Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Flower of Flames!
After lying back down, Shūichi Hoshita calmed himself.
The [Sealing Master] tag was much more challenging to achieve than either [Fire Release Master] or [Swordsmanship Master]. Developing sealing techniques was significantly more difficult.
Finally, as Shūichi considered the last effect of the [Sealing Master] tag, a thought crossed his mind: "Isn't Adamantine Sealing Chains considered a Kekkei Genkai?"
"I remember it being a Hiden technique."
"But Adamantine Sealing Chains is heavily tied to the Uzumaki clan's unique physiology, so it should still fall under the category of a Kekkei Genkai."
Shūichi shook his head, dismissing the idea. While Adamantine Sealing Chains was indeed powerful, it would be more appropriate to turn a sealing technique of his own creation into a Kekkei Genkai if he ever obtained the [Sealing Master] tag.
"I could even develop a sealing technique specifically with the goal of becoming a Kekkei Genkai in mind..."
As the water cooled, Shūichi finished his bath and then went to his study to review his sealing technique knowledge.
Revisiting old knowledge brings new insights!
The next day, after returning from his morning training, Shūichi noticed a scroll and a note left on the table.
Upon closer inspection, he found they were from Minato Namikaze.
Opening the scroll, a jutsu was revealed:
Infinite Darkness Jutsu!
It was a visual genjutsu that could rob the enemy of their sight.
Undoubtedly, this was an excellent technique for countering dojutsu users.
Sealing the scroll inside the sealing scroll given to him by Tenka, Shūichi washed up and headed to Konoha Hospital.
In the following days, Shūichi's study of sealing techniques shifted from Minato to Kushina Uzumaki, with their sessions taking place at Minato's home.
Time flew by, and July arrived, marking the start of the annual Chūnin Exams.
Upon learning that Kakashi was participating, Shūichi made a point to watch during the second and third rounds.
As expected, Kakashi successfully advanced to Chūnin, becoming Konoha's second genius to achieve this rank at the age of six.
His birthday was in September, so he was still six years old!
After Kakashi's promotion, Shūichi suggested a celebration, but Kakashi proposed, "How about we have an all-out competition instead?"
Shūichi raised an eyebrow and agreed with a smile, "Today, you get to decide."
Kakashi then said, "For the first round, let's race from here to the training grounds and see who arrives first!"
Might Guy immediately chimed in, "How could I miss out on such a passionate challenge?"
Nohara Rin and the others, who were also waiting for the results, gathered around as well.
"Count me in!" shouted Obito Uchiha, unwilling to be left out.
Seeing Asuma Sarutobi also eager to join, Shūichi said, "Since everyone wants to join, let's all race together!"
Shizune and the other girls quickly voiced their agreement.
Soon, everyone was lined up, and at Shūichi's command, they all used the Body Flicker Technique, racing towards the training grounds at full speed.
In no time, the group had formed different tiers.
In the lead, neck and neck, were Shūichi, Kakashi, and Asuma.
The second tier consisted of Might Guy and Obito Uchiha.
The third tier included Shizune, Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, and the other girls.
However, as Shūichi employed his newly developed Fire Body Flicker Technique, he immediately widened the gap between himself, Kakashi, and Asuma.
But then, Shūichi heard the crackling sound of electricity behind him.
He turned his head to see Kakashi surrounded by crackling lightning, his speed suddenly increasing.
"He's already started applying Lightning Release chakra nature transformation to his body. Impressive, Kakashi!" Shūichi Hoshita silently praised.
Meanwhile, Asuma Sarutobi gritted his teeth as he watched the two in front of him.
Damn it, I can't catch up!
He resolved to ask his older brother, Shinnosuke Sarutobi, for advice when he got back.
...
The winner of the first round was undoubtedly Shūichi Hoshita. Kakashi's application of Lightning Release chakra nature transformation was still in its early stages.
For the second round, by the river.
Shūichi and Kakashi collided at high speed under the watchful eyes of the others. Their fists and feet clashed, kunai sparked as they met in combat.
Both fought with incredible speed, leaving only afterimages in their wake that Shizune and the others struggled to keep up with.
"So fast!" Kurenai Yuhi exclaimed in surprise.
Suddenly, Shūichi disarmed Kakashi, knocking the kunai out of his hand. But Kakashi quickly drew his sword, forcing Shūichi to abandon his kunai as well.
In response, Shūichi drew his Totsuka Blade.
Short sword against short sword!
The sound of clashing metal rang out as sparks flew between them.
But soon, Might Guy and Asuma noticed that Kakashi was starting to lose ground.
Kakashi suddenly retreated, performing several backflips before sheathing his sword and rapidly forming hand seals.
Lightning Release?
Shūichi quickly formed two symbolic hand seals and unleashed a Great Fireball Jutsu, interrupting Kakashi's jutsu and forcing him to dodge.
Uchiha Obito, watching from the sidelines, widened his eyes in disbelief.
Two hand seals for the Great Fireball Jutsu? This is the first time I've seen that!
Shūichi followed up by throwing a barrage of shuriken, forcing Kakashi to keep dodging.
Despite this, Kakashi managed to complete his hand seals.
Lightning Release: Ground Pulse!
Electricity raced across the ground toward Shūichi.
Shūichi leapt into the air and countered with a Dragon Fire Jutsu, blasting the advancing electricity away.
Before he even landed, he unleashed another jutsu—Phoenix Sage Fire Technique—combined with a flurry of shuriken that merged with the fireballs.
Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson! (Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu – Scarlet Claw)
Kakashi immediately dodged and weaved to avoid the attack.
As Shūichi landed, he formed two more hand seals.
Fire Style: Biscuit Firing Jutsu!
