When we entered, we were greeted by a very serious-looking man who appeared to be around 44 years old. My mom's friend, who had brought me here, introduced him as her teacher, Mikaro Shinji. She emphasized his incredible knowledge of Fuinjutsu, claiming that only a handful of people in Konoha could rival his expertise. Hearing this made me feel a mix of shock and excitement. I knew I was about to meet someone exceptional. Without hesitation, I greeted him with the utmost respect, and my gesture seemed to please him.
Shinji-sensei studied me for a moment before he began asking questions about Fuinjutsu. I took a deep breath and answered each question carefully, drawing upon the knowledge I had gained during my time at the academy. After hearing my responses, he nodded in approval. "I can see that you weren't lying about the child's intelligence," he remarked, directing his words to my mom's friend, which caused her to grumble slightly.
"So what? Does it sound like you only met him to check if I was lying?" she shot back, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Shinji-sensei responded confidently, "Yes, that was part of the reason." While she seemed even more annoyed at this, she chose to remain silent. Despite her irritation, I could sense the deep respect she held for him, and I realized that his stern demeanor was rooted in care and concern, particularly for her well-being. It was clear he was worried about her being deceived or misled.
After that brief but revealing exchange, Shinji-sensei turned his attention to me, saying, "Since I've already promised to teach you, I will. Now, is there anything specific you want to learn, or should I teach you according to my preference?"
I respectfully explained my ambitions regarding Fuinjutsu, particularly how I envisioned using it for traps and pre-recorded Jutsu. I mentioned my limited chakra reserves, which motivated me to find ways to store attacks or defensive Jutsu within seals so I could utilize them without expending significant chakra during battle. My goal was to devise a method for pre-casting Jutsu, allowing me to access them when needed without draining my energy.
He listened intently to my aspirations and then explained, "It is indeed possible to pre-record a Jutsu, but not all Jutsu can be stored this way. While activating a stored Jutsu will consume less chakra, it will still require some amount. The precise amount depends on the type of Jutsu and the complexity of the seal you use. Regarding traps, there are various Jutsu available, but many cannot be stored in seals. You'll need to lure your target into areas where you've imprinted seals, which can be quite challenging during an actual battle. However, the potential power of these traps can be enormous. Moreover, you can even use Fuinjutsu to enhance or alter the effects of your Jutsu, but this will require considerable effort on your part.
Shinji-sensei told me that what is wish to lean is most advance application of Fuinjutsu known as the "Sealcraft." This process is essentially an art form, where the focus is on designing new seals that encapsulate the unique characteristics of the jutsu I wish to create. It's about innovation and personalization; instead of relying solely on traditional jutsu, I can combine my knowledge of Fuinjutsu with my understanding of various techniques to craft something entirely new. No one can teach you this, trial and error will be your only method of learning."
After this explanation, he continued to ask me a series of advanced questions about the Fuinjutsu I had recently been studying. I answered them with confidence and clarity, drawing on everything I had learned. Shinji-sensei seemed satisfied with my knowledge and said, "You have the potential to create your own seals. You've not only memorized Fuinjutsu but have also grasped its deeper concepts, which is rare for someone your age." He went as far as to label me an "era-changing prodigy," but I figured that having a mind akin to a 21-year-old made this feat somewhat expected.
As a reward for impressing him, Shinji told he might consider helping and guiding him in the basic of Sealcraft. But since he was a busy man, Shinji-sensei told me he could only spare one week to teach me, and even that was difficult for him to arrange. He admitted that it was impossible to fully learn the basic of how to create seals for Jutsu in just one week and that he was only offering this challenge, recognizing my potential. "I am simply humoring myself by seeing how much of a genius you are," he said, setting what felt like an impossible task before me.
Instead of feeling disheartened, I felt a wave of excitement wash over me. This was an incredible opportunity! There was nothing to lose and everything to gain, and the thought of learning something so profound and intricate filled me with determination. I couldn't wait to get started on this journey of learning and self-improvement under the guidance of such an esteemed teacher. This was my chance to grow and refine my skills in ways I had only dreamed of, and I was ready to embrace the challenge wholeheartedly.
Next day, I visited Shinji's house, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about what I would learn. When I arrived, he greeted me with a serious but encouraging expression. He explained that today we would focus on a crucial step: selecting a jutsu for which I wanted to create seals.
Shinji emphasized that he wouldn't be teaching me the specific seals for that jutsu, but rather the art and methodology behind creating seals for any jutsu. This was an important distinction; he wanted to equip me with the skills to adapt and innovate, not just replicate what already existed.
"Choose something manageable," he advised. "Even the simplest jutsu can be complicated to seal properly."
After considering my options, I decided to go with a clone jutsu. It seemed like a practical choice, one that many ninja used regularly, and I felt it had potential for interesting variations through sealing techniques. Shinji nodded in approval, pleased with my selection.
"Excellent choice," he said. "Let's get started."
With that, we dove into the process. Shinji began by explaining the basic principles of sealing and the fundamental characteristics of the clone jutsu. He broke down how clones are formed and the chakra required to maintain them. As he spoke, I took notes diligently, eager to grasp every detail.
Shinji then introduced me to the concept of creating seals, showing me examples of how different symbols and patterns could modify the nature of a jutsu. He emphasized that the art of sealing wasn't just about drawing; it was about understanding the underlying mechanics of the jutsu itself.
"Every seal is a representation of the energy flow and intention behind the jutsu," he explained, his voice steady and clear. "You need to visualize how the chakra interacts with the seal and how it will manifest in the world."
As I absorbed this knowledge, I felt a surge of inspiration. The idea of creating my own unique seals for something as versatile as the clone jutsu excited me. With Shinji's guidance, I was ready to explore this new frontier of fuinjutsu, eager to see how far I could push the boundaries of my abilities.