The crackling sound of something akin to welding filled the air, accompanied by a faint bluish glow illuminating the workshop. The scent of chakra fused into the air was subtle, yet to Ren, it had a magnetic pull. His gaze was fixed on Tatsumi's skilled hands, tracing a seal with slow and precise movements. The master's finger glided over the surface, leaving behind a glowing trail that vanished almost instantly.
"This is the Finger Carving Seal," Tatsumi began, his voice a blend of seriousness and pride. "Its main advantage is that you don't need paper or ink. You can draw a seal directly on any surface, even skin or materials as durable as metal or stone."
Finally, this is what i wished the most from the beginning.
Ren, after his short thoughts, leaned slightly forward, fascinated. "And… can it really be invisible?"
"Exactly," Tatsumi replied, without lifting his eyes from the seal he was working on. "With proper chakra control, you can make it imperceptible to the naked eye. This makes it ideal for misdirection, concealing messages, or marking someone without their knowledge."
With a swift motion, Tatsumi finished the seal. The surface appeared smooth and pristine, yet Ren could still sense the residual chakra lingering in the air.
"But there's a limit," Tatsumi added, raising his gaze to meet Ren's. "Even if it's invisible, a skilled chakra sensor or a seal master could still detect it. Don't think it's foolproof. The real strength of this technique lies in how you use it, not in how well you can hide it."
Ren nodded, absorbing the master's words. He bent slightly, observing the seemingly flawless surface up close. It was incredible how something so complex could remain completely concealed.
"Can I try?" he asked, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
Tatsumi regarded him for a moment, assessing him carefully. Then, he gave a faint smile. "Go ahead. But remember, the Finger Carving Seal requires absolute precision. Any mistake in tracing or chakra flow will ruin the result."
Ren took a deep breath, positioning his finger over the surface. The silence in the workshop became almost tangible, broken only by the faint hum of chakra beginning to flow. Slowly, he started to draw a simple seal, attempting to replicate Tatsumi's movements. Every motion was measured, but Ren quickly realized how challenging it was to maintain a steady chakra flow.
"Too much," Tatsumi observed, his tone that of a patient teacher. "You need to reduce the output. You're not painting with ink; you're infusing energy. It requires a delicate touch."
Ren adjusted the flow, though he felt tension building in his fingers. The entire process seemed to demand not just control but an instinctive connection with his chakra. At last, he completed the seal and stepped back to observe the result. It wasn't perfect, but something was there—faint, yet discernible like a barely visible imprint.
Tatsumi nodded, his expression free of reproach. "Not bad for your first attempt. But remember, perfection comes with practice. And the Finger Carving Seal is a technique that doesn't forgive arrogance."
Ren gave a faint smile, still catching his breath. "It's a lot harder than it looks."
"And it will be even harder in real situations," Tatsumi continued. "Imagine having to use it in the middle of a battle, under pressure. That's why you must master it in controlled conditions before using it in the field."
As Ren prepared for a second attempt, Tatsumi stopped him with a gesture. "Before you continue, I want to show you something else." He retrieved a scroll and unfurled it, revealing a complex diagram of seals. "These are examples of how the Finger Carving Seal can be combined with other techniques. Misdirection is just one of its applications. You can create tracking seals, emergency signals, or even triggers for remote traps."
Ren's mouth fell open slightly, his mind envisioning the endless possibilities. Each seal on the scroll seemed to tell a story, each one more intricate and captivating than the last.
"But for now," Tatsumi concluded, rolling up the scroll, "focus on control. Without it, you won't get far."
He turned to Ren with a stern yet encouraging look. "Remember, this is the only time I'll show you the Finger Carving Seal. From now on, it's up to you to perfect it. I can't teach you everything; it's your chakra, your will, and only you can master it."
Over the next two days, Ren's life followed a strict rhythm, marked by his established routines. In the mornings, he focused on fuinjutsu, applying what he had learned from Tatsumi and experimenting with simple tracking seals. Each mistake became a lesson, and each success brought him closer to mastering the Finger Carving Seal.
Afternoons were devoted to kenjutsu, where the call of the blade brought him back to Ganryu's teachings. Though his mentor was still away on a mission, Ren practiced diligently, refining each movement with precision. The weighted sword demanded immense effort, but every strike made him faster and stronger. His calloused hands bore the marks of his commitment and determination.
Physical training was never neglected: morning runs, weighted exercises, swimming, and brief kunai combat sessions sharpened his reflexes. Every strained muscle was a reminder of the price of progress, but Ren embraced the challenge as part of his journey.
Evenings were reserved for training with Kurara. It wasn't just about guiding her but also an opportunity to observe her progress. Kurara's determination impressed him more each day. Despite slow results, she never gave up, following every piece of advice with unwavering discipline. Meanwhile, Ren began ruling out known causes for her chakra difficulties, inching closer to understanding her unique situation, though the solution still eluded him.
At last, the much-anticipated day with Utakata arrived. Ren found him waiting at the stall, sitting calmly as if untouched by the world's chaos. The jinchūriki exuded an air of tranquility far beyond his years. Ren approached with purpose, exchanging a brief nod before the two headed to the eastern training field.
"What can you do?" Utakata asked as they prepared, his voice curious but devoid of judgment.
"Rather than tell you, I'd prefer to show you," Ren replied, a determined smile crossing his lips. Without further words, he assumed a combat stance. Utakata nodded, adopting a relaxed posture that bordered on indifference.
