The next day, during the outdoor class.
"Senju Nawaki?"
Hearing this familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar name from Hakushi's mouth, Ruri frowned.
"Yeah, before the experimental class yesterday afternoon, I ran into him. He seems quite interested in defeating you."
Hakushi watched Ruri's facial expression with interest, trying to see how she would react.
Unfortunately, Hakushi was disappointed. Ruri just nodded slightly. There were too many people wanting to challenge her, just an ordinary Genin from the Senju Clan.
But still, he is the First Hokage's grandson, so he probably has some skill.
"How is his strength?"
"Probably slightly weaker than me."
"Then he might be a challenger worth a little anticipation."
Ruri, who knew Hakushi's entire strength, slightly lowered her estimation of Nawaki's level. Although he could not possibly defeat her, he might provide some slight enjoyment.
"But I heard from Senior Nawaki that his teacher is Jonin Orochimaru, who just returned to the village. They say he's a genius ninja not seen in decades, so be a bit cautious."
"Don't worry, the Jonin teaching me is a highly esteemed elder in the Uchiha Clan, although retired, his experience and understanding of Ninja Techniques are only matched by the Third Hokage in the Konoha Village. Besides, I have the Sharingan and that Scientific Training Method of yours. Give me two more years, and I can handle a Jonin."
Ruri said confidently.
She's only in the fourth grade now, with two more academic years until graduation. She has ample time to push herself to grow.
Senju Nawaki might have good connections and resources, but the treatment she enjoys within the Uchiha Clan might not be any less favorable.
The Uchiha do not lack powerful Jonin.
"I was just giving a gentle reminder; I'm quite confident in you. After all, no one knows if Senior Nawaki might encounter any unexpected situations two years from now. The war just ended, and executing missions outside can still be a bit dangerous."
Hakushi wasn't cursing Nawaki but pointing out that right after the war's end, things might be more dangerous than during the war. Even with the Sannin's care, missions outside are relatively risky.
"Speaking of which, Senior Nawaki is the grandson of the First Hokage. Could it be that he already inherited the First Lord's Wood Style? That's the Kekkeigenkai that pacified the Warring States chaos."
Hakushi was pondering this.
Hearing Hakushi say this, Ruri responded, "That's impossible. According to our Uchiha family records, among the Senju Clan, only the First Lord awakened the Wood Style."
Hakushi raised an eyebrow, "Isn't that strange?"
"Strange?"
"Yes, Wood Style is a Kekkeigenkai. This kind of ability should be passed down to the next generation, just like the Uchiha's Sharingan and the Hyuga's Byakugan. If Senior Nawaki didn't awaken Wood Style, isn't that odd? After all, Senior Nawaki is only a generation away from the Wood Style's source, quite close to the First Lord by blood."
"As far as I know, Jonin Tsunade can't use Wood Style either."
Hakushi was even more puzzled.
He hadn't thought much about it before, but on serious thought, although it's understandable why other Senju clan members didn't inherit the Wood Style, Hakushi regarded the Wood Style as a Kekkeigenkai created by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
In other words, the Wood Style would not awaken in other Senju clan members but would certainly show up in the immediate descendants.
Nawaki not awakening Wood Style could be explained by his youth or lack of strength, but Tsunade is already a renowned Jonin in the village, an outstanding one among the Jonin.
Such a Jonin hasn't awakened Wood Style either.
Could it be that Wood Style is not really a Kekkeigenkai? Or maybe awakening Wood Style requires something special?
Hakushi couldn't make sense of this.
"I remember you once mentioned that the First Lord could also use something called the Immortal Technique?"
"Ah, yes, indeed I mentioned that. I also happened to see this in the family archives. It is said that there exists a special energy called 'Natural Energy' in nature, which seems to be related to the Immortal Technique. The rest I don't know."
"Could this be related to Wood Style?"
"Who knows? It's hard to verify the affairs of past generations. After all, I've not heard of anyone in the Uchiha who mastered the Immortal Technique; otherwise, there would be methods passed down."
Ruri was also intrigued by the Immortal Technique but wasn't aware of how to obtain its power.
Compared to such elusive things, the Sharingan felt more tangible to her.
This is the source of power for the Uchiha Clan's ninja.
"Natural Energy... what is it really like?"
Hakushi looked up at the sky, puzzled, but his eyes were filled with a desire to explore.
To understand the Immortal Technique, one must first grasp Natural Energy, and mastering Natural Energy requires discovering it and embracing it.
Ruri could tell Hakushi was also very interested in the so-called Immortal Technique. This was his usual trait; once he encountered the unknown, his curiosity often surpassed hers.
"I'll bring you the relevant archives about the Immortal Technique tomorrow."
"Eh? Is that okay? Aren't those archives very valuable?"
"Valuable? It's not that precious; it's just a little tip of the iceberg. Just like many in the Ninja Realm know about Wood Style, but only the First Lord could use it. The same logic applies to the Immortal Technique; knowing of its existence and mastering it are two different matters."
◎
The next day, Ruri, as promised, brought some Uchiha clan-related archives about the Immortal Technique to Hakushi.
After all, letting them gather dust at her home was of no use.
However, to Hakushi, they were like a treasure found.
Even if it's just the tip of the iceberg of Immortal Technique information, he considered it precious material.
At night, he accompanied Ruri to train for a while, then couldn't wait to go home, spread the Immortal Technique data on the desk, and turn on the desk lamp.
The scrolls recording the Immortal Technique were already very worn out, some dust couldn't be brushed off, fixed in place.
Hakushi didn't mind, opened the scroll, and began reading the text.
The scroll roughly recorded that based on normal Chakra, by absorbing external Natural Energy and merging it, one forms the so-called Sage Art Chakra.
By creating Sage Art Chakra, one can use the Immortal Technique.
To use the Immortal Technique, one must first enter Sage Mode.
A very brief introduction.
But within this, the most crucial aspect is the so-called Natural Energy.
Normal Chakra is produced by fusing the ninja's own physical and spiritual energy.
Sage Art Chakra is produced by adding Natural Energy to these two energies, thus forming Sage Art Chakra.
And Natural Energy exists in the air and earth.
In other words, Natural Energy is actually everywhere.
To sense Natural Energy, one must become one with nature.
The record ends there.
There's no documentation on how to become one with nature, not a single record.
How to become one with nature, feel Natural Energy, how to receive it, what is the appropriate amount, and in what proportions the three energies need to be balanced, are all not recorded.