Chapter 9: Chapter 9 - Improvements
As Ryu walked along the empty rocky road, he couldn't help but think, 'I need to find a way to practice this technique more flexibly. I may not be able to expand my arsenal, but I can still work with the swords I already know.' His eyes fell on a small branch near his feet, and an idea began to form. Perhaps he could transform the branch into different swords as a way to practice.
Picking up the branch, Ryu started transforming it into Silver Eagle, as well as a variety of other swords he and Haru had created over the years. All the while, he continued walking, eyes focused on his task.
As he transformed the branch, Ryu tested each blade by slashing at the nearby trees. With each passing tree, his confidence grew. However, a trail of fallen trees soon formed behind him, and Ryu realized he needed to find a less conspicuous way to practice.
"Maybe I should test the swords on rocks instead," Ryu mused aloud, glancing at the stones scattered near the road. While most were small pebbles, a few were large enough to serve as suitable targets. Slashing at the rocks would leave less of a trace and still allow him to test his skill. "Yeah, that's a better solution. I'm far enough from the Shinobi, so they won't notice a few cut rocks," he decided.
Over the next few days, Ryu continued his practice, transforming various objects into swords and honing his skill. He only stopped when his Chakra was depleted. At night, he used his abilities to create makeshift shelters in the form of artificial caves, providing a place to rest and recharge.
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As Ryu strolled down the rocky road, he absentmindedly transformed pebbles into miniature swords. The monotonous landscape stretched out before him, and he enjoyed the simple pleasure of his practice. However, his focus was interrupted by the distant rumble of wheels on the rough terrain. He glanced back, surprised to see a carriage approaching.
'Finally, another carriage from the village. Took them long enough,' Ryu thought. As the carriage neared, he decided to ask the driver for a lift. To increase his chances, he used his transformation abilities to create the appearance of injuries and tattered clothing.
"Hello," Ryu called out to the driver, his expression a mixture of hope and weariness. The driver, taken aback by the sight of the battered child, blurted out, "What on earth happened to you, kid? What are you doing out here all alone? Where are your parents?"
Ryu looked down, avoiding eye contact to hide his poor acting skills. "Oh, that... My parents and I were in the previous carriage. Turns out, there was a dangerous criminal on board. A Shinobi came to kill him, and in the chaos of their battle, the other passengers and driver perished. I was the only one who managed to survive."
The driver's heart ached for Ryu, and his eyes welled up with sympathy. "Where are you headed, kid? I'll take you there," he offered kindly.
"Thank you!" Ryu's face brightened. "Could you take me to one of the nearby cities you pass through? It doesn't really matter which one."
"Of course, I'd be happy to help," the driver replied. "Hop in the back. It's a bit crowded, so be prepared to squeeze in." He waited as Ryu climbed into the back, joining the other passengers who had made room for him.
As the carriage resumed its journey, Ryu looked out at the passing landscape, grateful for the ride and the opportunity to rest his legs. Little did the other passengers know about the true nature of the boy who had joined them, and the secrets he carried with him on this seemingly ordinary journey.
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Ryu slumped against the wall of the carriage, his eyes darting between the wooden floor and the other passengers. He couldn't deny that being in the carriage was much better than walking the entire way on foot, but he couldn't help feeling bored out of his mind. The conversations of the other passengers held no interest for him, and their pitiful glances only served to make him feel guilty.
Trying to escape the monotony, Ryu sank deep into his thoughts, contemplating his battle strategies. 'I need another attacking move,' he mused. 'Relying on Silver Eagle copies every time isn't enough, especially when I can't control too many at once. I need something more...'
As he glanced around the carriage, his gaze fell upon a wooden splinter jutting out from the floor. An idea suddenly struck him like lightning. "That's it!" he blurted out, causing the other passengers to jump in surprise.
Ryu's mind raced as he thought about the potential of the Transformation Jutsu. It offered instant and versatile transformations, and he had already succeeded in applying it to objects other than himself. 'If I could transform the ground beneath an enemy into a sea of blades, wouldn't that guarantee victory?' he pondered. 'The flexibility of this Jutsu is unmatched. I can transform anything into a blade, and if my enemy manages to escape, I can simply keep using the Jutsu until they're captured. It's even perfect for defense! I'm a genius!'
His excitement was palpable, but before he could start practicing his newfound idea, a sobering thought brought him back to the harsh reality he faced.
Ryu's thoughts turned to his father, who was probably forced to work nonstop right now, producing high-quality weapons at an incredible rate. He knew that, at this pace, he couldn't possibly keep up with the sheer number of weapons his father will be able to create. He desperately needed to find a way to mass-produce weapons more quickly, but how?
Suddenly, an idea struck him. "If only my transformations were permanent..." he mumbled under his breath, causing a few nearby passengers to glance his way in confusion. Ryu's eyes widened as he smacked himself in the forehead, unintentionally startling the other passengers once again.
He realized that, once he transformed an object, he didn't need to continue supplying it with Chakra. The transformation was complete. The only reason he ever reverted objects back to their original state was when he was finished using them, and he wanted everything to return to normal. What if he simply removed that function from the Jutsu? It would take some effort to modify the technique, but it seemed like a relatively simple change.
As the idea took hold, Ryu couldn't help but wonder if he was the first person to think of this. Surely, he couldn't be the first, could he? After all, this was basic knowledge taught to young students at the Ninja Academy. Were the instructors really so oblivious to the potential of this technique? Or was there something more to it that he hadn't yet realized?
Regardless, Ryu couldn't contain his excitement at the prospect of exploring this new possibility. His eyes sparkled with anticipation, and a wide grin spread across his face. The other passengers couldn't help but notice his sudden change in demeanor and exchanged puzzled glances.
As Ryu's mind raced with possibilities, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. This was going to be a fascinating project, and he was eager to see just how far he could push the boundaries of his abilities.
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Man, this week was tough... We had to organize so much stuff for our volunteering place that even in the weekend we were there almost from dawn to dusk. Anyway, I think my current writing style is a bit rushed and I honestly have no idea on how to improve it so please give me tips. Or maybe you enjoy the fast paced story?
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