Suddenly, Kakashi's body was engulfed in flames, forcing him to dive into the river to extinguish them.
Shūichi charged toward the water. The moment Kakashi resurfaced, he felt a kunai pressed against his neck.
But in the next instant, with a puff of smoke, Kakashi's body turned into a cloud of vapor.
Behind Shūichi, the real Kakashi emerged from the river, having completed his jutsu.
Lightning Release: Ground Pulse!
Lightning crackled and surged toward Shūichi from behind, forming a tree-like pattern of electricity.
Boom!
The river surface exploded, sending waves crashing and spraying water vapor, while Shūichi Hoshita had already vanished without a trace.
"That's fast!" Kakashi's gaze sharpened as the mist parted to reveal three afterimages of Shūichi charging toward him.
It was the Dance of the Crescent Moon!
There was no time to form hand seals.
On the riverbank, under the watchful eyes of Shizune and the others, Kakashi was forced into retreat by the three Shūichi Hoshitas, eventually having no choice but to surrender.
In terms of speed, physical skills, swordsmanship, and ninjutsu... Kakashi was at a clear disadvantage.
The fight left Shizune and the others thoroughly impressed. It was a different level compared to the practice fights back at the academy.
"This is what it means to be a Chūnin; the difference is enormous," Kurenai Yuhi marveled.
Shizune and Rin nodded in agreement.
Afterward, Might Guy, Obito Uchiha, and Asuma Sarutobi all took turns sparring with Shūichi and Kakashi, experiencing firsthand the strength of Chūnin.
...
As the sun set, everyone went their separate ways, and Shūichi Hoshita accompanied Shizune home.
When they passed by a flower shop, Shizune stopped and said, "Lady Tsunade's flowers need replacing. How about we get some now?"
"Let's go take a look," Shūichi agreed.
He followed Shizune into the flower shop.
Inside, the shop owner was watering some wilting flowers. Shūichi looked at the blooming petals but suddenly froze in place.
Shizune selected some flowers and, noticing Shūichi's reaction, asked, "Shūichi, do you like morning glories?"
Shūichi snapped back to reality, smiling and nodding, "Yes, I do!"
"This should be my lucky flower!" Shizune said, taking note.
"Then let's buy it," Shūichi said, and he purchased the flowers, including the ones Shizune picked.
After escorting Shizune home, Shūichi hurried back to his own place, found a vase, and placed the flowers inside.
He had mentioned that the morning glories were his lucky flower because their blooming appearance reminded him of the transformation of Fire Release.
He aimed to simulate the process of the flower blooming to enhance the explosive power of Fire Release chakra.
The blooming of the flower symbolized the process of an explosive outburst.
However, whether this approach would work was uncertain and required careful experimentation.
For the first step in his experiment, Shūichi needed to master the control of Fire Release chakra to simulate the flower's transformation from bud to full bloom.
The difficulty was undoubtedly significant.
After a wash and meal, Shūichi focused on the morning glories on the table and began his attempt.
With his right palm open, he first performed the Fire Release chakra nature transformation, and a pulsating flame appeared on his palm.
He then began to control this flame to mimic the shape of the morning glory.
After some trial and error, it was already 10 o'clock.
Shūichi, feeling somewhat exhausted, ended his training and started to rest.
....
Unknowingly, July was coming to an end.
At the Konoha Hospital, Shūichi Hoshita returned to the lounge with a smile after just finishing a surgery.
Finally done.
With five medical ninjutsu in total—Basic Healing Jutsu, Mystical Palm Technique, Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, Yin Healing Wound Destruction, and Chakra Scalpel—he had finally met the requirements of the Tag Tree.
Activate!
Shūichi immediately chose to activate the Medical Expert tag.
The proficiency in medical ninjutsu increased by 100%, and chakra control improved by 100%.
Shūichi immediately felt a significant difference.
He was now constantly channeling chakra into the Yin Seal + Eight Trigrams Seal in his abdomen, which itself required a very high level of chakra control.
This specifically reflected in the refinement of chakra, which needed a steady and meticulous approach, completely different from large-scale chakra refinement in combat.
Previously, Shūichi barely met the requirements, but now he could refine chakra down to the individual cells in his body.
"This feeling is incredible."
Shūichi smiled broadly, then opened his right palm.
Over the past month, through constant practice, he had been able to shape the Fire Release chakra into the form of a morning glory flower, but he still couldn't achieve dynamic form changes.
With the significant boost in chakra control, Shūichi was eager to try it out.
Soon, the orange-red flame in his palm transformed into a bud shape and then began to bloom outward.
At that moment, Tsunade pushed the door open and was stunned by the sight of the blooming flame flower.
Shūichi looked up and saw Tsunade, then extended his palm towards her: "Lady Tsunade, what do you think?"
Tsunade snapped back to reality, observing the blooming fire flower in Shūichi's palm, and asked, "Is this the shape transformation of Fire Release?"
"Why a flower?"
For Fire Release, in terms of shape transformation, it's usually spherical or dragon-shaped.
What's the use of a flower shape?
It's pretty, indeed!
Shūichi explained, "It's the Fire Body Flicker Jutsu."
"Fire Body Flicker Jutsu?"
Tsunade still looked puzzled.
"You'll understand better if you see it for yourself."
Shūichi said as he dispersed the fire flower in his hand, then led Tsunade to the small training grove where he practiced.
Tsunade observed the blackened craters around and pondered.
Shūichi, meanwhile, lowered his gaze and concentrated for a moment. After opening his eyes, he leapt into the air, leaving afterimages.
Tsunade immediately focused her attention and saw an astonishing sight.
In mid-air, accompanied by an explosive sound, Shūichi used the leverage in the air to propel himself even higher.
(End of Chapter)
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