While the Third Tsuchikage and Third Hokage were playing a game of chess with Allen as the centerpiece, the boy himself knew nothing. He remained in camp, discussing the intricacies of Lightning Release with Kakashi.
"So, the Chidori you created uses speed to pump a massive amount of Lightning-natured chakra into the target at once, thereby destroying their internal meridians, muscles, blood vessels, and organs, right?"
After hearing the principles of Chidori, the jutsu with the highest appearance frequency in the anime, Allen stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had originally thought Chidori was a jutsu similar to Chakra Scalpels, with cutting being the primary form of damage.
But in reality, just like the Rasengan, it was an energy sphere, one that needed to be slammed directly into the enemy to take effect.
Kakashi nodded without hesitation. "Exactly! The characteristic of Lightning-natured chakra is diffusion. By concentrating it and releasing it instantly, you can cause remarkable damage. Furthermore, if you add shape transformation, you can derive other techniques from it."
"Then have you considered letting Chidori leave your body, firing it out like an arrow?" Allen asked with interest.
"Firing it like an arrow?" A look of shock appeared on Kakashi's face. "How did you come up with such an idea? Lightning-natured chakra is the most violent and the hardest to control. Forget firing it like an arrow, even leaving the body by a meter would cause it to lose control instantly, leading to unpredictable consequences."
"Lightning-natured chakra is indeed hard to control, but we can control it in other ways. For example, the electric field I mentioned earlier," Allen explained casually.
Lightning was hard to control? Don't be ridiculous. Leaving aside that nerve impulses in the human body are transmitted via electrical signals, simply using some basic knowledge of electrodynamics could easily keep it in check and manipulate it according to one's will.
It was just that the technology tree of this world was completely skewed. Plus, the profession of "shinobi" spent all day thinking about killing; there were very few people with actual technical development capabilities. Aside from Orochimaru, the number one scientist, only Tobirama Senju, the master of Forbidden Jutsus, was worth mentioning. Two-thirds of the Scroll of Seals in Konoha were likely filled with jutsus invented by the Second Hokage.
"Electric field..." Kakashi narrowed his eyes in thought.
Soon, he imitated the Thunderbird technique, slowly creating a bird shape flickering with white electricity in his palm. Unfortunately, a jutsu that used shape and nature transformation simultaneously was too difficult. Before he could complete it, the bird exploded with a crack, leaving half his arm paralyzed from the shock. If he hadn't used a small amount of chakra, he might have killed himself before even touching an enemy.
Realizing this, Kakashi couldn't help but sigh with a wry smile. "You really are a monster! To think of such a terrifying jutsu, and actually succeed in inventing it."
"No. It's not a success yet. The current Thunderbird has flaws. I can't achieve a seamless transition between forming the electric field and the destructive discharge. It gives the enemy an opening to use a Substitution Jutsu to escape," Allen said, looking dissatisfied.
He had hoped that through this exchange, he might find some inspiration from Kakashi's Chidori. But it seemed their development paths were on completely different lines from the start.
"Don't be so unsatisfied. Your Thunderbird is already terrifying enough. Even I have to be 120% focused when dealing with it, or I'd be insta-killed," Kakashi consoled him with a laugh.
After understanding the release principles of Thunderbird, he realized there was still room for improvement in his own Chidori.
While they were talking, the camp commander, Shikaku Nara, walked in. He spoke in a relaxed tone. "The probing phase is finally over! Iwa has agreed to negotiate! In one week, the Third Hokage will meet with the Third Tsuchikage here in the Land of Grass. If nothing goes wrong, they should withdraw from the Land of Grass, and we will prop up a new Kusagakure to serve as a buffer zone between our two nations."
"Which means there won't be any more battles between ninja, right?" Allen's voice held a hint of faint disappointment.
Though he had expected this outcome, he still couldn't help but look forward to the scene of a full-scale war between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire. In that scenario, the entire Iwagakure village would have become his prey.
"Yes. It's over. Given your outstanding performance, I think it won't be long before your name spreads through the shinobi world. Who would have thought the brat who was covered in wounds and almost died would now become a village hero," Shikaku Nara remarked with a sigh.
"When we get back to the village, he should be promoted to Chunin or Jonin, right? After all, killing Kitsuchi isn't something just anyone can do!" Kakashi followed up, asking about Konoha's internal situation.
Shikaku Nara shook his head slightly. "I don't know. Arrangements for him weren't included in this order. I assume the Third Hokage has his own plans."
Hearing this, a flash of vigilance crossed Kakashi's eyes. He immediately turned and cautioned Allen, "Don't go out lately. Stay in camp. Do you understand?"
"Why?" Allen blinked, feigning innocence.
"Because I suspect Iwa might not be able to swallow this insult and might move against you before the negotiations," Kakashi explained with a half-truth.
He understood that the crafty old man Hiruzen would likely engage in some shady deal with the enemy again. However, he couldn't say this directly, as it would affect Allen's trust and loyalty toward the village.
"If they really dare to do that, I guarantee whoever makes the move won't be coming back," Allen said with a double-edged smirk.
He wasn't one of those idiots brainwashed by the so-called "Will of Fire"! He certainly wouldn't sacrifice himself for the interests of the higher-ups. If the Third Hokage really dared to do such a thing, he wouldn't mind cutting off Hiruzen Sarutobi's head in front of everyone and sending it to the Underground Exchange for a massive bounty in a highly insulting manner.
Allen held no real preference for any of the Great Hidden Villages in this world, nor would he develop affection for Konoha simply because the anime focused on it. Quite the opposite! He was staying in Konoha only because he happened to be picked up by them while unconscious.
If it had been Kumo, Iwa, Suna, or Kiri, it wouldn't have made much difference.
Compared to these nations with established systems, he was actually more interested in the Otogakure established by Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. These two organizations were typical of a "strength is everything" mindset, the one with the bigger fist spoke louder.
Furthermore, following Orochimaru would allow him to learn the world's strongest biological and body modification technologies, as well as a series of interesting Forbidden Jutsus like the Reanimation Jutsu. Joining the Akatsuki would give him access to Tailed Beasts and the Rinnegan.
Either way, it was a hundred times better than staying in the so-called "Five Great Nations" to grind for seniority and merit.