks began to spread across the blade in his hand, visible to the naked eye, creeping along its surface like a spiderweb.

At the sa ti, a wave of exhaustion surged through his body, heavy and overwhelming. His grip loosened slightly—he nearly dropped the sword.

Behind him—

The four-to-five-ter-tall rockery split cleanly in two.

"Young Master Zoro! What happened?!"

The mont the sound echoed through the courtyard, Uchiha Tekka arrived in a blur, using the Body Flicker Technique to appear at Zoro's side.

Ever since Zoro had demonstrated his extraordinary swordsmanship talent, Tekka had been paying close attention to him. In fact, after the clan tournant, he had practically remained by Zoro's side at all tis.

"Uncle Tekka, it's nothing. I caused it."

Uchiha Zoro glanced at the katana in his hand, now on the verge of breaking apart completely. His expression remained calm, as though what he had just done was nothing remarkable.

As expected.

An ordinary blade simply could not withstand a strike of that level.

"Vmm—"

A low rumble sounded as the rockery behind him began to shift.

"Young Master… you did this?"

Uchiha Tekka stared at the massive structure slowly sliding apart along a perfectly horizontal cut. Then his gaze dropped to the shattered blade in Zoro's hand.

His pupils trembled violently.

A genius.

There was no other explanation.

Uchiha Zoro—the future figurehead of their faction—was an undeniable genius in the way of the sword.

Six years to hone a single blade.

Though Tekka did not know the details of Zoro's earlier training, the two years he had personally guarded him were more than enough to reveal the truth.

This child was anything but ordinary.

Day after day, Zoro had drawn and swung his blade without pause. That level of discipline alone was enough to prove that he would never fade into diocrity.

This world did not lack geniuses.

What it lacked were those with the resolve to pursue strength without wavering.

Of course—compared to resolve, talent was even more critical.

And their Young Master Zoro possessed both.

Six full years of accumulation.

Now, at last, that foundation was beginning to show its true power.

Zoro said nothing further. He rely turned his head slightly, his gaze drifting toward the entrance of the courtyard.

At the gate stood Uchiha Muneyoshi, who had just returned from a clan eting. Beside him were the clan head Uchiha Fugaku and the First Elder Uchiha Setsuna.

The three had arrived together.

Their purpose was simple—

To see just how far Uchiha Zoro's limits extended.

Only true geniuses were worthy of the clan's focused cultivation.

And that was precisely why Zoro had endured six years of relentless training.

!!!

Uchiha Muneyoshi's gaze swept across the scene—the split rockery, the shattered katana, and his grandson standing calmly at the center of it all.

For a brief mont, he froze.

"Tekka, what happened just now?"

Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward, his expression tinged with disbelief.

Instinctively, he found it hard to accept that a six-year-old child could slice through such a massive rockery with a single strike.

But the evidence lay plainly before him.

The broken blade.

The flawless cut.

There was no room left for doubt.

"Reporting to the clan head… this commotion appears to have been caused by Young Master Zoro."

Under the combined gaze of the three highest authorities of the Uchiha clan, Tekka felt a heavy pressure settle over him, making even his breathing slightly uneasy.

"Hm… Zoro."

Uchiha Fugaku's eyes fell on the young boy, and the uncertainty in his heart gradually faded.

"Clan Head, my apologies. I won't be able to use that strike again for the ti being."

eting Fugaku's gaze directly, Uchiha Zoro spoke calmly, lifting the nearly shattered katana as if to emphasize his point.

"Good. Very good."

Nearby, Uchiha Setsuna's eyes glead as he examined the smooth, horizontal cut.

"That level of explosive precision… Even a jōnin might struggle to achieve it."

His tone carried a trace of genuine admiration.

"I didn't expect your swordsmanship talent to reach this level. You've exceeded my expectations."

As he spoke, the way Setsuna looked at Zoro subtly changed.

"Don't get any ideas, you old fox."

Before Setsuna could take another step forward, Uchiha Muneyoshi moved, swatting his hand aside without hesitation.

"My grandson isn't getting involved in your sches. He won't be dragged into stirring up trouble for the clan."

There was no attempt to hide the wariness in his voice.

Seeing that reaction, Uchiha Setsuna's eyes flickered.

Then, slowly, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint, mocking smile.