Was Naruto really indifferent to Dust Release?
Of course not.
He truly envied that power of launching energy beams with a casual wave of the hand.
Although he could also use a similar breath attack by swallowing a Conqueror's Bomb, it still didn't quite match the style points of Onoki casually conjuring beams of destruction.
Looking cool was the primary motivation.
Of course, he only said he wouldn't learn it from Onoki, and he didn't say he wouldn't develop it himself.
Before seeing Onoki use Dust Release, he had never thought about fusing different Nature Transformations to create new Kekkei Genkai.
He had seen that boy who looked like a girl use something called [Ice Release] before, but compared to his buddy Kuzan's ability to easily freeze mountains and seas, this Ice Release was far too 'plain'.
It simply couldn't catch his eye.
...
The next day, the group set off again.
According to the information provided by Onoki, Roshi, as the Four-Tails' Jinchuriki, was skilled in the Lava Release Ninjutsu which involved spewing magma.
Therefore, he was most likely to go to high-temperature areas like volcanic craters for training.
Based on the last sighting record obtained by Iwagakure, Roshi was last seen in the border region of the Land of Earth.
Unlike a certain magma ability user Naruto had dealt with, although Roshi also used magma attacks, he possessed a benevolent heart.
He would absolutely not disregard the lives of innocent residents.
Therefore, he would most likely avoid towns and choose sparsely populated places for his training.
Coupled with the need for volcanic high temperatures, the general possible area was determined.
The eastern border of the Land of Earth, near the Land of Waterfalls, happened to have several volcanoes located there.
This was also the destination for Naruto and the others.
Conveniently, they could also stop by to pick up the Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki, who was reportedly in Takigakure, along the way.
Just like when they arrived, the group left the rugged terrain near Iwagakure aboard Karin, who had transformed into a giant bird, and flew towards the Land of Waterfalls.
As dusk approached, they didn't continue their journey and began to set up camp on the spot.
Unlike Karin, who had been flying all day, Sasuke and B, whose stamina was still abundant, had already started sparring while waiting for dinner.
"Wait a minute... So... why do I have to train with you guys too...?"
The speaker was Yugito, the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki who had recently joined the team.
As a qualified Elite Jonin, even without using the Tailed Beast's power, she possessed considerable combat prowess.
But this seemed somewhat inadequate compared to B and Sasuke, who had already mastered Haki.
Thud! Thud!
Perhaps influenced by Naruto, or maybe it was just his original personality-
Sasuke showed no mercy when facing a woman.
Every punch and kick landed solidly on Yugito's defenses.
The shock that penetrated her body and reached her internal organs made Yugito feel stifled.
But before she could even adjust her breathing, B's sharp sword techniques assaulted her.
Compared to the [Seven Sword Style] he used when they first met, which was agile but lacked power, the current B, wielding only two swords but with his attack power elevated by several levels, was clearly a greater threat.
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Kunai barely blocked a few sword strikes before being sent flying.
This also meant Yugito was the first one eliminated from this three-person sparring session.
She sat to the side, watching Sasuke use Armament Haki to harden his palms and fight back and forth with B with a series of clangs, while she asked Naruto, who was researching Kekkei Tota nearby, again.
"So, why do I have to join their training too?"
This actually wasn't the first time.
During those few days in the Land of Earth, the training had already begun.
Not only joining the training, but Naruto had specifically emphasized not using any Tailed Beast's power.
This included the blue flames and claws granted by the Two-Tails, Matatabi, which directly cut Yugito's combat power by more than half.
"It's precisely because you rely too much on the Tailed Beast's power."
In Naruto's palm, Wind, Lightning, and Fire Chakra were merging in different forms.
This was his self-created Kekkei Tota.
-Or rather, the Kekkei Tota he was experimenting with.
Unlike the Earth Attribute Chakra in Onoki's Dust Release, Lightning Attribute Chakra possessed the characteristics of 'swiftness' and 'penetration'.
Combined with wind's inherent 'cutting' attribute and fire's 'burning' attribute, the resulting destructive power was no less than that of Dust Release.
Moreover, the speed of execution was faster than Dust Release.
The only drawback was… Naruto hadn't quite figured it out yet.
Boom!
Before the Chakra in his hand could erupt, Naruto clenched his fist first, stifling the explosion in its cradle.
Even so, the escaping Chakra still pierced through the nearby trees and soil, leaving behind blackened holes.
After doing this, Naruto clapped his hands clean, then turned to look at Yugito.
"Where were we... Oh right, you rely too much on Tailed Beast's abilities."
Seeing that Yugito seemed to want to say something upon hearing this, Naruto guessed her words first and interrupted preemptively.
"I know, you've trained and developed your Tailed Beast's power for a long time. Not using such power is indeed taking a roundabout route."
"But I'm not saying you should completely abandon the Tailed Beast's power."
"Rather, I'm saying that aside from Tailed Beast's Chakra, you also need to have the ability to protect yourselves."
Seeing that Yugito still looked somewhat puzzled, Naruto simply paused his Kekkei Tota Research and, with a thought...
Clatter, clatter...
Instantly, seven or eight chains extended out, binding Yugito in place before she could even react.
Not only that, but the Two-Tails' Chakra was also restrained simultaneously.
Even if Yugito wanted to enter Tailed Beast Mode to break free, she couldn't.
"See? Just like me, I believe the Akatsuki must also have means to restrict Tailed Beast's Chakra."
"I've seen a guy in Akatsuki with a face like a shark… the sword in his hand can devour Chakra."
"If you get entangled by him someday, this training will at least give you the ability to escape in a critical moment."
Hearing this, Yugito first nodded, then turned her head away, her face slightly flushed.
"I understand the reasoning, but could you let me go first before explaining... And, why use this method of restraint?"
Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately realized and saw that the chains were binding Yugito firmly in an... indescribable manner.
Although her figure wasn't as explosive as Tsunade's or Hancock's, it could still be described as curvaceous.
Being bound like this directly exposed features that were originally hidden.
'This was a bit awkward.'
Naruto immediately dispersed the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
"Sorry, sorry, force of habit..."
'When I thought about it, it was all Stussy's fault. If it weren't for her, I would never have learned this kind of fancy technique.'
"..."
"So why are you accustomed to tying people up like this..."
Compared to Yugito, who was too exhausted to complain, B and Jiraiya, who had for some reason stopped their sparring, were standing to the side, dumbfounded as they watched.
Two streams of nosebleed dripped down their faces.
"Good... good, tying people up is good, you've got to learn how to tie people up..."
In an instant, countless inspirations flooded the great literary master's mind.
He hurriedly pulled out paper and pen to add bricks and tiles to his masterpiece.
Completely ignoring the disgusted looks from the two ladies present.