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[Konoha2] Chapter 40: The Diamond-Body Technique
🕑 Added 2025-05-14 16:35:06 +0000 UTCHajime nearly turned green in the face.
Who could possibly endure this?!
No wonder the note warned to “use with caution.”
Fortunately, to his relief, it wasn’t actual steel.
Refocusing his thoughts, Hajime began reevaluating the possibility of developing Steel Release.
“From a chakra nature transformation perspective, Steel Release is most likely a combination of Earth and Fire Release.”
“Troublesome…”
He had already mastered Earth Release nature transformation—but not Fire.
Of course, it wasn’t impossible to learn Fire Release.
But even if he did manage to master Fire Release within the next seven days, the odds of successfully combining both into a new nature transformation for Steel Release were extremely low.
Hajime was self-aware enough to admit he wasn’t that much of a genius.
In other words, permanently solidifying Steel Body by developing Steel Release was likely out of the question.
“That means the only viable route is through Earth Release.”
Immediately, Hajime thought of the Earth Spear technique he had obtained from the Hidden Waterfall Village.
This Earth Release jutsu hardened the skin to the level of steel, rendering the user resistant to physical attacks.
It essentially seemed like a weakened version of his current Steel Body status.
So then—if the skin could be hardened, could the same be done to the muscles, bones, and even internal organs?
Ultimately, if the entire body were hardened, wouldn’t that replicate the effects of Steel Body?
“This really could be a path forward… but seven days isn’t much time.”
Hajime wasn’t confident.
Still, he decided it was worth trying.
Even if he couldn’t master Steel Body permanently through this method, the technique itself would be a valuable asset.
“Let’s test it first.”
He immediately formed hand seals and split off three Wood Clones in a single breath.
He didn’t make more, in case a battle broke out.
The three clones immediately set to work:
—One focused on hardening muscle.
—One worked on hardening bone.
—The last targeted internal organs.
Functionally, hardening skin, muscle, bone, and organs were all based on the same core concept.
Which meant—if you could harden the skin, there was no real barrier to hardening the other components of the body.
However, as soon as the clones began experimenting, they noticed an intense chakra drain.
It was a massive expenditure!
Still, it was manageable—for now.
Each clone gradually worked on hardening a different part of the body.
The first to complete its task was the clone working on the internal organs. On the surface, there was no visible change.
The clone reported, “Even in the Steel Body status, hardening the internal organs created a noticeable difference. My explosive power increased—though the improvement was slight under this status.”
“If I combine it with hardened bones, muscles, and skin—basically harden the entire body—then both strength and explosive force should improve significantly.”
“But the chakra cost is extreme. It’s no less than using the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken—and the drain is continuous.”
Hajime nodded.
The clone that had hardened the organs dispelled itself, leaving behind a wooden stump.
After absorbing the experience, Hajime turned toward the remaining two clones.
The clone that had been working on hardening bone finished just in time and said, “He’s right—explosive power and strength both improve.”
“After hardening the bones, the effects are very noticeable.”
“But to harden the entire body, I think it would be faster to work on the cellular level.”
Hajime nodded in agreement. “That makes sense.”
“Extract chakra directly from the cells, then apply Earth Release nature transformation to harden each one.”
“But that would require extremely precise chakra control.”
The clone smiled. “If you really put in the effort, you should be able to manage it.”
With those final words, the clone turned back into wood.
Soon after, the third clone finished hardening the muscles.
Stretching and rotating his body, the clone said, “There’s no loss of flexibility.”
“In fact, it’s not so much that raw strength has increased, but because defense has improved, I can now withstand greater recoil. That means I can unleash my full physical power without restraint.”
Hajime nodded thoughtfully.
The human body had a natural self-protection mechanism.
For example, the first few Gates in the Eight Inner Gates technique function by releasing those self-imposed physical limitations, allowing a person to tap into their latent potential.
One reason a person can’t exert their full strength isn’t just a lack of physical control—but also the body’s instinctive protection mechanisms.
The final clone dispelled itself.
Hajime carefully absorbed the accumulated experience, then began forming hand seals.
Starting with his skin, he initiated the hardening process. In the moment the seals were completed, his entire skin turned black.
Then came the muscles, bones, and internal organs.
The full process took a full ten seconds.
Once complete, his whole body looked like it had been carved from black marble.
This was clearly different from simply hardening the skin.
It was as if he had transformed into living diamond.
Hajime could feel the clear difference from his previous Steel Body state.
When using Steel Body, the skin still had the feel of flesh when touched—but this hardened form no longer had that sensation. He really felt like a statue.
“Even if I can’t make Steel Body permanent, this jutsu alone is incredibly valuable.”
A smile crept onto Hajime’s lips.
Of course, with such a long activation time, it wasn’t practical for combat yet.
But with consistent training, the preparation time could be shortened.
If he could eventually reach the cellular-level hardening that the clone described, then like Kakuzu, he’d be able to harden his entire body instantly.
“This technique... I’ll call it: Diamond-Body Technique.”
Hajime named the jutsu.
Its difficulty level also rose from a B-rank to an A-rank technique!
With the Diamond-Body Technique now fully developed, Hajime put aside the goal of permanently solidifying Steel Body for the time being. He created clones to continue training the jutsu, while his real body took time to rest.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, as soon as Hajime woke up, Inuzuka Ryo burst through the door.
“‘Alpha,’ Lord Danzō has arrived!”
Hajime’s heart skipped a beat.
Danzō had come personally—that meant Konoha was about to launch a full-scale attack on the Sky Ninja Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had seized the opportunity decisively.
So this is the fire of a war-era Hokage...
With a silent sigh of admiration, Hajime donned his mask and quickly stepped outside.
Outside, numerous Root operatives knelt on one knee. Only Danzō remained standing.
Hajime immediately stepped forward. “Lord Danzō!”
Danzō gave a slight nod. His expression was stern, but he couldn’t hide the satisfaction in his eyes as he looked at Hajime. “Alpha, you’ve done well.”
“Hiruzen has decided to go to war with the Sky Ninja. But gathering the village’s forces will take some time—so we need to ensure the enemy remains in chaos.”
“We must prevent them from organizing any effective response before our reinforcements arrive.”
“Alpha, I need you to infiltrate the Sky Ninja Village again and sow further chaos.”
Hajime lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment. “Yes, I understand. I won’t let you down, Lord Danzō!”
Danzō nodded. “Go. I will personally lead a team to provide support from outside.”
“Understood!”
With that, Hajime vanished from the spot.
(End of Chapter)
