Ignoring Kurenai Yuhi's dramatic sigh, Ren's own brow furrowed slightly in contemplation. 'I have all five affinities. So, a lack of Lightning Release isn't the issue. Then why can't I cast Hadō #4: Byakurai?*'
'I'm not missing the incantation. I have the specific methodology and underlying principles directly from the system. So what's the stumbling block?'
The problem had now crystallized. He'd assumed the barrier was an innate lack of lightning affinity, but that had just been spectacularly disproven. So, what was it?
' Bakudō #1: Sai was a spiritual pressure application technique that I could replicate using chakra in this world's framework. Hadō #4: Byakurai is also a relatively basic Kidō, just with the added layer of elemental nature…'
'Is it truly that I must first master the specific nature transformation for the lightning element?' he reasoned. He recalled that in the original story, the protagonist had undergone dedicated Wind Release nature training to develop his signature technique. Having a natural affinity and being able to wield it were distinct concepts. This was likely the key—he had the potential (the "jade"), but hadn't yet carved it. He had nine of the ten necessary gates open, so to speak.
Yet, something still felt incongruous. Why could characters like Uchiha Itachi, after seeing a technique once, replicate it with hand seals? Did they not need to train their nature transformation? Did the Uchiha possess some sort of "Fire Release Saint Body" that granted instant mastery?
Ah. Ren suddenly had an epiphany. This must be one of those narrative conveniences added later, like a rubber man suddenly becoming a sun god. It just… happens. He nodded to himself. Very normal. I understand.
Understanding was one thing; actionable knowledge was another. As the ancients wisely said, one should never be ashamed to ask questions, and shouldn't always presume to be the smartest person in the room. Among three people walking together, one is sure to be my teacher.
Thus, Ren voiced his query. "Uncle Shinku, since I have all five affinities, does that mean that as long as I know the hand seals for a ninjutsu, I can perform it?"
"What do you think?" Shinku Yuhi couldn't help but shoot Ren a sidelong glance. The kid was dreaming. He then launched into a proper explanation.
"Unless you already understand how to alter the nature of your chakra, even having a ninjutsu scroll in hand won't allow you to learn it. Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation are the twin pillars of ninjutsu. To successfully execute any technique, proficiency in both forms of chakra manipulation is indispensable."
He paused, then added with a note of confidence in Ren's abilities, "For you, however, it shouldn't be overly difficult. Both shape and nature transformation are, at their core, exercises in supreme chakra control…"
It was the same refrain as before—he no longer doubted Ren's foundational talent. He estimated that once the principle was explained, Ren would grasp it with terrifying speed. In terms of raw chakra control, Ren was already on par with him, a jōnin.
"I see," Ren said, absorbing the information. "Then, Uncle Shinku, please teach me Lightning Release nature transformation first."
"Why Lightning Release?" Shinku asked, mildly surprised. "Water and Fire are generally considered easier entry points than Lightning."
"Because Lightning Release is cool!" Ren declared with conviction. "Think about it. Raise a hand, shout 'Lightning, descend!', and a bolt of electricity tears from the heavens. That's the pinnacle of style!"
"…All ninjutsu are released from the chakra within one's own body," Shinku corrected, his tone patient but firm. "There's no such 'calling from the sky' method you're describing. What you're talking about isn't ninjutsu!"
"Uncle Shinku, you're not thinking big enough," Ren countered, his eyes gleaming with impractical ambition. "You could use Fire Release to rapidly superheat the air. The heated air accelerates the condensation of water vapor to form cumulonimbus clouds, allowing for the artificial creation of a thunderstorm. Then, you use Lightning Release to guide the natural lightning within those clouds to strike your target. I've even thought of a name for it: Lightning Release: Kirin!"
"Don't get lost in fantasy, kid," Shinku chuckled, shaking his head. "Such a thing is impossible to achieve. Perhaps only the mythical Sage of Six Paths could perform a feat like that."
"Then, when I develop this ninjutsu in the future, you can call me Sage Ren," Ren stated matter-of-factly.
He felt the other man lacked imagination. How could it be impossible? This was a technique he'd 'referenced'… ahem, 'drawn inspiration from.' There was documented evidence! It was an S-rank ninjutsu; he'd seen it in a manga called Naruto!
Shinku Yuhi let out a good-natured laugh. "Alright, alright. If you truly develop such a ninjutsu, I won't just call you Sage Ren—I'll declare you the strongest, mightier even than the Hokage!"
The kid had too vivid an imagination. A technique like that sounded utterly fantastical.
A strange expression flickered across Ren's face. "Uchiha Madara?"
Damn. Can 'I'll declare you the strongest' be said so casually? Are you secretly an Uchiha plant in the Yūhi household?
"Uchiha Madara?" Shinku naturally didn't catch the reference, interpreting it differently. He smiled. "You know that name too? Well, if you could develop such a technique, you'd undoubtedly surpass even Uchiha Madara!"
"..." Ren internally signaled to stop planting flags. That particular old monster wasn't dead yet. White Zetsu was probably still impersonating old ladies around Konoha. The village was practically their backyard. If such bold words were overheard… the trouble would be immense. Ren had no desire to draw that level of attention.
He decisively steered the conversation back on track. "Let's just begin the lesson."
Shinku was taken aback for a moment, his tone suddenly hesitant. "You… you don't actually expect me to guide you on that 'Lightning Release: Kirin,' do you? Let me be clear, I don't have that ability. Are you really trying to become 'Sage Ren'?"
Ren's face morphed into a perfect picture of bewilderment. "???"
"Pfft—!" Watching the exchange, Kurenai Yuhi, who had been quietly observing, could no longer contain herself. A peal of clear laughter escaped her. "Hehehe… Father, you're so silly! Ren wants you to start teaching him basic Lightning Release chakra nature! How did your mind jump straight to that 'Kirin' thing? Hahaha!"
She clutched her sides, nearly breathless with laughter. How had she never noticed her usually serious father could have such a wonderfully foolish moment? And Ren's utterly confused expression was the perfect icing on the cake.
"Ah…" Shinku Yuhi finally snapped back to reality, realizing he'd been led down a rhetorical garden path by his own assumptions. After an awkward chuckle, he cleared his throat and assumed a more instructor-like demeanor.
"Right. Let's begin with the fundamentals of nature transformation." He launched into an explanation. "Lightning Release nature transformation is essentially about taking your chakra and… well, you manipulate it this way, then channel it that way, and finally refine it this way…"
While he himself didn't possess a lightning affinity and hadn't personally mastered Lightning Release transformation, his experience mentoring genin meant he was well-versed in the theoretical principles. Teaching Ren the basics was well within his capability.
Ren listened with intense focus, nodding along. "Mhmm. I see. So it's like this, then that, and finally this. Got it."
Listening to Shinku's explanation, Ren didn't find the concept particularly abstruse. It boiled down to altering the fundamental property of chakra to mimic electricity. That was Lightning Release transformation. It wasn't a meaningless tautology—it was exactly that.
As someone experiencing the shinobi arts for the first time in this life, Ren would admit he didn't know how to articulate the principles of chakra nature transformation in a more elegantly technical way.
This way, then that way, and finally this way… Shinku Yuhi had summed it up perfectly. No issues there at all.