Chapter 20: A Foundation Forged
The first pale light of dawn had just begun to bleed into the sky when Takumi rose from his bed. His movements were swift and efficient—washing up, then eating a simple breakfast of bread. He longed for the convenience of military ration pills, which would save the time spent on cooking and cleaning. Contrary to popular belief, standard-issue ration pills were quite palatable; it was only the special, medicinal versions like the ones Sakura would later concoct that tasted foul. Unfortunately, even the standard pills were a luxury his current budget couldn't sustain daily.
He arrived at his usual, secluded training spot as the world slowly woke around him. For the next hour, the only sounds were his controlled breaths and the faint rustle of his movements as he practiced water-walking on a placid section of the river. He focused entirely on maintaining the precise, continuous flow of chakra to his feet.
Finally, after days of relentless effort, the familiar, silent chime resonated in his mind.
[Entry: Water Strider (Novice) - ACQUIRED.]
[Effect: In aquatic or unstable terrain, your chakra control is enhanced. Your chakra 'sustainability' is 5% greater than the average individual's.]
[Note: This skill is capable of further evolution.]
[Advancement Route 1: Integrate with [Arboreal Ascension (Novice)] to advance to [Foundational Control (Novice)].]
[Advancement Route 2: Integrate [Arboreal Ascension (Novice)] and [Academy Three Jutsu (Novice)] to advance to [Solid Foundation (Adept)].]
"Two routes?" Takumi mused, studying the panel. He had spent every spare moment at this river, and his progress, accelerated by his innate talent and the [Muscle Memory] entry, had been rapid. Of course, this was on still water. Treading water mid-combat, with waves and enemy attacks, was a different challenge altogether. He'd seen Chunin on training videos hastily form hand seals to stabilize themselves on water after a sudden environmental shift, a testament to the importance of true mastery.
The "Seal" was fundamental. Nearly all ninjutsu relied on them. Their purpose wasn't just to speed up casting; they were a focusing mechanism, helping the shinobi efficiently "refine" spiritual and physical energy into chakra and then "control" it for the technique's release. This was why any ninjutsu that could be performed without hand seals was automatically considered high-level. From the earliest tactical guides to the most recent, the eight core shinobi attributes had remained constant, with "Seal" always among them, underscoring its critical importance.
"I'll hold off for now," Takumi decided. Advancing immediately would only yield another novice-tier entry. But if he waited and acquired the entry for the Academy Three Jutsu, he could synthesize a more powerful adept-tier entry! Mastering the Transformation, Clone, and Substitution Jutsu wouldn't take long, especially with the boosted control he'd gained from tree-walking and water-walking.
Having made his decision, he refocused. With the water-walking entry secured, it was time to formally master the Three Jutsu. Over the past weeks, Nohara Rin had taught him the basics of the Rope Escape and Hiding Like a Mole techniques, both foundational E-rank jutsu. The Rope Escape was, in fact, the very first technique taught at the Academy. She had also explained the core principles of the Clone Technique. Now, it was a matter of pure repetition.
He began the hand seals for the Clone Technique, cycling his chakra and releasing it. After a short period of practice, another notification appeared.
[Entry: Academy Three Jutsu (Novice) - ACQUIRED.]
[Progress: 1%]
[Effect: Your proficiency with the Academy Three Jutsu (Transformation, Clone, Substitution) is 5% greater than the average shinobi's.]
[Note: This skill is capable of further evolution.]
"Good," Takumi whispered, a surge of satisfaction cutting through his focus. A 5% increase in effectiveness was significant. If the Transformation Technique continued to advance, would it eventually become indistinguishable from the real thing to all but the most perceptive sensors? According to the Bingo Books, White Zetsu's transformation was considered the pinnacle of the art, virtually undetectable except by those with unique perception abilities like Naruto's malevolence sensing.
The morning sun climbed higher, its light filtering through the canopy. A bird on a nearby branch cocked its head, curiously watching the figure below.
"Huh? Is someone else here already?"
A young girl's voice, soft and observant, reached his ears. Hyuga Natsu had spotted him.
"Isn't that Uchiha Takumi from our class?" Her short, dark green hair shifted in the breeze as she peered at the Uchiha-clad boy performing hand seals about fifty meters away.
"Don't mind him. Let's find a spot to practice the Byakugan," said the boy beside her, Hyuga Tetsu.
Every member of the Hyuga clan possessed the famed white eyes, but unlocking their full potential—activating the Byakugan's power—required rigorous training.
"Alright," Natsu nodded, averting her gaze. The Byakugan's telescopic vision, capable of seeing for a kilometer in all directions, was not a power to be practiced within the village or clan grounds. It was an intrusive ability, a violation of privacy that would not go unnoticed by other sensory-type shinobi. More importantly, the relationship between the Hyuga and Uchiha was delicate; it was best to maintain distance.
The two Hyuga children moved off into the forest.
Takumi's brow furrowed slightly as he felt their lingering gaze. He glanced back just in time to see them turning away. Hyuga Natsu and Hyuga Tetsu... Both were minor figures in the grand scheme of things. Natsu, a member of the branch family, was fated to become a attendant to Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi.
"No matter," he murmured to himself, shaking his head and returning to his practice.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. Takumi had fully settled into the rhythm of life at the Ninja Academy. The air grew crisper as late autumn deepened, a season of decay and dying leaves.
In his room, a faint, consistent hum of electricity could be heard.
"It's finally complete," Takumi breathed.
A controlled current of lightning chakra flowed just beneath his skin, a persistent, low-level stimulation coursing through his muscle fibers. He stood before a small mirror. The thin, undernourished boy from weeks ago was gone. In his place was a youth whose frame was filling out with defined muscle, his shoulders broadening. The Yotsuki heritage was asserting itself, accelerating his physical development beyond the typical Uchiha pace. He was noticeably taller.
"At this rate, I might end up looking like a shinobi from Kumo," he mused wryly, turning from the mirror. His skin remained fair, closer to the lighter-complexioned minority in Kumogakure, a stark contrast to his jet-black Uchiha hair.
"I've fully mastered the Clone Technique, and the Substitution Technique is about halfway there," he assessed, pulling up the entry for the Academy Three Jutsu. The path to a solid foundation was being laid, one entry at a time.
(End of Chapter)
♧♧♧♧♧
IF YOU LIKE MY WORK, POWER STONE WOULD BE APPRECIATED
♧♧♧♧♧
YOU CAN ALSO JOIN MY PATREON AT
Patreon: Patreon.com/ShadowQuill7
FOR ACCESS TO 20 EARLY CHAPTERS
BE A PART OF THE STORY AND SUPPORT ME