"For the first stage of training, you just need to attach Wind Release chakra to a kunai and throw it."
Fukami Senran casually tossed a kunai, and it landed firmly in a wooden post.
"Pay attention to the marks around the kunai. The scattered Wind Release chakra should leave traces of destruction at least one centimeter long. Mastering Nature Transformation must be built upon precise chakra control."
Qingshui, Baki, and Pakura all picked up kunai and followed suit.
When Baki threw his kunai, the Wind Release chakra on it did indeed cut a several-centimeter-long gash around where the kunai landed.
Pakura's was similar, though slightly shorter than Baki's.
"Doesn't seem too difficult?"
Qingshui didn't use his superpowers; he relied solely on his own chakra and found that he had already met Fukami Senran's requirement.
Of course, even without using his superpowers, Qingshui's control over Wind Release chakra was still several levels higher than before.
"It must be because Qingshui is a Puppet Master, so he's better at precise chakra control."
Fukami Senran was briefly surprised, then quickly found a reason.
"Perhaps."
Qingshui scratched his head.
What Fukami Senran said made some sense, but based on his actual skill level, while he should be much better than Baki and Pakura, he shouldn't have achieved it on the first try.
"Since Qingshui has already met the requirement, I'll explain the next step."
Fukami Senran picked up a leaf, held its stem in his left hand, and with his right index finger, sliced across the leaf, instantly cutting it into two even halves.
"Wind has fluidity. It's easy to cut a leaf by attaching it to a sharp kunai, but it's not so easy on a finger… or is it?"
Fukami Senran stopped, looking at Qingshui.
In Qingshui's hand were two halves of a leaf; when put together, they formed a complete leaf.
"Uh… I usually train Ninjutsu according to the assignments left by Chiyo-sensei. Perhaps because of that, my mastery of Wind Release has improved significantly recently."
"I see!"
Fukami Senran nodded in understanding.
Chiyo was a legendary figure, nearly or even on par with the Five Kage. It was normal for her to possess such skill.
Furthermore, Qingshui usually used Puppetry as his primary fighting style and hadn't overtly displayed his Wind Release proficiency.
If Fukami Senran had routinely assessed Qingshui's Wind Release skills, he might have noticed something unusual.
"The next step is like this."
Fukami Senran cupped a new leaf in his hands. When he reopened them, the leaf inside was also cut into two halves.
"Without any objects or visual perception, you'll cut the leaf using the most basic method. Generally, most ninja take half a year to achieve this step. After that, you'll directly use Wind Release chakra to continuously cut through flowing water like waterfalls and rivers for extended periods."
"If you can do this, you've basically mastered the Nature Transformation of Wind Release. You can then incorporate this cutting ability into your Ninjutsu, and even add Wind Release Nature Transformation to other Ninjutsu."
"The village once conducted a survey, and the average time it took Jonin in our Sand Village to master the basic Nature Transformation of Wind Release was about a year. It took me five months back then. Your talent is at least no worse than mine was, which is why I believe you can master Wind Release Nature Transformation within six months."
Qingshui looked at the two leaf halves in Fukami Senran's hand and tried it himself.
The leaf split into many pieces.
This result relieved Pakura and Baki.
If Qingshui had immediately achieved near-complete mastery of Wind Release Nature Transformation, these two geniuses would have suffered a significant blow.
"Hmm… it's much better than my first attempt. The main trick is to imagine the Wind Release chakra as two opposing air currents. The friction between these two currents generates powerful cutting force. You can try again. You've already reached this point; I think you'll complete your Wind Release Nature Transformation training in two or three months."
"Thank you, Captain Fukami."
Qingshui said gratefully.
"Alright, we'll take a break tomorrow so you can figure things out on your own. Now, keep practicing. I have things to do."
Fukami Senran waved his hand dismissively, patted his butt, and left.
Pakura and Baki continued practicing kunai throwing.
Qingshui picked up a fallen leaf that had drifted over, held it in his hand, and his eyes grew thoughtful.
He seemed to have some recollection of what Fukami Senran was teaching.
When Naruto wanted to incorporate Wind Release Nature Transformation into his Rasengan, Kakashi specifically invited Asuma, who was more proficient in Wind Release, to guide Naruto.
Asuma's teaching method seemed very similar to what Fukami Senran was teaching.
Naruto apparently created several hundred Shadow Clones and, in one afternoon, managed to master the technique of cutting leaves. The subsequent cutting of the waterfall took some effort with the help of Kakashi and Yamato.
And Uchiha Sasuke—when Kakashi was guiding Naruto, he seemed to mention that Sasuke had mastered Lightning Release Nature Transformation in a month, three years prior, right?
The Sharingan, which could perceive chakra flow and copy Ninjutsu, certainly helped Uchiha Sasuke, but one also couldn't deny that Uchiha Sasuke's talent in Lightning Release was absolutely top-tier.
What about himself?
Qingshui tried again, following the trick Fukami Senran had described.
He opened his palm, and two pieces of leaves lay quietly within it, their cuts smooth and vertical.
"Tsk, I still won't tell them. Don't want to discourage them."
Qingshui used Wind Release to shred the leaves. He glanced at Pakura and Baki, who were still throwing kunai, then sat back down.
Now, it seemed he really had become a genius.
...
...
Demon Slayer World.
Mount Tsurugi, Tateyama Temple.
"Whack!"
"Whack!"
"Whack!"
In the spacious courtyard, Qingshui, holding a bamboo sword, sparred with the old monk Morioka Nen.
To ensure sufficient practice effect, he deliberately "held back."
This meant not using Chakra to strengthen his body, keeping his physical strength and speed within the range of a normal human.
"Whack!"
The old monk slapped Qingshui's wrist with his sword, knocking the bamboo sword from Qingshui's hand.
"Thirty-seven moves! Senior Qingshui lasted over thirty moves against Mr. Morioka this time! You lose!"
Sagawa Kintsura extended his hand towards Akiha Ren beside him.
The latter reluctantly took out candy from his pocket and handed it to Sagawa.
"Amitabha, Qingshui-kun, your swordplay has reached a rudimentary level. You can now begin to learn Wind Breathing with this old monk."
So tired...
My recent sleep schedule has been a mess. I slept for two hours after finishing that chapter in the evening, and finally finished this chapter before midnight.
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