In the study room.
Naruto was sitting at the desk, seriously reading the Basic Fire Magic Manual that Tsuchigen Tianlang had selected for him.
The book was very thin.
It had only a few dozen pages.
There wasn't much text inside.
Most of the content consisted of clear illustrations.
Naruto read it with great interest.
"Nice!"
"So easy to understand!"
He couldn't help but praise it in his heart.
After finishing the book, Naruto sighed softly.
"If only the ninja textbooks in Konoha's Ninja Academy had been like this…"
Back then, when he was in school, most of the books looked like heavenly scripts to him.
He barely understood anything.
But this book was different.
From sensing dark matter…
To forming hand gestures…
To finally releasing the technique…
Everything was illustrated step by step.
Each page formed a complete picture.
It was extremely easy to remember.
Naruto felt that, at this moment, he already knew several basic fire techniques.
Creak.
The door was pushed open.
"Huh?"
"You didn't rest?"
"You've been reading this whole time?"
Tsuchigen Tianlang walked in with a smile and saw Naruto still sitting at the desk, focused on the book.
"Ah…"
"I didn't take a break."
"As soon as I started reading, I got fascinated."
"So I read it again and again!"
Tianlang made a sound of acknowledgment and asked curiously,
"Well?"
"How do you feel after reading it?"
Naruto thought for a moment and replied,
"It feels very clear."
"With pictures and explanations."
"I even feel like I already know some fire techniques."
"I want to try them right now!"
"Haha, that's great!"
Tianlang was very satisfied.
He completely approved of Naruto's attitude of repeatedly reading the book.
Many disciples, when learning fire magic for the first time, only skimmed the first page and rushed into practice.
Even when teachers told them to read carefully, they ignored it.
But Naruto had taken the initiative to read it several times.
That alone showed strong learning ability.
If Naruto knew what Tianlang was thinking, he would definitely praise him for having good judgment.
Back in Konoha, he had always been called the "dead last."
To him, ninja textbooks were like heavenly scriptures.
But here—
In Tianlang's eyes—
He was a genius.
"Alright, Naruto."
"Take the book."
"Let's go out and practice."
Naruto nodded excitedly.
"That's exactly what I want!"
Tianlang led Naruto to the academy's training ground.
This place was a huge open square called the Dharma Field, specially designed for practicing magic.
Direct disciples had their own private training grounds.
This was one of them.
"Come on, Naruto."
"In the book you just read, which fire technique impressed you the most?"
Tianlang asked.
Naruto opened the book and flipped through it.
Soon, he stopped on the fourth page.
It showed a technique similar to Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.
"This one, Senior Brother!"
"The Fireball Technique!"
Tianlang glanced at it and nodded.
"No problem."
"Try it."
Naruto handed the book back.
Tianlang stepped several meters behind him and observed carefully.
Naruto took a deep breath.
Closed his eyes.
Concentrated.
He sensed nature.
Dark matter began flowing into his body.
When he felt it was fully stored, he opened his eyes.
He recalled the two hand gestures shown in the book.
There were only two seals.
Much simpler than Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame.
After completing the gestures, Naruto stretched his hands forward.
Nothing happened.
"…?"
No flame.
No heat.
No movement.
Nothing.
Naruto froze.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
"What…?"
He turned around in confusion.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Tianlang burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
Naruto felt embarrassed.
He had imagined a blazing fireball shooting out.
But instead, nothing came out.
Total failure.
"Your expression is too funny!"
Tianlang walked over smiling.
"Are you wondering why nothing happened?"
Naruto nodded seriously.
"Yes!"
Tianlang said patiently,
"This is exactly what we're learning today."
"The transformation and release of dark matter."
Naruto repeated softly,
"Transformation and release?"
Tianlang nodded.
"That's right."
"Dark matter is the foundation of everything in the universe."
"But the things we use are already transformed forms."
"Our clan leader classified them into five elements:
Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth."
"From this, the five major magic systems were derived."
"You failed just now because you didn't transform dark matter into the Fire attribute."
"So it couldn't be released."
"The same applies to other elements."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully.
"I think I understand…"
But how exactly did it work?
Tianlang noticed his expression and continued,
"This is also why your attributes were tested in the hall."
"In the beginning, there was no attribute system."
"Later, the clan leader discovered that some people could activate magic, while others couldn't."
"After many experiments, he found that people differ in conversion ability."
"That's how attribute testing came about."
"Oh, so that's it…"
Naruto suddenly remembered something.
"Senior Brother, where did that test stone come from?"
"Did the clan leader make it?"
Tianlang shook his head.
"That's our clan's greatest treasure."
"I heard it was given by God."
"There are no detailed records."
Naruto nodded silently.
That stone was definitely extraordinary.
"I'll ask about it later," he thought.
Tianlang continued,
"Now, let's go on."
"You have all attributes."
"Logically, transformation should be easy for you."
"But why are people with common attributes weak?"
"The reason is simple."
"They can transform into everything…"
"But end up mastering nothing."
He sighed.
"Only true geniuses can accurately choose and convert."
"Choosing one out of five each time…"
"Do you know how hard that is?!"
Naruto suddenly understood.
"Senior Brother!"
"Then someone with only one attribute can become very strong!"
"Because they only need to focus on one!"
Tianlang nodded.
"Exactly."
"Your understanding is excellent."
Naruto smiled.
Now he fully understood.
This was why the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was so powerful.
He had mastered all five chakra natures.
"Alright."
"Let me teach you the method."
"Dark matter is external."
"Your body is internal."
"You must combine them."
"Then release."
"Release means turning the transformed energy outward."
"To put it simply…"
"It's like going to the toilet."
Naruto raised his hand.
"I think I understand."
Tianlang looked doubtful.
"You… really understand?"
Naruto nodded confidently.
"Yes."
"This feels like when I first learned the Rasengan."
Tianlang was stunned.
Then he smiled.
"Interesting…"
"Let's see if you can really do it."