"Handing it over is out of the question."
Umino Yoru shook his head firmly—he'd rather die than surrender his technique.
If turning it in meant he could at least collect royalties, he might have considered it. But exchanging it for another jutsu of the same rank? That was a losing deal.
"What rank is this Breathing Technique, anyway? A-rank? Or an S-rank secret art?"
A sudden realization struck him—this Breathing Technique didn't just help people develop Wind-natured chakra; it also broke through physical limitations and increased chakra reserves.
Given its effects, it was undeniably an S-rank secret technique—one capable of shattering bloodline restrictions and altering a shinobi's innate destiny.
"Tch…"
A chill ran down his spine as he grasped the terrifying risk involved.
If this got out, the major clans would stop at nothing to suppress this technique—and erase its creator (him) from existence.
As for the technique itself? The clans might secretly use it… or declare it forbidden, locking it away forever, lost to history.
This wasn't paranoia.
In his past life, history had shown countless examples of knowledge and technology being suppressed.
During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, **"State affairs revolved around rituals and war"**—with rituals even taking precedence. The nobility and royalty monopolized religious interpretation, using divine authority to rule over the masses.
After the Qin dynasty, they controlled literacy and books, enforcing ignorance as policy, manipulating rituals, culture, and religion to dominate the people. The phrase "governing a region was akin to herding livestock" wasn't just a metaphor—it was literal.
Rulers had always restricted knowledge.
And over time, some things were forgotten—even by the rulers themselves.
The shinobi world was no exception.
With over a thousand years of development, he refused to believe no one had ever discovered this Breathing Technique before. The toads of Mount Myōboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions, had even mastered senjutsu.
"The more you think about it, the scarier it gets."
This wasn't just about **"innocence inviting disaster"**—there might be even darker forces at play, deliberately stifling the shinobi world's progress. The Three Great Sage Regions could very well be involved.
"Ah well, if the sky falls, the tall will hold it up."
Shaking his head, Umino Yoru decided not to dwell on it. For now, this suppression had allowed him to exploit chakra's unique properties and develop several exclusive techniques—he was benefiting from the restrictions.
Especially this Breathing Technique—not only did it boost his chakra reserves, but it was also gradually strengthening his physique.
"Shunshin!"
He immediately performed a basic Body Flicker Technique.
"My speed has improved this much?!"
Though he'd expected it, he was still shocked. His basic Shunshin was now almost as fast as his original Mist Shunshin.
If he used the Mist Shunshin now, he might not match Momochi Zabuza, but he'd be on par with an average jōnin.
Since the Breathing Technique was so effective, he wanted to keep training—but his cells had already reached saturation.
So, Umino Yoru alternated between basic Shunshin, taijutsu, and his Fish-Cutting Sword Style until he worked up an appetite, then resumed the Breathing Technique.
By the next noon, his strength had skyrocketed—especially in basic Shunshin.
Lunch with the Gang
Time passed, and Akimichi Torifu and the others arrived as promised.
Umino Yoru had been training nonstop, but he'd long since sent a shadow clone to prepare an extravagant lunch.
This time, he'd even had the clone search along the riverbank, managing to catch a young chakra-infused yellow-margined turtle.
So, in addition to the Golden Carp Feast, they now had Baby Turtle Stew.
"Senior, we're here again!"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke outran Torifu and the others, arriving first—still as easygoing as ever.
After some small talk, Shinnosuke suddenly remarked, "Senior, you seem… different today."
"How so? Still one nose, two eyes."
"Dunno. Just feel different."
"Hm." Umino Yoru neither confirmed nor denied it, quietly impressed by the kid's sharp senses—he'd even picked up on that slight change in aura.
Soon, Torifu and the others caught up.
Seeing Torifu carrying two massive wooden barrels, Umino Yoru grinned. "Lord Torifu, what's this—?"
"Rice! Had old man Gen steam it specially."
Torifu slapped the barrel lids before lifting them, releasing a fragrant cloud of steam.
"Top-grade Akita Komachi rice from the Land of Rice. Took some effort to get my hands on this."
He puffed out his chest proudly—premium rice like this wasn't just about money; it was limited stock, and acquiring it at the front lines required serious connections.
"Rich people, huh?"
Umino Yoru eyed the barrels—over a hundred pounds of rice, no small expense.
"Such a feast deserves better than plain rice! I'll handle this pot myself—everyone, dig in!"
Torifu grabbed the rice pot like a personal bowl and started devouring it.
"Heh." Umino Yoru chuckled. This Akimichi gourmet's bowl and chopsticks were already twice the normal size, yet he'd still deemed them too small, opting for the entire pot instead.
"Why're you all standing around? Serve yourselves! Mmm, so good."
Torifu wolfed down his food while urging the others to join.
After the Feast
The meal was a resounding success.
Even Aburame Shibi, usually the quietest, let loose this time.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke was overjoyed, declaring it better than any daimyo's banquet and begging Umino Yoru to promise him a similar feast when he made chūnin.
As for Maruboshi Gen, though happy, he ate sparingly—like a young man with the habits of an elder.
Once the feast ended, Umino Yoru had Torifu and the others help train Tekuda and his team, while he resumed water-style training under Gen's guidance.
"Gen-sensei, please instruct me."
Umino Yoru leaped onto the river's surface, shifting from theory to practice.
His hands blurred—five hand seals per second—as he flawlessly executed the Boar → Ram → Tiger → Snake → Horse → Bird sequence.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A massive water dragon surged from the river.
"A genius… An absolute jutsu genius!"
Maruboshi Gen was stunned.
After seeing it just once yesterday, Umino Yoru had already mastered the simplified Water Dragon Jutsu—and with five hand seals per second, a speed matched by few in the entire shinobi world.