Sarutobi Hiruzen truly lives up to his title as the "Professor of Ninjutsu."
His teaching is clear and easy to follow.
Using the similarities between Water and Earth, he explains the principles of Earth Release nature transformation and the basic concept of Earth suppressing Water in one go.
"The training method for Earth Release is like 'building with blocks,'" he says.
"Building with blocks?"
Seeing Hikari's confused expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen manipulates his chakra to explain in detail.
"Picture a three-dimensional spatial structure in your mind as the foundation for everything. Based on that structure, use tiny 'chakra particles' to form slightly larger 'chakra clusters.' Then, connect countless 'chakra clusters' together, like stacking building blocks to form a cohesive whole. That's Earth Release chakra."
"The power of Earth Release is closely tied to the stability of the spatial structure you imagine. The tighter the structure, the sturdier the Earth Release technique. Of course, there are looser Earth Release techniques, like Doryū Taiga (Mud River), which are auxiliary ninjutsu. But those variants are still far off for you. Once you can create structured Earth Release, I'll teach you some flashier techniques."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's index finger glows with Wind Release chakra as he draws spatial structure diagrams on an earth wall, from simple to complex—a total of five.
Mastering the first structure marks formal entry into Earth Release. Being able to instantly form the fifth structure represents Sarutobi Hiruzen's current level, nearly the pinnacle of Earth Release nature transformation.
Hikari's mind races.
Her hands glow with purple chakra as she mimics the structure diagrams on the wall. Spatial structures aren't like simple text and are harder to memorize. Fortunately, her Byakugan's shaping ability is top-notch. Earth Release nature transformation is essentially a subtle form of shape manipulation.
After absorbing the Nine-Tails' chakra, her eye power has grown stronger, translating to finer control over chakra.
With ready-made spatial structures to copy, training Earth Release is as easy as it gets.
"Sarutobi-sensei, I have a question."
After scanning the diagrams, Hikari notices these structures seem to only make Earth Release harder. In the original story, Earth Release techniques had diverse abilities—like the Lightweight Rock Technique, which manipulated gravity to counter Uchiha Madara's Tengai Shinsei (Catastrophic Planetary Construction), or techniques that absorbed chakra or revived the dead. How could these spatial structures achieve such effects?
"I've seen an Earth Release technique that can absorb chakra. These structures can't do that, right?"
Hikari avoids mentioning Ōnoki's Lightweight Rock Technique directly.
With his back to Hikari, Sarutobi Hiruzen draws on the earth wall while answering, "Earth Release nature transformation mainly splits into two types: solidity and support. A stable spatial structure allows Earth Release to easily carry powers that don't originally belong to it. Over a thousand years, ninjutsu has evolved far beyond its pure origins, and Earth Release, with its excellent supportive capacity, has been heavily affected. The chakra-absorbing effect you mentioned likely comes from adding Yin or Yang nature transformations, which belong to advanced ninjutsu transformation fields. Don't touch those forbidden powers—they're extremely dangerous."
Hearing familiar advice, Hikari looks up sharply. Seeing no unusual emotional bubbles above Sarutobi Hiruzen's head, she relaxes. The chakra-absorbing ability likely falls under Yang Release, while manipulating gravity probably involves adding Yin Release to Earth Release.
Hikari rubs her head.
Pure Yin-Yang transformations are secret techniques. Combining a single nature with shape transformation results in standard Five Elements ninjutsu. Those Five Elements techniques with unique mechanisms are essentially fusions of secret techniques and ninjutsu. Yin-Yang natures are already complex, and when combined with other ninjutsu, it's no wonder the ninja world's techniques are so varied and hard to predict. That's the root of it.
"I've drawn all the Earth Release structure diagrams here. If you can't remember them, come back and look," Sarutobi Hiruzen says, finishing the final diagram. He turns to Hikari and freezes.
Hikari sits cross-legged on the ground, palm facing upward. Purple light gathers in her hand, steadily forming a neat, square shape. In moments, the framework of the first structure diagram takes shape before him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen swears he's never seen anyone train nature transformation this fast. Ordinary ninjas take three days just to memorize these intricate structures, but under Hikari's exceptional chakra control, the structure forms rapidly. A faint yellow clump of earth even begins to condense at the chakra's core.
