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[Konoha] Chapter 56: Jiraiya
🕑 Added 2024-08-21 04:30:01 +0000 UTCBoom!
The tree trunk fell with a crash, and Shūichi Hoshita took a few deep breaths, his eyes fixed on the cut surface, which was now charred.
"The cutting was indeed easier... with the added effect of high-temperature burns."
"The direction is correct, but it still needs further refinement and detail."
After consuming a soldier pill, Shūichi continued to analyze his progress.
He needed a more efficient chakra nature transformation, faster chakra circulation, and greater chakra control.
Once his stamina was restored, he resumed his efforts.
Again and again, he tried, refining his technique with each attempt.
Time flew by in this manner, and before he knew it, the three-day break was over, and it was back to missions.
However, even during missions, Shūichi didn’t stop developing his swordsmanship techniques.
While taking a break during a patrol mission on the northern border, Shūichi focused on perfecting his new technique.
Watching him, Kurama Sanyō scratched the back of his head. He had just thought of developing a new genjutsu, but his mind was completely blank.
"I'm definitely not a genius!"
Kurama Sanyō sighed in frustration.
Minato Namikaze smiled and reassured him, "You don’t need to compare yourself to Shūichi. The reason he’s developing his own sword technique is because he has a natural advantage with Fire Release."
"Sanyō, if you focus on genjutsu, the techniques you already know are enough for you to master."
Kurama Sanyō was immediately convinced, his frustration disappearing.
Then he asked, "Shūichi, how exactly do you plan to combine Fire Release with swordsmanship, or your blade techniques?"
In the ninja world, "swordsmanship" generally refers to the use of both swords and blades, but Shūichi preferred to use the term "blade techniques."
Shūichi looked up with a smile and said, "Rather than just combining Fire Release with blade techniques, it’s more about integrating chakra and ninjutsu with swordsmanship."
"And chakra can be used in two main ways: nature transformation and shape transformation."
"For example, Minato-sensei’s Rasengan is a pure application of chakra shape transformation."
"In my case, I’m focusing on nature transformation, with shape transformation as a secondary factor. The nature transformation I’m dealing with is Fire Release, specifically its high-temperature properties."
"Shape transformation is involved in how chakra is manipulated to allow me to layer Fire Release chakra more effectively, increasing the temperature and enhancing the blade’s cutting power."
Minato was impressed by Shūichi's clarity of thought.
"That’s a very clear development process, Shūichi. You have an even greater talent for ninjutsu than I do."
Shūichi humbly replied, "Only with Fire Release."
But Minato shook his head slightly. "No, this kind of thinking can be applied to the development of any technique."
At this point, Shisui Uchiha asked, "So, Minato-sensei, does that mean your Rasengan could also incorporate nature transformation and evolve into a new technique?"
Minato nodded. "That’s true. I’ve considered it as well."
"But so far, I haven’t made much progress."
"Adding nature transformation to chakra makes it harder to control, and the Rasengan is already highly refined. Adding a nature transformation could destabilize it."
By the end, Minato couldn't help but shake his head in frustration.
The original inspiration for Rasengan came from the Tailed Beast Bomb, but taking it further had proven challenging without a clear direction.
Shūichi, of course, knew about the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and Wind Release: Rasengan, but he hadn’t fully grasped the theory behind it, so he couldn't explain it.
The timing wasn’t right!
...
Time flew by, and by the time Shūichi Hoshita returned to Konoha after completing his border patrol mission, it was already October.
On this day, Shūichi exited the Konoha Hospital and headed to the nearby training ground to find Tsunade, only to discover an additional person there.
'Jiraiya... he's actually back... At this time, Nagato and the others are only about ten years old, right?'
Shūichi was secretly surprised but continued to approach.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shūichi greeted her and then respectfully turned to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sama, I am Shūichi Hoshita!"
Jiraiya, who was in the middle of a conversation, turned around and looked down at Shūichi, confused. "Eh?"
"Where did this little brat come from?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"Hahaha, it seems like I haven't been back in a while, but my fame still precedes me!"
Shūichi was speechless.
Jiraiya had returned to Konoha but hadn’t gone to see his student Minato first; instead, he came to find Tsunade.
Truly, he deserved his title as the Pervy Sage! And he was quite full of himself, too.
Despite his inner thoughts, Shūichi kept a pure and innocent smile on his face.
"Of course! You're one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, just like Lady Tsunade—a remarkable ninja."
Jiraiya was immediately pleased and struck a pose, "Rather than the title of Sannin, I prefer you to call me the Mystic Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, commonly known as the Toad Sage, at your service!"
Tsunade, standing nearby, couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "Idiot."
Jiraiya’s expression froze for a moment, deflating his excitement.
Tsunade huffed, "Did you forget you have a student?"
Jiraiya instantly recovered and grinned, "There's no need to worry about Minato. He's a once-in-a-decade genius, a natural-born ninja!"
Shūichi chimed in at the right moment, "Jiraiya-sama, Minato-sensei is currently my team leader."
"Team leader?"
Jiraiya laughed, "As expected of Minato. I haven't seen him in a few years, and he's already become a Jōnin and started mentoring the next generation!"
But then he quickly caught on, "Wait, you're here to learn medical ninjutsu from Tsunade?"
Shūichi nodded, but Tsunade, already impatient, waved her hand dismissively, "We need to start training."
Jiraiya nodded and walked off with a casual wave, saying, "Let's grab a drink tonight!"
"Got it!" Tsunade replied offhandedly.
As Jiraiya left, Shūichi and Tsunade began their training. However, instead of medical ninjutsu, they focused on the Yin Seal, a sealing technique.
Meanwhile, after walking some distance, Jiraiya paused and looked back at Tsunade with a smile.
"Looks like things aren't as bad as I thought."
The first thing Jiraiya did upon returning was gather information and then visit Hiruzen Sarutobi. It was only then that he learned about Tsunade's hemophobia, prompting him to come see her immediately.
At first glance, Tsunade seemed a bit lethargic, but now she appeared quite motivated!
Feeling somewhat reassured, Jiraiya turned and went to find Minato Namikaze.
...
Due to his high aptitude, Shūichi quickly grasped the essentials of sealing techniques.
However, the Yin Seal was quite unique, as it was specifically designed for sealing chakra, involving both chakra refinement and control.
Shūichi’s chakra control was naturally strong due to his medical ninjutsu training, but there were still details he needed to consult Tsunade on.
Additionally, Shūichi’s situation was different from Tsunade's.
Tsunade didn’t use chakra often except during sparring sessions, allowing her to store it up in the seal.
Moreover, once the Yin Seal was initiated, it had to be sustained until completed; interrupting it meant starting over.
If the stored chakra was insufficient, the seal would lose its significance.
Shūichi, on the other hand, frequently needed chakra for training and missions.
He couldn’t afford to waste three years storing chakra just for the Yin Seal.
This was an issue Shūichi recalled that Sakura Haruno also faced, and her solution was to create a small reservoir within the seal to divert chakra.
The larger pool was for storage, and the smaller one for regular use.
However, Shūichi had a different idea.
"Lady Tsunade, the Yin Seal gathers chakra at the forehead for storage, but does it necessarily have to be on the forehead?"
"The human body has three major chakra circulatory systems—the forehead, the heart, and the abdomen, all of which can distribute chakra throughout the body."
Shūichi asked, "So, would it be feasible to place the Yin Seal on the abdomen instead?"
Hearing this, Tsunade began to ponder the idea.
(End of Chapter)
