"I have six Infinity Stones, and the Mind Stone contains immense energy. This energy can grant others unique abilities, though exactly what kind I cannot control!"
Sakura herself didn't know exactly what abilities the energy would grant to Naruto and the others, but judging by what had just happened, Hinata's [Petrification Ability] seemed quite fitting.
"Hinata, there's no need to feel troubled. This ability is actually very powerful—and perfectly suits your nature."
After briefly explaining the [Petrification Ability], Sakura caused the others to gasp in astonishment. Fortunately, she had already released a thin layer of energy around them, muffling their voices within a small area so the trailing Anbu couldn't hear anything.
"You see, Hinata, your personality is too gentle. Kind people often end up getting hurt. This petrification power will protect you. It really suits you well."
"Can it truly protect me?" Hinata's eyes lit up slightly. She never liked actively attacking anyone, preferring quiet protection instead. This power, turning her body into diamond-like solidity, felt tailor-made just for her.
"Yes. Still, Hinata, don't let your guard down even with this petrification power. While it shields you, it won't protect others."
Seeing the flicker in Hinata's expression upon hearing the word 'protect,' Sakura suddenly realized how to gently guide Hinata out of her aversion toward offensive action.
"By the way, Hanabi looks really adorable, doesn't she?"
"She absolutely is!" Although Sakura's sudden shift caught Hinata off guard, speaking of Hanabi—who had only recently been born—immediately melted Hinata's heart. That soft little baby, always smiling like a sweet dumpling, was her beloved sister.
"If someone tried to hurt Hanabi, what would you do?" Sakura carefully nudged Hinata's thoughts forward.
"No one will ever harm Hanabi!" Hinata clenched her fists instinctively. The thought of that soft little dumpling smiling up at her filled her with deep affection—if anyone ever injured her sister, it would break her heart.
"So you want to protect Hanabi, right?" Seeing Hinata's reaction, Sakura inwardly relaxed—she knew she'd made progress. "However, many people desire the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan. There's a chance Hanabi could be kidnapped by villains who might brutally remove her eyes. Hinata, is that something you'd want to see happen?"
"No! I'll protect Hanabi! No one can hurt her!" Hinata's heart tightened as painful memories resurfaced—a year ago when she had been abducted by the Cloud Village. Though she had been fortunate enough to be rescued then, if Hanabi were captured now and help didn't arrive quickly, would she suffer the same terrible fate Sakura described?
The thought of Hanabi being kidnapped and having her eyes ripped out sent panic surging through Hinata. She simply could not allow anyone to harm her precious little sister.
"That's why, Hinata, you must grow stronger to properly protect Hanabi!" Sakura exhaled in relief. At last, she had found a way to persuade Hinata—never imagining that Hinata was secretly such a devoted younger sister at heart.
"As long as your power is strong enough, you'll be able to shelter Hanabi from storms and protect her from harm!"
Sakura silently shut down the power of the Mind Stone. If she hadn't used the Mind Stone to slightly influence Hinata's emotions, making Hinata truly witness a vision of Hanabi getting hurt, she wouldn't have convinced her so easily.
"So, as long as I become strong enough, I can protect Hanabi?!" Hinata clenched her fists. She had to protect her little sister—absolutely prevent anyone from harming Hanabi.
Chapter 58: Sudden Surge of Powers [Part 1] [Second Update]
The next day, the usual truant group of nine gained three more members—their seniors Neji and his teammates also skipped class. Upon hearing this news, Iruka nearly clutched his chest and collapsed on the ground. These nine troublemakers skipping class was bad enough, but now they even dragged Neji's trio into it! The glare from Neji's class instructor looked like he wanted to kill Iruka with his eyes alone.
"Hey, you guys specifically skipped class to call us over. What exactly's going on?" Kakashi, dressed in his Konoha Jonin vest, one hand in his pocket and the other gripping Make Out Paradise, asked casually.
"I want to ask if any of you has awakened special abilities yet?" Sakura questioned. Since Hinata's powers had started to surface, others should be close to awakening theirs too.
"Special abilities?"
Kakashi thought for a moment, then suddenly stretched out his right hand from his pants' pocket. "You mean something like this?!"
As Kakashi spoke, everyone saw blue electricity instantly surge from his palm outward, transforming his entire right hand into pure lightning energy, forming what seemed like an arm made entirely of lightning.
"Ever since I discovered this ability not long ago, my chakra consumption while using Lightning Release has dropped significantly, and the attacks are much stronger than before!"
Kakashi had never mentioned this to anyone else. Although he didn't understand why this happened, his instinct told him everything might have been caused by Sakura.
"So, it's the ability of Lightning Release?" Sakura carefully examined it, realizing that Kakashi's right hand had transformed completely into an energy form. It was a purer kind of Lightning Release-type energy compared to normal Chakra, resembling natural lightning itself.
"Kakashi could try developing this power further. If cultivated properly, eventually your whole body could transform into pure lightning energy, granting immunity against physical attacks. The reason why your Lightning Release became stronger is also related to this energy—it isn't Chakra, but something closer to natural lightning. To put it in terms Kakashi might understand, we can call it Sage Chakra. Of course, this power goes beyond just that. In the future, Kakashi might even directly manipulate thunder itself!"
Kakashi's current abilities reminded Sakura of the [Thunderbolt Fruit] from the anime One Piece. Consuming it granted someone incredible powers, like turning their body into lightning or manipulating thunderstorms. What's more, its power didn't come from chakra, but from actual lightning in nature, so it didn't drain Kakashi's chakra much.
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