"The trick to this jutsu lies in the instantaneous compression of a massive amount of Chakra into the form of a dragon," Luke explained, guiding Shisui through the finer points of the technique.
Having recently acquired Proficient Shape Transformation, Luke found it remarkably easy to break down the mechanics. He wasn't just teaching a move; he was teaching the fundamental physics of chakra manipulation.
"I think... I see the flow now," Shisui muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration.
His small hands blurred through a sequence of signs. Chakra flared within his core, twisting and tightening under his will.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Shisui exhaled. A one-meter-long dragon of orange flame roared into existence, spiraling upward before diving into the river with a sharp hiss.
Clap. Clap.
Luke smiled, applauding the boy. "I expected it to take you a dozen tries just to get a spark. I keep underestimating you, Shisui."
Luke was genuinely floored. Shisui hadn't even activated his Sharingan to mimic the movements; he had simply listened, processed, and executed a B-Rank elemental jutsu on his first real attempt. This was the terrifying reality of an "SS-Rank" potential.
"It's only because you're a great teacher, Lord Luke," Shisui said humbly.
He wasn't just being polite. He noticed that while Luke had used a single seal for his "flashy" demonstration, he had reverted to full, slow-motion hand signs for the instructional portion, explaining every breath and muscle twitch.
"I haven't mastered it yet," Shisui added, looking at the steaming water. "Compared to yours, my dragon is tiny, and I can only manage one. I have a long way to go."
"Then I'll just have to show you a few more times, won't I?" Luke laughed. He checked his internal HUD—his chakra reserves were ticking upward. Shisui clearly wasn't slacking off during his solo practice at home.
Time flies when the progress is tangible. As Shisui lost himself in the rhythm of the training, the sky deepened into a bruised purple.
The boy realized just how bright the streetlamps in the distance had become. He looked at Luke, a strange thought crossing his mind: Is Teacher's voice a genjutsu? How else could he make hours feel like minutes?
"Teacher, I should head back," Shisui said, bowing respectfully.
"Wait," Luke said, reaching into his vest. He produced another small, handwritten booklet. "I've summarized my personal experiences with Chakra Shape Transformation. Take this. It'll help with the 'compression' issue you're having."
Shisui hesitated for a heartbeat before taking the manual. He bowed lower than usual. He didn't have many words, but the weight of the gift wasn't lost on him. They had only been master and disciple for four days, yet Luke was handing over high-level secrets as if they were candy.
Luke watched the small figure disappear into the trees, a wide grin spreading across his face.
[You have gifted your disciple a Shape Transformation Manual.] [Legacy Rebate: Critical Success! Disciple's reverence has peaked.] [Reward: Wind Release: Pressure Damage (Proficiency: Skilled)]
Information flooded Luke's brain—the howling pressure of the wind, the way to sharpen air into a physical battering ram. Along with the jutsu came a foundational package of Wind Nature Transformation.
Luke was ecstatic. Pressure Damage was a top-tier Wind Release move, known for its massive AOE and destructive force. More importantly, it had perfect synergy with his Fire Release. Fire fed on wind; together, they could create a firestorm that would be nearly impossible to extinguish.
He also realized he could now pivot his Rasengan development. Instead of trying to force a Fire-style Rasengan, he could use his new Wind affinity to head straight toward the Rasenshuriken—though that was a long-term goal.
Luke had finally figured out the "Rebate" mechanic:
Quality of Gift: High-level manuals trump snacks.
Disciple's Gratitude: This was the multiplier. The more the gift "meant" to the student, the better the reward.
Luke's mind immediately went to Shisui's upcoming birthday. He needed to find that date in the Academy records. A birthday gift would likely trigger the biggest "payout" yet.
The Fifth Day.
Luke only had one scheduled class today, but he spent the rest of his time "helping" other teachers. A Grade 3 instructor needed a sub, and Luke jumped at the chance.
The rewards were steady: 20 points of Chakra from one session and a duplicate Great Fireball Technique from another. To his surprise, the duplicate didn't go to waste—it acted like a "Level Up," instantly increasing his existing proficiency and muscle memory for the move.
"Teacher Luke, you're too kind for your own good," Aya Ueda said, watching him prepare for yet another subbing gig. "If you keep this up, everyone is going to dump their classes on you."
"We're colleagues, Aya. It's no trouble," Luke replied with a gentle smile. "Besides, I actually enjoy being with the students."
Aya stared at him, bewildered. She felt like she was looking at a saint. Who in their right mind wanted to work extra hours for no pay?
The Weekend.
Saturday morning, 8:00 AM.
Luke brought Obito and Might Guy to his riverside training ground for their promised "Exam Special特训."
"Why... why is the sun even up yet?" Obito groaned, slumping over a portable desk Luke had hauled into the clearing.
"Is it early? I've already done five hundred pushups," Guy said, looking perfectly refreshed.
Luke slapped a stack of papers in front of them. These weren't actual exam papers yet; they were custom "diagnostic" tests he had written to find their weakest points. He didn't need them to become geniuses; he just needed them to hit that 50% pass mark.
"Teacher Luke... what are these?" Obito asked, looking at the math problems as if they were written in a dead language.
Just then, Shisui arrived for his morning training. He paused, looking at the two older boys sweating over paperwork in the middle of the woods.
"They're Grade 4 students, Shisui," Luke explained. "They're in 'remedial' training. Don't mind them; go ahead and start your elemental drills."
Luke watched with a hidden smirk. It was a beautiful sight: two seniors agonizing over simple arithmetic while a junior six-year-old stood ten feet away, breathing out dragons of fire.
The psychological pressure was palpable. Obito looked at Shisui, then at his paper, then back at Shisui. He suddenly gripped his pen with white-knuckled intensity. If a pipsqueak like that was working that hard, he couldn't afford to slack off.
The plan is working perfectly, Luke thought. Now, let's see if we can turn these 'Dead Lasts' into gold.