It's been so long that Sarutobi Hiruzen can't recall how long it took him to master nature transformation, but it was nowhere near as effortless as Hikari makes it look. And he was considered a genius in attribute ninjutsu by the Second Hokage.
"Pause for a moment," he says.
Hikari, on the verge of success, looks up in confusion at his words.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression is complex, with emotional bubbles popping above his head. "Have you… practiced Earth Release before?"
The question feels familiar.
Searching her memories, Hikari sees Sarutobi Hiruzen overlapping with Kazama Etsu. "I learned to draw when I was young, so maybe my spatial awareness is decent," she says.
Considerate as ever, Hikari doesn't want to discourage her teachers. As her Kaguya lineage evolves toward Hagoromo's power, her Byakugan grows stronger. With half of Kaguya-hime's abilities, she might sprout horns one day. There's no need to crush these ordinary people who've reached the ninja world's peak through effort.
"I see," Sarutobi Hiruzen says, squinting as he reluctantly accepts her explanation.
Thud!
A condensed stone slips from Hikari's palm, rolling far across the ground.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitches at the absurd sight. Chatting with him while mastering Earth Release? Is she even human? If drawing could grant such ability, Konoha's ninja academy would probably add an art class.
"We're short on time. Since you've studied drawing, practice Earth Release on your own later. For now, we need to finish the rest of the lesson."
Hikari nods, dispersing the half-formed second structure in her hand. After Sarutobi Hiruzen's Earth Release lecture, she's eager to learn about the most offensive natures: Lightning and Fire.
"Kakashi, can you keep up or not?!"
As the old and young duo prepare to continue, Might Guy's booming voice echoes from outside the courtyard.
They look toward the sound.
Carrying heavy stone weights, Might Guy, soaked in sweat, slowly drags his aching legs. Kakashi, white hair drooping, follows behind, hands hanging low, exhausted like a dead dog.
"Huff… huff… You're not exactly keeping up either, are you?" Kakashi says, voice hoarse from fatigue.
Daily intense physical training—push-ups, handstand village laps, weighted runs—far exceeds normal limits. The Sharingan's burden is immense; even covering it with a headband, its passive drain consumes over half his chakra daily. Adding Might Guy's inhumane training plan is like pulling an all-nighter at the gym, risking a "healthy" corpse.
Why train so hard?
"If we don't push harder, Hikari will leave us in the dust," Guy's devilish whisper echoes in Kakashi's ear.
"Let her surpass us. She's not exactly human," Kakashi mutters, glancing at the small figure in the training field's center.
"So, we continue the training plan tomorrow?"
"Ugh…" Kakashi sighs, his competitive spirit flaring. Being outdone by a little girl stings, especially for Konoha's former top genius.
"Keep it down, you two!"
"Yes, sir!" x2
Sarutobi Hiruzen barks, watching the two struggling students hurry off. He turns back to the inhuman Hikari with a warm smile. "Shall we continue?"
"Uh… sure."
Watching Guy and Kakashi flee, Hikari shakes her head and refocuses on the lesson.
Zzt!
Blue Lightning Release chakra gathers at her fingertips, emitting a piercing bird-like chirp.
"Lightning Release has the greatest piercing power of all attributes," Sarutobi Hiruzen says, thrusting his finger toward a sturdy Doryūheki (Earth-Style Wall).
Pop!
With barely any effort, his lightning-charged finger sinks into the wall.
With experience in Earth, Water, and Wind, Hikari doesn't need further explanation. Her Byakugan zooms in on the Lightning Release chakra. Zzt zzt zzt! Chakra particles align in a row, charging rapidly through Sarutobi Hiruzen's meridians toward his fingertip like a disciplined army. The fingertip flashes, and the high-speed Lightning Release chakra bursts outward, swiftly piercing the solid Earth Release structure.
As the saying goes, 'Water droplets pierce stone'—with persistence, even soft water can wear through hard rock. Lightning Release's piercing power stems from this principle.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pulls his finger out, revealing a deep hole in the Doryūheki.
