To be frank, Daigan couldn't yet find a method of sustained propulsion for flight. Balancing efficiency with practical utility was difficult, and he still needed time to explore.
Strictly speaking, the puppet Phantom wasn't an airplane or a glider—it was simply a puppet with some flight capability.
The cramped "cockpit" had no proper controls whatsoever. Puppets didn't need such troublesome things.
Only at the front was a one-way transparent viewport made of high-hardness crystal, allowing Daigan to see some of the outside scenery.
By having his Shadow Clone and the puppet Phantom simultaneously use Wind Release: Gale Palm in opposing directions, the resulting air shockwave launched the puppet carrying Daigan skyward. It traced a smooth gliding curve as it flew twice around the training ground.
The first time, Daigan didn't dare use full power. The initial launch velocity was low, and after a flight of barely two kilometers in about ten seconds, it landed.
The second time, Daigan went all out. The compressed air shot the puppet Phantom out like a cannonball. In under a minute, it flew beyond the training ground's perimeter and landed at the foot of a distant mountain.
"That was... so fast!"
The puppet's structural integrity seemed somewhat lacking, though. It creaked and groaned in the air, making Daigan worry it might fall apart.
Besides the fact that Phantom's structure was indeed suited for gliding, another important factor was Daigan's constant adjustment of the surrounding air currents to slightly reduce wind resistance.
However...
Looking back at the training ground's edge, he watched as a mist-like cloud dissipated slowly under the sun's rays.
"Is that... a sonic boom cloud?"
Just then, a low rumbling roar reached Daigan's ears.
"That made way too much noise."
Because the launch velocity was too high—exceeding the speed of sound in air—it produced intense vibrations.
When breaking the sound barrier, the compressed air couldn't disperse in time, creating a low,Потрясение, and extremely powerful explosive sound.
The rapidly compressed air cooled nearby water vapor into a cloud formation—the sonic boom cloud.
Because of the extreme speed, the sound only caught up when he landed, finally reaching Daigan's ears.
In a supersonic state, humans can't hear the sonic boom because sound can't keep pace with forward velocity. Only after landing did he realize it had been that fast.
"No wonder Phantom's materials, good as they are, could barely hold together. But theoretically, Wind Release: Gale Palm shouldn't have this much power. So why..."
Though it was a borrowed Sand Ninja training ground where explosions from jutsu practice were normal, he couldn't rule out being watched. Daigan decided to leave quickly.
As he returned inconspicuously while pondering, his right hand unconsciously grasped a mass of raging Wind Release chakra. It gradually spread, enveloping his entire hand, wrist, and then forearm.
Daigan swung his right arm lightly a few times, looking thoughtful.
Wind Release can manipulate air, but it's not the same as wind produced by actual air currents.
Besides using Wind Release: Gale Palm to provide the initial catapult launch force, Daigan had also wrapped the entire puppet Phantom in Wind Release chakra. Originally he'd only wanted to reduce air resistance to fly faster and farther.
Now it seemed this small trick had worked unexpectedly well.
Wind Release chakra can be used as wind, but treating it merely as wind is too shallow.
The contemplative Daigan seemed to have gained an unexpected insight.
He'd always combined Wind Release with air to perform jutsu, but he hadn't utilized the inherent value of Wind Release chakra itself.
Lightning Release chakra could stimulate body cells, enhancing speed and reaction time.
Wind Release's cutting attribute, when moving at high speed, amplified its unstoppable characteristic—it could slice through air and all resistance.
That's why Wind Release was, among the five elemental jutsu, the most powerful under equal conditions and had the longest attack range. None of this was without reason.
With this thought, Daigan surrounded himself with Wind Release chakra and increased his pace.
"My steps are indeed slightly lighter."
Because his speed wasn't high enough, the effect wasn't profound. But at ultra-high velocity, with Wind Release clearing the path, he might be even swifter than Lightning Release.
If there really were a Wind Release Chakra Mode, it would probably be very powerful.
Perhaps only by applying Wind Release to perfection—almost fusing it with oneself—could one experience that terrifying power.
Actually, it wasn't just Wind Release. Any jutsu taken to its extreme would be formidable; it's just that almost no one achieved it.
Concealing his presence, Daigan returned to his Konoha Hospital room to rest, still feeling somewhat regretful as he reflected.
The area around Konoha was too conspicuous, and there were plenty of barriers. He needed to be careful, or he'd accidentally stir up trouble.
The flight test for the puppet Phantom was only half complete. The low-altitude gliding effect was mediocre—neither good nor bad—but the high-altitude soaring ability hadn't been verified yet. That was the capability Daigan most wanted to test.
Additionally, one thing concerned him: flying too fast placed considerable strain on his body. Having just eaten, after two "rocket flights," Daigan's stomach churned so badly he nearly vomited his food.
Humans were, after all, creatures that lived on the ground. To fly, he'd need a proper adaptation period.
He'd originally thought someone would come ask questions after making such a commotion, but he'd overthought it. After resting and eating dinner, there was no response whatsoever, leaving all his prepared explanations useless.
As evening fell, Temari surprisingly came to find Daigan—a rare occurrence that delighted him.
"Don't get the wrong idea! I'm just here to notify you that the Fourth Kazekage will arrive in Konoha the day before the third test to watch the Chunin Exam. Don't cause trouble then."
Five days remained—meaning Daigan had less than a week of preparation time left.
"You call the Kazekage 'Fourth' instead of father?"
"Why are you asking so much? Mind your own business!"
Temari snorted coldly, clearly unwilling to answer this privacy-related question.
Looks like the Kazekage's family has its own troubles too.
"I originally wanted to ask Kankuro to notify you, but that guy locked himself in his room, obsessing over his broken puppets. He absolutely refused to come out..."
"Young people, you know. When the rebellious phase hits, they have their own ideas."
Hadn't he just expressed some skepticism about Puppet Technique—and said it so tactfully and subtly? Why couldn't Kankuro let it go?
Who knew if Kankuro was working on some powerful technique to show off the prowess of Puppet Technique to Daigan.
Though harsh with her words, Temari was quite satisfied that Kankuro could focus on training and improving his strength.
However, it bothered her slightly that this positive change hadn't come from her guidance as his older sister.
Though she was the eldest in the family, neither of her brothers seemed to rely on her as a sister—a truly dispiriting situation.
"I've said everything I needed to. I'm leaving..."
With that, she seemed to have no intention of chatting further with Daigan and turned to go.
"Wait!"
Daigan called out to stop Temari.
"What? I'm not responsible for answering questions either..."
"Regarding the Chunin Exam—Yakushi Kabuto has already withdrawn. The fourth round will be my match against you. Do you know about this?"
"I know. Is there a problem?"
As for the Chunin Exam, whether they could even reach the fourth round was questionable. Even if they did fight, whether it was Yakushi Kabuto or Daigan made no difference in Temari's eyes.
"I have no problem with it. I'll win either way. But what about you—have you thought about what to do?"
Daigan spoke matter-of-factly, saying things that made Temari furious.
"You think you've already beaten me? What arrogance..."
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