Chapter 82: The Mysterious Art of the Mind
"Who is it?"
"Could it be one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya? Is Minato-sensei going to teach me Sage Mode?"
Koshino couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought that the Fourth Hokage might teach him a secret technique, possibly the Sage Mode from Mount Myoboku! What is Sage Mode?
It's arguably one of the most powerful divine-level secret techniques in the Naruto world, second only to the Kekkei Genkai!
In the original storyline, Madara Uchiha had the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. What did the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, use to counter it?
The answer is Sage Mode! Similarly, in the original storyline, how did Uzumaki Naruto's strength improve so rapidly, allowing him to face the Six Paths of Pain, who had defeated Jiraiya, after just a few days of training?
The answer is still Sage Mode!
If Koshino could master the training method of Sage Mode, even if he couldn't achieve the perfect Sage Mode like the First Hokage Hashirama Senju or the main character Uzumaki Naruto.
He was sure that using Sage Mode would elevate his strength from an ordinary Jonin to the pinnacle of the ninja world as a Shadow-Level powerhouse! What a temptation that would be!
Unfortunately, the fantasy of mastering Sage Mode and becoming a Shadow-Level powerhouse only excited Koshino for a few seconds.
Soon, Koshino realized something was off!
"This isn't right!"
"If Minato-sensei were planning to teach me Sage Mode, he wouldn't say it's on behalf of someone else. He'd say it's on behalf of a master, right?"
"After all, if you think about it, Jiraiya should be considered my grandmaster. Saying it's on behalf of someone else seems too distant, doesn't it?"
"Moreover..."
Thinking to himself, Koshino couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth a few times, then thought somewhat gloomily:
"Moreover, during the Third Great Ninja War, Jiraiya seemed to have just started learning Sage Mode, and Minato-sensei hadn't even completed his Sage Mode training yet, right?"
"Sigh!"
"I was indeed daydreaming just now. I should ask Minato-sensei what secret technique he plans to teach me!"
Unable to train in Sage Mode left Koshino feeling a bit uncomfortable.
But as Koshino had thought before, the path must be taken step by step. Taking too big a step could lead to trouble!
Since Koshino's strength had already made two significant leaps forward with the help of the APP's accelerated training and the personal guidance of the Fourth Hokage, he didn't need to ask for too much.
Solidifying his strength and foundation, slowly breaking through barriers, and climbing to the peak of Shadow-Level power step by step—that was the true path.
In the world, many things that take shortcuts have drawbacks unless you're the protagonist.
Koshino didn't consider himself to have the protagonist's aura, so he quickly came to terms with not being able to train in Sage Mode.
Moreover, even if Koshino couldn't learn Sage Mode from the Fourth Hokage, the Fourth Hokage was still going to teach him a new secret technique "on behalf of someone else."
While Koshino was secretly anticipating what kind of secret technique the Fourth Hokage was preparing to teach him,
the Fourth Hokage suddenly used the "Acceleration" technique, sprinting a hundred meters in front of Koshino.
When he returned to Koshino's side, the Fourth Hokage asked, "Koshino, do you see any difference between the technique I just used and the one you use?"
"No difference."
Having observed carefully earlier, Koshino shook his head directly and replied, "Minato-sensei, the technique you just used is basically the same as the one I use, even the speed increase is about the same."
"That's right, Koshino. This is actually the limit of the technique I developed."
Listening to Koshino's response, the Fourth Hokage smiled gently.
Seeing Koshino's furrowed brow, he patiently explained, "Koshino, Shikaku mentioned to me that you were interested in chakra paper.
Judging by how well you've mastered the secret techniques I've developed, I assume you've already completed the nature transformation of wind chakra."
"To achieve wind chakra nature transformation at such a young age, Koshino, you truly have remarkable talent."
"But do you know that the nature transformation of wind chakra doesn't have just one pinnacle?"
"When you make another breakthrough on the foundation of understanding wind chakra nature transformation, your comprehension of 'wind' can be elevated to another level, like this!"
With that, the Fourth Hokage used the "Acceleration" secret technique once more, sprinting a hundred meters in front of Koshino.
This time, as the Fourth Hokage used the "Acceleration" technique, Koshino, relying on Chakra perception, merely sensed an increase in chakra output.
However, when Koshino used wind perception to sense the Fourth Hokage's "Acceleration" technique, a flash of realization appeared in Koshino's eyes!
"So that's the true detail of how Minato-sensei uses the secret technique. How foolish of me!"
"Using Chakra perception, I only felt that Minato-sensei increased chakra usage.
But with wind perception, I can detect the subtle changes in Minato-sensei's secret technique!"
"Interesting, previously Minato-sensei's 'Acceleration' technique involved integrating wind chakra into the 'wind' to increase movement speed.
But now, Minato-sensei's 'Acceleration' technique not only integrates wind chakra into the 'wind' but also surpasses the 'wind.' What a profound insight!"
"If it were me, could I truly surpass the 'wind' like Minato-sensei?"
Reflecting inwardly, Koshino couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened.
The Fourth Hokage's understanding of 'wind' was beyond Koshino's imagination.
If Koshino were given two or three years to solely focus on the wonders of wind chakra, without any other training, he felt he might catch up to the Fourth Hokage's level.
However, dedicating time to such training seemed somewhat unworthy of the effort.
Moreover, Koshino intended to pursue the path of an all-rounder ninja.
Spending years solely on understanding 'wind' wouldn't be as beneficial as seeking comprehensive breakthroughs, which would enhance his overall strength more.
Yet, as if the Fourth Hokage sensed Koshino's dilemma, he returned to Koshino's side.
Especially when Koshino was about to speak, ready to politely decline the specialized training in 'wind,' the Fourth Hokage, smiling, patted Koshino's head and said,
"Koshino, I understand your difficulties, so I don't intend for you to abandon other training just to focus on wind chakra comprehension."
"To be honest, even I reached this point with the help of a benefactor.
Without the secret technique I'm about to teach you, no matter how outstanding one's talent is, it's nearly impossible to reach my level.
So, Koshino, as long as you complete the secret technique training I pass on to you daily, while balancing other training, with your talent, I believe it will take just over a year for your understanding of wind chakra to surpass mine."
"Now, let's talk about the secret technique I'm going to teach you!"
As he spoke, Koshino noticed a gentle expression gradually appearing in the Fourth Hokage's eyes.
Then, just as Koshino was curiously wondering who had taught the secret technique to the Fourth Hokage, he revealed the answer with a smile:
"Koshino, the person who taught me the secret technique is actually your sensei's wife, Uzumaki Kushina."
"And the secret technique I'm passing on to you is from the Uzumaki Clan!"