EDIT: After careful consideration, I've decided to make a small amendment to the main character's name. Changing his name from 'Natsuri' to 'Natsuro'. Which will be reflected in all the released chapters by the time this chapter comes out.
Reasons:
I've realised that the MC's name is quite feminine, with -ri in Japanese naming convention often being used on female names. While in some cases it can be considered gender neutral it can be confusing and I've noticed some readers comment that.
While I had other options that were better suited to the direct translated meaning, I believe Natsuro will be the easiest name for readers' to transition to since it's phonetic familarity to Natsuri.
I believe it was best to make this change earlier on in the novel than down the line when the story progresses further. I apologise for the potential inconvenience it could have for the current readers.
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EDIT: Natsuri now is referred to as Natsuro
At this moment, Natsuro felt a tingling, somewhat pleasurable sensation in his body. He knew this was due to the effects of the recent electric arcs, and it made him reflect.
Indeed, the bodies in this world are far from ordinary compared to his previous world. What felt comfortable here would have been quite shocking and painful back in his old world.
He pondered about lightning-based chakra, shape transformation, and body enhancement. The Cloud Village's secret art of Lightning Release Chakra Mode came to mind. Their technique was notably impressive.
Unfortunately, such secret techniques were not available in Konohagakure.
It was likely that Konoha and other ninja villages were also developing similar Lightning Release techniques. After all, Cloud Village's technique was quite remarkable, and the principles behind it weren't too complex.
However, just because the principles are straightforward doesn't mean it's easy to develop. Especially with techniques like Lightning Release that can potentially harm the body if not handled carefully.
Natsuro even suspected that Konoha might have successfully developed similar techniques in secret, but the side effects were likely significant, and their effectiveness might be far inferior to Cloud Village's, which is why they remained unused.
The more critical aspect was understanding the underlying principles of these techniques for better preparation against Cloud Village ninjas.
Currently, most ninja villages had not made much progress with their versions of such techniques. It was only natural, given that Cloud Village relied heavily on this technique for their standing, making it difficult for others to replicate.
Although he was somewhat envious of Cloud Village's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he knew that he was unlikely to acquire it.
However, temporary body enhancements similar to those performed by Sasuke during the Chunin Exams were still achievable.
Sasuke, being a main character, had advantages that ordinary ninjas did not, and the risks involved were not negligible. The intense stimulation might even have harmed his body.
While he needed such enhancements, he did not require immediate improvements in combat power meaning he could afford to explore enhancement methods gradually and safely.
His first step would be to study more about human anatomy from the library to ensure a safer and more comprehensive approach to body stimulation.
Natsuro sighed, reflecting that he had read some anatomy books before but had not delved deeply into them. Now, it seemed he had a new task.
At this moment, he began to understand Orochimaru a bit better—he also wanted to delve into research.
The quickest way to acquire a technique like Lightning Release Chakra Mode would naturally be to seize it directly, but that option was not feasible for most ninjas.
The next alternative would be taboo research like Orochimaru's. Conducting live experiments would accelerate the process significantly. Capturing Cloud Village ninjas who could use the Lightning Release Chakra Mode would be ideal.
Even studying deceased subjects would be useful. Although their secrets would dissipate quickly, analyzing their enhanced bodies could potentially reveal their techniques.
With enough samples, even some techniques could be reverse-engineered. Each ninja uses specific chakra pathways for their techniques, and understanding these pathways might help in reverse-engineering the techniques.
However, the vast array of techniques a ninja might know adds many variables. To reverse-engineer effectively, more samples are needed, and one must confirm the techniques used by the ninja during their lifetime.
Secret techniques, due to their distinct training methods compared to ordinary techniques, are somewhat easier to reverse-engineer. Hence, even deceased ninja bodies are valuable. They are usually collected by the village's secret forces or destroyed to prevent other villages from obtaining them.
Despite this, reverse-engineering such techniques is not a straightforward task and cannot be achieved quickly. Moreover, obtaining a sufficient number of bodies using Lightning Release Chakra Mode for research would be almost impossible.
The efficiency of using ordinary humans for research would plummet, and using animals would be even less effective.
Overall, it's a complex process. If he had access to forbidden methods, he was confident he could achieve some results before the plot progressed, though they would likely come with significant side effects.
But the problem was that there weren't enough subjects for experimentation. Even Root wouldn't be able to capture such numbers, and if they did, the situation would be exposed soon after.
Moreover, no one would allow a six-year-old boy to conduct experiments—becoming a test subject was more plausible.
From the start, Natsuro knew that pursuing a research path was not feasible for him. The timing of his transmigration was too late, leaving him no time for research or securing funding.
Who would fund research for a child?
To pursue research effectively, he would have needed to travel further back in time, ideally to Orochimaru's era, where there would be more operational opportunities. Discovering issues and potentially shifting blame to Orochimaru could have been viable strategies.
He sighed, realizing that although being a "normal genius" might make research a promising path, he was unable to follow it due to time constraints, lack of relevant talents, and his unwillingness to cross many ethical boundaries. At most, he could study deceased ninjas.
Even if he couldn't pursue this path, Natsuro was still confident in his talent for more conventional methods.
As for predicting the future, even with knowledge of the plot, it would require those around him to be foolish or for him to possess wisdom far surpassing theirs.
He felt this was beyond his capability. He lacked the wisdom required and decided to focus on becoming stronger through hard work.
Sitting cross-legged, Natsuro allowed the electric arcs to jump across his body again. Although developing advanced enhancement techniques was challenging, using them to alleviate physical fatigue was still feasible.
With the electric arcs continuing to flicker, he felt a soothing, tingling sensation throughout his body. The more fatigued the area, the stronger the tingling, and he almost moaned when it reached the most intensely trained parts.
Soon, he opened his eyes. His chakra was depleted from using a C-rank jutsu, and he had used up too much.
However, even in this short time, he could feel his recovery was much faster than before. He had only performed the most basic level of 'massage' for safety.
As his proficiency improved, he believed the effects would become even better. A faster recovery would also lead to a quicker replenishment of chakra.
His current plan was to continue practicing shape transformation in the Void State and focus on familiarizing himself with it. The remaining chakra would be used for 'massaging' his tired body.
Natsuro's eyes glinted with anticipation. Discoveries in the Void State and Lightning Release Mode made him feel hopeful about his future, and he was slightly excited.