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Chapter 357: You Want Me to Learn from the Third Mizukage's Path?
🕑 Added 2024-11-13 16:43:09 +0000 UTC"..."
For a moment, Orochimaru paused, then nodded after a few seconds, "Since Takuya doesn't like the name, of course, you can change it."
As he was about to put away the scroll, Jiraiya's quick reflexes allowed him to snatch the shorter single-edged sword, and he called out, "I also suffered losses, so I'll take this Kusanagi Sword as compensation. Besides, I want to learn Lightning Release from Takuya."
"Do you have any shame?" Orochimaru felt the urge to grab a sword and hit someone.
Jiraiya rarely used weapons, and if he really wanted one, a word to the Third Hokage would have someone craft him a chakra-compatible weapon.
Yet here he was, going after Orochimaru's collection of Kusanagi Swords!
What nonsense!
Jiraiya using swords? And wanting to learn Lightning Release from me?
Takuya was astonished.
"I'll have the old man craft you a suitable weapon."
"No way! Don't think I don't know how precious these swords are to you. I want this one, and nothing will change my mind. Orochimaru, give up—I won't hand it back."
"..."
Facing Jiraiya's shamelessness, Orochimaru felt powerless.
Although he was reluctant, fighting Jiraiya over a Kusanagi Sword would be a joke.
And besides, Orochimaru had no intention of fighting Jiraiya now.
Forget it.
Orochimaru gave Jiraiya an annoyed glare and decisively put the scroll away.
"Heh heh!"
With the sword in his hands, Jiraiya tucked it away, not even worrying about getting stabbed by it. He wrapped an arm around Takuya's shoulder, leading him out.
"Takuya, I got something good earlier. Let's get some grilled meat, and we can talk about that Lightning Release." Jiraiya had managed to snag a Kusanagi Sword, and he couldn't wait to start learning Lightning Release from Takuya.
Takuya found it both amusing and frustrating.
Jiraiya truly wanted to learn Lightning Release, but he also wanted to avoid Orochimaru—he feared that once Takuya left, Orochimaru would come for his sword.
Think you can get the Kusanagi Sword back?
Not a chance!
This belonged to Jiraiya now. There was no way he was giving it up.
The two of them found a spot to sit, and Jiraiya, being the one in need, quickly got to work. He prepared the fish and boar he had caught, cut them into small pieces, and handed them to Takuya for seasoning.
Takuya brought out the necessary tools, marinated the meat, and skewered it onto iron rods, slowly grilling it.
He decided not to tease Jiraiya anymore, and instead, spoke plainly, "My Lightning Release isn't exactly a traditional ninjutsu. It's more akin to the Lightning techniques of Kumogakure, primarily emphasizing chakra nature transformation of the lightning attribute to achieve destructive attacks.
"The advantage is that it requires no hand seals. As long as you have enough chakra, you can unleash powerful attacks and cause significant damage."
"Of course, it also has its downsides. Normal weapons can't handle the volatile lightning chakra, and overuse can harm the body."
"So, it's essentially about using crude control to achieve explosive power and devastating force?"
As one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya had a strong grasp of chakra nature transformation, something not easily compared to most ninja.
Takuya's simple explanation was enough for Jiraiya to understand the gist of it.
"Exactly. That's how Kumogakure's Lightning Armor technique works too."
The Lightning Armor wasn't exactly a secret—every village had bits of intelligence on it. Yet, aside from Kumogakure, no one else had managed to master it.
Just like how combining different chakra natures could create new kekkei genkai, like Ice Release. The Third Mizukage of Kirigakure had even mastered Ice Release without being from a clan with the kekkei genkai.
But aside from those born with Ice Release, how many could actually master it afterward?
If Ice Release doesn't make the point, Dust Release certainly does.
"Such a rough and direct technique. Won't the body's pathways and tissues be harmed?"
Jiraiya felt uneasy.
He hadn't imagined Takuya's use of Lightning Release would be so crude.
Sure, it was simple, but it was also extremely blunt.
If used recklessly, it could lead to self-inflicted injuries.
Even if he mastered it, it could only be used as a last resort—not something to wield freely.
Otherwise, the enemy might still be standing while your body gave out.
Takuya could use it at will only because he trusted his physical strength and regenerative ability.
"If you think it's troublesome, you could always consider Ice Release."
Takuya offered Jiraiya an alternative.
"Ice Release?"
Jiraiya paused, thinking carefully before looking up, "You're suggesting I follow the Third Mizukage's path?"
The Third Mizukage wielded the Ice Release kekkei genkai but wasn't from the Yuki clan, meaning he had acquired Ice Release afterward.
"Exactly."
Takuya raised his hand, where chakra from the water and wind natures began to merge—only for it to shatter midway.
"I've also been trying to fuse the elements to create Ice Release, but I haven't made much progress. Honestly, I think Ice Release is an underestimated kekkei genkai. Most people simply don't know how to exploit its full potential."
Ice Release was indeed an underrated kekkei genkai.
This was part of why Takuya was trying to develop it.
Aside from wanting to explore ways of growing without relying on external power-ups, he also aimed to expand the versatility of Ice Release. To Takuya, the Third Mizukage and even the Yuki clan seemed to merely play with ice rather than truly harness it.
As for the pseudo-Ice Release users of the Land of Snow, they weren't even worth mentioning.
"You really are greedy—isn't the Sharingan enough?"
Jiraiya acted dismissive, though in truth, he was interested. His curiosity got the better of him, and he asked slyly, "So, do you have any insights or experiences on Ice Release?"
"Maybe we could work on it together."
"..."
I don't buy it!
Casting a skeptical glance at Jiraiya, Takuya replied, "I have some ideas and progress, but I'm not telling you. If you want to learn, do it yourself."
I've worked on it for two or three years, and now that I'm close, you want to reap the benefits?
Keep dreaming—you aren't handsome enough for that!
So stingy!
It wasn't entirely right, but Jiraiya felt itching curiosity. He would definitely work on mastering Lightning Release, and if Ice Release was attainable, he wouldn't let that opportunity slip. Sadly, Takuya wasn't budging.
"Unless..."
"Unless what?"
Takuya's "unless" made Jiraiya perk up—there was hope.
Hope meant there was value to be exchanged.
Apparently, it wasn't just Orochimaru who had been rattled today; Jiraiya too, after the battle, realized his own shortcomings and sought to make up for them.
