章 14: Chapter 14: Into The Shadows
As Hikaru continued to train and experiment with his shadow abilities, he stumbled upon an important realization: the impact of ninjutsu on his shadow was related to distance. He recalled the moments Kaito attacked him with the fireball, when he sensed the ninjutsu entering certain area around him, noting how his shadow reacted with a peculiar intensity, almost as if it were trying to interact with the jutsu itself. This led him to recognize that the closer the ninjutsu was, the more pronounced the effect on his shadow became.
Reflecting on this observation, Hikaru began to draw connections to his own abilities. He understood that just like the way ninjutsu affected his shadow at close range, his ability to sense shadows without channeling chakra was also confined to a limited radius around him. It became increasingly clear that both his shadow's response to the presence of ninjutsu and his capacity to perceive shadows were intricately linked to proximity.
Hikaru found Kaito in the clan's area, just as he'd hoped. Kaito was seated on a low wall, his gaze sharp as he watched Hikaru approach. Hikaru wasted no time, jumping right into his recent discovery.
"Kaito, I think I've figured something out. My shadow sense only reacts to ninjutsu when it's close to me, within a certain range. I need you to use some techniques near me, just close enough so I can sense the effect."
Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly, his posture unwavering. "You just got out of the hospital, Hikaru," he replied, his voice calm but carrying an edge of disapproval. "You're not ready to be testing anything, let alone putting yourself through more strain."
Hikaru took a deep breath, knowing Kaito's attitude wouldn't waver easily. "It's not a full fight, just a controlled test," he insisted, keeping his tone steady. "I need to know what's causing the reaction. This isn't about pushing myself. I'm ready for it."
Kaito crossed his arms, his expression serious. "You always think you're ready. But a few more days of rest could mean the difference between growing stronger or ending up right back in that hospital bed."
Hikaru met his gaze, determined. "I understand that. But this isn't me being reckless. I need to know what happens to my shadow in these conditions." He paused, looking directly into Kaito's eyes with his blind eyes. "You know as well as I do—I have to understand this if I ever want to be a shinobi."
Kaito held his gaze a moment longer before letting out a quiet sigh. "Fine. But don't expect me to go easy on you." His voice was as steady, but Hikaru caught a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Back in the training ground, Hikaru stood in the center, steadying his breathing, while Kaito positioned himself a few meters away, hands at the ready. The early morning light cast long shadows around them, and Hikaru focused, grounding himself as he prepared to activate his shadow senses.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, his tone cool and direct. "What exactly do you need me to do?"
"Just use any ninjutsu," Hikaru replied. "But aim it near me—not at me, just close enough so I can sense the effect." His voice was calm, though he felt the usual rush of anticipation whenever he tested his abilities in new ways.
Kaito's lips curved slightly, a hint of mischief in his usually serious expression. "Why not at you? It was fun last time."
Hikaru let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Fun for you, maybe. Pretty sure I was the one who ended up in the hospital."
Kaito gave a small shrug. "Guess we'll just have to keep it safe, then," he said with a smirk, loosening his stance as he prepared to initiate the technique.
Kaito formed a quick set of hand seals, calling forth the Shadow Clone Technique. In an instant, a perfect copy of himself appeared beside him, sharing half of his chakra but otherwise identical in every way. The clone gave a nod and stepped over to stand next to Hikaru, prepared to intervene if anything went wrong.
Kaito took a deep breath, focusing his chakra as he began forming a series of hand signs with precision. "Fire Style: fireball!" he called out, finishing the signs and molding a small flame from his mouth.
With careful control, he minimized the chakra flow, producing a faint, manageable fireball. He tossed it just a meter away from Hikaru, the flame casting a slight glow against the shadows.
"Alright, there it is," Kaito said, his tone light but his eyes sharp, closely observing Hikaru for any reaction to the fireball's proximity.
As Kaito's flame hovered close, Hikaru had already activated his Chakra Recycling technique, feeling his senses heighten as his shadow expanded, responsive to every slight change in the surrounding area. Yet, unlike last time, the reaction of the shadows was subtle, barely noticeable.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, watching Hikaru's expression. "Well? What did you pick up?"
Hikaru's gaze remained thoughtful. "The shadows... they reacted, but it's much weaker than before."
Kaito frowned slightly. "Why do you think that is? Last time you said the reaction was intense."
Hikaru paused, considering the difference between this situation and the one that landed him in the hospital. Slowly, it dawned on him—the fireball Kaito had cast last time had been aimed directly at him, not just thrown nearby.
