Kaito remained silent, observing the being before him, whose stone scales shone with an intensity that seemed to defy the darkness of the temple. The air around him was charged with an energy he could almost taste, as if the very earth was responding to the presence of the entity before him. His eyes locked onto those phosphorescent eyes, which conveyed a sense of ancient wisdom, as if this being had existed long before the shinobi world itself.
"Mineral Senjutsu..." Kaito repeated to himself, absorbing every word the creature had spoken. What was this power, really? His thoughts were a tangled web of questions, but something inside him felt that this challenge was crucial to his evolution.
"How can I learn it?" Kaito asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though uncertainty gnawed at him. The being did not respond immediately. Instead, it began to move with a terrifying grace. Each step it took made the rock beneath its obsidian claws vibrate, and Kaito felt his heartbeat sync with those movements.
"It will not be an easy path," the figure finally said, its voice as deep as distant thunder. "To connect with minerals, you must allow the earth to speak to you. Only then will you be able to hear its secrets and master its power."
The being raised one of its massive claws and plunged it into the ground with precision. At that moment, a burst of energy began to emanate from the earth itself, and the crystals embedded in the creature's body glowed even more intensely. The light radiating from the fissure in the ground seemed alive, vibrating as if it possessed its own consciousness.
"Mineral Senjutsu is not acquired the same way as common Senjutsu," the being continued. "It is not just about gathering natural energy. Minerals are different. They are heavy, dense, silent, and often impenetrable, yet they are also the foundation that gives shape to this world. If you wish to master them, you must become part of them."
Kaito watched in fascination as rocks lifted around the being, floating in the air as if they had a will of their own. With a single turn of its massive body, the creature unleashed a flurry of razor-sharp stones toward the temple walls, leaving marks that crackled with energy. Kaito felt the pressure in the air as the rocks whizzed past him at an incredible speed, but instead of backing away, he stood his ground, analyzing every movement. In every fragment of rock, there was intent—purpose.
"This is Mineral Senjutsu..." he murmured to himself. "It's not just about controlling minerals. It's about understanding them, feeling their purpose."
The being nodded, as if it had heard his thoughts.
"Exactly. But you will only understand it through experience. The power you seek will only reveal itself when you completely surrender to the earth, when you allow yourself to merge with it. This process is not just mental, Kaito. It is physical, it is spiritual. What happens here is not mere learning. It is transformation."
Kaito did not fully grasp what the being meant, but his body was already reacting to the energy pulsing through the air. The crystals embedded in the creature vibrated in perfect harmony with the earth, as if they were a manifestation of something far greater. Kaito could feel his own chakra resonating with the frequencies of the earth, as if something within him was awakening. He wasn't sure if it was his mind or his spirit reacting to the creature's presence, but a certainty filled him: something profound was happening inside him.
"To master Mineral Senjutsu, you must connect with the very core of the earth," the being continued, its voice still echoing in the cavern. "The connection is not instant. It takes time and patience, but the earth will grant you what you seek if you are worthy of it."
The being extended its claw toward Kaito, and a current of energy began to flow between them. Kaito felt his body tense under the sheer magnitude of the force enveloping him. It wasn't pain, but something intense—something he could almost see, like a wave of invisible energy. Then, as if a heavy mantle had settled upon his shoulders, the earth began to take control of his body.
Kaito closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he felt the vibrations of the ground seep into him. It was as if he were being absorbed by the very mountain. The minerals forming the surrounding rocks seemed to come alive, and Kaito began to feel his body transform, as if he could become one with the elements around him.
The power flowing within him grew stronger. The rocks around him began to move, responding to his will, though clumsily. At first, the stones floated weakly, without direction. But as Kaito focused, he managed to guide them with increasing precision. His breathing quickened, his body tensed, and the stones in the air aligned in a chaotic formation.
The being watched him intently and nodded slowly.
"It will not be perfect at first, but you are already beginning to understand," it said with a proud tone. "The path of Mineral Senjutsu is one of patience. Do not rush it. If you do, the earth will reject you. Now... do it."
Still unsteady from the intensity of the connection, Kaito reached out toward one of the floating rocks. He closed his eyes, concentrating, and suddenly, something inside him clicked. In that instant, he felt the rock respond to his will, moving smoothly toward his hand. It wasn't complete control, but it was the first step toward what he sought to achieve. The rock settled gently in his palm, and Kaito smiled, feeling immense satisfaction.
"You have taken the first step," the being said with pride. "Now, continue forward. The earth is waiting for you."
The following weeks passed in a haze of effort, concentration, and exhaustion. Kaito dedicated himself entirely to the practice of Mineral Senjutsu. The days blurred together, time seeming to dissolve in the intensity of his training. During this period, he began to notice profound changes in his body and mind. The chakra within him grew to levels he had never experienced before. Each time he connected with the earth, the power emanating from within him multiplied, extending toward the ground, merging with the rocks and soil beneath his feet.
As he progressed, a series of markings began to form on his skin—like tattoos of mineral energy. These markings snaked across his body, faintly glowing with a light that pulsed in rhythm with his chakra. They were symbols of his connection to the minerals, each one representing a stage of his progress. But something else happened: his eyes began to shine with a mysterious glow—a radiance that signified the manifestation of a unique dojutsu. Kaito's eyes took on an ethereal hue, illuminated by a crystalline light that reflected the depth of his newfound power.
Though he was still far from fully mastering Mineral Senjutsu, Kaito had already achieved the initial stage of his development. He stood at the threshold of a new era of power—one that connected him to the earth itself and would change his destiny forever.