"Shinichi, this time you were really amazing!"
At this moment, Kurenai Yuhi's praise pulled him back to reality.
"Yeah, yeah!"
Shizune nodded vigorously in agreement.
Shinichi gathered his thoughts, put back on his usual gentle smile, and responded to his companions' congratulations.
That night, after the noise had faded and he was alone in his room, Shinichi's mind stirred slightly, and a system panel quietly appeared in his field of vision.
[Name: Shinichi Higashino]
[Occupation: Chunin, Master swordsman]
[Talent: Omitted…]
As his gaze moved downward, after the grand, self-directed, and self-performed battle with his clone, Isshin, that shocked everyone on Konoha, and under the massive influx of gathered cognition, significant changes had indeed occurred on his system panel.
The first things that came into view were the transformations in strength, physique, and agility.
[Superhuman Strength] had disappeared, transforming into [Splitting Rocks and Cleaving Gold].
[Splitting Rocks and Cleaving Gold (Blue): Your strength has surpassed conventional limits, reaching an unbelievable level. Both movement and stillness carry overwhelming force and firm power, raising a hand or stepping can split stone and cleave gold.]
[Thick Skin and Flesh] had likewise advanced, replaced by [Bronze Skin and Iron Bones].
[Bronze Skin and Iron Bones (Blue): The toughness of your body now surpasses ordinary steel. Common blades can hardly harm you. You can ignore most low-intensity physical attacks, and even direct hits from ordinary Ninjutsu are greatly reduced in effect.]
Finally, [Swift as a Rabbit] had upgraded into [Light as the Wind].
[Light as the Wind (Blue): Your speed and agility have undergone a qualitative change. When moving, it is as if you are surrounded by a gentle breeze, your body is nimble, and your speed is extremely fast.]
The birth of these three blue-quality talents originated from powerful stacking under the dual cognition of the main body and the clone, two identities.
The clone, Isshin, displayed in battle a terrifying physique like a savage beast and explosive speed like a raging gale. Especially when he withstood the Great Flame Rasengan with a metallic body and remained standing, that shocking defensive power, transmitted through his own channel, even at only 50% effectiveness, was enough to be astounding and gathered a massive amount of cognition.
At the same time, Shinichi, in the match, engaged in a direct clash of swordsmanship and Taijutsu with the clone, fighting speed against speed. His strength, speed, and physique were in no way inferior; even after taking the opponent's full-force jumping slash, he could still engage in a domineering iron staff-versus-halberd power contest. This likewise left an indelible impression on all the spectators.
The combination of the two jointly forged these bodily talents that far exceed common sense.
Next came the sublimation of core combat techniques: [Proficient In Swordsmanship] was upgraded to [Master of Swordsmanship].
[Master of Swordsmanship (Blue): Your attainments in swordsmanship have reached the realm of mastery. You are no longer bound by fixed moves and have begun to form a combat style and sword path unique to yourself. The intent of the sword begins to emerge; every move and form can stir momentum, enough to intimidate the opponent's mind and seize the initiative in silence.]
[Proficient In Polearm] was upgraded to [Master of Polearm].
[Master of Polearm (Blue): Your understanding and use of polearm weapons have entered a brand-new realm. Whether staff, spear, halberd, or lance, you can wield them with ease, mastering the key points of force generation, power transmission, and subduing enemies. When you swing them, they feel as light as lifting heavy objects with ease, yet capable of both rigidity and flexibility. Your control over polearms and tactical application ability has greatly improved.]
[Proficient In Fire Style] likewise advanced to [Master of Fire Style].
[Master of Fire Style (Blue): You possess an almost instinctive insight into and control over the fire nature chakra. The Fire Style Ninjutsu you perform undergoes a qualitative leap in power, efficiency, consumption control, and tactical variability. You are capable of more creative and practical development, fusion, and instant application of Fire Style Ninjutsu.]
The attainment of these three masteries also stemmed from their dazzling performance in the match.
The powerful swordsmanship displayed by Shinichi and Isshin, whether Shinichi's exquisitely precise, steady, and versatile swordplay, or Isshin's wide-open, overwhelmingly forceful and fierce blade techniques, as well as the sparks of skill ignited during their intense clashes, together formed a strong cognition among the audience that "Isshin's swordsmanship is domineering and ferocious, while Shinichi Higashino's swordsmanship is exquisite and extraordinary."
Afterwards, the two engaged in a duel of polearms, an iron staff versus a halberd, like a contest of giant gods. This domineering yet refined clash of polearm techniques also brought immense shock to everyone present.
Meanwhile, Shinichi's silent, instant-cast Dark Sweep, his precise control over the range and form of fire, and finally the shocking, ultimate Ninjutsu that fused change in chakra nature, the Great Flame Rasengan, pushed his image as a Fire Style genius and pioneer of Fire Style Nintaijutsu to its peak.
These astonished and horrified impressions from the hundred thousand spectators, along with their subsequent spread, became the most direct fuel for advancement.
Finally, there was a newly generated talent: [Proficient In Lightning Style]
[Proficient In Lightning Style (Green): You have initially mastered the change in lightning nature chakra. Your speed in learning and using Lightning Style Ninjutsu has significantly increased. You can skillfully apply lightning chakra in training or combat, granting lightning attacks faster power and speed, as well as stronger penetration and paralysis effects.]
This came from the clone Isshin's final move in battle, where he boldly used Lightning Style: Chidori Blade.
Although it lasted only a short time and the cognitive effect was only 50%, the dazzling lightning and violent penetrating power still produced a green-quality Lightning Style talent.
Looking at the panel before him, Shinichi couldn't help but reveal a thick smile.
Body, Ninjutsu, and skills, the three foundational domains, had all been strengthened. The number of blue talents surged, and his overall strength had undergone a world-shaking transformation.
Originally, Shinichi had considered whether to farm more and display more related talents, but he realized that, within a certain period, people's attention and depth of impression are always limited.
Too much and too scattered would be counterproductive; it might instead affect the efficiency of gaining cognition for his core talents. Thus, he abandoned the idea.
Shinichi clenched his fists, feeling the surging chakra within his body, more abundant and refined than before, and the immense, seemingly endless power contained within his muscles and bones.
One match, six upgrades, one new talent, it could be called a massive gain, far surpassing the battle where he defeated Kakashi and established his reputation as a genius. This was not only because the impact this time was greater, but also because he was in a state of dual cognition stacking.
After looking for quite a while, Shinichi restrained his smile and hid the panel.
He walked to the window, pushed it open, and the cool night breeze poured in, dispersing some of the stuffiness indoors.
Looking up at the starry sky, the lights of Konoha flickered beneath his feet, but the broader night sky was deep and boundless, as if foreshadowing an impending war that would sweep everything away.
The third Kazekage, the man known as the Strongest Kazekage in history, who possessed the Magnet Style Kekkei Genkai, had not appeared in public for quite some time.
The Village Hidden in the Sand's explanation was that he had gained insight and entered seclusion for training, but internally, there must already be undercurrents surging, and the entire village inevitably exuded a tense, oppressive unease.
Some pieces of information could not be fully confirmed, yet had already begun quietly circulating within certain circles.
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