Chapter 483: Thunder Smoke
Konohamaru's inspiration came from memories of his deceased grandfather, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and his uncle, Sarutobi Asuma.
In the original story, Konohamaru had already learned the Third Hokage's Shadow Shuriken Clone technique and Asuma's Ash Pile Burning.
He even came close to defeating Temari when she let her guard down.
And now, Konohamaru had once again recalled the ninjutsu he had not yet mastered—Ash Pile Burning.
Ash Pile Burning: First, it releases a large amount of high-temperature smoke and ash over a wide area to obscure vision and deal continuous minor damage. Then, when the enemy lets their guard down, a second ignition using Fire Release triggers a violent explosion.
Kakashi had just reminded Konohamaru that Fire Release and Wind Release couldn't be used for low-power stimulation the way Lightning Release could.
Fire Release was essentially "low-temperature slow cooking."
Wind Release, on the other hand, was characterized by cutting. If the power was too low, nothing would happen; if it was too strong, it would ruin the opportunity entirely.
Unless someone had some very unusual preferences, Wind Release could basically be ruled out.
On the surface, it looked like neither option worked, but Konohamaru suddenly remembered something he had overheard before: a conversation between his uncle and grandfather during training.
After Asuma used Ash Pile Burning on Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage immediately escaped the smoke range at top speed.
Then, while continuing their spar, he explained the weaknesses of Ash Pile Burning.
The main damage of Ash Pile Burning came from the second-stage ignition explosion of the ash.
The initial smoke release did have damage, but it was extremely low.
In the Third Hokage's words, if this technique were used against the Third Raikage, it wouldn't even qualify as "popping candy" for him.
It was exactly that line that reminded Konohamaru.
Konohamaru decided to develop a new Fire Release technique that dealt damage through explosive sparks.
The damage from the spark burst would be higher than Ash Pile Burning's passive smoke damage, but because the sparks were extremely small and the impact area limited, the overall output could be controlled by adjusting the density of the sparks.
It would be similar to senbon needles. A single senbon was like a thick needle.
A kunai could pierce a human body, and so could a senbon, but the damage from a senbon was clearly lower than a kunai.
In Konohamaru's envisioned technique, the sparks would be even smaller than senbon—ideally as small as possible.
He wanted to turn the sparks into something like the "popping candy" his grandfather had once mentioned.
As for why he needed cigarettes and a lighter?
Because Konohamaru needed to first learn Ash Pile Burning before he could develop a new technique based on it.
Just like Kakashi's Purple Lightning was developed from Raikiri.
No one with no experience in ninjutsu development could build something out of thin air.
"Konohamaru, children shouldn't smoke."
Kakashi gave a friendly reminder.
"Uh."
Konohamaru froze mid-motion as he was about to light the cigarette.
…Then what now?
In the ninja world, learning techniques always had corresponding practical methods.
For example, in the original story, when Naruto wanted to master the combined technique Wind Release: Toad Oil Bullet, he had Gamakichi learn Water Release by having him hold water in his mouth and try to spit it out.
And it actually worked.
Even Pokémon had something similar—Ash teaching Treecko Bullet Seed by eating watermelon together and spitting seeds.
It was all very reasonable.
So now Konohamaru wanted to master Ash Pile Burning, of course he needed to take a puff of smoke first. But Kakashi said no—so what now?
Just figure it out on his own?
While Konohamaru was still frozen in thought, the cigarette in his hand was already snatched away by Kakashi.
"I'll take this. Konohamaru, think of another way. I believe you can do it."
"Oh right, I should also go notify the others."
Kakashi shook the cigarette and stood up, preparing to return to the village to remind the Sarutobi clan and major merchants to strictly prohibit selling tobacco and alcohol to minors.
"Huh?"
Konohamaru reached out to stop him.
But in the next instant, Kakashi had already disappeared.
A jonin's speed was not something he could catch.
"Naruto-nii-san, I need to go back. Wait here for me."
Konohamaru left those words behind and also ran back toward the village.
There was no choice, without proper tools, he couldn't even begin.
Surely he couldn't just go inhale smoke from burning coal, right?
That would be even more harmful to the body.
Konohamaru understood that much.
Besides, he had already said it, he didn't care about his future body, only about protecting the present.
And Kakashi had agreed with him.
So why did he suddenly change his mind?
Konohamaru couldn't understand it.
So, he decided to secretly continue training anyway, even if Kakashi opposed it.
But once he returned to the village, he found it was impossible to get those materials anywhere anymore.
The worst hit was Shikamaru, who had already transcended the ninja world and entered full-blown laziness mode.
Because of Asuma and his father, Shikamaru also smoked and drank.
But after Kakashi's sudden policy enforcement, all tobacco and alcohol were banned for him as well.
Shikamaru's slacker quality of life dropped several tiers overnight.
"Who the hell did this…?"
Shikamaru scratched his head helplessly while standing in front of a shop.
Konohamaru, who had been about to leave, heard this mutter and immediately stopped. He quickly hid behind a pillar and peeked out sneakily.
He knew Shikamaru.
His uncle Asuma's subordinate.
A member of the Nara clan, known as Konoha's "strategic brain" family.
Most importantly, in the recent clan competition, Shikamaru had taken first place, earning the official right to be lazy.
What did that mean?
It meant Shikamaru was definitely smarter than him!
So if Shikamaru was facing the same problem, didn't that mean he just needed to follow Shikamaru to get a solution?
Konohamaru grew excited.
But he didn't dare reveal himself.
Kakashi's "betrayal" had already made him lose trust in adults in this ninja world.
He couldn't guarantee Shikamaru wouldn't be the same.
So he had to stay hidden.
Thus, Konohamaru followed Shikamaru all the way to a special shop.
The entire street wasn't made up of Konoha brands, it was filled with flagship stores from other villages.
This shop seemed newly opened, with a cardboard stand of Killer Bee at the entrance.
If you listened closely, you could even hear strange music playing from inside.
"Big smoke stick stuffed in my mouth, I only smoke the fifth gen~"
"Smoke it fast, no harm done, no need for fire, what a thrill~ Beyond, come and try it, my lungs are itching now~"
Amid the bizarre melody, Shikamaru bought something inside and walked out satisfied, then went to another shop nearby and purchased a box of non-alcoholic yellow drinks.
Konohamaru didn't pay attention to any of that. After confirming Shikamaru had left, he quickly ran into the shop and saw the "ninja tools" being sold inside.
Thunder Smoke!
Great!
So this is scientific ninja tool technology?
Not restricted by traditional Konoha laws!
Konohamaru happily bought a full set of Thunder Smoke devices. After leaving the shop, he cautiously looked around and stored them away.
He was going to find a safe place to train alone.
(End of this chapter)