The maximum known power of the Goro Goro no Mi reached two hundred million volts. And if the Gura Gura no Mi could awaken in the future, Satoru believed it would be more than just "damn strong."
However, to successfully develop the Gura Gura no Mi and fully integrate its abilities into his normal combat style, Satoru felt he would need much more time.
Setting aside the Gura Gura no Mi abilities, Satoru continued studying the next rewards. "Yin Release Chakra +1"—at first glance, it gave no obvious advantages, but in reality, it was very important.
If he had all chakra nature transformations, he'd get a boost when using any ninjutsu technique.
Jonin typically mastered two or more chakra nature transformations. Combining two or more could yield Kekkei Genkai power.
Satoru had previously thought only the five basic natures could merge. In truth, it wasn't quite so. For example, Wood Release techniques required Earth and Water chakra, plus Yang Release chakra.
Though Satoru didn't yet master Yin Release techniques, sooner or later he'd need both Yin and Yang. This time, he had nearly collected all chakra nature transformations, and in the future, he'd only need to master Yang Release for the full set.
As for the remaining Fire Release form and nature transformation, it was a very useful skill for Satoru.
Mastering form and nature transformation of one element was already master level.
Mastering it simultaneously for two or more elements made one a master among masters.
Satoru had previously mastered Wind Release and Lightning Release form and nature transformations. Now the System had given him Fire Release form and nature transformation too. Satoru figured it wouldn't take long to fully master it all. Various Kekkei Genkai and even Kekkei Tota—perhaps he could master those too.
Then Satoru tested Fire Release power using the System-gifted Great Fire Annihilation technique and the previously learned Great Fire Annihilation. Now he wielded Katon much more confidently and could even ignite chakra flames on his kunai using his own abilities.
Of course, Satoru couldn't use everything perfectly on the first try. Mastery comes with practice. Any ability needed repeated use to grow stronger.
Moreover, Satoru's shadow clone count had more than doubled. This meant he could use his original "bug" with double the efficiency.
Using shadow clones, Satoru quickly mastered the Gura Gura no Mi, Fire Release, and Water Release techniques. This reward held huge significance for Satoru, and he had to train diligently.
Satoru was a true training fanatic. Though he'd reached incredible strength and gained new abilities, he dove headfirst into training, forgetting everything else.
He trained day and night. With the shadow clone boost, Satoru mastered everything he hadn't at astonishing speed.
Unclear how much time passed, but several ANBU found Satoru themselves. Only then did he snap out of it.
"Do you have some business?" Satoru asked.
"Lord Third Hokage sent us for you. He asks you to come," the masked ANBU replied.
"Hm, I got so absorbed in training that I lost track of time. We still haven't finished our talk with that old man," Satoru naturally remembered that he was now a Jonin of Konoha and had to become a mentor for a team.
The more abilities, the more responsibility. Now, having become a Jonin, Satoru not only had to learn to fight others but also lead a team and teach Genin combat skills.
Satoru didn't know whom to choose as his students, and that saddened him a bit.
Soon Satoru met with the Third Hokage.
However, this time the Third Hokage's expression was somewhat stern, which gave Satoru a bad feeling.
"Satoru," the Third Hokage said, looking at the young man.
"What happened, Third?" Seeing such a serious expression on his mentor's face, Satoru realized something bad must have occurred.
"Lord White Fang... he took his own life," the Third Hokage finally told him what happened.
"Took his own life? Teacher White Fang? Why?!" Though Satoru already had an answer in his heart, he couldn't help asking.
"This..." The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to tell Satoru the truth.
"Lord White Fang decided to save his former comrades during a mission, but that led to the mission's failure.
"After the mission failed, the friend he saved not only didn't thank him but joined others in unleashing their anger on him. In the end, Lord White Fang died in agony," the Third Hokage's eyes moistened.
Satoru shook his head. "Third, couldn't you have prevented this?"
The Third Hokage was the leader of Konoha village, and White Fang was practically its spiritual leader. And he took his own life after being slandered by his fellow villagers?
Satoru hadn't accomplished anything yet, and White Fang was already dead. Had he come to this world only to change nothing?
"I believe Lord White Fang did nothing wrong. But shouldn't the outcome have been different, old man?" Satoru asked, looking at the Third.
Satoru wanted to understand the village leader's stance.
The Third Hokage replied, "White Fang is Konoha's hero, no doubt about it. This outcome... I'm truly shocked... Satoru, maybe you could talk to Kakashi? After all, he's White Fang's son. This event hit him hard."
"I understand. But I want to know who that comrade was that White Fang saved?" Satoru stared intently at the Third. He was determined to uncover the truth for White Fang's sake. He knew it wasn't that simple.
The Great White Fang? How could he take his own life? There was definitely some vile conspiracy behind it!
"After the mission failed, White Fang came to me. He said under no circumstances to reveal that comrade's name. So I can't do anything," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.
Satoru was furious. It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi knew some truth to some extent but wouldn't reveal it because White Fang had specifically asked him not to.
"White Fang wanted to save that comrade, but neither the village nor the comrade appreciated it... So White Fang was killed... by ninja... and those rules, and that cold-bloodedness they professed."
Satoru said directly, "I want to change all this! Ninja aren't tools! Ninja are us! Third! Don't worry, I won't start a fight! I just want to ask what they were thinking.
"I want answers, Third," Satoru stared at his mentor. The man sighed and said, "The ninja White Fang saved was from Root. Though he was from Root...
"...he's still a Konoha ninja. White Fang saved him, but for Root ninja, completing the mission is everything. That's why he blamed White Fang," the Third Hokage finally told the truth.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan