Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Ember Flicker Jutsu
The faint glow of the evening lanterns illuminated the library as Shiho led Shin down a quiet aisle toward the Genin-level section. The anticipation bubbling within Shin was hard to contain. His mind raced as he thought of the possibilities—perhaps he would find scrolls detailing Sasuke's Fireball Jutsu or maybe even his father's signature jutsu, the Dragon Flame Jutsu. He could barely suppress the grin forming on his lips as he imagined himself mastering such techniques.
Shiho glanced back at him as they walked, her expression bright and cheerful. "You're going to love this section. It's specifically designed to help Genin improve their basics and learn foundational ninjutsu. I know you'll find something that suits you."
Shin nodded enthusiastically, his heart pounding with excitement. "I can't wait. There's so much I want to learn. Even just understanding the basics of some advanced techniques could be useful."
As they turned a corner, Shiho gestured toward a small alcove tucked between two towering shelves. Shin's eager steps slowed as his eyes fell on the so-called Genin-level section—a single, small bookshelf. It stood quietly in the corner, its humble appearance a stark contrast to the grand rows of scrolls he had spent the day organizing.
The reality hit him hard. Gone were the visions of rows upon rows of scrolls detailing grand techniques. The small shelf before him housed a modest collection, its contents numbering perhaps twenty scrolls at most. Some of the scrolls were thin, their bindings plain and unassuming, with simple labels like Basic Transformation Techniques or Fundamentals of Chakra Control.
Shin blinked, the wave of disappointment washing over him unmistakable. "This... is it?" he asked, his voice trailing off as he stared at the shelf.
Shiho gave a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of her head. "Yeah, it's not much, huh? But don't let appearances fool you. Some of these scrolls are incredibly helpful. They're written in a way that's easy to understand, which is perfect for someone just starting out."
Shin forced a small smile, though his earlier excitement had clearly deflated. He stepped closer to the shelf, scanning the titles with an increasingly subdued expression. He had been expecting scrolls filled with techniques of legend, yet what he found was more like a textbook collection.
Still, it's not like there's nothing to learn here, he reasoned. The scrolls, though humble, undoubtedly contained valuable knowledge that could help him grow. And that's what mattered, wasn't it? Taking one step at a time.
Turning toward Shiho, Shin's expression softened, his curiosity reigniting. "Well, do you perhaps have here a Fire Release Jutsu?"
Shin's request hung in the air as Shiho tilted her head thoughtfully. "A Fire Release Jutsu, huh?" she said, rubbing her chin with one hand. "Let's see..."
She turned to the small shelf and began scanning the scrolls, her fingers brushing lightly over the bindings. Shin stood beside her, his mind already racing. Sasuke's Fireball Jutsu is leagues ahead of anything I know. If he had used it in the tournament, there's no way I would have even stood a chance, let alone win.
Shin clenched his fists at the thought. Graduation was just a month away, and he was determined to defeat him in an all-out battle before becoming a Genin—that was his goal.
Shiho's voice broke through his thoughts. "Aha, here it is!" She pulled out a slim, unassuming scroll from the bottom row and handed it to Shin.
He took it eagerly, his eyes scanning the title. Ember Flicker Jutsu.
Shiho smiled sheepishly. "It's a E-rank technique. It's the only Fire Release technique we have here that's Genin-appropriate. Most Fire-style jutsu are either too advanced or require a lot of chakra control, so they're kept in the higher-level sections."
Shin unrolled the scroll carefully, his eyes skimming over the instructions. The Ember Flicker Jutsu appeared to be a basic technique that generated small, fast-moving embers to distract or disorient an opponent. Its utility seemed limited, but he could already see potential applications. It's not flashy, but it's a good starting point. I can work on improving my chakra control with this. And... maybe... I could figure something out to contrast Sasuke's Fireball Jutsu with this...
Shiho watched his expression closely and smiled. "It might not seem like much, but this jutsu can be surprisingly effective in the right hands. Plus, it's a great stepping stone for learning more advanced Fire Release techniques later."
Shin nodded, his determination rekindled. "I'll take it," he said, rolling the scroll back up carefully. "It might be just what I need to start closing the gap."
Shiho grinned. "That's the spirit! I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time. Just don't forget—you'll need to return it by tomorrow morning, okay?"
"Understood," Shin replied with a small smile. As they began making their way back to the main desk, Shin's mind was already formulating a training plan. If this is the first step, I'll make it count. One month is enough... prepare yourself Sasuke!
...
The flickering light of a small candle illuminated Shin's room as he sat cross-legged in the center of the floor, sweat beading on his forehead. He had been at it for hours now, his body sore from the intense focus. But the effort had finally paid off.
*It's working... It's really working!*
Shin held out his hand, fingers trembling with concentration. Tiny embers danced from his fingertips, glowing a faint orange before vanishing into the air with a soft crackle. They were small, almost insignificant compared to the grand techniques he had envisioned in the library, but to him, they felt like the first victory in a long battle.
Shin held his hand up, his fingers still shaking slightly.
His heart pounded in his chest, but even the rush of success couldn't entirely mask the overwhelming exhaustion he felt. This is a lot harder than I thought...
He let his hand fall, collapsing back onto the floor with a weary sigh. His head hung low as he stared at the small embers still floating in the air. The weight of the technique, the effort it took to control his chakra, was like nothing he had imagined.
"Nature transformation... is so difficult…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "I thought it would be simple—just gather chakra, and then make it take shape. But... no. Making chakra take the form of fire, to mold it into something more than just energy... It's so much harder than I ever expected."
Shin rubbed his temples, his thoughts swirling. I never realized how much control you need to bend chakra into something so specific, so real. Just trying to turn it into flames... I can feel every little slip-up. One wrong move, and I lose the fire before it even forms. And this is just a E-rank Jutsu!
But then... why didn't the Healing Jutsu, a C-rank Medical Jutsu, feel so difficult the first time I tried it?
To be continued...
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