Electric currents surged as thunder and lightning roared across the clearing.
In the next instant, lightning erupted from Shigure's palm. A stream of electricity surged out of thin air, racing down his arm.
Energy wrapped around him, coalescing into a spiraling current that surged forward in a torrent.
Thunder howled as the lightning exploded along the flowing current.
"Compound Ninjutsu!"
"Thunder Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A terrifying roar split the air as a lightning dragon with five claws and razor-sharp fangs burst upward toward the heavens.
Its entire body crackled with thunder, electricity coursing over its scales.
Boom!
The Thunder Dragon Bullet struck a distant section of the forest. The resulting explosion obliterated seven or eight trees, blasting open a clearing over ten meters wide.
Meanwhile, the electrical current raced onward, splitting off and spreading across the surrounding terrain in branching arcs.
Seeing the destructive force of his attack, Shigure nodded in satisfaction.
But—
"Great Sage, why isn't there a notification? Doesn't this count as a new technique?"
[Great Sage: Analysis complete. All component skills used in this technique were previously recorded. Combining known skills at different times does not constitute a new skill.]
"…Right."
Well, that made sense—but it was still disappointing.
"So what now?"
[Great Sage: I do not know.]
The reason Shigure had attempted compound ninjutsu in the first place was because he thought it might qualify as a new technique. If it did, he could've used that recognition to further awaken Gluttony and unlock cost-free usage of the five chakra nature transformations.
But clearly, that plan wasn't going to work. At least, not yet.
Still, he wasn't discouraged. Just because it didn't succeed now didn't mean it never would.
Someday, he would create a technique capable of simultaneously wielding all five chakra natures—making the use of all five elemental ninjutsu effortless.
In fact, being able to use all five elements without any chakra cost… wasn't that exactly what the Truth-Seeking Orbs did?
If he could master that technique, he'd not only wield the five basic chakra natures but also Yin and Yang Release—true all-attribute ninjutsu without consumption.
Having tested his theory about compound ninjutsu, the logical next step would be to revive Active Skill 1: Gluttony.
To do that, he'd need to develop a new kekkei genkai—bloodline limit—so the Great Sage could continue repairing the skill more quickly.
But—
Shigure suddenly recalled a long-standing question that had lingered in the back of his mind.
"I wonder… what would happen if I fused one bloodline limit with another bloodline limit?"
The thought sparked a wave of curiosity.
Normally, bloodline limits are born from the fusion of two chakra natures, resulting in a new elemental transformation—like Ice Release or Lava Release. But in essence, even kekkei genkai are just altered chakra natures.
Strictly speaking, it's all just chakra. Bloodline limits are merely specialized transformations, not something completely beyond the five base elements.
So… if two chakra natures can combine to form a bloodline limit, then what about fusing two bloodline limits together?
"Great Sage, do you think that's possible?"
[Great Sage: Analyzing…]
[...]
[Great Sage: What the host proposes is theoretically possible—but extremely difficult to achieve.]
"Difficult?"
Shigure had expected that much. Even developing a single bloodline limit wasn't easy—so fusing two existing ones into a new form would naturally be even harder.
A challenge like that was only to be expected.
"If I did manage to fuse one bloodline limit with another… would that accelerate your recovery?"
[Great Sage: Estimated result—fusion of two bloodline limits may be equivalent to the development of three separate bloodline limits.]
Three bloodline limits' worth of progress?
That would be an incredible leap forward.
"Then let's give it a try."
The Great Sage didn't respond—clearly leaving the decision to him.
Fine. He'd try it.
In theory, the fusion of five different chakra natures could produce new properties, and if those fused natures could themselves be fused again… the possibilities were nearly endless.
Perhaps, in the end, there was nothing that chakra couldn't be transformed into.
The power resulting from the fusion of two kekkei genkai—two bloodline limits—was bound to be astonishing.
And right now, Shigure happened to possess two that were particularly well-suited for fusion:
Ice Release and Boiling Release.
One cold.
One hot.
Ice and steam—two opposing extremes.
Shigure was genuinely curious what would happen if those two forces were merged.
"All right then. Let's try fusing Ice Release and Boiling Release!"
"Great Sage, what preparations do I need to make this fusion successful?"
[Great Sage: Analyzing…]
[Based on the host's current intent, it is inferred that you wish to fuse two bloodline limits.]
[1. You must further refine your chakra control—specifically, to the level where you can freely shape chakra into threads and manipulate it precisely.]
[2. Both Ice Release and Boiling Release must be individually strengthened to their peak states.]
[3. The host's body must be physically enhanced. Your current constitution cannot withstand the violent fluctuations in temperature during the fusion process.]
In short: chakra control, jutsu mastery, and physical conditioning.
Shigure nodded to himself.
So that means… I'll need to rearrange the skills in my passive skill bar.
[Great Sage: Tip—placing a skill in the active skill bar drastically increases its growth speed. Active use improves proficiency more than tenfold compared to passive operation.]
"…Wait. That's a thing?"
[Great Sage: Of course.]
"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?"
[Great Sage: I assumed the host had already discovered it.]
Tch. Sometimes this so-called 'Great Sage' didn't seem very great at all.
But now that he thought about it, it was true—whenever he used a skill that had been placed in the passive bar, the effect was stronger than expected.
Which meant…
I can't rely on passive skills alone.
If active use really improves growth tenfold, then combining active and passive training would make my progression ridiculously fast.
[Great Sage: Accelerated thought also boosts the effect of active training.]
"…Thinking acceleration works for that too?"
[Great Sage: Naturally.]
Shigure sighed. That was probably a stupid question.
And if he asked why the Great Sage hadn't mentioned it earlier, it would likely just say, 'You didn't ask.'
He took a deep breath and focused.
Shigure opened his skill interface and reviewed the passive skill bar.
Since chakra control was the key starting point, the three foundational skills—Chakra Mastery, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu—couldn't be removed. They were essential.
Next were two Ice Release techniques. He preferred to keep them as they directly impacted the fusion process.
That left the two Breath techniques.
Right now, his swordsmanship had already progressed to the point where even Kakashi had praised him. His passive progress in that field would continue steadily—though slowly.
So for now, it made sense to swap them out.
He replaced the Breath techniques with Chakra Control skills.
Let the fusion training begin.
...
TN:
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