The key to Lightning Release nature transformation is high pressure and extreme speed. First, store energy to create high pressure, then instantly release ultrafast chakra particles for a sustained, single-point attack. Objects may seem tightly connected, but even the strongest Earth Release has invisible microscopic gaps. Lightning Release chakra moves so fast, and its energy particles are smaller than physical matter, allowing it to pierce solid objects in moments.
Understanding dawns on Hikari. Isn't this like her high-pressure water jet technique? Her water jet, limited by slow charging and short range, was never practical. Lightning Release follows a similar principle but with faster chakra particles and more precise attack points. She didn't need to develop that Water Release technique—Lightning Release would've sufficed.
As if reading her mind, Sarutobi Hiruzen continues, "Due to Earth Release's strong suppression of Water Release, the Second Hokage once used Lightning Release principles to develop a powerful offensive ninjutsu, compensating for Water Release's lack of damage."
He glances regretfully toward where Kakashi and Guy left. "To become a top ninja, you must have a strength that crushes others and the ability to cover your weaknesses. Kakashi has no glaring weaknesses but also no overwhelming strengths. Guy's strengths can crush enemies, but his weaknesses are more obvious than anyone's. Only when they overcome these will they stand on their own."
Hikari mentally jots down notes. Sarutobi Hiruzen's lesson is packed with insights, even revealing the key to reaching Kage-level strength. To hit that level, her taijutsu must dominate most ninjas—her strength must be exceptional. Then, she needs to address taijutsu's singular nature and the lack of agility due to her heavy body.
With Kaguya's bone pulse, Byakugan, and a Lightning Release armor, her taijutsu will eventually overpower 99% of ninjas. The Lightning Release armor compensates for her agility issues, and multiple nature transformations solve the singular approach. She's already laid the foundation for Kage-level strength.
"Let's not get sidetracked," Sarutobi Hiruzen says, focusing back on Hikari. "Lightning Release training isn't hard. Just follow its principle and fire chakra quickly. The only issue is that it's tricky to control, but for a 'little artist' like you, that shouldn't be a problem."
Hikari purses her lips at his teasing but doesn't respond.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiles. He's not senile—he can see Hikari's extraordinary chakra control. Unfazed by her silence, he continues, "Knowing Lightning Release's principle makes Wind suppressing Lightning simple. Lightning's strength lies in the chakra's piercing tip, but its weakness is the chakra flow's path. The key to Wind suppressing Lightning is not to clash head-on but to use Wind's agility to cut the current."
Zzt zzt!
Sarutobi Hiruzen holds up two fingers, arcs of electricity sparking between them.
Without needing a demonstration, Hikari pouts and blows out a wisp of Wind Release chakra.
Whoosh…
The loose, agile Wind Release easily bypasses the surging electric tip, precisely slicing the current's middle.
Crackle!
The seemingly powerful current is severed by a single wind thread, and the piercing Lightning Release collapses.
"Lightning Release is like a needle and thread; Wind Release is like scissors. That's how Wind suppresses Lightning!"
Zzt zzt zzt! A sharp, explosive sound rings out.
Hikari grabs her right wrist with her left hand, purple chakra rapidly shifting into dazzling blue-white energy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen flashes a toothy grin, dispersing his Wind Release chakra as a scorching orange-red flame begins to glow.
"With a bit of time left, let's talk Fire Release. There's not much to say—high-frequency vibrating chakra particles create heat and explosiveness. Chakra itself is an energy source that ignites at the right temperature, making Fire Release the simplest nature transformation. Fire suppresses Wind because Fire is chakra's intense burning reaction. The more Wind cuts, the fiercer the burn. Agile Wind is like a wildcat facing a hedgehog—no place to strike. Plus, Fire's high heat ignites Wind Release chakra, like pouring oil on a flame. Water suppresses Fire because water absorbs Fire's heat, rapidly lowering its temperature. Fire needs constant vibration to generate heat and reach chakra's ignition point, but this process burns energy fast. In a burst, Water can't match Fire, but sustained Water can gradually extinguish it."
"So Water suppressing Fire is essentially overwhelming it with quantity?" Hikari asks.
"Exactly," Sarutobi Hiruzen replies.
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