"What is this?"
"It's similar to the Chakra Restrictor you gave to the Genin in the team for training before. However, the difference is that this is a specially enhanced Chakra Restrictor, only suitable for Jonin."
Hakushi specifically pointed this out.
For Genin or Chunin wearing a Chakra Restrictor of this level, although there is no life-threatening danger, don't even think about successfully performing Ninja Techniques, Taijutsu, or Illusion Techniques.
These three types of combat styles all rely on Chakra circulating within the body to be executed.
Particularly for Taijutsu, the faster the Chakra flows within the body, the more powerful the Taijutsu becomes. Conversely, if the Chakra flows slowly, it's difficult for Taijutsu to reach its full potential.
Ruri placed one of the black metal rings on her left hand.
On the surface, her body didn't undergo any changes, yet only Ruri herself knew that the flow of Chakra inside her body, although not completely static, wasn't much faster than a turtle's crawl.
In this severely limited state of Chakra flow, attempting to train the speed of Chakra circulation back to normal is no simple task.
Afterwards, Ruri looked at the second metal ring, wondering what would happen if she put on the second one.
Just one had already slowed down her Chakra flow within her body to such an extent. If she put on the second one, it might really bring her Chakra to a 'static' state.
Hakushi seemed to have seen through Ruri's mind, took a sip of tea, and leisurely said, "It's better to go step by step; even for you, wearing one Chakra Restrictor is the limit right now. Once you get used to the first one, wearing the second one for training won't be too late. Besides, you'll be resting in the village soon, and with your ability, overcoming the first Chakra Restrictor completely within a month shouldn't be difficult."
"A month? Does it really take that long?"
Ruri wasn't quite convinced about the time frame of one month.
She expected to complete this training in about half a month.
"This is a conservative estimate, because the more powerful a ninja's Chakra is, the more control over Chakra is needed, and naturally, the difficulty of overcoming the Restrictor is higher."
Hakushi explained a bit.
"I'll go try it out and see how it works now. What about you, want to join?"
Ruri stood up from her seat and invited Hakushi to go to the training ground to test how much strength she could retain under the restricted state.
"I'll pass; I still have work to do later."
Hakushi shook his head, declining.
"You're getting lazier. If this keeps up, I'm really worried your skills will deteriorate. Last time, your Taijutsu was already quite rusty."
Ruri frowned at Hakushi's current laid-back approach to training, showing some dissatisfaction.
"It doesn't matter; no need to worry, the Shadow Dancer can protect me."
Hakushi said with a smile.
Though he was proficient in the nature transformation of many chakra elements, all for the sake of his research.
Focusing on training various Escape Techniques and mastering them would be a distraction, a bit counterproductive.
Since both the Earth General and the Shadow Dancer were part of him, they were a true reflection of his strength.
Hakushi believed this was a unique way for him to become stronger.
If his strength was lacking, he would create 'avatars' that could adapt to any environment and fight enemies.
As long as this power was in his hands, it was enough.
Seeing that Hakushi remained unmoved, Ruri snorted lightly and headed to the training ground alone.
Watching Ruri leave, Hakushi continued sipping his hot tea, admiring the snowy scenery outside.
"Alright, back to work."
After finishing, Hakushi slowly stood up.
And at the moment his body stood, the Shadow Dancer turned into a shadow darting across the floor like lightning, actively merging into Hakushi's shadow and disappearing.
As Hakushi's only personal guard at that moment, the Shadow Dancer often followed closely behind, protecting the life of Hakushi, the creator.
◎
Konoha Year 42, February.
At this time, the Ninja School would have a break for a few days, meaning students didn't have to attend classes.
Late last month, just after the New Year festival ended, Ruri had already resumed her duties as a Jonin and went to the Hokage Building to take on tasks.
It seemed only Hakushi was idling around.
Occasionally, the cute girl Nohara Rin would come to ask him for medical ninjutsu advice.
Of course, behind this cute girl, there was always Uchiha Obito, who could be called the definition of a simp.
He seemed to be in the same class as Kakashi, and Hakushi often heard him talk about surpassing Kakashi and such.
But Hakushi found that a bit unrealistic.
Kakashi graduated from the Ninja School at age five, became a Chunin at six; even the word 'genius' couldn't fully describe Kakashi's extraordinary talent.
As for Obito, this boy would declare his determination to train hard today, but often because he encountered elderly women in need of help on the road, the training would be forgotten.