Chapter 60: Simplified Seal
It was a new day.
Sasuke had a large meal as usual, then released nine shadow clones and began an intense practice session. The C-rank Water Clone Technique he learned instantly; it was nothing difficult. The C-rank Water Whip took him a little longer to master with ease. But the B-rank Water Dragon Bullet Technique, while progressing, was more complex, as it involved chakra nature transformation, not just form.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique."
Sasuke, standing on the river, quickly formed the hand seals with both hands. At a speed of five seals per second, it took him almost nine seconds to complete the cumbersome forty-four seal sequence and release the full technique.
"Such a long seal sequence is suicide in a real fight," Sasuke shook his head, highly dissatisfied. This general version of the jutsu was clearly designed for large-scale combat, not for improving an individual's strength. The way Konoha handled these exchanges was too unpleasant. It was one thing to monopolize ninjutsu, but another to give an inferior version after having paid for it. He wasn't asking for the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama's, three-seal version, but at least they should give him a six-seal one.
After practicing ninjutsu for almost the entire day, Torifune arrived as expected, but this time he brought his entire team to eat.
"Senpai, long time no see!" Shinnosuke shouted, rushing past Torifune to greet Sasuke. After a brief greeting, he quickly joined the feast.
"Mmm, smells so good," Shinnosuke vaguely praised, his mouth full. "Delicious, it's even better than Senpai Maru's cooking."
"Yes, it's much better than mine," Maru admitted sincerely, very impressed by Sasuke's culinary skill.
"Oh, does Senpai Maru also know how to cook?" Sasuke asked, seizing the opportunity to serve him a pile of dishes and begin talking about cooking. The conversation flowed effortlessly from cooking to ninjutsu. Sasuke, who moments before was the master, became the humble novice, absorbing every word from the true Water Style expert. With just a little guidance, many problems that had baffled him for a long time were easily resolved. His understanding of Water jutsu improved at an almost visible speed.
As expected of the Second Hokage's disciple, his knowledge of Water Style was probably unmatched.
After eating, as Torifune and his team were about to leave, Sasuke finally couldn't help but ask a key question: "Senpai Maru, can the seal sequence of this Water Dragon Bullet Technique be simplified?"
"Hmm?" Maru pondered for a moment and nodded. "I'll show you once. What you can learn will depend on your own luck."
With a solemn air, Maru glided across the river's surface. His hands moved with deliberate slowness, forming six seals at a speed of almost one seal per second. Sasuke watched his hands, but at the same time, activated his infrasonic radar to perceive the details of the chakra flow within Maru's body.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique."
Maru had just formed the seal when, suddenly, a huge water dragon surged from the river. Its astonishing power was infinitely close to that of an A-rank ninjutsu.
"Indeed!" Sasuke was stunned. With the same amount of chakra, the power was more than ten times different. The key lay in this simplified version only using six seals, far superior to the previous forty-four.
"Sasuke, don't be lazy. We'll be back tomorrow and I'll check your progress," Torifune reminded him as he walked away, though the small gesture of licking his lips betrayed his true intention was to come back for more food.
"Huh?" Sasuke reacted, brimming with joy. Just when he thought he wouldn't have another chance to learn from Maru, another one presented itself. "Lord Torifune, we weren't well-prepared today, but tomorrow we'll definitely give you a good one!" he shouted.
A hearty laugh echoed from the forest. After they left, and once Shibi's insects disappeared, Sasuke activated his digestion technique, released nine clones, and continued practicing.
The main body surfaced on the river and tried to imitate the ninjutsu Maru had just executed.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique."
After only six seals, a water dragon, slightly smaller than Maru's, emerged from the river. Obviously, he had already copied the ninjutsu using his infrasonic radar. The only difference lay in the mastery of chakra nature transformation; in that, Maru was still the master.
As the Water Dragon Bullet fell back into the river, a sharp bird call was heard.
Chirp, chirp, chirp...
The white hawk, Shirotaka, glided over the river at high speed, caught a fish stunned by the jutsu's impact, and took it to the shore to enjoy.
- - - -
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