Iwagakure Village, Onoki Residence
Chichen finished a morning of basic Dust Release training and chakra control exercises and emerged from the underground training ground, looking slightly exhausted. In the courtyard, Ōnoki was instructing his son, Huangtu, in the Rock Fist technique.
The huge rock fist slammed into the specially made target, making a dull thud and sending gravel flying.
"You're back?" Ohnoki glanced at Chichen, his floating body slightly turning towards him. "How do you feel? Is your perception clearer today?"
"Yes, teacher." Chi Chen replied respectfully, "I have some ideas on how to separate the Dust Release, but there are still many difficulties."
During this period, after reading a lot of knowledge, Chi Chen has begun to prepare to create his own Dust Escape system.
After all, Ohnoki's signature Dust Release is comparable to Susanoo, which was known as an absolute defense during the Warring States Period! Therefore, Ohnoki's moves are wide-open and close, with a very long pre-swing.
For ordinary ninjas, they need the more convenient and faster Dust Release Ninjutsu. As for this, Ohnoki can only say that he can just use Earth Release and there is no need to be so troublesome. After all, Dust Release consumes a lot of chakra.
But I still respect my disciple's opinion. After all, Chichen's chakra is much deeper, and the lethality of Dust Release is indeed much higher than ordinary ninjutsu.
"Normal." Ohnoki nodded, satisfaction in his eyes. "The fusion of Dust Release is extremely difficult. It's already very impressive that you were able to complete it in a few months of practice. Now, it is indeed difficult to refine it."
"Yes, teacher." Chi Chen retracted the halo on his fingertips.
"Father! Look at this punch of mine!"
At this time, Huangtu ran over excitedly, his tall body carrying a strong wind. He was almost five years older than Chichen, with a simple and honest character. He thought he should take on the responsibility of a senior brother to Chichen, his "junior brother", and always took good care of Chichen.
"Hmph, the power is okay, but the chakra is too scattered, what a waste!" Ohnoki commented bluntly.
Ohnoki was very worried about his son, as he did not inherit any of his talents. If it were not for the appearance of Chichen, what would happen to this vast Land of Earth?
Huangtu smiled innocently, which made Onoki almost jump up and down again.
Fortunately, Chi Chen quickly stood in front of Huang Tu, blocking part of Ohnoki's sight, which made Ohnoki feel better.
Received the touching look of Huang Tu behind him.
"Rebellious son, you miss me so much!"
After a pause, Ohnoki looked at Chichen again and said, "School will start in a few days. Don't forget to prepare. You can take advantage of this time to rest with your friends. Remember to balance work and rest."
He paused, then said meaningfully, "In this life, each period of time will be missed by the next period of time. You should pay more attention to the people around you."
Chichen understood what Ohnoki meant. He nodded: "I understand."
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Iwagakure Village, Streets, and Ninja School Grounds
In the afternoon, Chi Chen walked alone on the road leading to the Ninja School. The street was still bustling, but there were more children of his age with longing eyes.
These are children who are preparing to get familiar with the Ninja School in advance with the company of their parents. During this period, the Ninja School is open and children of appropriate age are allowed to enter.
"Brother Chichen!" It was that clear voice again. Yaya, like a happy little bird, broke free from her mother's hand and ran over. This time, she was holding a few wild fruits that had been washed and glistened with water droplets. "Here, for you! I picked them from the back mountain! They're so sweet!"
Chi Chen squatted down and took the small, bright red fruits. They were cold to the touch. "Thank you, Yaya." He touched the little girl's head.
"Brother Chichen, are you going to Ninja School too?" Yaya looked up, her big eyes full of anticipation. "That's amazing! When I grow up, I want to be a ninja too. I want to be really awesome and protect Mom and the village."
"Well, come on." Chi Chen rarely showed a gentle smile.
"Chi Chen! Over here!" Fei Liu's voice came from not far away.
He had finished a morning of intense training and, though exhausted, was full of energy. He was gathering with a few friends he had met on the street in the empty playground of the Ninja School. Seeing Chi Chen, he immediately waved.
Chi Chen walked over. Some of the kids had invited him to play on the street before, while others were new faces. They all seemed a little reserved when they saw him.
After all, Chi Chen's calm temperament that was beyond his age, and the vague rumor that he was "taught personally by Lord Tsuchikage", made them instinctively feel a sense of awe.
"Hey, Chichen, I heard that you have been practicing with Lord Tsuchikage? Is Lord Tsuchikage super powerful?" A boy with dark skin and a strong build, named Heiyan, who was a little braver, couldn't help asking, his eyes full of curiosity.
"Yes, yes, is Lord Tsuchikage very fierce? Did he teach you any powerful ninjutsu?" Another tall and thin boy, named Shi Lei, also came over.
Fei Liu immediately puffed out his chest and rushed to answer: "Of course! Chen is a genius! The ninjutsu taught him by Lord Tsuchikage is very powerful! But..." He rolled his eyes and deliberately kept the suspense, "What it is specifically, that's a secret! Right, Chen?" He nudged Chi Chen with his elbow.
Chi Chen looked at Fei Liu's proud and protective expression, then looked at the pure curiosity and a hint of admiration from the children around him, and his heart warmed slightly.
He nodded, without further explanation, and simply said: "The teacher taught me a lot about ninjas, including a lot of theoretical knowledge."
"Theory?" Heiyan scratched his head, a little confused. He didn't quite understand. After all, most ninjas only needed to use strength.
"Well," Chi Chen's eyes swept over the huge rock walls surrounding the playground, which were the symbol of the Hidden Rock Village. "For example, strength is like these rocks. They can be weapons that smash enemies, walls that protect our homes, and even the earth that supports us all to stand and grow."
The children seemed to understand, but the calmness and some inexplicable "truth" in Chi Chen's words made them quiet down and think deeply.
Even the noisy Fei Liu looked at Chi Chen quietly, her companion's figure reflected in her amber eyes, as if she truly understood the weight of his words for the first time.
"So handsome." Fei Liu murmured.
"Wow! Chi Chen, you are so awesome! You speak like an adult!" Shi Lei exclaimed in amazement.
"Humph, of course, he's my brother!" Fei Liu became proud again and put his arm around Chi Chen's shoulders. "When school starts, you'll know how powerful we are! After graduation, we're going to form the strongest ninja team and send our enemies fleeing!"
The children laughed and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.
Chi Chen felt the warmth from Fei Liu's arm, looked at the smiling faces of the children around him, full of hope for the future, listened to the earnest advice of the parents in the distance, and thought of Aunt Chunjing's rice balls, Yaya's wild fruits, Fei Liu's strict but hopeful training on the mountain, and the deep gaze of teacher Ohnoki...
This village built on rock, these rough yet warm people, are the source of his strength and the "rock" he must protect. Ninja school may truly be a good place to rediscover this land and himself.