"The only difference," he mused aloud, "is that last time, the fireball was headed right for me. The shadows… they might have been trying to warn me."
Hikaru's eyes sparkled with determination. "Then let's test it. I need you to aim directly at me this time."
Kaito's expression shifted from surprise to a firm, cold refusal. "Absolutely not. You just got out of the hospital, Hikaru. I'm not doing that again."
"Kaito, come on," Hikaru insisted. "This is the only way to confirm what's happening with my shadow senses."
Kaito crossed his arms, looking unconvinced. "Even if I wanted to, your mother would kill me if anything happened to you. And believe me, she'd be a lot scarier than any jutsu I know."
Hikaru chuckled. "It'll be safe, I promise. Just use the smallest amount of chakra you can manage."
With a sigh, Kaito relented, muttering, "Alright, but I'm not taking the blame if you end up drenched." Forming hand seals quickly, he announced, "Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu!" A small, minimal-chakra water bullet formed in front of him, its size and power reduced to barely more than a splash.
Kaito aimed it straight at Hikaru, preparing for what would hopefully be a harmless test.
As the water bullet neared him, Hikaru braced himself, activating chakra recycling to enhance his senses. Instantly, his shadow senses kicked in with a sharper, more noticeable response. His shadow seemed to ripple, reacting with a strange intensity but not as forcefully as the first time. The reaction was exactly what he needed.
Kaito's eyes narrowed as he observed. "So? What happened? Did it work?"
Hikaru nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Yeah, it did. I felt it again, like my shadow was… reacting. But the response was weaker this time, probably because the jutsu posed a lot less risk to me than before."
Kaito tilted his head, crossing his arms with a hint of curiosity. "Alright, so now that you know, what's next?"
"Now," Hikaru said, his voice brimming with resolve, "I have to strengthen this connection and see if I can control it. As it is, it's unpredictable and does more harm than good if I can't rely on it consistently." He paused before adding, "Hang on for a minute—I want to try something new."
Kaito waited, watching as Hikaru closed his eyes and focused. He began channeling chakra into his shadow, drawing deeply until nearly all of his chakra was concentrated there. Previously, he'd only tried pulling the chakra back to his body for chakra recycling or manipulating it for Shadow Sentinel. But this time, he had something else in mind: a way to extend his influence even further by channeling chakra from his own shadow into the nearby shadows.
He'd attempted it once before without success, the chakra unable to leave his own shadow. But now, with renewed determination, he pushed almost all his chakra into his shadow, then tried to spread it outward, willing it to flow into the other shadows around him.
As Hikaru concentrated, a sudden shock coursed through him, breaking the connection with his shadow and leaving him without any physical sensations. He was plunged into an overwhelming darkness, yet instead of fear, an exhilarating sensation enveloped him. It was as if he had melded with the shadows, becoming one with their fluid forms.
In that moment, he felt a profound sense of belonging, a connection that transcended the limitations of his physical body. The shadows pulsed with life, swirling around him like gentle waves, cradling him in their embrace. There was no weight pressing down on him, no restrictions—just pure, unadulterated freedom. The shadows whispered secrets, their movements rhythmic and soothing, and he found himself surrendering to their dance. It was the most enjoyable feeling he had ever experienced, a blissful release from reality, where every worry and doubt melted away into the darkness.
Time lost its meaning, and he drifted in this realm of shadows, feeling lighter than air, wrapped in warmth and tranquility. Every breath was filled with the essence of the night, a deep, calming pulse that resonated within him. He reveled in this newfound state of being, fully immersed in the sensations that surrounded him.
But soon, that bliss began to fade. Kaito's voice cut through the haze, desperate and urgent. "Hey! Come on, wake up!" Relief surged through Hikaru when he heard his friend's call, the sound grounding him back to reality. With a jolt, and to his astonishment, he could see.
The world shimmered before him, bathed in an ethereal glow. Shadows danced and shifted, weaving intricate patterns like living beings. For a fleeting moment, joy bubbled within him as he marveled at this newfound sight. Had he finally crossed a threshold he never thought possible? His heart raced with excitement, and a wide grin spread across his face.
But as he focused more intently, that initial thrill was quickly overshadowed by confusion. He realized that he didn't see in the conventional sense. Instead, he sensed Kaito's chakra, its energy coalescing into a vague silhouette. It gave him a hazy impression of Kaito standing nearby, outlined by a soft aura that felt familiar.
"Are you okay?" Kaito asked, a mix of worry and curiosity in his eyes. "What just happened?"
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