Chapter 64: Kekkei Genkai
Kaito nodded in understanding.
From that day forward, Renjiro taught Kaito samurai-style kenjutsu with even greater enthusiasm, which also meant the training became significantly more arduous.
The intensity was nearly half that of the brutal morning conditioning exercises.
Mieko and Hodaka also made substantial progress during this period.
Mieko learned all her assigned techniques within the first two weeks, while Hodaka required a full month to master all of his jutsu.
Learning Body Flicker Technique transformed Hodaka into a considerably more effective shinobi.
By the end of the month, Mieko finally managed to complete the entire morning workout without collapsing.
The instant she accomplished this, Renjiro immediately had her activate training seals set to 1% of maximum pressure.
The poor girl's joy at completing the workout quickly transformed into absolute dread.
Renjiro also increased the seal pressure on both Hodaka and Kaito's bodies, raising their training weights to 32% and 15% of maximum capacity respectively.
In addition to individual progress, the squad's overall coordination also improved dramatically.
Within the first week, all basic team formations were successfully practiced by the trio.
After establishing that foundation, Renjiro began drilling team coordination and combination attacks, conducting numerous exercises and sparring matches to enhance their teamwork.
For combination techniques, Kaito and Mieko were instructed to merge Wind Release: Dragon and Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique.
Although mastering the timing required several days of practice, the results proved excellent.
The fire dragon, enhanced by the wind dragon, nearly doubled in size, and its destructive power was approximately four times greater than the two techniques used separately.
The massive dragon could launch Wind Release: Pressure Damage from its mouth, but it wasn't ordinary wind—it was superheated, scorching air.
During their first experimental attempt, they nearly started a forest fire!
Fortunately, Renjiro was closely monitoring the training session and quickly extinguished the flames using Water Release: Water Severing Wave.
Observing this result, Kaito thought to himself,
"Isn't this remarkably similar to Scorch Release? It just lacks the full intensity of a proper kekkei genkai."
Kaito looked at Renjiro and asked curiously,
"Sensei, can this combination technique be performed by a single shinobi? I mean, without using Shadow Clones?"
Mieko became extremely interested in this question and listened intently.
Renjiro explained,
"Yes, it's theoretically possible. You would need to employ two different nature transformations simultaneously and release them at precisely the same moment. One method involves forming the hand seals for Fire Release: Dragon Flame with one hand while simultaneously forming the seals for Wind Release: Dragon with the other hand. However, don't even consider attempting this now—it's far too advanced, and you're nowhere near ready for such complexity."
This answer genuinely surprised Kaito.
He quickly asked,
"But sensei, isn't simultaneously using two different elements a kekkei genkai ability? How can someone without a special bloodline accomplish this?"
(Note: Kekkei genkai, or Bloodline Limits, are special abilities inherited through clan bloodlines. These abilities can typically only be used by members of specific families or clans. Kekkei genkai abilities usually possess extraordinary power and unique effects, granting shinobi who possess them significant combat advantages.)
Renjiro clarified,
"This is not a kekkei genkai. This is simply using two elemental natures to complement and enhance each other. For example, the Yuki clan possesses the Ice Release kekkei genkai. Ice Release represents a true fusion of Water and Wind natures. However, if you merely combine a Wind Dragon and a Water Dragon, all you achieve is a water dragon with exceptionally sharp cutting ability—there won't be any freezing effects whatsoever. Combination techniques simply enhance each other's strengths, while a genuine kekkei genkai produces a qualitative transformation, creating something entirely different from the original elements."
Hearing this detailed explanation, Kaito fell into deep contemplation.
"I understand now. So jutsu can be strategically combined like this. I didn't realize this was possible before encountering it. This knowledge really opens numerous new possibilities for me. It seems I need to begin training additional elemental natures soon. Wind works synergistically with both Fire and Water from what I've seen. I'm genuinely curious whether Lightning can also be effectively combined with Wind."
"Unfortunately, I don't believe the combination of Wind and Earth elements offers much practical potential. I wonder when I'll be permitted to start learning this advanced technique. Would revealing all my hidden abilities convince him to teach me this earlier? However, it's dangerous to have no concealed trump cards in such a perilous world."
He asked hopefully,
"Sensei, when do you think I can realistically start learning dual-element combinations? If I learn a second elemental nature now, could I eventually perform this combination technique independently?"
Renjiro shook his head firmly and stated,
"Don't think about this for several more years. Consider it only after you've achieved jonin rank. Your chakra control, shape manipulation, and other fundamental techniques still require extensive improvement before you can even begin practicing this. Your chakra reserves also need to increase substantially. So as I stated before, focus exclusively on mastering C-rank techniques for now."
Kaito nodded with obvious disappointment.
Hearing this harsh assessment, Mieko also lowered her head in dejection.
One day, as the 10 AM training session began, Renjiro announced,
"I've taught you a powerful combination technique. You've also witnessed its destructive potential firsthand. I want you to brainstorm additional jutsu that can be strategically combined and used together effectively. They don't necessarily need to be as powerful as Fire Release: Dragon Flame and Wind Release: Dragon, but they should enhance your combat capabilities in some meaningful way. Think creatively, but don't attempt to test anything without my supervision. I'll return at 11 o'clock."
The instant he finished speaking, he vanished in a Body Flicker, not allowing anyone an opportunity to respond.
Hodaka asked uncertainly,
"So what exactly should we do?"
Kaito had already been contemplating several ideas over the past few weeks, and he suggested,
"Let's each think independently first, then discuss our concepts to determine if everyone agrees they're viable."
Mieko said,
"Okay, that makes sense."
Approximately 15 minutes later, Mieko spoke up,
"Hodaka, can your Water Release mix effectively with my Fire Release?"
Hodaka asked with obvious confusion,
"But how would they actually combine? Wouldn't my water simply extinguish your fire completely?"
Mieko smiled cleverly and explained,
"No, it won't work that way. Water Release: Wild Water Wave is the only technique you possess that produces relatively small water volumes, and it's considerably weaker compared to my Fire Release output. So my Fire Release techniques will rapidly evaporate all your water, creating massive amounts of steam."
Hodaka fell into thoughtful consideration after hearing this proposal.
Kaito felt genuinely surprised by this creative suggestion.
He thought to himself,
"I didn't expect her to conceive such an innovative idea."
He asked practically,
"Yes, it would definitely produce substantial steam, but can you control its movement and direction?"
Both of them shook their heads negatively.
Kaito said,
"If that's the limitation, then it can only serve as visual concealment—to obscure yourselves from enemy sight."
Mieko sighed with disappointment and resumed thinking.
Several minutes later, Kaito proposed,
"I have a defensive concept. We can create a layered defense system. My Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken can block and reflect all thrown weapons and some weaker offensive jutsu. However, if an enemy employs very powerful techniques, it will be penetrated. So my idea is to first establish the wind barrier, and then Hodaka immediately creates an earth wall behind the barrier to provide additional protection."
Hodaka considered this carefully, nodded, and said,
"Yes, this combination should work effectively."
But Mieko complained immediately, saying,
"Hey, don't exclude me from the strategy!"
Kaito chuckled and said,
"Actually, I have another concept to test. Hodaka, can you demonstrate your Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall?"
Hodaka asked with confusion,
"But didn't sensei explicitly tell us not to test anything?"
Kaito clarified,
"He said that to prevent us from causing dangerous accidents. Just using Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall should be perfectly safe. Also, after performing the technique, quickly retreat several meters backward."
Hodaka nodded, stood up, performed the technique, and then immediately jumped back.
Kaito thought critically,
"Not fast enough retreat speed."
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