Konoha Streets.
After his morning training, Taiichi walked down the street, watching the bustling crowd and the colorful shops. Tsunade's question echoed in his mind: Where can I find high-temperature fire?
Ordinary fire was everywhere, but truly high temperatures were rare.
He wandered aimlessly until he found himself in front of the weapon shop where he had bought his blade. Looking at the rows of weapons, Taiichi smiled.
Weapon forging required high temperatures. He knew that his own tanto contained special metals with melting points exceeding 2000 degrees Celsius.
To forge such metals, the furnace temperature had to be even higher. Wasn't that exactly what he was looking for?
Konoha had several forges. Taiichi wandered to the southeast corner of the village, to a forge famous for its blades.
Before he even reached the door, a wave of heat hit him. Inside, the glowing furnace illuminated the walls. A bare-chested smith swung a heavy hammer, sending sparks flying from the iron on the anvil.
Taiichi approached the furnace slowly. He watched the orange flames brighten to blue as the apprentice worked the bellows. The heat was intense.
"Hey, kid! You've been staring for a while. Trying to steal my techniques?" the smith barked impatiently.
The apprentices laughed, mocking the motionless boy.
"Kid, go to school! This isn't a playground!"
"You're not even as tall as the hammer!"
Taiichi looked up, revealing the forehead protector under his bangs. His sharp gaze swept over them, silencing the laughter instantly.
"My apologies, Ninja-sama. No ill intent intended. Just a joke."
The head smith had guts; he wasn't intimidated, but he knew better than to provoke a ninja in Konoha.
Taiichi smiled. He wasn't petty enough to cause trouble over this.
"Master Smith, I just want to observe the furnace fire. Is that alright?"
"Ninja-sama, it's busy here, and the heat is dangerous. It's not really appropriate..." The smith hesitated.
Taiichi didn't argue. He pulled out his wallet, counted 100,000 ryo, and held it out. "Is this okay?"
"It's not about the money..."
Taiichi counted another 100,000 ryo. "How about now?"
"Of course! Of course! Ninja-sama, stay as long as you like!" The smith's face transformed into a beaming smile. He snatched the money with practiced speed and stuffed it into his apron.
"Well? Get back to work!" Having paid, Taiichi walked straight to the furnace.
"You heard him! Back to work!" The smith shouted, and the shop bustled again.
Standing by the furnace, Taiichi felt the heat intensify with every pump of the bellows. The flames roared, scorching his skin and curling his arm hair.
He could feel it—this temperature was far higher than his usual Fire Style.
He wasn't satisfied. He stepped closer, pushing his body to its limit until he could barely stand the heat.
The smith watched in awe. Even he, covered in heat-resistant oil, wouldn't stand that close. Ninjas were truly built different.
Still unsatisfied but physically limited, Taiichi had an idea.
He extended his hand and released chakra, covering the flames, trying to sense the temperature through his energy.
But without sensory ninjutsu training, the sensation was dull, like touching through thick glass.
Unwilling to give up, Taiichi projected his Spirit (mental energy) to enhance the chakra's sensitivity. He focused entirely on synchronizing the frequency of his Spirit and Chakra.
Deep in concentration, he missed the system notification.
> [Epiphany. New Skill: Chakra Sensing Lv0 (1/100)]
> [Epiphany. Skill Chakra Sensing EXP +10]
> [Epiphany. Skill Chakra Sensing Lv1 (0/100)]
When the skill hit Level 1, Taiichi's Spirit and Chakra synchronized perfectly.
Instantly, the sensation of being inside the fire transferred directly to his brain.
The searing agony overwhelmed his mind. His skin turned red and blistered as if he were actually burning.
Terrified by the pain, Taiichi retracted his chakra. The sensation faded.
The smith gaped. He had never seen anyone give themselves burns just by looking at fire.
Taiichi didn't have time to explain. He checked his body—massive burns. It was bizarre.
"I'll come back tomorrow," he muttered and rushed home to treat himself.
At home, he cut off his clothes and used Mystical Palm combined with Yang Release to heal the blisters. It took an hour, leaving him exhausted.
Recovered, he checked his Panel.
> [Skill: Chakra Sensing]
> Effect: Your chakra becomes an extension of your senses. Intensity and clarity depend on the amount of Spirit used.
Taiichi understood. He had accidentally created a sensory skill. Because he poured all his Spirit into it, the sensation was so real his brain convinced his body it was burning—like the Kurama Clan's genjutsu.
Despite the pain, he was thrilled. This skill was incredible for training Nature Transformation.
> [Insight gained. Fire Nature Transformation +100]
Tsunade was right. Observing the real thing worked.
The next day, the smith was shocked to see Taiichi return, completely healed.
"Here to watch the fire again, Ninja-sama?"
Taiichi nodded. As the bellows pumped, he released his chakra again.
Heat. Scorching, violent heat.
For a moment, Taiichi felt like he was the fire, burning fiercely, releasing light and heat.
> [Insight gained. Fire Nature Transformation +10]
Seeing the EXP tick up every few minutes, Taiichi persisted until his chakra ran dry.
He gained 150 EXP in one session. He knew this rapid growth was a one-time bonus from the initial comprehension, but it was worth it.
He spent the next few days immersed in Fire Style training until the agreed team meeting.
---
Training Ground 3
Taiichi arrived early, but Yohei and Saori were already there.
"Taiichi! You're late!" Yohei shouted.
Taiichi looked at the rising sun. "I think your definition of 'late' is broken."
"Haha! Just kidding!"
Seeing their restored health and high spirits, Taiichi was happy.
"Looks like you guys gained a lot."
"You bet! Hellish training every day!" Yohei spread his arms wide. Saori nodded in agreement.
"How about a spar?" Taiichi suggested.
"One-on-one won't test you enough," Yohei said, rubbing his head.
"Just say you want to gang up on me. No need to be shy."
"Haha! Then we won't hold back!" Yohei winked at Saori.
They formed the Seal of Confrontation.
Yohei opened with his three-tomoe Sharingan, throwing four kunai.
Taiichi drew his sword calmly.
Suddenly, the four kunai collided mid-air, changing trajectories to attack Taiichi from blind spots.
Surprised, Taiichi dodged two and deflected the other two.
At that moment, Saori finished her seals. "Lightning Style: Lightning Balls!"
Unlike before, she launched seven or eight balls in rapid succession, timing them perfectly to cover Taiichi's dodge.
"Good coordination!"
Taiichi used his Modified Body Flicker.
Zip. Zip.
He dodged the lightning and closed in on Yohei instantly.
The Lightning Balls exploded, electrifying the ground where he stood a second ago.
Yohei was shocked by Taiichi's speed. Even with his Sharingan, he could barely track him.
They clashed—kunai against tanto. Yohei used his Sharingan to stick close, nullifying Taiichi's reach advantage. Taiichi was impressed; the three-tomoe Sharingan was no joke. Yohei was fighting on a whole new level.
Saori joined the fray with a kunai.
Taiichi fought one-vs-two, defending effortlessly while observing their progress. Their coordination and skills had improved drastically.
Once he felt he had seen enough, he forced them back with a powerful slash.
"Great progress, you two," Taiichi praised. "But be careful now. I'm getting serious!"