The next day, the sun shone brightly, and Kaiton finally woke up around noon.
He rubbed his eyes sleepily, his head still a little dizzy.
It seems that overextending during practice took a toll. The energy consumption was too high. I need to manage my training time better in the future—these aftereffects are far too troublesome.
Suppressing the lingering discomfort, Kaiton got up and went to the bathroom to wash his face, refreshing himself.
Today, Kaiton planned to visit his father, Akirai, to learn more about Earth Style techniques.
His interest in ninjutsu wasn't solely for combat purposes—it extended to his research ambitions. With techniques like the Earth Wall and Earth Spear already in his arsenal, Kaiton realized that most Earth Style jutsu involved manipulating the terrain for defense or attack. However, he believed there was untapped potential in these abilities.
For example, Kaiton had reimagined the Earth Wall. By narrowing its width and focusing its power, he could create a thrusting attack similar to the Earth Dragon Spear. However, this method lacked the ability to summon multiple attacks simultaneously, unlike traditional Earth Spears.
To refine his approach, Kaiton needed a wider range of techniques to study. By analyzing the sequence of hand seals and principles behind each jutsu, he aimed to develop techniques uniquely suited to his style.
More ambitiously, Kaiton sought to unlock the essence of ninjutsu itself. He theorized that by understanding how chakra shaped techniques, he could perform jutsu with minimal or no seals. Perhaps, with enough mastery, he could even create his own Kekkei Genkai, akin to the legendary Senju Hashirama's Wood Style.
The mere thought filled him with excitement, urging him to set off immediately.
However, Kaiton's enthusiasm soon waned as he searched for Akirai in vain. He wasn't at home, nor was he at either of the two barbecue restaurants the family owned.
Puzzled, Kaiton approached his mother, Hinatabi, who was managing the front desk of one of the shops.
"Mother, where's Father? I've looked everywhere, but I can't find him."
Hinatabi chuckled, explaining the situation.
As the barbecue business flourished, the couple had hired extra staff, freeing themselves from the daily grind. Hinatabi still enjoyed helping out occasionally, but Akirai had taken to pursuing an old passion: winemaking.
During his years as a Jōnin, Akirai had developed a love for sake, sampling varieties from across the ninja world. Yet, none truly satisfied him, sparking the dream of crafting his own. Financial constraints had shelved that ambition until recently, when the restaurant's success provided both time and resources.
Akirai had bought a plot of land on the outskirts of Konoha, building an underground wine cellar where he spent his days experimenting.
Just as Kaiton was processing this, Akirai burst into the shop, grinning ear to ear and clutching a bottle of sake.
"Hinatabi! I've done it! Look—oh, Kaiton, you're here too?"
Kaiton quickly explained his intention to learn more Earth Style techniques, but Akirai's expression grew serious.
"No, Kaiton," Akirai said firmly. "Ninjutsu mastery takes time and practice. Overloading yourself with too many techniques will do more harm than good. Your chakra reserves aren't yet at a level where you can freely perform advanced jutsu."
Kaiton understood his father's concerns, but he wasn't the same person he had been months ago. His chakra control had improved drastically, and he believed he could handle C- and B-rank jutsu with ease.
Moreover, Kaiton pointed out that Akirai's collection was limited. As a former Jōnin without a prominent clan background, Akirai's access to high-level techniques had been constrained. Most of his ninjutsu were C-rank, with only a few B-rank techniques, such as the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
In contrast, Kaiton had already mastered several high-level jutsu, including the A-rank Healing Jutsu and the Forbidden Technique Eight Inner Gates.
"Even the Hokage entrusted me with the Eight Inner Gates, Father," Kaiton argued. "Surely, I can handle a few additional Earth Style jutsu."
Akirai sighed, recognizing the truth in Kaiton's words. His son was a prodigy, far exceeding his expectations. Perhaps traditional wisdom didn't apply to someone like Kaiton.
Relenting, Akirai provided the location of the family's scroll storage. "Fine, but don't overdo it," he cautioned.
With that, Kaiton set off, leaving Akirai to excitedly showcase his sake to Hinatabi.
---
At the storage location, Kaiton uncovered a surprisingly extensive collection of scrolls. There were over a dozen techniques, mostly Earth Style, with a few Fire Style jutsu mixed in.
Spending over an hour studying the scrolls, Kaiton memorized each technique.
While satisfied with the haul, Kaiton knew it was insufficient for his long-term goals. Additional jutsu would be invaluable for his research, but obtaining them posed a challenge. He briefly considered seeking help from his mentor, Shinzuru, but dismissed the idea. The Senju family had already done so much for him—he didn't want to appear ungrateful.
For now, Kaiton decided to focus on what he had, prioritizing the practice of Eight Inner Gates and the cell enhancement technique.
---
Kaiton's training regimen was ambitious:
1. Cell Enhancement Technique: This remained the foundation of his progress. Improved physical fitness, expanded chakra reserves, and mastery of Eight Inner Gates all relied on this technique.
2. Ninjutsu Training: With a focus on Earth Style, Kaiton also planned to explore Fire Style's Nature Transformation. Unfortunately, he lacked Wind Style techniques, preventing him from experimenting with Wind-Fire combinations.
3. Medical Ninjutsu: Although initially a key focus, medical techniques now took a backseat. Kaiton decided to maintain proficiency in the Healing Jutsu but set aside further advancements in this area.
Once his mastery of Eight Inner Gates progressed, Kaiton intended to delegate ninjutsu training to Shadow Clones. However, this plan had its limits.
To his disappointment, Shadow Clones couldn't assist with either the cell enhancement technique or Eight Inner Gates. The special chakra required for these techniques couldn't be replicated by non-physical clones.
Realizing this, Kaiton resolved to use his clones solely for ninjutsu practice, while dedicating his own efforts to physical training and chakra refinement.
Despite the challenges, Kaiton was determined. The path ahead was arduous, but he was no ordinary ninja.
As Kaiton prepared for his next session, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. His ambitions were lofty, but with his talent and determination, anything seemed possible.
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End of Chapter 26
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