Hyūga Shinichi raised the study of chakra nature transformation on his training agenda.
Setting aside the actual application of Ninjutsu, the most fundamental ability required for this training was the ability to imbue chakra with nature transformation while simultaneously releasing it.
Simply put, this was similar to Asuma's chakra blades, or how Uchiha Sasuke and Killer B apply the characteristics of Lightning Release chakra to their weapons. This level of chakra nature transformation ability was the first stage of this training.
However, even the first stage was mastered by very few ninjas, and the number of ninjas who could achieve this without hand signs was even smaller. Even in the Hyūga Clan, due to the different focus of their training system, no ninja of this caliber existed.
Shinichi's greatest contact network in Konoha was his "family," but even with Hiashi's influence, he couldn't find a suitable teacher for Shinichi in this area.
First, such talented individuals were rare, and second, they were generally Jōnin. Against the backdrop of the Third Great War, these people were busy executing missions.
Even if the Hyūga Clan had enough prestige, they couldn't ask someone to disregard the Village's orders and come specifically to mentor Shinichi. Therefore, this ability could only be learned through Shinichi's self-study.
Fortunately, Shinichi's training was not solitary. Uchiha Shisui was of a similar age, and he, too, wanted to attempt this training. Thus, the two geniuses with a shared goal became the best training partners.
During downtime without missions, the squad members would often spend time together, either sparring to practice Taijutsu or gathering to research chakra-nature transformation. To aid in this, Shinichi specifically asked Hiashi to procure five special kunai for him. These kunai contained special materials that allowed the ninja tool to possess excellent chakra conductivity, lowering the difficulty of the first stage of Shinichi's training. A ninja who had truly mastered chakra nature transformation could imbue even ordinary ninja tools with the corresponding elemental characteristic.
Time flew by quickly during this period of dedicated training. Hyūga Shinichi was still young and the heir of the Hyūga Main Family. Seeing that Shinichi was busy with training, Namikaze Minato had no intention of disturbing him.
The current battle situation was controllable. All the Hidden Villages had suffered heavy losses in the fierce battles of previous years, and currently, there were no missions that absolutely required the members of Shinichi's squad.
Hiashi's initial recommendation for Shinichi to become a Special Jōnin was to ensure he gained more combat experience, fearing that his son's growth would stagnate due to his indulgence.
But once Shinichi found a new direction for his efforts, Hiashi became less urgent about his accumulating combat experience. Sharpening the knife doesn't delay cutting the wood. If he could still grow rapidly, there was no need to rush mission assignments. For a child of Shinichi's age, studying and training were ultimately the most important things.
Therefore, after becoming a Special Jōnin, Hyūga Shinichi only executed one mission outside the Village before returning to his previously peaceful life.
Thanks to Shinichi, the other members of his squad also didn't take on any more missions. Even the restless Might Guy enjoyed this fulfilling yet relatively peaceful period.
However....
Sometimes, you cannot live a peaceful life just because you want one. Trouble always finds a way to knock on your door!
Konoha Year 50.
Under the dedicated governance of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, Konoha Village gradually pulled itself out of the quagmire of war.
In the initial stages of the Nine-Tails' attack two years ago, other Hidden Villages sensed that Konoha might suffer heavy losses due to the Tailed Beast. Sensing an opportunity, they frequently stirred up trouble along the borders, planning to reignite the war.
However, Minato had already discerned the intentions of the hostile villages. Immediately after the Nine-Tails incident, he contacted his teacher, Jiraiya, asking him to lead a portion of Konoha's main force to strike the Mist ninjas harassing the border preemptively.
Although it was not a battle between large army formations, but a brief skirmish between dozens of elites, Konoha achieved a great victory. This military success served as a warning to the other few restless Hidden Villages.
The Cloud ninjas' original intention was to seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Konoha, but they were already engaged in combat with the Iwa ninjas. Coincidentally, as Konoha achieved brilliant results, a small accident occurred within the Cloud Village: the seal on the Two-Tails Jinchūriki became loose, and the Tailed Beast escaped control and rampaged through the Cloud-Lightning Gorge.
Fortunately, the Two-Tails escaped in the sparsely populated Cloud-Lightning Gorge, far from the main village, preventing any irreversible consequences for the Hidden Cloud Village. Furthermore, the Cloud Ninjas reacted quickly. The Fourth Raikage, who was strong enough to confront a Tailed Beast physically, promptly suppressed the chaos.
Clearly, the Tailed Beast problem was not confined to Konoha Village; other villages in the ninja world also experienced Tailed Beast rampages. Suna had experienced a similar situation in previous years, and the Jinchūriki in that Village was more unstable than in any other, causing a rampage every few years.
The situation had only improved slightly in the last two years, with Konoha receiving no further intelligence regarding the One-Tails going berserk.
The Cloud ninjas, who were enemies with Iwa, were now actively trying to mend relations with Konoha Village. They were clearly trying to prevent Konoha and Iwa from allying against them.
Since this year began, communication between the high command of Konoha and Cloud had become increasingly frequent. Negotiations took place every few weeks or once a month. The specifics were unknown to the public, but Konoha villagers clearly felt that the streets were becoming increasingly lively.
Konoha was gradually emerging from the quagmire of war. Everyone cherished the hard-won peace they now enjoyed.
However....
External stability did not mean that internal affairs in Konoha were entirely harmonious.
Using the pretext that the "Jinchūriki might go berserk," Danzō rallied the Council Elders and secured Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, as a political ally.
They were pressuring Minato, hoping to send the Jinchūriki to a designated location for "strict protection." However, their demand was rejected by both the Third and Fourth Hokage. But the opposition did not relent. Danzō was also secretly winning over various ninja clans, hoping to unify a front to pressure Minato.
In this matter, Danzō's actions were not entirely wrong; he was, after all, considering the "safety of Konoha." It had only been two years since the Nine-Tails' attack, and at the same time, other villages in the ninja world were experiencing Tailed Beast rampages. Danzō truly managed to win over several people, putting significant pressure on Minato and Hiruzen.
The Hyūga Clan, however, was not involved in this political maneuvering, as their own family had been troubled by ongoing issues in recent years.
"Did more clansmen die in battle?"
"This time... eight people lost their lives?!"
White funeral cloths hung throughout the Hyūga Clan compound. Shinichi, whose training was interrupted by Hyūga Keisuke, arrived at the Main Temple. Seeing the eight coffins placed in the main hall, his face clouded over, and he let out a soft sigh. In the past two years, Shinichi had already lost count of how many times he had come to the compound for clan members' funerals...
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