Ren launched himself forward, quick and precise, unleashing a flurry of attacks. Despite his coordination and technique, every strike was effortlessly dodged. Utakata seemed to glide through the assault, his movements fluid and unhurried.
I expected this, Ren thought as he slowed slightly, his eyes analyzing every movement of his opponent. This is exactly why I want to train with him.
"Wait a moment," Ren said, halting his attack. Utakata stopped, watching with curiosity as Ren bent down to his legs.
"There's something I need to show you," Ren continued, calmly removing the weights strapped to his legs. A dull thud accompanied each piece as it hit the ground. Utakata's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"You've been training with these?" Utakata asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Ren smiled as he stood upright. "Exactly. It's my little secret."
Ren, you surprise me more and more, Utakata thought, regarding the boy with newfound respect.
The match resumed. At first, Ren's movements were slightly uncoordinated, his body still adjusting to the absence of the additional weight. But with every step and strike, his fluidity returned. Soon, his movements became faster and more precise than before. Still, Utakata maintained full control, dodging and anticipating every attack with an almost unnatural grace.
"For your age, you're quite fast," Utakata commented sincerely. "But I think you can do better."
The words struck Ren like a challenge. He clenched his fists. I have to give it my all. I need to simulate this as if it were a real fight, he thought.
Focusing his chakra, Ren conjured a dense mist that enveloped the training field, obscuring the view. Utakata's voice echoed from every direction. "Against a good sensor like me, this technique isn't very effective."
I know that, Ren thought, staying silent. It was a tactic. Using Ganryu's teachings, he concentrated on sensing chakra. Since the incident, Ren had noticed his senses had sharpened, allowing him to perceive chakra signatures more clearly. Utakata's, in particular, had become easier to detect.
When Ren finally pinpointed Utakata's location, he launched a swift attack, landing a blow. However, the jinchūriki's body dissolved into a thousand bubbles.
Suddenly, Ren felt a light tap on his head. Utakata had flicked his index finger against him. But Ren, too, turned out to be a clone, transforming into a torrent of water that surged toward Utakata. "Oh, well done," Utakata said, visibly impressed, just before his body once again dissolved into bubbles.
A round of applause broke the silence, dispelling the mist. Ren looked up to see Utakata perched calmly on a tree branch, his composure unshaken. "I've been here the entire time," he said with a faint smile. "As a demonstration, this should suffice."
Ren, though not exhausted, realized he had consumed a significant amount of chakra. He looked at Utakata and thought, He stayed there the entire time. The gap between us is still immense... for now.
Utakata descended gracefully from the tree, his movements exuding tranquility. His gaze met Ren's, a mixture of admiration and curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Well done, Ren. You've genuinely surprised me. But I want to give you two pieces of advice," Utakata began, crossing his arms thoughtfully.
Ren nodded, still catching his breath.
"The first: don't rely too much on direct techniques. Your mist was a good idea, but you used it as a simple diversion. In a real fight, you need to integrate it into a more complex strategy. Control the battlefield, confuse your opponent, force them to make mistakes."
Ren lowered his gaze, replaying his actions in his mind. He's right. Ganryu has told me this so many times, but putting it into practice is another thing entirely.
"The second piece of advice," Utakata continued, "never underestimate your opponent's ability to anticipate your moves. You're good at sensing chakra—I noticed that. But your chakra can also be sensed. Work on how to mask it, just as you learn to interpret others' chakra."
Ren looked up, intrigued. "How do you mask your chakra?"
Utakata gave a slight smile, his tone softening. "Every ninja has their own method. But don't expect me to tell you. That would be like handing you a weakness, and a ninja wouldn't do that. However…" he paused thoughtfully, "I can give you a hint. It's a balance of multiple elements. Controlling your breathing, modulating the flow of chakra, and adapting to your surroundings."
Ren nodded slowly, internalizing the words. It's something complex, but it's a level I need to reach.
After a brief silence, Ren finally voiced a question that had been on his mind since the start of their sparring. "Your bubbles… they're... I mean, they're not just decorative, right? How do they work?"
The jinchūriki looked at him, a hint of amusement flickering in his expression. "The bubbles are a manifestation of my chakra. They're not just a means of attack—they can defend, distract, or even trap an opponent. It's an art form, in a way."
Ren tilted his head, fascinated. "And how do you control them? They seem so… delicate."
"Delicate?" Utakata repeated with a smile, meeanwhile the two were stopping under a tree.
Utakata turned to Ren, his tone serious yet kind. "I think we've done enough for today.
" Sure" Ren answered, understanding that for today he wouldn't receive anymore informations.
Utakata smiled, a rare warmth in his expression. "Then I'll see you again soon, Ren. Next time, I want to see how you've applied this advice."
Ren returned the smile, then added playfully, "Send my regards to the Six-Tails."
Utakata raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback by the remark. Send regards to the Six-Tails? Ren is certainly an unusual one, he thought, allowing himself a faint smile. Even Saiken, dormant within him, seemed momentarily intrigued by the young boy.
[ Hi there! Ito-kun here ^.^
Thanks everyone specially Jayroy_63, ao2_6309, Red7o3, Nuswa, DaoistZxKiQq , Braden_T, Cordell_Clinton, Ian_Clark_6978, BagusPardana, Diegoa, Desert_Dust0 , DaoistDW5XU4, Malar, AKIB19, Overlord_Of_KARMA GeorgiusKARA and Miguel_024!
Sincerely Thanks and remember about the Power Stones, these are the motivation for my work :)]