For a long moment, both men just stared in shock before regaining their senses. Their eyes were still fixed on Shigeo with awe.
Trying to save face, Daisuke forced a smile and said, "Not bad… not bad at all. That's some strength you've got."
He swallowed hard, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and quickly added:
"W–Well then… tonight, we'll start learning hand seals. You see, before a shinobi can unleash ninjutsu, the first step is mastering hand seals!"
With that, both men's confidence returned. Once again, they tried to posture as teachers—wanting Shigeo to recognize that his two "mentors" weren't just random wanderers, but rather skilled rogue shinobi who could train him properly.
Shigeo frowned slightly at the mention of hand seals. These two really were persistent… no matter how many times he tried to brush them off, their hot-blooded determination just wouldn't die down.
Earlier, they had heard he could already learn through perception, so by noon they had dragged him out to the mountains to smash rocks as training. Shigeo had assumed that after that, they'd finally let him rest. But no—they were now insisting he practice hand seals too?
"Teachers, I don't need to learn this," Shigeo said flatly, trying to stop them.
"Come, let me teach you the basics of ninjutsu…" Naoki didn't even give him the chance to explain. He grabbed Shigeo's hands and started his lecture:
"A shinobi must be fast. In battle, the one who completes their seals quicker gains the upper hand. That's why hand seals are crucial. Watch carefully—watch your teacher's fingers…"
Shigeo's expression grew more and more helpless as his patience wore thin. Finally, just when he was about to lose it completely, the two men finally turned back toward the village.
"You don't need to attend your family's lessons this afternoon. Stay here and practice Fūton (Wind Release) seals instead. We'll test you tonight!"
Luckily, they left quickly. Otherwise, Shigeo might have blasted them home with a Fūton jutsu out of sheer annoyance.
For most shinobi, the first step in learning ninjutsu was indeed endlessly repeating hand seals. Naturally, the two assumed a five-year-old like Shigeo was no exception.
Watching them go, Shigeo just shook his head, then turned inward, focusing on his system. After carefully reviewing it, he began practicing his ninjutsu—refining each one until he could wield them effortlessly.
Though Naoki and Daisuke's lessons were basic, some of what they said wasn't wrong. Constant practice truly did sharpen mastery. Only through repetition could a shinobi use any jutsu instantly, without hesitation.
Arrogance alone led only to stagnation. Regular review strengthened the mind and broadened ability.
Standing in the valley, Shigeo lifted his hands, fingers moving with ease. The air stirred around him as a stream of Fūton chakra condensed, swirling into sharp currents.
When a shinobi with large chakra reserves shaped Fūton, the chakra could be condensed into blades—Fūton: Chakra no Yaiba (Wind Release: Chakra Blades)—sharp enough to slice waterfalls or shatter ice.
Of course, Shigeo had already mastered the Kaze no Yaiba (Blade of Wind) long ago.
He turned, releasing several wind blades. In the distance, massive boulders split apart with resounding cracks. For him, such feats were nothing.
He continued training, pushing more chakra into each technique, strengthening the cutting power of the Kaze no Yaiba.
Suddenly, a new thought flashed in his mind. As his chakra surged, the single blade split into thousands, scattering like a storm. In an instant, the hillside was peppered with cuts, as though a thousand swords had rained down.
Eyes widening with delight, Shigeo exclaimed:
"Unbelievable! By releasing chakra in a burst, the Kaze no Yaiba multiplied… this is like a storm of blades—a true Senpū Ran Jin (Thousand-Wind Chaotic Blades)!"
The moment he spoke, his system chimed:
Beep!
"Congratulations, host. Mirror Development unlocked: Senpū Ran Jin – mastered."
Shigeo quickly checked his system again. In just half a month, it had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.
System Status
Host: Hyūga Clan mutated bloodline, hidden Rinnegan bearer – Shigeo
Age: 5 years
Stamina: MAX
Chakra Capacity: 500%
Chakra Attributes: Wind, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water, Yin, Yang, and Nature (8 total)
System Level: 2
Mirror Copy: Lv. 3 (5 entries, all copied successfully)
Mirror Training: Lv. 10 (Hiruzen Sarutobi, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Obito – all mastered)
Mirror Clone: Kyūbi – 10%
Mirror Development: Senpū Ran Jin – MAX
His chakra capacity had skyrocketed. More importantly, the system now revealed his chakra attributes: eight in total—one more than any shinobi had ever been recorded to possess.
That meant every ninjutsu in the world—Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, even forbidden bloodline arts—was within his reach. No more limits.
He had once wondered if copied ninjutsu would truly be usable. Now, the answer was clear—he could master them all.
No wonder the Crystal Release (Shōton) had felt so natural when he trained it.
And then there was the Kyūbi. In just half a month, the system had cloned ten percent of the Nine-Tails already. At this rate, he might fully clone it before year's end. But what would that clone look like when complete?
The system displayed "cell cultivation" next to the clone progress. Did that mean he would have to raise it himself?
If so, that was actually a good thing. A beast raised by him would naturally obey him—far safer than the dangerous instability of a jinchūriki. No risk of a beast breaking free and consuming its host.
On top of that, the system had recorded his self-created technique, Senpū Ran Jin.
His heart raced with excitement. After all, Tobirama Senju had created Edo Tensei, Minato had invented the Rasengan, and Kakashi had developed the Raikiri. Each stood among the greatest shinobi of their time. Now, his own creation would one day take its place among them.
The thrill of innovation left Shigeo smiling as he practiced a few more times, then turned back toward the village.
When he arrived home, Naoki and Daisuke were already drinking, waiting for him.
"So," Naoki asked lazily, yawning, "did you practice your Fūton seals properly? Show me."
Shigeo moved his hands through the motions with disinterest. Naoki frowned and scolded:
"Don't underestimate hand seals! Sometimes, sealing even a second faster can mean victory. Chakra determines the strength of your jutsu, but speed determines who survives."
Daisuke chuckled, waving him off. "That's enough preaching. It's late, and the child must be starving. Come on, I made noodles. But listen, Shigeo—sometimes even Medical Ninjutsu requires precise seals and chakra control. Without seals, how can you regulate chakra properly? Tomorrow, I'll teach you chakra extraction along with Fūton use."
He smiled warmly, disappearing into the kitchen before returning with a steaming bowl of noodles for Shigeo.
That night, as darkness covered the village, the three of them soon drifted into sleep. Naoki, drunk, didn't even stir when the sounds of fighting echoed faintly outside…
(End of Chapter)
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