Red Haired Supremacy

Shanks focused, delving into his memories to identify two key ninjutsu he absolutely needed to master. He believed that if he could combine these techniques, he would be able to create the new form of ninjutsu he envisioned. But first, he had to fully master all the lightning-style jutsu he remembered. Only then would he be able to control lightning chakra across his entire body—an essential step in developing his unique technique.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll dedicate myself to this," Shanks resolved.

With that decision made, he stood up and walked out of his cave, heading toward his clan members who had been waiting for him to share a meal. After eating with them, he returned to his cave, sat down on his bed, and closed his eyes, entering his mental space.

There, he faced off once again against the Red-Haired Emperor Shanks. They fought through five intense rounds. This time, Shanks held his own far better. The Body Flicker Technique had significantly boosted his speed, allowing him to prolong the fight. The extended battle didn't just test his endurance—it taught him valuable lessons. Each exchange sharpened his instincts and deepened his understanding of combat.

After exiting his mental space, Shanks felt mentally drained. His consciousness had been pushed to the limit during the intense training session with the Red-Haired Emperor. Without wasting any time, he laid down and allowed sleep to claim him, his body and mind demanding rest.

The next morning, Shanks woke early, just as he did every day. The routine was familiar and grounding. He began with his usual physical training—push-ups, agility drills, chakra control exercises—honing his body to limit. Once his muscles were warm and his focus sharpened, he turned his attention to the real work: mastering the lightning-style ninjutsu stored in his memory.

According to what he recalled from before the loss of his arm, he had already achieved proficiency in three lightning-based techniques:

1. C-Rank: Lightning Pulse

This fundamental technique involved channelling lightning chakra into either the palm or the foot. Upon contact, it delivered a powerful shock to the opponent, useful in close-quarters combat. At a very short range—mere inches—it could even be projected slightly, providing a quick stun without direct touch.

2. B-Rank: Lightning Arrow Technique

This offensive ninjutsu allowed Shanks to form and launch arrows made of concentrated lightning chakra. The arrows travelled quickly and struck with precision, making them ideal for mid-range combat.

3. B-Rank: Volt Shroud

By cloaking his body in a thin layer of lightning chakra, Shanks could enhance his defence for a limited time.

There was also a fourth technique he remembered, but had yet to fully master:

4. A-Rank: Lightning Fang

This high-level jutsu involved coating his weapon—most often a sword—with lightning chakra, significantly increasing its cutting power. When executed properly, it could slice through steel and overwhelm defensive techniques with sheer force and speed. However, Shanks hadn't yet refined it to the point of battle-readiness.

Among all these, the two Jutsu he considered essential—the ones he intended to master to perfection and eventually combine—were Volt Shroud and Lightning Fang. He believed that by fusing these techniques, he could create a new, highly advanced form of lightning ninjutsu—something unique to him.

But before he could begin experimenting with that fusion, he had to retrace his steps. After losing his arm, all of his previous Jutsu had become inaccessible.

And so, the journey began once more.

He chose to start with the most basic of the four: the C-Rank Lightning Pulse. Not only was it the foundation of his lightning-style arsenal, but it also gave him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the necessary hand seals and chakra flow. Through constant experimentation, adjusting his chakra output, and testing various hand seal combinations, he slowly rebuilt his technique—piece by piece, spark by spark.

…

Days began to pass, one blending into the next. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Before long, a full year had gone by.

During that time, Shanks devoted himself entirely to his training. His primary focus was to remaster all the lightning-style ninjutsu he had once known. It was a slow, demanding process, requiring both patience and discipline. Over the course of three months, he gradually rebuilt his foundation, one technique at a time. Every hand seal, every surge of chakra, and every movement had to be adjusted and refined until each Jutsu became second nature once again.

Once he had successfully restored his control over the foundational techniques, Shanks turned his attention to mastering the A-Rank Lightning Fang. This technique, which involved imbuing his weapon with high-density lightning chakra, proved to be a significant challenge. Yet, thanks to the solid groundwork he had already laid through months of lightning-style practice, he progressed more quickly than expected. Within another three months, he had gained full control over Lightning Fang, refining both its offensive capabilities and the chakra precision it demanded.

With that milestone achieved, Shanks finally began work on his most ambitious goal: the creation of his own original ninjutsu—one that no other shinobi possessed. It would be the culmination of all his training, knowledge, and experimentation—a technique that fused the defence of Volt Shroud with the razor-sharp lethality and speed of Lightning Fang. His exclusive Jutsu, born from experience and perseverance.

While Shanks trained relentlessly in isolation, the other children of the Uzumaki Clan were also steadily improving. Though their progress was slower, they remained committed to their own training paths. Each day, they grew stronger, more focused, and more prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

Meanwhile, with his mastery over the Transformation Jutsu restored, Shanks no longer needed Erza to accompany him on supply runs to Tonika Village. Using the technique, he could easily alter his appearance, allowing him to move through populated areas unnoticed. As a result, he typically made the trips alone, efficiently gathering the provisions and materials the clan needed to sustain their hidden refuge.

Time marched on, and with it, so did Shanks' evolution—body, mind, and spirit moving ever closer to the warrior he was destined to become.

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